Terms and Conditions of Residence

  1. Introduction.

    Residents are accepted on the following terms and conditions. Prior to taking up residence, these terms shall be accepted by the Resident or his/her representative by signing these terms and conditions. It is our sincerest intention to provide a comfortable and happy home suited to the Residents needs and requirements. We undertake to consult the Resident and/or their family together with any others acting in their interests in all matters to do with their well-being.

    The decision to become a Resident should not be taken lightly. For this reason, the first four weeks of the stay should be considered a trial period.

  2. Trial.

    The Resident shall initially be accommodated on a trial basis of four weeks. If at, or before the expiry of the trial period, the Resident or the home should decide that permanent residence would not be satisfactory, for what ever reason, residence shall terminate on notice in writing from either side, and the Resident shall vacate the home at a time agreed.

  3. Permanence.

    Every endeavour will be made to keep the Resident at the home, even if sick, provided the Resident, their Doctor and the home are satisfied that proper and adequate care can be provided. However the home reserves the right to ask the Resident to leave if the home is unable to provide the care needed or if the Resident causes disharmony in the home. The home undertakes to enlist the support of outside agencies as necessary to enable the Resident to remain within the home should that be the Residents wish, unless the Resident’s GP recommends that other arrangements are made.

  4. Fees.

    The fees currently payable £ FIGURE per calendar month.

    Fees are payable calendar monthly in advance, by cheque, standing order or cash. Fees include the cost of care with accommodation, food and drink, light and heat, and laundry undertaken on the premises.

    Fees do not include, newspapers, hairdressing, dry cleaning, treatment by Dentists or Opticians, or clothing and personal effects, and toiletries.

    Fees for less than one week will be calculated at a daily rate of 1/7th of the weekly fee. Each part of the day that a Resident spends in the home will be calculated as a whole day.

    Fees are generally reviewed annually, in line with inflation. The home reserves the right to increase fees if a Resident’s condition deteriorates to a stage where additional care to that normally provided is required, subject to agreement. Such additions would be payable on the next presentation of account. Otherwise four weeks notice in writing will be given of any change in fees.

  5. Guarantee/Responsibility for Fees.

    The Resident or representative who signs this agreement assumes personal joint and several responsibility and liability to pay all fees, charges, extras, etc. as may be claimed under this agreement on demand. If the Residents affairs are to be managed by the Court of Protection, his/her representative undertakes to accept responsibility for any debts accruing to the home before and whilst the Resident’s affairs are being processed in court.

    In the event of non-payment of fees, the Resident may, upon written notice, be asked to vacate the home unless full payment is received within 7 days.

    Any outstanding fees will be recovered through the courts.

  6. Benefits.

    The home shall co-operate with Residents making application for benefits and allowances. The home will not handle Resident’s pension books/cash or manage financial affairs.

  7. Absences.

    When a person vacates his or her room temporarily (e.g. for a holiday or hospital admission), a reduction of 20% will be made to the fees after a period of two weeks.

  8. Personal Possessions

    Personal possessions are very much encouraged and all possessions will remain the property of the Resident. However, items of significant value should not be brought into the home unless they are handed to the Proprietors for safe keeping. The Proprietors can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to such items should this advice be disregarded.

    Whilst every effort is made to care for items of personal clothing, the proprietor will not be responsible for the loss of items not clearly marked with the owner’s name .

  9. Electrical Appliances, Furnishings and Furniture.

    Residents are encouraged to bring their own furniture, furnishings and electrical equipment into the home, in order to personalise their rooms. It must be noted that electrical appliances are subject to testing in order to ensure safety and the home will not allow unsafe appliances to be used within the home . The Resident will be given the opportunity to have equipment repaired or replaced to bring it to the required safety standard.

    Furnishings and furniture brought into the home must comply with fire resistance requirements as laid down by the Furniture and Furnishings ( Fire Safety ) Regulations 1988. Furniture made before 1950 is exempt from these regulations. The home will refuse to allow furniture to be brought into the home if it is suspected that there may be a fire risk.

  10. Insurance.

    The home is properly insured by :
    NEW INDIA ASSURANCE – ELDERLY CARE HOMES INSURANCE POLICY No AERH/02/11315
    Please enquire regarding the insurance in relation to your personal property.

  11. Smoking and Fire Regulations.

    To comply with fire regulations and for the safety of all, Residents who wish, and are able to smoke, may only do so OUTSIDE the home at their own risk.

    Visitors should familiarise themselves with fire exits and drills. Lifts should never be used in the event of a fire or emergency.

  12. Visiting.

    Visitors, including children and well-behaved pets are most welcome at any time. For reasons of safety and security they must notify a member of staff of their arrival and departure, and sign the visitors book. In respecting a Residents wishes or having reason to believe that it would be contrary to a Residents best interests, the Proprietor may decide to exclude a visitor from the home. The Proprietor will record the fact and be able to explain the reason for doing so to the satisfaction of the Inspection and Registration Bureau, if called upon to do so.

    If a meal is required by a visitor, this can be provided at a small charge with prior notice. Beverages are gladly provided free of charge.

  13. Outings.

    Visitors are encouraged to take Residents out if they wish, although they must advise the person in charge that they intend to do so. The Proprietor accepts no responsibility for the Resident during such outings.

  14. Medication.

    Prescribed medication is the Residents private property. In cases where the Resident is unable to supervise his or her own medicine, the Proprietor will make arrangements for the supervision and administration of any such medication.

  15. Termination of Agreement

    Four weeks notice in writing or payment in lieu will be required should a Resident decide to leave the home, except when the departure results from death or sudden illness of the Resident, in which case no such notice will be required.

    Although it is the aim of the home to care for the Residents until death, special circumstances, such as a continual need for nursing care, may make it necessary to ask a Resident to leave, in which case four weeks notice will be given by the Proprietor. In such circumstances, every assistance will be given in finding alternative accommodation.

  16. Liability.

    Whilst the home endeavours to ensure the safety and well-being of those in its care at all times, it must be understood that there are practical, and socially desirable limitations to the degree to which a Resident’s movements within the home and grounds can be both monitored and restricted. No responsibility can therefore be accepted by the home for any loss or injury incurred as a direct result of any action taken by a Resident of their own volition, regardless of their mental or physical condition.

  17. Registration.

    Lavenders is registered as a Residential Retirement Home by the CSCI, which is responsible for inspecting the home and ensuring that standards are maintained.

  18. Gratuities.

    Individual Staff are forbidden to accept gratuities. Donations to Staff and Residents comfort funds may be made to the home which holds accounts on their behalf.

  19. Complaints.

    Residents or their representatives should in the first instance speak to the senior duty staff member, but where not appropriate or failing a satisfactory solution, it should be brought to the attention of the Proprietors.

    However if the complaint is still not satisfactorily resolved, the complaint should be referred to the Registration authority at :-

    CSCI
    Hermitage Court
    Hermitage Lane
    Maidstone
    Kent ME16 9NT
    Telephone (01622) 724950

    Or

    The Director of Social Services
    Springfield
    Maidstone
    Kent ME14 2LW.
    Telephone (01622) 671411

    It should be noted that Officers of Kent County Council welcome any contact or comments from Residents and Relatives at any time.

  20. Emergency Procedures

    Lavenders has written emergency procedures which include Fire, Accidents and Missing Persons, copies of which can be provided on request.

We look forward to welcoming you