Please note. The descriptions in this section use the term ‘resident’ which may, in certain circumstances, include a relative/friend/advocate or refer to the latter alone if the resident is not able to act on their own behalf.

Assessment of Care Required and Delaheys Suitability
Enquiries from prospective residents are usually received, in the first instance, by telephone when an appointment for a visit can be made whether or not a place is immediately available; unannounced personal callers are welcomed but may not be able to receive immediate attention. If they wish, all callers are able to examine detailed documentation (Statement of Purpose, Prospective Resident’s Guide, CQC Reports, Questionnaire results, letters/cards of appreciation from relatives of past residents) whilst on the Home’s premises and to take away with them a fairly comprehensive brochure.

They can also be given a conducted tour of the Home, preferably by appointment, in order to help them to make a decision. The fee structure is explained and advice given on how support from Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts (for Registered Nurse Care Contribution or Fully Funded Continuing Care) might be applicable in their case but applying for LA support is a private matter between the resident and the LA. Details of all enquiries are recorded and placed on file. Before admission is agreed, a pre-admission assessment is made of the prospective resident in their own home (or other place of abode) by a registered nurse to ascertain whether the Home can meet their needs. If it cannot, an explanation is given to those concerned.

Admission
All staff are made aware of a new admission so that everything needed to ensure a proper welcome for the new resident is done on time and tailored to their personal needs. A formal contract is prepared, setting out the services that the Home will provide and the resident’s obligations. This requires a signature by the latter or their representative. The first four weeks after admission is a trial period for both parties and the contract may be terminated by either party by giving four weeks notice to the other.

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On the day of admission, a full nursing and social assessment of the resident is completed so that an individualised and holistic package of care can be planned, implemented and evaluated. Both physical and mental capacity are assessed (the latter in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards). Risk assessments of each resident are made to assess risks of falls, pressure area damage, manual handling, incontinence and malnutrition. Regular physical data measurements are taken, e.g. blood pressure and weight monitoring. Most records are maintained on computer, including Medication Administration Records and kept up-to-date.

From all these data, a resident-centred Care Plan is electronically produced in conjunction with the resident and/or their representative if they are able and willing to participate in its formulation. Daily Nursing Reports are completed for each resident and any changes necessary to the Care Plan as a result of reported outcomes are recorded on the plan, thus ensuring it is fully up-to-date. The Care Plan is a very important document that is central to all aspects of care for a resident. Our guide for all activities in the provision of care is the Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA), which is a key factor in all assessments carried out by CQC.

Delaheys Philosophy of Care
Our aims and objectives in the provision of care may be summarised as follows.

Our aim is to:
• provide a secure, stable and comfortable environment where individuality and the quality of care are    paramount.
• set realistic and attainable goals for residents and encourage participation in decision-making to satisfy    individual needs.
• stimulate and maintain physical and mental activity and social well-being.

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And to ensure that our residents:
• have the right to personal independence and personal choice.
• have the right to care for themselves – as far as they are able and willing and to participate in the    formulation of their own Care Plan with the help of their relatives or representatives.
• have their dignity respected by others in every possible way and to be treated, whatever their disabilities or    frailties, in their own right.
• have the right to privacy for themselves, their belongings and their affairs, staff adopt a “knock before    entering” approach when going into residents’ rooms.
• have the right to be consulted about any proposed changes in daily living arrangements and to make    suggestions.
• have the same right to facilities and services in the surrounding community as any other person, including    registration with the medical practitioner, dentist, optician and hairdresser of their choice.
• have the right to mix with other people of the community, whether by going out or by inviting other people    into the home.
• have their cultural, religious, sexual, emotional and any other needs accepted and respected.
• share our world, that we remember their preferences, accept their idiosyncrasies and give them help to    achieve a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

And finally, to show them the loving care that a warm hand
or friendly cuddle can convey whenever they have the need.