Many of the people living in Aspen Grange Care Home at the time of our visit had difficulty in understanding and responding to verbal communication. Some people were able to make comments about specific issues, such as the meals, however, most of the information about people's experiences of Aspen Grange was gathered through our observations.We saw that staff showed respect to people using the service. One person with whom we spoke said, 'Staff are very respectful indeed, they always knock before they enter my room and speak to me respectfully.'
Staff understood people's communication difficulties and found ways to help people make choices and decisions about their everyday lives. For example, at mealtimes staff helped people choose their meal by showing them the options available at the table. This meant people could make a meaningful choice based on what the food looked and smelled like. We saw that people were given the right amount of help to eat their meals.
Care was provided in a dignified way and with regard to people's individual abilities. People were not rushed. We noted that people were assisted with their personal care and were well groomed.
We saw that people lived in a clean, pleasant and well maintained environment.
On the day of our visit we saw that there were enough staff members available to give people the help they needed. However, some relatives of people living in Aspen Grange Care Home told us, 'There seems to be a lack of consistency in staffing numbers. There are sometimes two staff and sometimes four staff here to look after people on this floor.'
Overall, relatives told us there was a great family spirit in the home and they felt their relatives were being well cared for. One person told us, 'I think it's brilliant, always very caring, very kind.'
People living in the home who were able to express an opinion said they felt the home was very nice and one person with whom we spoke said, 'We are being looked after safely.'