Glastonbury Court is a purpose built care setting for Older
People, situated in a pleasant residential area to the South of
Bury St Edmunds a short bus ride from the historic medieval town
centre.
Local shops are situated next door to the home,
which include a post office, bakers and a mini market.
Glastonbury Court is unique as it offers a nursing as well as
residential service. It is the largest Local Authority care home in
Suffolk.
We, the staff at Glastonbury Court aim to provide
an environment where the care offered is sensitive to individual
choice and where accommodation care and service will be matched as
appropriate to the requirements of each person to lead as
fulfilling a life as possible. To achieve these aims, the person’s
potential for independence, privacy and dignity shall always be our
first consideration. We are happy to share our philosophy with
you.
There are 24 places on the ground floor nursing
unit. These are for people who have enduring mental health needs
and require specialist-nursing input.
In addition, there are 24 places on the first floor of the
building, 16 mainstream places and in October 2005, a newly
converted 8 place Dementia Unit.
The gardens are landscaped and wheelchair accessible with access to
an enclosed sensory garden. Residents have their own room with
en-suite facilities.
There is a newly refurbished function room at the
front of the building containing a licensed bar. This room is used
for social events and evening entertainment.
A drop in centre for people with Dementia and their carers, run by
the Alzheimer’s Society will be commencing once a week in this room
from October 2005.
A church service is held every Sunday and residents
are encouraged to attend. There is a hair salon within the home and
a chiropodist visits on a regular basis. We have our own mini bus
and take residents out on trips on a regular basis such as to the
seaside and pub lunches.
A ‘person centred’ approach to care helps to
re-assure families to help share the care and be involved as much
as they wish to.
We encourage families to feel that they can help us
get to know their loved ones as well as be involved in their care
by putting together life histories and memory boxes as well as
personalising their rooms.
All staff are trained to a high standard. As well
as completing an in-depth carer induction and foundation training,
care staff are expected to have an NVQ qualification or are
encouraged to work toward this qualification. The Homes Manager has
a Management Degree and Senior Team Leader has management
qualifications to Diploma level.
Five members of staff are trained on Dementia care
Mapping which takes place regularly within the home. Glastonbury
Court is developing a reputation as a ‘Centre of excellence’ for
its work within the field of Dementia
Care.