If you would like to know more please
visit our website www.fshc.co.uk or
speak to Kate Marchant on
01902 841805
Four Seasons Health Care is one of the largest groups
in the UK predominantly devoted to the care of older
people. Several specialised centres, including some
catering for learning and physical disabilities, also form
part of the group.
The Manager and staff in the individual homes have
the support, advice and guidance from the experienced
Four Seasons team to help them to run their home
efficiently and effectively.
The benefit to a resident and their family is knowing
that the home and the staff are able to offer consistently
high standards, are well trained and have the support
and resources of a large company behind them.
If you ever have any comments or complaints about
any Four Seasons home, then contact the Home
Manager, or alternatively the Chief Executive, at the
following address:
Four Seasons Health Care Limited
Emerson Court, Alderley Road,
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1NX
Tel: 01625 417800
Fax: 01625 417827
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.fshc.co.uk
Registered Company No. 05165301
Our Care Homes are registered and regulated by the
Care Quality Commission in England, the Care Commission
in Scotland and the Health and Personal Social Services
Regulation and Improvement Authority in Ireland.
16450 01/11
PEARL Introduction
The PEARL programme is an accreditation programme specifically
designed by Four Seasons Health Care to ensure that we are providing
the most up to date training, communication and interventions for
people with dementia.
We have called our specialised dementia service PEARL, with it
standing for Positively Enriching And enhancing Residents Lives.
The criteria address four main themes of person centred care:
Valuing – a value base that asserts the absolute value of all human
lives regardless of age of cognitive ability.
Individual- an individual approach, recognising uniqueness.
Perspective – understanding the world from the perspective of the
service user.
Supportive psychology – providing a social environment that supports
psychological needs.
(Brooker 2007)
A PEARL home is accredited by members of our Dementia
Services Team who ensure that these criteria are met. Every home
that has achieved the PEARL award is subject to continued review
and revalidation.
Our Specialist Dementia Care
Dementia care is provided at a number
of Four Seasons Health Care homes
with a number accredited as PEARL
Specialised Dementia Service. This
means that the environment has been
developed and adapted to the needs of
residents with dementia and we can offer
as much independence and stimulation as
possible within safe boundaries.
The expertise of our caring team is to
recognise and enable each resident to
continue to do the things they enjoy for
as long as they can continue to do so.
Our programme is based on the theories
of ‘person centred care’ and all of our
care plans are tailored around the
residents’ needs and capabilities. These
are adjusted to provide additional
support over time.
Every aspect of the home contributes to
the quality of daily life for residents.
Layout and decoration are used to
enable residents to exercise choice, help
orientation and to provide interest and
stimulation. For example, the sights and
sounds of the music and themed
corridors and sensory rooms as well as
rummage boxes and relevant activities.
These features act as cues for the person
with dementia to guide and support
them as they move around their home.
Corridors in the dementia unit are
themed using different pictures. Using
evidence based research, the toilet doors
along the corridors were painted in a
different colour to help the residents
identify them more easily.
Residents are always encouraged to bring
personal belongings and small items of
furniture which can help to retain a sense
of identity and provide reassuring links
with the past.
Person Centred Care
Our person centred approach means
that each resident is an individual treated
with respect and dignity.
Each resident has a named key worker
and an individual care plan. This will
cover their personal and medical history,
as well as a record of the particular
activities they enjoy and any cultural or
religious aspects of their care.
Our staff use Dementia Care Mapping,
an observational technique to evaluate
care quality and the emotional welfare
of residents.
The introduction of research based
therapies and assessments to aid quality
of life and wellbeing of the residents has
culminated in the use of doll therapy,
multi-sensory room, use of rummage
boxes, reminiscence therapy and reality
orientation. The use of the multi-sensory
room continues to be very effective and
popular with the residents.
Life histories, to which relatives’
contributions are valued, are used to
help us get to know residents as people,
with their own personalities and pasts.
Understanding the reasons behind a
person’s actions and the people, places
and belongings which are important to
the person can help to overcome the
frustration and fear someone may
experience at being unable to express
what they need.
Experienced & Specially Trained Staff
Our experienced and trained staff are
committed to providing the highest
quality care and have a detailed
understanding of the unique nature
of dementia.
Our registered nurses and carers have
additional specialised training in dementia
care. Our Dementia Care Services
Director has been instrumental in
promoting person centred approaches
to dementia care in the UK and is an
acknowledged expert in this field.
Other staff also contribute to the care
we provide. Our Chefs understand the
special dietary needs of people with
dementia and employ innovative menus
and serving methods. Our housekeeping
and maintenance staff contribute daily to
the care and dignity of our residents.
Facilities
Choice of Food
The PEARL Home is a purpose designed
facility in which every detail has been
researched to ensure we achieve an
environment that will enable the
residents to maintain the highest possible
level of independence and freedom
of choice.
In the PEARL Specialised Dementia
Service we offer a varied menu available
on a daily basis supported with menu
pictures to aid memory and choice.
We offer a flexible mealtime to
accommodate our individual resident’s
needs including varied dining areas to suit
their mood and preference. We offer
research based good practice in the use
of coloured crockery and fortified diets
to aid residents with challenges and
nutritional issues.
Some dining rooms are decorated with
framed illustrations and images of food,
for stimulating discussions, whilst
residents enjoy the cuisine prepared by
our highly skilled Chefs.
Our Chefs prepare a wide range of
home cooked food based upon
traditional cooking using fresh produce.
Analysis of our menus is carried out to
ensure that they are nutritionally
balanced and special diets are catered for.
Activities & Alternative Therapies
Many of our PEARL accredited homes
have a sensory patio that allows the
residents to spend time in an enriched
environment. It also means they can take
part in the gardening sessions offered as
part of the activities plan.
Much research has taken place prior to
the design of sensory patio’s and the
benefits it can bring. Plants are chosen
following consultation with therapists,
residents and relatives, to ensure
awareness and memory stimulation.
We offer opportunity for residents to
enjoy and work in the garden where
appropriate. We use Animal Assisted
therapy which is proven also to be very
beneficial to residents. This may include
rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats as either
part of the community or from visiting
pet therapists. Music Therapy is another
activity we encourage residents to
participate in.
Specialist activities for people with
memory impairment are provided and
we have specialist Personal Activity
Leaders. Reminiscence therapy can
reduce frustration about short term
memory loss. Various complementary
therapies and other sensory experiences
are also used to great effect.
Residents are encouraged to carry out
small tasks throughout the day, such as
helping to lay the tables or watering the
plants, which can help retain self-esteem
and involvement in daily life.
Where appropriate, community
involvement takes place and relatives
are always encouraged to participate in
activities.