The Matron’s Visit
Before anybody can reserve a room for a prospective resident in the nursing home they feel is most suitable for them, they are usually visited by the matron or a senior member of staff. They will:
- Introduce themselves.
- Tell them more about the home.
- Answer any questions you or your relative may have.
- Discuss what you and your relative think their needs are.
- Make their own assessment of your relative’s needs.
- Assess how much actual nursing care they will need.
Occasionally the matron may decide your choice of home is not appropriate for them and will refer you back to their care manager.
Self-Funding
Funding will depend entirely on your relative’s financial status. Please look at Chapter 7.
Residents who have financial help from Social Services and are admitted to a care home of any kind will be treated exactly the same as those residents who are self-funding. In homes which have good inspection reports the quality of furniture and furnishings, decor, etc is the same in all rooms although the layout may be different due to the room’s shape and size.
- Menus are the same for all residents except for residents who need special diets.
- Nursing and care may be different for individual residents, because their needs are different but the quality of care is the same for all residents.
- Whether a resident is self-funding or not is confidential and not generally known to anybody except the proprietor, the matron and the resident’s relatives.
Reserving A Room
When all the assessments and paperwork have been completed and the matron has agreed to accept your relative you will be able to reserve a room.
If your relative is self-funding they will probably be asked for a deposit which in some homes is non-returnable. The amount of deposit required is fixed by the proprietor, the managers or accountants. It may be:
- one week’s fees
- one month’s fees.
Ensure:
- you are given a receipt
- it is deducted from your first month’s account.
Preparing The Room
The staff will:
- Thoroughly clean the room.
- Make the bed with an appropriate mattress and bedding.
- Check the call bell is functioning properly.
- Ensure a full compliment of furniture, including a commode if needed, is in place.
- Put towels and face cloths on the towel rails ready for use.
- Put a jug of fresh water within easy reach.
Personalising The Room
This is an enjoyable task and the results are usually appreciated by the new resident. How you will accomplish this will largely depend on:
- The physical and psychological state of your relative.
- What your relative is allowed to take in with them.
- How much space is available.
- If the furniture can be moved around or taken out of the room.
- Whether your relative would like to take some of their own furniture, if this is allowed.
- Your relative’s taste and preferences.
- Their interests and hobbies if any.
Some homes have the rooms redecorated in the new resident’s choice of colour before admission but this is not always possible because the maintenance person may not be available to do the job. Another reason may be because many homes have a different colour scheme for various parts of the home. For instance the different floors may have a blue, green, yellow or some other colour scheme. This helps residents to know which floor they are on.
Generally speaking residents are allowed to take in small items of furniture provided it is in good condition and is free from wood worm.
Items which new residents might be allowed to take in with them:
- their favourite arm chair, providing it meets fire regulations
- a television, music centre or CD player
- books
- a limited amount of hobby and craft materials
- a clock
- pictures, paintings or photographs.
Please note: furnishings are not generally allowed because of fire regulations.
All electrical items are subject to an annual safety check by the home’s own electrical contractor