Highfield Residential Home

Highfield Residential Home is a 23 bedded home set in a three storey Victorian House in Birchington, Kent. The home caters for the needs of elderly people over the age of 65 who have the need for the extra care and security that residential care offers and yet enables and encourages them to retain their independence. The building consists of 23 single rooms. The design and layout of the premises meet the needs of the service users. The building has ramps in place of steps where access to different levels is required. A lift is installed for service users to access the first floor. This lift is inspected 6 times a year by an independent engineer and annually for insurance purposes. The sitting, recreational and dining space provided separately from the service user's private accomodation, is adequate and complies with the National Minimum Standard's guidelines. A no smoking policy is operated at Highfield. Highfield aims to care for service users with a wide range of care needs. From service users who may be self-caring to those who are more frail and need assistance with all aspects of personal care. We endeavour to allow service users to keep their own GP and to recieve, where necessary, treatment, advice and other services from any health care professional. We are not however able to offer nursing care. Neither are we able to offer care for service users who are wheelchair bound or who require the assistance of hoisting equipment. Potential service users and their families or representatives are welcome to visit Highfield at any time. Arrangements may be made for a trial visit before making any decisions. Service user's are welcome to bring in items of a personal nature including small pieces of furniture as space permits. Any electrical item brought in is subject to inspection and any such item requiring attention will not be permitted. Items of soft furnishings must be fire retardant. The privacy and dignity of a service user shall be respected at all times. Members of staff are required to knock before entering a bedroom and the service user has the right to request a lock which complies to fire safety regulations is put on the door. The home actively encourages service users to continue with any outside social activities, hobbies or lesiure that they have been engaged with formerly. This includes religious activity. Where possible transport may be arranged to enable service users to continue with former activities. This may be voluntary transport or may require a taxi service, which is at the service user's expense. Ministers of different religious denominations visit Highfield and there is a regular communion service which service users are invited to attend. Arrangements may be made if a service user wishes to attend the local church. Service users may have a telephone installed in their own room if required. This is at the swrvice users expense and Highfield is not responsible for any billing on private numbers. Calls may also be made and recieved on the office line. It may be possible to recieve calls on the cordless phone in the privacy of the service user's bedroom.