Archived: Santa Maria

During this visit, we spoke with one of the people who used the service about what they liked to do. We were unable to fully understand the communication methods used by the people who used the service so we spent time observing the interactions between them and the care staff.

One person went food shopping with a member of staff and when they returned the staff instructed people to assist them with putting the shopping away. When one person left the kitchen they were asked to return and continue the task.

One person went out with a member of staff for a short drive during the day.

The staff told us that one person liked to walk into town and that they would take them out that day as the person had requested. However, they did not go out during our visit and when we left the service it was dark.

The staff said two people had gone into the nearest city to do Christmas shopping the day before our visit, they also described the holidays people had been on that summer. Staff told us the activity plans we saw were out of date and did not accurately reflect what people did. It was not clear what activities had been planned, but what people had done was recorded in their dairies. The staff described the activities people enjoyed doing.

Relatives told us that they believed their relatives were safe living at the home.

Relatives said that the staff were "brilliant" and that they knew what they were doing.

Relatives told us that they had not been asked about their views as to the quality of the care provided at the home.