Norwood House Care Home in Middleton seeks consent to call residents ‘darling’

A care home has asked relatives to give permission for staff to call residents darling and other terms of endearment.

Norwood House Care Home in Middleton has posted out consent forms to loved ones this month.

The letter asks recipients if they give consent for staff to refer to residents with terms of endearment such ‘dear’, ‘darling’, ‘sweetheart’ or ‘my love’.

General manager Jose Simoes said the forms were about caring for residents with dignity and and giving them them choice over how they're referred to.

The home, which specialises in dementia care, is based as a former farmhouse in five acres of parkland with a sun terrace, bandstand and room for 71 guests.

Mr Simoes said: "The reaction from relatives has been absolutely positive. It's about dignity and choice for our residents.

"If I was to call you ‘sweetheart’, you would be able to tell me if you don't like it.

"But a lot of our residents lack the capacity to tell us if it is something they are comfortable with.

"They're not able to do it, so the next best thing to do is contact their next of kin and ask if they like being called terms of endearment."

Mr Simoes said staff are instructed to primarily use residents' names, but accepted there may be a time they use a term of endearment by force of habit.

He added: "It's harmless, however in this day and age, what is harmless to one person might not be to another.

"If there is a staff member who likes to use a term of endearment, they'll know which ones the residents are comfortable with.

"It's about giving people the choice and being open and dignified with the care we provide for people.

"The feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive, some have found it funny and said it's something they'd never have thought of.”