New opening
member’s handheld care planning device whenever that resident leaves their bed. Boutique avoids mat sensors, however, regarding them as trip hazards. Of course, technology can only do so
much. “People have to realise that whatever you’ve got, you can’t stop somebody falling,” continues Andrew. “Whatever you have in the room, it’s no guarantee. Even if you’re with [somebody who is falling], the training is that you just break that fall – you don’t stop them from falling because you can damage yourself – and them – by trying to grab them to stop them from falling. There are techniques, and again the extra staffing ratio that we have will help with that. We don’t have residents staying in communal areas on their own – there are always those sorts of things that you put in place. Really, it’s common sense.” Just inside every resident’s room there is a unique ‘bar code’. Team members can scan the code with their device to log the fact that the resident has been checked at night. Additionally, should they wish, residents may take an alarm pendant with them on walks around the garden. At the end of the day, however, the emphasis at Chartwell House is very much on staff paying attention to residents and taking the time to make sure that they are ok. “You have to be careful with technology
because sometimes it gives you a false sense of security,” Andrew warns. Carl concurs: “Technology is great, but ultimately the team are our biggest asset.”
An integral part of the community As I mentioned, Boutique is not rushing to reach capacity at Chartwell House. Instead, the provider has a very clear vision of how
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it wants to take time and care to create and grow a community at the home – one that forms an active part of the greater Broadstairs community beyond Chartwell House’s four walls.
“Our reputation is more important to us than filling beds,” says Andrew. “The local community don’t know us, they don’t know what we’re doing here, and so it’s important to us to make sure that we start on the right, solid footing.”
“It’s about building a community,”
explains Carl. “It’s making sure that community grows in a way which is sustainable and inclusive and gets the best result for the resident and gives them the best experience.” Boutique has a very clear vision for its residents – one where joining the Chartwell community means enjoying a new lease of life, where every day has the potential for making a new friend, sparking a new interest, or reigniting an old passion. In March alone, activities at Chartwell House include a guest speaker on the topic of the suffragettes, a therapy dog visit, karaoke, a gardening club, a visit to nearby Hornby Hobbies Visitor Centre, live singers, and a shopping trip to Westwood Cross. Physical activity is very important at
Chartwell House, with walking, dancing, and yoga just some of the elements that form part of what Boutique calls its Life Enrichment Programme, which has been designed to support both physical and mental wellness, and in doing so ensure that residents live a life of enrichment and personal growth.
“A lot of residents are here because they
were too lonely at home,” Andrew reflects. “They wouldn’t see anybody except the
people that got them up and put them to bed. Whereas here it’s all about their interaction with the staff and other residents.” “People move to Chartwell House to enrich their lives, ultimately,” says Carl. “To be part of the community again, to reignite old passions, and discover new interests.” As the Chartwell House community
grows, its residents, their families and friends, the Boutique team, and the local Broadstairs community, too, all have a great deal to look forward to. I will enjoy hearing about how things progress over the coming months.
Suppliers list
Design: in-house Contractor: Lawrence Baker Interior design: Catalyst Interiors Electrical: Monitor Systems Mechanical: Arrowdale Ltd Build architect: Hay Associates Employers agent: Ashden Limited Structural engineer: Ward Associates Lifts: Otis Kitchen & laundry: Qube Catering Assisted baths: Gainsborough Nurse call: InterCall 700 Beds: Accora Bedroom furniture: Style & Finch Automated HR System: PeopleHR Online learning platform: My Learning Cloud Rostering & attendance management: Rotacloud Online care planning: Person Centred Software IT: DP Systems
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com April 2023
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