Most Popular Questions
We encourage you to take a few moments to explore our FAQ page in order to gain a better understanding of how we can best help you. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions or concerns you may have. We truly value your interest in Derriford House and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Derriford accepts active elderly people who wish to spend their retirement years to the full, and we take men and women on an equal basis. We encourage independence and social activities, with or without relatives involvement. We also accept short term respite residents. We are not able to cater for people presenting with major physical disabilities or dementia.
Derriford House is not a Nursing Home, but we have continual access to all NHS support services, and residents may have the services of the district nurse where appropriate. However, Derriford House is not able to accept residents who have been assessed as needing 24-hour care from qualified nurses.
The Manager, the Head of Care or Deputy Manager assesses residents before they enter Derriford House. We visit them either in their own home setting, or at the Hospital/day centre. We take into account other professionals (Community Nurses, G.P's, ward staff,) and others, who may have input, so we can get an accurate picture of our prospective client. We then evaluate our ability to meet their needs. Only then do we offer a place. We seek to avoid taking people on an emergency basis.
Our residents’ care planning starts immediately after the initial assessment. The full assessment takes place within the first month, which forms the trial period for both the client and Derriford.
The ongoing assessments take place every month, when a full report on the physical and mental aspects takes place. We also do a continuous risk assessment for daily activities. Assessments are also carried out by the social worker (if involved) and the district nurse, whilst the continence advisor assesses any presenting incontinence.
Residents and next-of-kin are welcome to participate at any of these assessments or to see any of the relevant records we keep. Care plans and assessments are kept in client’s rooms and on our cloud based computer system, and other data held on the client are kept by the Manager and Administrator. These can be viewed upon request.
All accommodation, food, drink and laundry are included, as are all aspects of care which we are registered to deliver. Incoming calls to the resident’s rooms are also free of charge. The weekly physiotherapy sessions are included, as are all the in-house entertainment. Visitors are always welcome to refreshments and meals by arrangement.
Testimonials
Reviews from Relatives and the Regulators
My mother had a stroke in January and needed respite care in a safe environment during the Covid-19 pandemic and we found that place in Derriford House. The manager and her team have been fantastic throughout. My mother is constantly talking about the amazing staff, from the housekeepers, domestic staff and carers. They have all been so kind during a very difficult time. She absolutely loved the food and has very high praise for the chef and kitchen staff. During isolation, she was able to sit outside in the gardens, which again are well maintained and cared for. I would like to say a big thank you to the team.
Derriford House staff have been caring for my mother regularly when my husband and I go away for a break for a couple of years. The team offers me peace of mind with the care and support they give. The staff is patient and understanding towards their residents, which I know can be a challenge at times!
Moving a loved one into a care home is never an easy decision to make. However, I knew from the moment I walked into Derriford House, this was where I wanted my mum to be. It has been her home now for 11 years, so need I say anymore. She is looked after extremely well and nothing is too much trouble. The food provided is of excellent quality and there is a wide variety of choice, everyday. She would not want to live anywhere else. Thank you for all you do for her.
Our family are very impressed with the care given to our mother who moved to Derriford House the week before lockdown in March. We have been able to keep in contact by telephone and although it has been so hard not to be able to be in the home to be with her, we know she is in safe hands. We thank all the staff for their hard work and care during these past difficult months and for helping Mum settle into her new home.
From the first visit, we knew this would be the right place for our loved one. The atmosphere, compassion, and care are second to none. In these difficult times of COVID especially, every member of staff have given their all and every precaution has been taken to ensure everyone is kept safe. It gives us peace of mind and confidence that we made the right decision.
My mum has been a resident at Derriford House for almost five years. The staff and management really care and go the extra mile to make sure their residents are looked after and cared for like members of their own families. Freshly cooked food on a daily basis. I would not want my mum to be anywhere else.
I can not praise and thank all the staff at Derriford House. They have gone out of their way to help my mother settle in. They are always kind, jolly and respectful, making time to have a chat and make her feel cared for. At this challenging time, it has been particularly reassuring to know she is safe and well looked after. Their care is impeccable.
