Editorial

This is what excellent care homes look like

Read the national press and you could be forgiven for thinking that care homes are depressing places where older people go to die in grim surroundings. While criticism of some care homes is justified, in reality there are many others where staff deliver excellent care without receiving recognition. Nursing Standard seeks to redress this balance by showcasing a home that has been adjudged excellent by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Read the national press and you could be forgiven for thinking that care homes are depressing places where older people go to die in grim surroundings. While criticism of some care homes is justified, in reality there are many others where staff deliver excellent care without receiving recognition. Nursing Standard seeks to redress this balance by showcasing a home that has been adjudged excellent by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Eden House in County Durham is a purpose-built facility with en suite bathrooms, landscaped gardens and a hairdressing salon, as well as a dedicated area for residents with dementia. Such facilities help create the best possible environment for care, but ultimately it is the attitudes and behaviours of staff that shine through and make the difference for those who call Eden House home.

It is inspiring to see what is possible with the commitment of all involved

The nurses, healthcare assistants and the rest of the supporting cast are united in striving to ensure every person receives holistic and individualised care. For example, residents are asked every year to choose three wishes, and staff do everything in their power to make them come true. Some are relatively straightforward, such as arranging to visit a poignant place, and others more challenging. A request to meet Elvis was fulfilled, albeit through an impersonator.

How do they do it? A key factor is that the company that runs the home, Helen McArdle Care, invests heavily in staff training and even has its own academy. As training manager Stephanie Callaghan observes, the money spent on professional development is repaid many times over because staff remain loyal to the organisation, reducing turnover and meaning residents can get to know those caring for them.

It can feel as though the care home sector is in a constant state of crisis, crippled by a lack of funding and afforded a low priority by those in power. Nursing staff in many homes never have the chance to deliver the kind of care on offer at Eden House, but it is inspiring to see what is possible with the commitment of owners, managers and staff.

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