A CARE home has been criticised for its lack of provision for its residents with dementia.

A report by a health watchdog found that dementia-friendly provision in general was 'absent' at Carr Hall care home in Carr Hall Road, Barrowford.

The report by Healthwatch Lancashire said that representatives from the organisation did not see notices on doors that were pictorial, colour coded and written.

It said the homes would would have benefitted from an update and 'further provision' of dementia friendly adaptions.

The report reads: "We felt that internal areas would have benefitted from an update and further provision of dementia friendly adaptions.

"Dementia friendly provision in general was absent as we did not see notices on doors that were pictorial, colour coded and written.

"Similarly, toilets and public bathrooms were not provided with contrasting toilet seats, taps and grab rails.

"We also noticed that a clock in the main lounge/diner displayed the wrong time which may have been confusing for residents.

"The layout of the building made each area unique.

"However, corridors were narrow and furnished with potentially confusing patterns on the walls and floors.

" Likewise, corridors lacked definable landmarks such as

signage or colour coding on walls or handrails."

The home provides care for up to 20 people who are affected by conditions including dementia, hearing impairment, speech impairment, visual impairment and stroke.

Representatives from Healthwatch Lancashire visited the home during an announced 'Enter and View' visit, where they spoke to six residents, two staff and one relative.

Representatives praised the care home for being 'homely and pleasant with attractive grounds'.

They gave the home an overall rating of green/amber - with green being that they would recommend the home is chosen for a love one, and amber being that they may if some improvements are made.

They said: "Representatives considered the facility to be homely and pleasant with attractive grounds.

"Generally, residents responded well to questions about care and commented likewise on the availability of activities.

"Staff encouraged residents to go outdoors and sit with them and there was an easy familiarity between staff and residents each knowing the other by name.

A spokesperson for the care home said: "We've been looking at making the care home more dementia-friendly and we're moving forward with that.

"We are looking at installing some signage for the hairdressers, bedrooms and toilets.

"A lot of the residents have been here quite a while, so some of them have developed dementia.

"Staff provide good care at the home and there is a low turnover of staff."