Making the Choice

Our residents are at the centre of all decisions, care planning, activities and menu choices.  Care plan are designed in collaboration with residents and their loved ones.  Preferred names are confirmed with residents when they move in, and the ‘about me’ section of careplans outlines likes, dislikes and key information such as risks.  

Our team of activity co-ordinators work in conjunction with residents, relatives and staff on each unit to deliver a person-centred plan of one to one and group activities, and entertainment across the year. Culturally- specific visits and support can be accessed, as relevant to religious or cultural preference. 

Yes- careplans are developed on an individual basis which includes preferred times for getting up and going to bed, this can include bed-rest during the day. 

We ask that mealtimes are protected from visitors unless by prior arrangement with the unit manager.  We acknowledge that for some residents, mealtime visits from loved ones can be beneficial to health and wellbeing, nutrition and hydration, but we ask that this is included in specific care plans and in agreement with the unit or home manager. 

Pets are welcome to visit with the relevant support in place from friends and relatives. Where necessary, and based on clinical need/risk, we may ask that pets are not taken into dining areas or residents rooms, but will discuss this with you and will complete relevant risk assessments as required. 

Yes- this will be agreed with the relevant unit or home manager, and must comply with relevant Health & Safety restrictions. We may review the amount of furniture/ possessions if clinical need means equipment is required, thus restricting space. We ask that high value items/ jewellery are not left in residents rooms. 

All personal care is provided in the privacy of individual resident’s rooms, and/ or bathrooms on the unit depending on need.  All staff are trained to knock on doors prior to entering, and careplans can include an outline with preferred private time.  Visitors are welcome to meet with residents in their bedrooms, and/ or the smaller conservatories / lounges depending on the unit and/ or number of visitors. 

Individual care plans are developed with residents, their loved ones and relevant involved professionals to inform the required level of support and appropriate management of any risks. 

Residents inform the content of their careplans through discussion with their keyworker, and unit staff . Careplans can be amended and added to at any time, and are reviewed each year.  

Yes- we work closely with multi-disciplinary professionals locally, including GPs.  Residents are able to retain their own GP if the practice agrees to maintain registration. This is more of an issue if the GP is out of area to Oldham, and is at the discretion of the GP. 

All staff are trained in basic care and understanding of dementia-care and responding appropriately to confusion.  Individual risk assessments are developed for residents based on professional recommendation and, where relevant, specialist guidance.  Each unit has a bespoke dependency matrix which informs the required staffing levels. This is flexible, responsive to need, and staffing levels can be increased if required, to manage safe support.  Where relevant, one to one care can be provided in conjunction with the resident’s social worker/ complex case nurse. 

There are over 2000 years’ equivalent service across the staff team at OTC, with a number of staff in various roles having worked more than 25 years. There are also generations of families who work at Total Care.  Staffing levels are based on the bespoke dependency matrix, specific to need, complexity and levels of risk on each unit. 

The team across Total Care are employed to work across the home, but are allocated a specific unit which is their main place of work.  This is important to ensure the needs of residents on each unit are well understood and trusting relationships can be established.  However, in order to maintain safe staffing levels, at times, staff do work across different units.  

The team at Total Care work closely with community health and social care practitioners, relevant to individual care plans.  Home visits by private podiatry, optician, hairdresser, and complementary therapies can be arranged via the unit managers, and are paid directly to the provider.  

Specialist diets are supported, including gluten free (coeliac), mediterranean, halal, thickened/ puree and vegetarian.  

Menus are updated seasonally, displayed in dining rooms and the main reception, and have at least 2 choices at each meal.  There is a variety of hot and lighter options at each meal time, with drinks and snacks available across the day. 

yes- our latest CQC inspection report can be found at https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-16964879095