The role of private nursing home standards in enhancing quality of life for older people
A private nursing home is subject to the same fundamental standards and regulations as publicly funded care homes. So what makes them different? We believe it is the ability and desire to go above and beyond those fundamentals and offer higher standards of caring in a stimulating place to live, and that values an individual’s right to be listened to and have their needs fully met.
It is the higher standards of a private nursing home that enhances the quality of life of someone living in residential care.
The Gold Standards Framework and staff training
Beyond the fundamental training of all care staff, those in residential nursing care can work towards achieving the Gold Standard Framework. This aims to ensure every person in nursing care, not just a private nursing home, receives ‘gold standard’ care. Our staff also work towards the Quality Hallmark Award accreditation which provides effective end of life care.
Not all care homes choose to offer additional training such as these to their staff, but we truly believe this makes the role of private nursing home standards in our setting more relevant.
The Ash Lodge House of Tranquility and Garden
Our amazing House of Tranquility was opened in August 2024, to the delight of staff, residents and family members alike. The creation of the gardens included participation from our residents in the painting, planting and maintenance of the gardens. Anyone who wanted a job, was given one!
It has proven to be the therapeutic experience we strove for, offering physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual benefits to everyone.
The calming nature of nature is well documented in nursing and palliative care, and many connections have been made and fostered in this wonderful space.
Spa and beauty days
As you get older, you shouldn’t have to leave those enjoyable hours spent at the hairdresser or beauty salon behind. Self-care needn’t be only about chiropody and maintaining mobility in the smaller joints, it can still mean having a pedicure or manicure just because you fancy being treated to a new nail polish colour!
On spa days at Ash Lodge, our residents enjoy a glass of whatever they fancy, while choosing their treatment or gossiping with the hairdresser.
Private nursing home standards go beyond the basic or necessary needs, and offer a little taste of luxury…
Ash Lodge meets private nursing standards in many ways
These are just three examples of how everyday life at Ash Lodge is enhanced by private nursing home standards. We also maintain an exceptional standard of décor, dining and social connections, and have a full programme of cognitive stimulation therapy.
We operate a person-centred approach to nursing care, ensuring dignity and respect at all times. While Ash Lodge is not a wholly private nursing home, we do uphold the same exacting standards as private care, and welcome enquiries from residents of Edgbaston, Harborne, Quinton, Bearwood and Oldbury.
Please contact Ash Lodge manager, Helen Wilcox with any questions, or to arrange an appointment to visit our nursing home. In the meantime, please download our brochure to assist with your research.