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

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

First published in 2006, the evidence-based Care Fit for VIPS framework was introduced by dementia experts and stands for ‘valuing’, ‘individual’, ‘perspective’, and ‘social environment’. 

Field Lodge achieved the accreditation by offering an extremely high level of care for those living with dementia, with a score of 96 per cent across all elements of care specified in the framework. 

Suzanne Mumford, QN, head of nursing, care and dementia at Care UK and a key advocate for the Care Fit for VIPS accreditation commended Field Lodge for its person-centred 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 suited to the abilities of all individuals living in the home, such as purposeful household activities and regular exercise. 

The entire care team was praised for the high level of support always given to residents, highlighting the team as being ‘gentle’, ‘encouraging’ and ‘validating’. 

Home Manager at Field Lodge, Linda Martinez, 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 Field Lodge that we provide the highest standards of care possible and make sure every one of our residents feels supported, valued and safe.” 

She added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to the whole team, as well as the residents and relatives who make Field Lodge a wonderful place to call home.” 

The report also noted that an impressive number of Namaste care sessions are regularly delivered within the home, both in groups and one-to-one settings.