Wisteria House in Plymouth, Devon has been awarded outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.
Wisteria House provides residential and dementia care for adults over the age of 65.
The CQC awarded the care home as outstanding in an impressive four out of five categories: effective, caring, responsive and well-led and good for safe following the inspection, 25 June 2019.
Wisteria House had achieved the Level 1 Butterfly award in October 2017, awarded by Dementia Care Matters, a leading UK organisation inspiring culture change in dementia care. This was reported as being highly exceptional as the home had only been open for six months. The report stated that, "Wisteria House (Plymstock) Dementia Care is an inspiring reminder that it really is possible to live well with a dementia."
People, relatives and professionals were very happy with the care the staff provided.
Everyone spoke about the staff and the care provided as "Amazing," and "The best home ever." They agreed staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people's needs and learning from extensive training supporting the ethos of person-centred care and relationship care was evident throughout the inspection. This included sharing their learning about dementia care and health and safety with relatives who found this extremely helpful. Their learning in dementia care then enabled them to understand how their loved ones experienced the world. They were able to understand any triggers to behaviour which could be challenging and minimise risk and distress, making their time with loved ones a positive experience for all.
Residents were encouraged and supported to make decisions and choices whenever possible and take considered risks to promote independence and inclusion in the wider community. For example, taking taxis to their usual hairdresser, going to church and celebrating the royal wedding at a local primary school.
Staff promoted awareness of living with dementia and were sourcing children's books for the primary school to further enhance this relationship.
