Benslow Nursing Home – Hitchin


Benslow Nursing Home | Hitchin

Benslow Nursing Home has passed the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Health Protection Units infection prevention and control Quality Assurance Programme.

The manager Mrs Sandra Tyers has been with the company for 23 years, Sandra has an honours degree in Dementia studies and has recently been shortlisted as Manager of the year with Hertfordshire Care Providers Association. (The winner will be announced in November 2012 at their gala evening).

Description of home

Benslow Nursing Home is a beautifully three storey restored Victorian house. The home specialises in long term and respite nursing care for the elderly and individuals living with dementia.

The floors are accessible by either a lift or stairs, 2 of the floors accommodate 3 lounge dinning areas to ensure residents have a choice of where they would like to sit and relax. The corridors of the home are adorned and furnished with memorabilia from bygone ages.

Benslow Nursing Home is a friendly and welcoming home with 31 single rooms, 4 of which are large enough to accommodate sharing companions should this be requested. All our bedrooms are ensuite.

There is a beautiful landscaped garden with a purpose laid walk way suitable for wheelchairs, raised flower beds and a summer house.

Location

Benslow Nursing Home is located in a quiet residential area at the top of Benslow Lane and is ideally situated to the range of local amenities for both Hitchin town centre and the railway station. Getting to the home by public transport is easy as there is a bus stop at the bottom of Benslow Lane. We are close to Junction 7 of the A1 (motorway).

The environment

The first thing you notice the moment you step into Benslow Nursing Home is the bright and home from home atmosphere, everyone’s positive and friendly approach. Staff and service users alike are always given a warm welcome. To add to this homely feel, Benslow Nursing Home is organised to resemble a home with separate areas for those who wish to sit quietly or socialise with each other in group activities. If they wish, residents can have their room decorated and personalised to their own personal choice. We encourage them to bring items such as photos, treasured ornaments and favourite pieces of furniture.

Activities for residents

We encourage and welcome service users to maintain social activities, links with family, friends and outside organisations. There is a wide programme of weekly activity which is organised and overseen by our activity organiser. These are designed to cover a range of interests, from sing-along’s and arts and crafts to cooking and reminiscence sessions. Singers and musicians come to entertain, and a Pet as Therapy dog visits the home every fortnight. Great emphasis is placed on the meaningful daily life activities which will include things to stimulate the mind and the memory. The uniqueness of the individual’s life interest and choice will always be taken in to account. For those who are able, we take small groups on shopping trips and to the local pub for lunch. We also organise summer outings to the seaside.

We have recently acquired a computer system for the residents so they can have their own e-mail address and keep in touch with distant family and friends through Skype.

Benslow Nursing Home is also a member of NAPA “The National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People”

Wholesome tasty food

All meals are prepared and cooked in the homes kitchen by dedicated chefs committed to delivering what the residents enjoy.

Benslow Nursing Home, along with the other homes belonging to Benslow Care Homes, supports Bedfordshire’s “Food First” Programme. As the accreditation is not available in Hertfordshire for providing good quality nutrition using real food,our home in Bedfordshire has been accredited and Benslow Nursing Home is following their lead and standards.

Every day there is a choice of menu, we serve meals that are both tasty and nutritious, using local produce where possible. Menus are changed on a regular basis and our chef likes to meet with residents to discuss their personal preferences. We cater for individual dietary requirements and, for those special occasions, our chef will be delighted to arrange something exceptional.

Meal times are often thought of as one of many “highlights of the day” and we ensure that the experience is enjoyable for all, including those that need extra support.

Our kitchen has been awarded 5 stars (excellent) from Environmental Health Dept.

Friends and family

We always extend a warm welcome to friends and relatives into the life of Benslow Nursing Home with invites to Fetes, Dinner party entertainment and seasonal events. That’s why visitors are able to feel entirely at ease when they come here, as if they were visiting their loved one in their own home.

We have open visiting and staff team are always available to answer your questions. We welcome feedback from family and friends and endeavour to incorporate this in the individual care that is delivered in the home.

Garden setting

When the weather is fine, residents and their families can relax outdoors in our spacious landscaped gardens. The home has two outside areas for the residents, one to the left of the building were access can be gained via the front door. This area is grassed and also has a shaded area with a circle pathway for independent wheelchair users. The second is a patio area with a potting shed where residents can carry out garden activities. This area is secure and provides a safe and attractive outside space. Both gardens are complete with garden seating. In the summer, we organise garden parties to which friends and family are warmly invited.

Professional services

We have regular visits from a GP, physiotherapist, hairdresser and mobile library, and can arrange appointments with a chiropodist, dentist and optician, as required. To ensure residents’ spiritual needs are met, we have a Church of England vicar and a Roman Catholic priest visit us regularly. Situated in the heart of a multicultural society, there are many diverse places of worship locally, and every effort will be made to build links with these groups to meet any of the individual’s beliefs. We very much recognise the importance of personal, individual and residents focus to care, to achieve this, good communication between all members of the care team, relatives or doctor’s is essential.

Community spirit

Ensuring our residents remain involved in the life of the community helps keep them independent and active. That’s why we make sure we maintain excellent ties with charities such as Alzheimer’s Society, local schools and with outside entertainment groups, enabling our residents to spend time interacting with a variety of different people and age groups.

Key information

Home manager:
Sandra Tyers

Address:
Benslow Nursing Home
Benslow Rise
Hitchin
Hertforshire
SG4 9QY

Email Us:
[email protected]

Telephone Us:
01462 459773

Summary of Services:
Nursing Care
Personal Care
Dementia Care
Respite Care

Contact us: 01442 825 919