"Carer Involvement in Nursing Home"

I have had to take the difficult step of identifying a Nursing Home for my Mother and eventually decided on The Meadows in Dornoch.

While I was merely trying to choose the best care home, I found the staff here were friendly and helpful, stressing the value placed on the resident's right to her own preferences as to eating, bedtime, activities etcetera. 

There was one home I attempted to inspect which, although it looked extremely plush, the manager was very curt and would not spare anyone to show me around. I gave it a large swerve. If there was no time for me, what chance would the patient have?

With my mother now moved in for over four weeks, I could not be more pleased with my decision. The Home is friendly and clean and well staffed with people who care.There is no smell of urine, as can be the case in some homes. There are plenty staff at lunchtime to assist with feeding and the Nurse in Charge assigns her staff to those who need to be helped. Just as it should be. 

Hospitals could learn from this and stop merely placing a tray in front of someone who cannot help him/herself. It has been a joy to see a team working so well together.

The other point that should be made is a small but important one. When the staff are writing up my mother's care plan, they frequently approach and tell me that they are going to write such and such - is that how I find her? Would I agree?

It is so nice to be included in such a small way: to feel that you still have input.