Appleton Lodge is a small, privately run care home operated by Mr and Mrs John Matheron.

Appleton Lodge acknowledges residents primarily as individual people and not merely in terms of their condition or diagnosis. It is our intention to help each person achieve the best quality of life available and to make whatever progress is possible in reaching a greater degree of autonomy, self confidence and self esteem.

We have a firm commitment to the principles of individuality, privacy, dignity, freedom of choice and self determination and our approach, practices and procedures work in support of this commitment.

Openness, honesty, kindness and respect are strongly encouraged amongst residents, staff and visitors alike and as a result, the atmosphere is relaxed and non institutional and people can feel secure and accepted, free of discrimination.

Activities will be directed to encourage each individual to identify, develop and pursue personal interests both inside and outside the home, push personal boundaries and fulfill personal potential.

Residents are encouraged to express their opinions and concerns in the knowledge that they will be responded to. Furthermore, staff are free to express opinions, make suggestions and highlight shortcomings in an honest and open atmosphere, without fear of recrimination.

We recognise that an effective and professional support team is vital in achieving any objectives and therefore recruitment, training, monitoring and motivation of staff will always be carried out with this in mind. Achievement against short and medium term goals will be positively acknowledged.

The Home's Operations Manual, which is constantly reviewed and developed, clearly sets out its' principle policies, procedures, working practices and standards. This is issued to all staff and will form the basis of their daily activities and performance.

The Home continues to develop and maintain positive relationships with health care professionals, the voluntary sector and the local community.

Furthermore, we constantly seek to promote beneficial and useful social inclusion and involvement with the local community including the seeking of therapeutic employment.

As already stated, Appleton Lodge aims to be a relaxed, homely and safe place in which to live where kindness and consideration are woven into everyday life. The care we provide gives the residents' well-being and comfort prime importance and staff aim to value each resident for the individuals they are. Against this backdrop, care is professional and considered and is formalised using Care Plans and Key Working.

KEY WORKING

Each resident has a designated Key Support Worker who has primary responsibility for their individual care. Working in conjunction with the Care Manager and other care professionals, the key worker, works with the residents to implement the Care Plan and builds a rapport with each individual, seeking to understand what is important to them at any given time. Through this process, we strive to be sensitive to residents changing needs.

THE CARE PLAN APPROACH

The individual Care Plan forms the basis of care for each resident. Individual needs, abilities and particular problems are identified. Ongoing activities/programmes, goals and action specifically relating to these are then formulated and progress/responses are carefully recorded. Each plan is prepared and agreed, in consultation with the resident and is reviewed on a regular basis when any necessary adjustments are made

We try and keep rules and 'off limit' places to a minimum in view of the fact that it is their home, and aim to make residents part of the decision making process by discussing any changes with them, individually and collectively in residents meeting, valuing and acting on their contributions where possible. One special point about the home is that the staff instinctively see Residents first as a person and then in terms of their condition and we do not interpret all of a residents' verbal and physical behaviour in light of their diagnosis. It is recognised that, at times, most people get cross, may not want to join in, feel fed up with the others we live with or feel elated. We also feel that the distinction between normal and 'not normal' is a subjective one and carries with it both value and moral judgements that have little place or purpose.

Our core values of individuality, privacy, dignity, freedom of choice and self determination are always embraced and visitors, including the staff, are regularly reminded by the manager that it is the residents' home and we should all treat it as such. Looked at from one perspective, we are only visiting even if it is to provide a high quality of care.

The home has sufficient people available to fulfil the functions that the home needs to provide the best possible care, in the best comfort. There are 2 Proprietors, a Care Manager, an assistant manager and additional Support Workers. These are supported by 2 domestic and cooking support workers, and our Basic Skills Tutor.

Proprietors

John and Jane Matheron

Manager

Roger Beevis

Assistant Manager

Shirley Maunder

Support Workers & Support Staff

STAFF RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

• The staff are selected for certain qualities such as kindness, personality, sensitivity, patience, integrity and professionalism. No one is allowed to stay unless they display these qualities. They are carefully screened and checked according to the new requirements and employment is subject to a probationary period of 6 months. During their induction all staff are trained 'in-house' by an experienced member of staff in line with the current Skills For Care induction training standard requirements

   

The home insists that all support workers hold a minimum of NVQ level 2 or above in care. All members of staff who do not have this must train to achieve this qualification. The home also organises in house training which all staff participate in. It also sends staff out to external training courses for such topics as care of medicines and has external trainer visit for first aid and health and hygiene, fire safety, dealing with challenging behaviour, lifting & handling and NVQ's.

Private space (bedrooms)

Appleton Lodge has 13 bedrooms which are spread over 3 floors. There are 2 on the ground floor (one en suite), 7 on the first floor (3 en suite) and 6 on the top floor. We currently have 3 bedrooms below the recommended 10 sq. meter's 1 room is 9.7 and the other 2 are 9.2 but these are scheduled for redevelopment. Further en-suite facilities will also be added at this time.

COMMUNAL ROOMS

All communal rooms are located on the ground floor. There is a lounge for smokers and a separate lounge (with television) for non smokers. There is also a large dining room with a quiet seating area which is also used for activities. The kitchen is in two sections, one of which is used by residents to make their own drinks, snacks and meals if they wish.

Outside is a secluded courtyard with seating.

Currently there is no access for severely disabled individuals, however we do accommodate the needs of some residents with moderate physical health problems and we can negotiate this with new clients.

REFURBISHMENT

At the time of going to press, we are in the middle of a refurbishment programme that will eventually cover the entire building. To date, we have re-plastered and painted the whole building, re-carpeted and furnished communal areas on the ground floor and hallways, and a total re-wire is nearing completion. New flatscreen LCD televisions have been installed, and there are new carpets and furnishings in the non-smoking lounge. Approximately 5 bedroom's have also been re-carpeted and furnished and others are waiting to be finished.

People interested in coming to stay at Appleton Lodge are encouraged to visit the home to sample the atmosphere, services and facilities provided. If this initial visit is positive, then the client is offered the chance to stay for a designated period of time, giving more opportunity to get to know other residents and staff and to give an opportunity for an assessment to be prepared to see how we could best meet the client's needs. This period gives the client a chance to adjust and decide, and if the answer is yes, then a formal trial period of one month commences.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND FEES

We are committed to providing value for money within our comprehensive and caring service. The fees charged are dependent on:

1 The type of facility required

2. The type of care package and needs of the individual resident

Depending on the personal financial situation, a resident can either pay the fees privately or receive benefits arranged by social services. The current rules can be complicated and specific advice is available from the homes manager.

FEES - WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Personal items such as tobacco and personal toiletries

Personal trips

Hairdressing

Telephone

FEES - WHAT IS INCLUDED

Trained staff in 24hr attendance Good home cooking.

Provision for special diets Drinks and snacks available when needed

Single room with hand basin facilities

On site and off site activities

Seasonal celebrations.

Family and friends are welcome at various celebrations or just to stay and eat

CARE PLAN REVIEW

Once developed the Care plan will be reviewed at least every six months, or as required to ensure that it remains appropriate to the residents needs and aims. Adverse reaction to the care plan by the resident will result in an immediate review of the care plan by the manager and support workers, as necessary. Residents relatives/representatives are welcome to participate in the residents daily routine where ever possible including care plan reviews, if this is what the resident wishes.

MONITORING QUALITY

Within the home, there are various systems, which ensure that close monitoring is maintained on all of the home's services and procedures.

We also have a quality assurance programme operated by a highly experienced, independent and unbiased consultant. This involves residents and their relatives, by asking for comments on the home, the staff and services we provide. A copy of the responses is available on request.

MEDICATION

If it is appropriate for a resident to self -medicate, then help, support and advice will be available. Otherwise all medication will be ordered, managed and dispensed by the staff, under the instructions of the GP or Consultant Psychiatrist.

FIRE SAFETY

The home has a modern Fire alarm system fitted, which is regularly checked and serviced annually by an approved external expert. All furniture, fixtures and fittings are made of fire resistant fabric and materials. All new additions must comply with current fire regulations. This includes those brought in by residents.

ACTIVITIES

The homes policy on 'activities' takes into account the clients interests, skills, experience and personalities. We also ask residents for suggestions. We do not 'force' people to participate in group activities. Staff encourage and in certain instances help residents to pursue their hobbies and interests. We have an activities coordinator who's primary function is to take residents out on trips and to organise in-house activities. He is normally free of the routine functioning of the home, so that he is not diverted away from his primary function.

Residents can engage in the following:

Chatting to Staff, Scrabble, Cooking,

Reading Books, Internet searching, Bingo,

Arts and crafts, Computer groups, Quiz games,

Listening to music, Watching video/DVD's, Beauty Therapy,

Newspapers and magazines, Card Games.

OUTINGS

Swimming Visits to friends/family, Short breaks,

Pub visits, Golf Driving Range, Shopping,

Going for walks, Voluntary Work, Cinema Visits,

Trips to Norwich, The Pleasure Beach.

MEALS

We have developed a system which allows us to offer around 25 choices of main meal each day and Menus are therefore very varied. In addition, favourite dishes and special diets can be catered for. Residents are also given the option to prepare their own food, which some do, with support from staff if needed. Residents are encouraged (not compulsory) to eat in the dining room for main meals, but they can eat snacks elsewhere or in their rooms if they so wish.

SMOKING AND ALCOHOL

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP

We are an equal opportunities establishment, and people from all faiths are welcome, We can assist, if required, in finding out where the nearest place of worship is in a client's given faith domination.

CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The manager and clients have the right to refuse entry to any visitor and this right will be upheld by the person in charge who will, if necessary, inform visitors of the resident's/ mangers wishes.

PETS

We acknowledge that pets can be a good source of companionship and that people get very attached to them. Therefore if a resident wishes to bring their pet with them when they move, we will try and make this possible. However, it will depend on the wishes of other residents and the number of pets at any given time. Each request will be considered on an individual basis.