Big band fans at care home bombarded with Bon Jovi
A CARE home has been criticised for playing rock and pop music in its lounge when residents would rather listen to James Last and big band tunes.
Barham House, near Canterbury in Kent, played songs by Beyoncé and Bon Jovi, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said, failing to adhere to the wishes of the 23 people in its care.
A CQC report said residents told inspectors they had not been consulted on their music preferences, and because the radio was on all the time, the television in the main lounge was switched off all day.
The care home was issued with a warning notice after it was found to be “inadequate” during an inspection last January.
In a follow-up inspection, inspectors reported that the home required improvements in all five areas, including safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness and being “well led”. However, “pop and rock music was played on the radio almost continuously in the main lounge during our inspection”, the report said. “People who were able to speak with us said they liked big band music, for example. One person said, ‘Oh, I like James Last.’ We heard music by Beyoncé and Jon Bon Jovi being played and people said they had not been asked if they liked the radio station selected, which was not considerate of their preferences.”
Last, who died in 2015, was the big band leader of the James Last Orchestra. He recorded 52 albums between 1967 and 1986, notching up more than 100 million album sales and having hits with songs such as Games That Lovers Play and Happy Heart.
The home was also criticised for failing to meet individuals’ nutritional needs and follow diet advice.
One person assessed as needing a soft diet was observed eating biscuits that could have proved a choking risk. Another was given a chocolate mousse instead of biscuits because staff incorrectly said they needed a soft diet.
It was only when the resident said she was diabetic and should not be eating the mousse that it was replaced with yogurt.
The home, owned by Care & Residential Homes Ltd and which looks after elderly people with diabetes, dementia and mobility problems, declined to comment.