Dignity in Care

We are proud to be  to be recognised as meeting the Dignity Challenge set by the Department of Health. This introduces the ‘Dignity in Care Guide’ which has 10 points which organisations are challenged to meet.

“To meet this Regulation … providers must make sure that they provide care and treatment in a way that ensures people’s dignity and treats them with respect at all times. This includes making sure that people have privacy when they need and want it, treating them as equals and providing any support they might need to be autonomous, independent and involved in their local community.”

Care Quality Commission (CQC 2017)

At The Chace Care Home we meet the Dignity Challenge in the following ways:

1. Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse
   All new team members must have an ISA clearance and a DBS check before they commence employment. They receive training in both the Protection of Vulnerable Adults and our policies and procedures, which underpin the practice at The Chace, including Whistleblowing.
2. Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family
   We have high expectations of our team and they always regard residents in a courteous and respectful manner.  The emphasis of the activity at The Chace is to focus on the needs and wishes of each individual.  Every effort is made to ensure residents are pain free, in an environment suited to their needs and are engaged in sociable group or one to one interactions on a daily basis.
3. Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service
   Every resident has a ‘person centred care plan’ with comprehensive information on their history, needs, wants and aspirations.  This enables us to understand the person that they have been all of their lives, not just the presenting person.
4. Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control
   Every aspect of the care at The Chace is based on the needs and wishes of each resident.  They decide when they wish to go to bed and get up,  when and what to eat and how much involvement they want with other people or the daily activities within the home.
5. Listen and support people and enable them to express their needs and wants
   Our philosopy focuses on spending time with the residents in our care. We acknowledge their emotions, concerns and questions.  The Well Being team act as advocates for each resident enabling them to express their views through both one to one conversations and group meetings. A regular newsletter is also produced inviting comments and ideas.
6. Respect people’s right to privacy
   We understand that all of our residents are unique individuals.  Everyone is invited to join in with social groups for specific activities or meals for example, however, we appreciate that some people prefer the privacy of their room or perhaps a quieter spot. Every effort is made when assisting with personal care tasks, to enable each resident to be independent and supported in a way which maintains their dignity.
7. Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution
   Every comment, compliment or complaint is taken seriously by our team and responded to in a manner which respects the person’s right to comment and action is taken to resolve any matter which may cause concern.  The Chace welcomes all feedback and our ethos is one which embraces opportunities to enhance good practice.
8. Engage with family members and carers as care partners
   We positively encourage families who wish to be involved in supporting their relative at The Chace.  Families are contacted regularly with updates, information and events, which they are always welcome to join.  Families are invited twice yearly to take part in a review of The Chace’s care of their relative, but also our open door policy means they feel they can approach us at any time.
9. Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self image
   Our team work hard to make sure our residents feel safe and secure and feel confident in expressing themselves freely through comments, concerns and maintaining their own identity through their clothing and appearance. Residents are enabled to attend appointments in the community for hairdressing, shopping, and maintaining links with former clubs and associations.
10. Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation
    With the help and guidance of the Well Being team, our residents are encouraged by every team member to be involved with social groups, form friendships and to maintain contact with families and friends.  This is approached in a way which offers choice and support and compliments the person centred plan.  Feelings of loss and loneliness are acknowledged and one to one support enables residents to express their emotions about their situation in a supportive way, which may help them to move on. Frequent opportunities are made for people to access the community in either an organised or an ad hoc way, thereby responding at the time that support is needed.