GENERAL BACKGROUND

Moorside was developed by the Charity with the intention of providing high quality care for elderly mentally infirm people, particularly those with dementia. The Home is registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection, from whom can be obtained their publicly available inspection reports. The majority of residents require nursing care although some residential care places are available.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Prospective residents of the home are likely to have any of the following conditions arising from organic or functional illness (although organic illness is likely to be predominate):

- Confused behaviour arising from Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

- Mental disorder arising from other degenerative diseases or head injury.

- Depression arising from mental or physical illness.

- Paranoia.

- Anxiety states.

The Home has been purpose built with the needs of these categories of resident in mind around three separate 'clusters' of rooms, each of which seek to provide a smaller 'home within a home.' There is also a smaller cluster for short stay residents. Within each cluster the staff will seek to provide a comprehensive range of care in a homely non-institutional setting which allows residents as much independence as possible. We believe in holistic care for our residents which values them as individuals notwithstanding deteriorating health.

Individual care plans will be maintained for all residents after admission and will be reviewed regularly so that each resident's care reflects their own individual needs.

 

ACCOMMODATION

The home has 26 beds which are sub-divided into the three main clusters referred to above, two of which have eight bedrooms and one seven. There is then a small cluster of three bedrooms for short stay care. The Home won a design award for outstanding innovation when it opened in 1996.

Each room has a fitted wardrobe, and is equipped with a variable height bed and a bedside locker. Long stay residents are then invited to introduce their own personal furniture to give a personal identity to their rooms. 24 of the rooms have an en-suite w.c.

Each cluster is formed around an individual sitting room and dining area which serves the residents of that cluster. Great care has been taken in designing the building to try and aid orientation so that residents can readily identify their own rooms and the communal areas which support them. A bathroom serves each cluster.

 

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The Home has a well equipped kitchen and care will be taken in planning menus which reflect individual choice and dietary requirements. All laundry will be washed within the Home and dealt with in-house. There is a small hairdressing room and a visiting hairdresser. There is also a treatment room for visiting doctors and chiropodists.

A regular programme of activities will be organised for residents. A list of activities current at any time is always available from the Home. The Charity believes in the value of recreational activities and the encouragement of residents to participate.

The Home has its own Chapel which is available for use by residents, staff or visitors for prayer and peaceful reflection.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

The Charity is governed by a Charity Commission scheme under which it provides care for needy older persons. Accommodation at Moorside is subsidised by the Charity and therefore a financial assessment as well as a care assessment has to be made in respect of all applications for accommodation.

 

(a) LONG STAY

All residents have to be admitted on the basis of criteria laid down by the Trustees and long stay applicants have to complete and return an application form. An assessment will be made of their needs and may involve a home or hospital visit.

In considering applications and prioritising these the Charity will pay particular attention to financial need and an applicant's other needs which will involve considering the need for the level of care provided by the Home and existing care support. The Charity has to give priority to residents in its existing housing and because of this the number of long stay places that become available will be limited.

(b) SHORT STAY

Three beds within Moorside are kept available for short stay admissions to offer respite or convalescent care, both for existing almshouse residents of the Charity and applicants from the wider community. Subject to availability and liaison with Matron, these will be available usually for periods of one to four weeks. Applicants for short stay beds will have to satisfy the Charity's needs criteria as set out above. An application form has therefore to be completed. In cases of hospital discharge or acute admissions it is recognised that quick decisions can be required and applications will be processed as quickly as possible.

 

CHARGES

Charges are usually reviewed annually with effect from 1st April. There are two scales of charges, set at the rate at which Hampshire County Council purchase care. These rates are all subsidised by the Charity and are currently as follows:

Residential Care (very dependant EMI rate) £435.82 per week

Nursing Care - £483.00 per week [N.B. There is an addition of £106.30 payable by the NHS following statutory nursing assessment.]

Assistance in payment of all, or part of, these fees, may be possible from Social Service and advice can be given about seeking financial support.

Go to 'How to contact us' for further details.