Residential care normally refers to short or long-term accommodation which includes care and support.
This is usually for people who need some assistance with personal care which may include, (going to the toilet, washing and bathing, oral healthcare as well and if needed, help with health care issues such as making and getting to appointments and taking medication.
It also includes full domestic type services such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening and maintenance etc.
A choice of leisure/social activities including getting out and about are also included.
A Residential care service is best suited to supports those not currently needing a 24-hour specialist support delivered by a qualified Nursing team. Although community nurses are available to support people living in a residential care setting.
Residential care is ideal for those starting to recognise their frailty or memory problem, but also a good choice as well as for those feeling isolated and lonely at home. Residential care enables people to focus their energy on the things they like to do, as we take care of all the usual daily household tasks.
What is unique about Residential Care at Oakham Grange?
Oakham Grange is a purpose-built Residential Home with Nursing, which consists of three small Households, enabling likeminded peers to live well together. It has a Household for those who are cognitively well, but physically frail and two others that supports those with a memory problem or with a formal diagnosis of dementia, wherever they are on that journey.
Part of our assessment process prior to all new residents moving in, is to reassure ourselves that we can fully support the person’s care needs, as well as their holist ones, such as their social likes and interests.
Unlike most care homes, Residential care residents at Oakham Grange also benefit from the knowledge that there is also has its own Nursing Team available 24/7. So, although our residential care residents may not currently need nursing support and do not yet qualify for Funded Nursing Care (FNC), Oakham Grange residents find it comforting to know their care is overseen by a qualified nurse who is there for them instantly if a clinical opinion is needed or an emergency occurs. (and hopefully preventing an avoidable hospital admission).
Residential residents at Oakham Grange also take advantage of the home’s enhanced GP agreement service. This means long term residents have a named GP that visits the home on a weekly basis, enabling them to really get to know our residents. on, not just any long-term condition you may live with and for you in turn to build a rapport and trust in them.
What to look for in a good residential home?
1 Are there enough staff and are they well trained?
Oakham Grange works on a higher-than-average staff to resident ratio (normally 1 to 4 in the day, but higher if residents need more than one person to assist them). All our staff are recruited for their inherit qualities to deliver compassionate person centre care, including their empathy, patience and effective communication skills (including supporting those with speech impairment or memory problems). They are also given a high level of induction training and ongoing support. , as well as their enthusiasm to learn new skills during induction and ongoing training programmes.
2 Are staff well led by a highly visible management team?
At Oakham Grange the homes General Manager and Deputy Manager are both experienced nurses enabling them to lead the care and support team with skill and knowledge. Their offices are easily accessed to the front of resident Households and their contact details are on display.
In turn they are supported by a stable Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with many years’ experiences delivering outstanding care services in the NHS, Third and Private sector. Oakham Grange is one of a very small number of family owned and managed homes, so the SLT are easily contacted and are normally at Oakham Grange at least once a week.
3 Do mealtimes offer quality food, with choice from a seasonal menu?
At Oakham Grange we want mealtimes to be a social occasion, with freshly cooked food accompanied by a cheerful conversation between good friends (potentially with a glass or two of wine for those that wish). Breakfast can be a 50/50 mix of residents that choose to eat in their bedroom and those in the kitchen diner. Breakfasts can vary from porridge or toast to a full English.
Main meal of the day is lunch, which most people choose to eat together. (Oakham Grange has protected mealtimes from visitors, so residents can eat in a relaxed and social way. When you visit, always ask to see today’s menu to see which dinner and dessert you would have chosen.
Everything is cooked fresh inhouse and the chef team can support those needing modified meals due to medical conditions. to the IDDSI framework (working in partnership with an individual’s swallowing assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist).
Teatime is from a lighter menu, but always with a hot meal option. Oakham Grange is also blessed with has its own Private Dinning Room, enabling people to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in style with friends and family.
In turn they are supported by a stable Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with many years’ experiences delivering outstanding care services in the NHS, Third and Private sector. Oakham Grange is one of a very small number of family owned and managed homes, so the SLT are easily contacted and are normally at Oakham Grange at least once a week.
4 Does the home offer a varied activity programme?
As your life at Oakham Grange isn’t governed by a list of domestic chores (we are here to do the cleaning, the cooking and the washing) residents can be completely focused on what they like to do (or would like to try). Our dedicated Activity team liaise closely with residents to understand likes and dislikes, so they can offer activities programme which reflects these wishes. From shopping in town, attending local religious services to enjoying the entertainers who perform at the home there is something for everyone. Typically this means on any week you could participate in seated Tai Chi or Yoga, painting (mixture of mediums), visits from therapy animals (including PAT Dog) and entertainers including singers and a magician.
Main meal of the day is lunch, which most people choose to eat together. (Oakham Grange has protected mealtimes from visitors, so residents can eat in a relaxed and social way. When you visit, always ask to see today’s menu to see which dinner and dessert you would have chosen.
Everything is cooked fresh inhouse and the chef team can support those needing modified meals due to medical conditions. to the IDDSI framework (working in partnership with an individual’s swallowing assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist).
Teatime is from a lighter menu, but always with a hot meal option. Oakham Grange is also blessed with has its own Private Dinning Room, enabling people to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in style with friends and family.
In turn they are supported by a stable Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with many years’ experiences delivering outstanding care services in the NHS, Third and Private sector. Oakham Grange is one of a very small number of family owned and managed homes, so the SLT are easily contacted and are normally at Oakham Grange at least once a week.
5 Is the building fit for purpose?
Oakham Grange like all Ardale homes is purpose built. We are the first to agree that it’s the staff team, their training and care ethos which brings a home to life, but if the design enables you to live well, it’s a huge benefit. In practical terms this means bedrooms are large, light and airy, some with French doors out to the private garden. All have an ensuite wet room to aid privacy and dignity, . Each Household also has fully accessible spa style bath, so a soak in a bath is an option for all. Sometimes it’s the simple design details such as doors wide enough for modern powered wheelchairs, the lack of trip hazards like steps throughout the home and gardens, which makes life at Oakham Grange easier than at home.
Oakham Grange has excellent Wi-Fi throughout which means people can easily stay in contact with friends and loved ones wherever they live, keep in touch with news and current affairs or enjoy online shopping. We can support you with electronic care needs and medication systems, as well as a ‘plug and play’ menu of assisted tech which we can install, depending on personal preference and need.
The Oakham Grange environment is also ‘dementia friendly’, making it as easy to navigate and as stress free to live in as possible for someone living with a memory problem. In practice this is useful for us all as we all need more light to clearly see and read, as our eyes get older. Subtle dementia friendly colour coding of doors, walls and furniture helps prevent slips, trips and falls, which is always a good thing
Main meal of the day is lunch, which most people choose to eat together. (Oakham Grange has protected mealtimes from visitors, so residents can eat in a relaxed and social way. When you visit, always ask to see today’s menu to see which dinner and dessert you would have chosen.
Everything is cooked fresh inhouse and the chef team can support those needing modified meals due to medical conditions. to the IDDSI framework (working in partnership with an individual’s swallowing assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist).
Teatime is from a lighter menu, but always with a hot meal option. Oakham Grange is also blessed with has its own Private Dinning Room, enabling people to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in style with friends and family.
In turn they are supported by a stable Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with many years’ experiences delivering outstanding care services in the NHS, Third and Private sector. Oakham Grange is one of a very small number of family owned and managed homes, so the SLT are easily contacted and are normally at Oakham Grange at least once a week.
