Enter and View: The Dales Care Home, Skipton

Recommendations:

• Logic dictates that where there so many residents with multiple difficulties - dementia, non-communication, immobility, that the staffing levels are inadequate to meet each and every residents’ basic needs of daily living. As such staffing levels need to be reviewed and increased to avoid putting residents at risk.
• The Home environment needs to be more consistently dementia friendly in its flooring, décor and signage, with particular regard to the toilets and bathrooms signage and colour.
• The progression of Dementia for each and every resident is and will be different, as such the uniformity of dining crockery and cutlery is inappropriate, despite how attractive it might look to visitors. It is potentially a safety risk. Consider changing to unbreakable equipment that does not pose any risk to any resident.
• It may be company policy for hand washing, however where residents are immobile or unable to comprehend, then common sense would indicate that some alternative for cleaning residents’ hands before or after meals is essential to prevent germs and infections spreading.
• Immediately replace the unhygienic wooden toilet seat as it is a health hazard.
• The paintwork in the main entrance, on the stairs and the entrance door to Devonshire unit all require remedial work, as does the visitors toilet - which also needs a thorough clean.
• Consider alarming the bedroom doors of residents with dementia, so that as their condition deteriorates, staff can be confident residents are safe in their room, unless the alarm sounds.
• Consider providing a secure area outside the Home where residents can walk and sit in comfort, enjoy the views and benefit from the fresh air in a safe, secure environment.