THE CARE VALUE BASE

The care value base forms an integral part of the delivery of person centred care, and highlights the important features of being recognised as an individual that will be valued, and respected within the homes setting. The six senses of "My Home Life" of security, belonging, continuity, purpose, achievement and significance can be achieved through this.

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The care value base also forms an important part of staff training to ensure that the well-being of individuals residing in the home are paramount in the delivery of care provided, to lead to a fulfilling life. It outlines our role and responsibility to you as a resident, putting you as an individual at the centre of all we do.

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The following eleven headings make up the care value base, and are each explored individually to highlight the definition of each one and are embraced within the homes delivery of care. It provides you as a resident with

the assurance that your needs will be met on an individual basis, and as you read through the value base it should hopefully allay any fears or concerns you may have.

IDENTITY

Our identity is what makes us so individual. What we are and who we are is influenced by our backgrounds. As soon as we are born we have an identity and an individuality of our own, and that will never change.  We are all a son or daughter, or even a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother or sister and in addition to that, there are the extended family relatives and friends as well. All these relationships are part of our identities. Everyone has a role to play in life which identifies who they are, maybe in school or the workplace or at home. 

These roles make us members of the community in which we live and equally apply to those of us in care. Having an identity and retaining it, is so vitally important to each individual’s self-esteem, and must be recognised and appreciated in a care setting. After all, when a person moves into a care home they are entering another community, and bring with them all their experiences in life good and bad, which contribute to a new beginning in their lives. Moving in to care should not inhibit that persons’ identity, but embrace it.

INDIVIDUALITY

Even though residents are living in a care home with other people, they remain individuals with their own likes and dislikes. Staff are responsive to the requirements of individual residents.
 

Ethnic, cultural, social and religious diversity is recognised as an integral part of home life. Residents feel that their needs are responded to willingly by staff who understand the value of maintaining a sense of continuity, and identity based on past traditions and practices.
 

For their part, living in a community with others requires that residents recognise and respond to the rhythms and needs of other people. It is helpful for residents to have some knowledge of the life experiences of staff to act as a bridge between them. This emphasises personal connections outside the home, and their relevance to those within.

CHOICE

We encourage those in our care to exercise as much choice and make as many decisions for themselves as possible regarding their lives, thereby contributing to their autonomy and fulfilment in life.

A variety of choices are recorded in care plans, and amended as circumstances change.

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Choices could include:
 

• use of own room

• activities

• social interests

• accepting/refusing visitors

• where and what to eat

• religious preferences

• aids to independence

• medication

• risk taking

• financial matters

• waking/sleeping times

• manner of dress

PRIVACY

Those in our care expect to enjoy the same standards of privacy we all generally expect to enjoy.
 

Being alone, free from intrusion or disturbance etc. are basic human rights and need to be reflected in our care practices and attitudes as pivotal to our standards of care.
 

By nature, being in a place of care provision can make it harder to enjoy privacy than, for example, living in one’s own home. The home will need to stay alert to this and sensitive to its significance.
 

Confidentiality, trust, gossip all contribute to both the reality and perception of privacy which is another dimension of why the home take such matters so seriously.
 

Consultations with those in our care by the following professionals, and similar others, will always be strictly in private unless specifically requested otherwise:

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• health

• social care

• law

• finance

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The staff will always knock on resident's bedroom doors, bathroom and toilet doors before entering or being invited to enter.

Residents may have the private use of the telephone whenever they want, by requesting the staff to bring the cordless phone to them in a place of their choice

DIGNITY

We recognise the importance of maintaining the uniqueness and character of each and every person in our care. Thus we aim to uphold a standard of care that reflects this in practice.
 

Therefore, we are careful to avoid situations for those in our care that may lead to impairment of their self-esteem and sense of worth.  Where such situations might occur, we seek to diffuse them gently and sensitively.
 

The purpose is to uphold the dignity of anyone in our care.  The spirit of this extends to staff, colleagues, visitors etc. as well.

We will not tolerate any practices that may impair a person’s dignity, whilst practices that contribute positively to a person’s dignity are encouraged.

INDEPENDENCE

We encourage those in our care to do as much for themselves as possible.  Our role is to assist them with those things they are unable to or find difficult to do for themselves.
 

There is always the likelihood that a person in our care may come to rely on being cared for resulting in reducing their independence unnecessarily.  The staff will always seek to promote and encourage independence as far as is reasonable to expect, rather than unwittingly foster dependence.

From time to time we will have to accept varying degrees of risk for those in our care whilst exercising their independence, and will note such circumstances in the care plan.

RIGHTS

The emphasis placed upon rights is an integral part of the quality of care we provide.
 

Those in our care are people and citizens of our country, which offers them significant rights morally, ethically, socially, politically and legally.  We have a responsibility to ensure those rights are never infringed and that those in our care utilise their rights fully.

From time to time there may be tension between a person’s rights and our responsibilities to them, they are after all “in care”. We need to manage such circumstances carefully. This will involve consultation between ourselves and the person in our care, together with appropriate others such as their family, relatives, health and social advisers etc. Any subsequent actions will be recorded in the care plan according to any decisions made in an informed and considered manner.

PARTNERSHIP

It could be said that partnerships in care is the relationship between the staff of the home, and the resident. This is correct, but

it also involves all parties involved in the provision of care for that resident, which could include Doctors, District Nurses, next of kin, and so on.
 

Whilst working in partnership staff will be mindful of confidentiality issues and the best interest of the resident must always come first.

RESPECT

All staff duties should be carried out in a respectful manner.  Respect is the corner stone to delivering high quality care that is an

integral part of the value base.
 

When treating someone with respect a resident should always be addressed by their chosen name, and in a courteous and polite manner.  Consideration in how staff act, and speak and listen to resident’s points of view or concerns is very important. Staff will show regard for resident’s views without patronisation or imposing their own points of view without judgement, and will deliver the care a person needs in an unbiased manner in accordance with the value base.

WELL-BEING

The home will endeavor to care for residents, and meet their needs in a person centered way that encompasses the true meaning of well-being.  We will ensure that all health care and personal care needs are met in a manner appropriate to an individual’s cultural background and personal preferences. For a resident’s well-being, the Home will take appropriate action in the case of an emergency, which may involve calling the emergency services, or contacting the family.

It is our aim to deliver a service that provides an environment that is comfortable on a physical and emotional level, with the desire for each resident to be healthy and happy.

FULFILMENT

By recognising a person’s identity, individuality, offering choice, and promoting independence and rights, with dignity, and where appropriate in privacy, we aim to work in partnership with each resident that brings about a sense of well-being leading to fulfilment.
 

Our aim is to deliver a service that addresses individual’s needs on all levels, from medical and personal care needs through to following personal interests, and even finding new ones.  Our staff will offer the help and support required, whilst being sensitive to age, gender,race,religion, culture and any disabilities. An individual’s wish to participate or not, in the daily life and activities of the home will be respected, as we recognise that each individual reaches fulfilment in different ways and at various levels.