St Ives care home receives Care Fit for VIPS accolade

A care home in St Ives has been awarded a prestigious accreditation for person-centred dementia care – Care Fit for VIPS.

The internal accreditation has been awarded to Care UK’s Field Lodge, on London Road, and recognises the team’s work alongside residents and families to improve the lives of those living with dementia.

First published in 2006, the evidence-based Care Fit for VIPS framework was introduced by dementia experts and stands for ‘valuing’, ‘individual’, ‘perspective’ and ‘social environment’. Centered around four key aspects: valuing those living with dementia, treating everyone as an individual, showing empathy towards those living with the condition, and recognising the need for a stimulating social environment.

Field Lodge achieved the accreditation by offering an extremely high level of care for those living with dementia, wowing with a score of over 96% across all elements of care specified in the framework.

Suzanne Mumford, QN, Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia at Care UK and a key advocate for the Care Fit for VIPS accreditation commended Field Lodge for its person-centered care, finding examples in residents’ care plans of life histories and tailored notes on how to support individuals in ways that promote self-worth. The home’s lifestyle team were also praised for providing a range of activities suited to the abilities of all individuals living in the home, such as purposeful household activities and regular exercise.

The report noted that an impressive number of Namaste care sessions are regularly delivered within the home, both in groups and one-to-one settings. An important aspect of dementia care, Namaste sessions promote a holistic approach to caring for someone living with dementia.

The entire care team were praised for the high level of support given to residents at all times, highlighting the team as being ‘gentle’, ‘encouraging’ and ‘validating’. The team actively ensure they are engaging in meaningful conversations with residents and supporting them to be as independent as possible.

Linda Martinez, Home Manager at Field Lodge, said: “We’re delighted our hard work has been recognised with the Care VIP accreditation, as it’s something we’ve been working towards for several years. It’s incredibly important to the whole team here at Field Lodge that we provide the highest standards of care possible and make sure every one of our residents feels supported, valued and safe.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the whole team, as well as the residents and relatives who make Field Lodge a wonderful place to call home.”

Field Lodge is a modern, purpose-built care home providing full-time residential, nursing, and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has a choice of lounges and dining rooms, along with facilities such as an activity room, cinema and hair salon.