Epsom care home receives Care Fit for VIPS accolade

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

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

Developed in 2004, the Care Fit for VIPS framework was introduced by dementia experts and is 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.

Appleby House achieved the accreditation by offering an extremely high level of care for those living with dementia, wowing with a score of over 93% across all elements of care specified in the framework.

Suzanne Mumford, Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia at Care UK and a key advocate for the Care Fit for VIPS accreditation, commended Appleby House 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, including musical events and art focused workshops 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 weas praised for the high level of support given to residents at all times, highlighting the team as being “knowledgeable and skilled when communicating with individuals, while adapting the speed of interaction, and complexity of language to suit the abilities of everyone.” 

The report also praised the dementia friendly environment created at Appleby House, praising it’s “continuously evolving” nature which now includes a small second-hand shop and an allotment in the garden where residents and their families can enjoy planting and growing fresh produce. The report also highlighted how each resident’s room features a framed A4 board which includes essential information about the resident and their preferences, which helps support team members to engage and interact meaningfully with residents as they enter the room. 

Shona Bradbury, Home Manager at Appleby House, 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 Appleby House 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 Appleby House a wonderful place to call home.”

Appleby House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The modern care home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.