THIS CHARTER IS A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS OF THIS HOME AND OF THE DUTY OF THIS HOME TO ENSURE THAT THESE RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED.

The prospect of entering a Residential Care Home, for a possible Resident, should not be one that holds doubts or fears, at least not of the quality of Care or the general treatment which will be received.

The highest possible standards of accommodation, Care and Practice, are the main aim of this Home.  This is ensured by the Directors’ and Manager’s personal attention to the detail of accommodation and Care practices, and by the existence of a variety of procedures and statements (of which this "Charter" is one) by which the staff and this Home are bound.

Becoming a Resident in this Home should be a positive experience, and generally should meet the needs and wishes of the individual.  If it is not or does not, the Manager and Director want to know about it, and there is a well-thought-out Complaints Procedure, should the need arise.

This Home welcomes suggestions and comments (of whatever sort) from Residents, Relatives, Visitors, members of the Public, or formal Groups, as this information is often of help to monitor and further improve standards.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Manager or Director on any matter.  We shall be pleased to hear from you.
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THE  "CHARTER"

Good quality Care and life experience, and the Rights of Residents, centre around six basic areas:

CHOICE - PRIVACY - DIGNITY - INDEPENDENCE - FULFILMENT - CITIZENS' RIGHTS

Under these broad headings, This Home WILL recognise and respect the following Rights of Residents, unless Residents are demonstrably incapable [ permanently or temporarily ] and/or legally relieved of this capability (BUT, even then, as much choice as possible WILL be afforded, together with even more extensive consultation with relatives or agents).  The following details the six basic areas identified above:

1.         Choice:

1.1.      Residents will be involved, and the most significant voice, in all decisions affecting their lives, to the precise extent they choose.

1.2.      Residents will be assumed to be capable of making choices about the way they live and what they do (e.g. managing their own financial affairs, deciding what activities to pursue and when, etc.), including taking the risks  sometimes associated with such choices.

1.3.      Residents will be able to choose where they live and with whom, and will be able to choose to change if they wish.  This relates not only to the choice of Home, but also to choices within the Home.
1.4.      Residents will be able to choose their own Doctor, Dentist, chiropodist, Optician, etc.

1.5.      Residents will be able to choose whether or not to accept treatment and attention offered, whether by their Doctor, etc., or by the staff of this Home.

1.6.      Residents will be able to choose with whom they associate, both within and outside the Home.  This will include other Residents, friends, and relatives, and where in the Home they wish to spend their time [ i.e. in the common areas or their rooms ].

1.7.      Residents will be involved in the choice of décor and furnishings for their accommodation, whenever this is being changed (from a reasonable range of choice provided by the Directors).

2.         Privacy:

2.1.      Residents will be entitled to private accommodation.  This may be a single or shared room, according to the Resident's choice, but, in all circumstances, this will mean an entitlement to use this space as and when they wish, subject only to consideration of other Residents, to invite such guests as they wish, and for belongings to be secure.

2.2.      Residents will be entitled to entertain visitors (including Doctors, etc) in private.

2.3.      Residents will be entitled to expect confidentiality in all matters , and for their permission to be obtained whenever private information needs to be made available to others (excepting only that information which is necessary to staff to provide proper Care).

3.         Dignity:

3.1.      Residents may expect to be treated with dignity in the way in which staff deal with dressing, bathing, feeding, incontinence (and any other needs).

3.2.      Residents may expect to be addressed in the manner they choose (i.e. Miss/Mr/Mrs or by first Name or familiar name).

3.3.      Residents may expect to be afforded the respect deserved by any individual, for their individuality, their views, and for any way in which they are accustomed to conduct their lives.

3.4.      Residents may expect to be consulted on any matter or activity which may impinge upon their life within the Home in any way, and to have their wishes respected.  In particular, this may include any other activity carried-on at the Home (such as Day Care, fund-raising activities, Coffee Mornings, etc. ).

4.         Independence:

4.1.      Residents should expect to be able to follow the life style they choose and are accustomed to, to the extent they wish and are able, irrespective of residing in a Care Home.

4.2.      Residents should expect to be able to use the facilities of the home as they choose and are able.

4.3.      Residents should expect the facilities of the Home to accommodate their needs (without necessary dependence on others) in relation to mobility, necessary adaptations, space, furniture, etc.,  whilst recognising that available staff assistance may have formed part of the reasons for entering This Home, yet respecting the Resident's right to accept or refuse such assistance.

4.4.      Residents should expect to be able to retain independence of action, thought and choice, irrespective of the accepted routine or administrative practices of this Home.

5.         Fulfilment:

5.1.      Residents should expect their quality of life to be enhanced by admission to this Home, by the provision of a safe, manageable and comfortable environment, and the stimulation and encouragement to pursue their lives to the maximum chosen physical, intellectual, emotional and social capacity.

5.2.      Residents should expect there to be facilities and assistance to pursue their chosen life style to the fullest possible extent, including availability of and encouragement to use opportunities, and necessary assistance to allow them to use such opportunities.

5.3.      Residents should expect to be able to review their own situation, at their own request or when requested by any others, and to have the assistance of anyone they choose to assist them to do this.

6.         Citizens' Rights:

6.1.      Residents should expect to retain all the rights enjoyed by individuals remaining in their own homes in the Community, irrespective of their residence in a Care Home, and, together with the Resident (and any representative), The Home should safeguard such Rights and/or be prepared to join with the Resident to protect them.

6.2.      Residents should expect to have their cultural and religious practices and beliefs observed and respected.

6.3.      Residents should expect to have a written contract, agreeing the terms and conditions of residence, services and fees.

6.4.      Residents should expect to have a trial period in the Home, of at least four weeks’ duration (without disadvantage to either side), before decisions are made about long-term residence.

6.5.      Residents should expect to have access to an explained complaints procedure, which should include a reasonable means of complaint within the Home, and beyond this to the Registering Authority.
                                                                                           

Acknowledgments:

            We wish to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Department of Health Social Services Inspectorate publication "Homes are for Living In" [ 1989 ] in the preparation of this "Charter".

© ICC 2002