Recently, we observed a discussion on a Carlisle public forum where a family member raised concerns about care provided at another care home in the city. The question centred on why their loved one appeared to be sleeping during visits, particularly when they had been told the resident was getting up very early in the mornings.
While this discussion was not about Howard Court Care Home, it raised important points that are relevant across the care sector and closely align with the Care Quality Commission’s expectations around person-centred care, observation, communication, and partnership with families.
Safe & Effective Care: Understanding Daily Routines
Mornings in any residential care home are complex. Supporting residents safely with personal care, continence needs, medication administration, mobility, and nutrition requires careful staffing and coordination. Ensuring residents receive appropriate hygiene and meals is part of our duty of care under Safe and Effective KLOEs.
However, CQC guidance is clear that routines must not override individual needs. At Howard Court, staffing and daily planning are structured to support safety without imposing unnecessary uniformity.
Responsive Care: Respecting Individual Preferences
CQC places strong emphasis on Responsive services that are personalised and flexible. People do not stop being individuals simply because they move into a care setting.
Some residents naturally prefer early starts; others have spent a lifetime staying up late and enjoying a slower morning. At Howard Court, these preferences are actively explored, documented, and reviewed within each resident’s person-centred care plan.
Care plans are developed with the resident (where possible) and their representatives and are treated as living documents, reviewed regularly to reflect changing needs, wishes, and abilities.
Effective & Caring: Understanding Daytime Sleep
Seeing a resident asleep during the day can understandably concern families, but it is rarely a single-issue matter. CQC expects providers to take a holistic and investigative approach to changes in presentation.
Daytime sleep may be influenced by multiple factors, including:
- Poor or fragmented sleep overnight
- Dementia-related changes, including sundowning
- Prescribed medications and their side effects
- Pain, discomfort, or underlying illness
- Emotional wellbeing or changes in environment
At Howard Court, sleep patterns, behaviour, and wellbeing are actively observed, recorded, and reviewed. Where concerns arise, these are escalated appropriately and, when necessary, discussed with GPs, district nurses, or other healthcare professionals to ensure care remains effective and safe.
Caring & Well-led: Families as Partners in Care
CQC recognises families and friends as essential partners in delivering high-quality care. At Howard Court, we strongly encourage open communication and shared decision-making.
Families are often the first to notice subtle changes. Sharing these observations with care staff, the duty manager, or administration allows us to reassess care plans promptly and responsively. This collaborative approach supports both Caring and Well-led KLOEs by ensuring transparency, trust, and accountability.
Our Commitment at Howard Court
Although the forum discussion related to care elsewhere in Carlisle, it serves as a valuable reminder of why person-centred care is fundamental, not optional.
At Howard Court Care Home, we are committed to:
- Providing safe and effective care
- Delivering responsive, individualised support
- Maintaining clear communication with families
- Continually monitoring and improving care quality
- Upholding dignity, choice, and wellbeing at all times
We welcome questions, conversations, and feedback. By working together with residents and families, we ensure care is not only compliant — but compassionate, thoughtful, and truly centred on the individual.