Residents Rights

 

Quality of Life 

At Shenstone Hall we want our care home to be a happy place where residents are encouraged to have the best quality of life possible, and where the management and staff of the home will assist them in achieving this. This means the residents will be encouraged to make as many decisions as possible about their care. This may include the acceptance of a degree of risk. Residents will be encouraged to continue with their individual interests outside the home.

 

Independence 

A resident may prefer to be independent in certain self-care situations in order to retain self-respect and dignity and this will be encouraged. For example, a resident might prefer to walk with an aid (walking frame, tripod or sticks) rather than be supported by staff. Similar situations may apply to bathing, dressing, visiting the toilet etc.

 

Privacy

This is important to all and should not be any less important because one is in a residential care setting. Residents are entitled to privacy, although the level of privacy will depend on the situation. It may be dressing or undressing, washing or bathing, visiting the toilet or it might be a private conversation with a visitor

 

Dignity

At Shenstone Hall we uphold the dignity of a resident even though assistance and support may be needed in many ways. Managers and staff know that each person is an individual with their own thoughts and beliefs, and these will be respected. Caring for people means caring for them as individuals

 

Human, Emotional and Social Needs

Everyone, including the residents themselves, appreciates an understanding of their point of view, consideration of themselves and their needs, and compassion when they feel low. The qualities needed to provide such an understanding are provide by the management and staff team, who are trained appropriately. Our management and staff have these skills because they have been carefully selected and supervised.

 

Religion

It is entirely for the resident to decide whether or not to practice their religion. Those wishing to attend a place of worship will be encouraged to do so. The manager will assist those residents who prefer religious leaders to visit the home.

 

Form of address

Residents will choose how they wish to be addressed. Although first names are normally used between residents and staff this should not be assumed even though this practice is consistent with our family atmosphere.

 

Discrimination

Residents and staff should have no fear of discrimination on any grounds and they will all have the rights listed in this charter.

 

Health care

Shenstone Hall Residential Home is not  a nursing home, and staff are not permitted to deliver any medical or nursing treatment, unless this is under the supervision of the District Community Nurse Manager. Care within the home is family orientated and care is given as appropriate to the needs of the resident. In this respect the home will liaise with doctors and community nurses to ensure the correct care is being given. This care will be supplemented by appropriate visits from health care professionals who may give more treatment within the Home. In many cases care homes will look after residents who become ill, sometimes for a prolonged period of time, however it has to be remembered that Shenstone Hall is not a nursing home and as such re-assessment of individual needs will be undertaken by senior staff should the need arise. The determining factors include: are the needs of each resident being met and is the home still able to fulfil those needs. This should be decided after consultation between the resident and interested parties, such as relatives, doctors, social workers etc. When the care necessary is beyond the scope of the home, it may be more appropriate for the resident to be cared for in a nursing home. In this situation Shenstone Hall will give assistance where possible to make any transfer as smooth as possible.

 

Medication

It is the policy of the home that wherever possible prescribed medicine should be self-administered by residents, with appropriate support. If a resident prefers to retain responsibility for their own medication, it will be at the manager’s discretion following a risk assessment and their doctor would have to be satisfied that the resident is competent to do so. Otherwise, medication will be dispensed and administered by trained members of staff.

 

Choice of GP

Residents will not be required to change their doctor for the convenience of the home. However, it must be recognised that doctors work within a geographical area and a move into residential care may necessitate a change of doctor for a resident. Where this occurs the resident will be helped to select a new local doctor. Treatments from a doctor or nurse or other similar person will be given in private. All residents will be able to talk privately to their own doctor or nurse.

 

Discussion of care needs 

A resident has the right to discuss their care needs and programme in private with the manager. Written consent will be sought from the residents or their representatives for the delivery of personal care.

 

Staff

Although the number and type of staff will depend on the needs of the residents, staffing will be sufficient to meet such needs and be of a quality to cope with the wide variety of demands, which may be placed upon them. Staff training is provided to all staff on an ongoing basis.

 

Visitors

Visitors are encouraged to visit the home and are welcome to bring pets in during the daytime. Although please be mindful that some residents may prefer not to receive visitors at meal times or early afternoon when they may wish to have a quiet time.

 

Legal advice

When a resident requires legal advice, they will be supported to visit their own solicitor or to receive a home visit. The manager will assist with the necessary arrangements if asked. However, such meetings are private and the home will not be involved.

 

Choice of residence

The prospective resident will be given full details of the home and fees and wherever possible offered a choice of rooms. New Residents are encouraged to agree to a trial period to ensure that the arrangements are suitable for both the resident and the home.

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