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The Firs
Our overall aim at 'The Firs' is to provide a home where all members of our family can be relaxed and happy, be encouraged to be as independent as possible and retain their dignity.
'The Firs' is somewhere where their physical, medical, emotional and cultural needs can be met and where their relatives and friends can be welcomed and feel content in the knowledge that their loved one is achieving as high a quality of life as possible.
We have compiled some information to provide you with a general picture of life at ‘The Firs’, but as choosing a new home is not a decision that is taken lightly, we invite you to visit us so that you discuss your requirements further.
We can arrange a weekend break or part-day visit, free of charge and without obligation to enable you to get an insight, before making a final decision.
Our Team
‘The Firs’ has a team of dedicated carers who have varying responsibilities, all under the direction and supervision of the Home Manager.
It is paramount that each member of our family is treated with privacy and dignity and that their individual needs and requirements are always considered.
Accommodation
‘The Firs’ has 24 comfortable and spacious rooms, many with lovely views, 18 rooms are single and 6 are double. En-suite bathrooms are available in all the rooms.
Residents are encouraged to personalise their rooms with items of furniture, pictures, ornaments, TV or radio etc.
Services
There are regular visits from a hairdresser, chiropodist and aromatherapist.. A mobile library and borrowing of a reminiscence-box are regularly available, whilst films and music form ‘triggers’ for memory recovery therapy.
There are weekly visits from the local GP and other medical services as and when required. The local Reverend and Priest are regular visitors and other religions are catered for.
Personal Care
It is necessary to respect the privacy of our residents – this enables them to make choices in how they run their day – we are there to serve them and don’t expect them to fit in with a rigid routine.
When a resident needs help with personal care then this will, as far as possible, be carried out by the same person and careful attention paid that that their personal care is treated sensitive and with understanding.
Medical Requirements
The medical needs are catered for by a local GP from Battle, but should anyone with to retain their own GP, providing they are within the catchment area, this will be arranged.
There are regular visits from the district nurse, as well as regular communication and liaison with the local CPN. and other health professionals, in order that each resident receives the correct medical care.
Staff Training
The staff in our home is encouraged to attend training courses in the
treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
We encourage staff to undertake qualifications, especially in the area
of therapies which could help individual residents i.e. physiotherapy,
reflexology, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, counselling techniques massage.
All staff are encouraged to receive their NVQ in care, as well as
participate in regular in-house training sessions with the Manager and other outside professionals.
Each resident is assigned a care-worker, who is responsible for personal
assistance, such as shopping reading, writing and as a confidant, in
order to achieve their individuality, privacy and dignity, whilst at the
same time living amongst others.
This care-worker also has a pivotal part in drawing up and reviewing the
care plan and discussing any matters of concern with the Manager or team, as deemed necessary. ‘The Firs’ works for a client centred approach, whereby each individual is treated as such.
Meals
Meal-times are relaxed and happy gathering times when our residents enjoy
good food cooked expertly and served in comfortable surroundings.
Special diets are catered for and individual choice is always a priority.
We maintain a balanced diet which has been specially compiled to offer
the best ingredients for those living at the home.
We also buy as much of our produce as possible directly from local
farmers, thus ensuring the intake of vitamins and essential minerals.
There are no restrictions on residents who wish to take their meals in
the privacy of their own rooms – although we encourage residents to be a
part of the family atmosphere at meal-times, if for some reasons they
wish to take their meals at different times then they will always be
given the choice of doing so.
Visiting
We have an ‘open door’ policy, where visitors are free to call at any
time. However, should someone wish to visit either early in the morning
before 9am or after 7pm at night then we request a phone call, to respect
the privacy of the residents within the home at these busy periods.
Typical Entertainments and Visits
Birthday celebrations
Drusilla’s Zoo visit
Easter celebrations in the local church
Grand National Race Day
Champagne & Strawberries on Wimbledon Finals Day
November 5th Fireworks display
School children’s singing concert
Carol Singing
Christmas Party
New Year’s Eve Celebration
There is a wide range of activities held in-house, aimed at meeting
everyone’s individual needs such as: - cooking, quizzes, bingo, skittles
and ball games, music and movement, singing, dancing, knitting, sewing,
pet-therapy and much more…
Members of the Local Community are invited to become a part of our
community and to be ‘attached’ to one resident in particular, perhaps
accompanying them to church or on shopping expeditions.
Location
Crowhurst is found between Battle, Hastings and Bexhill. Crowhurst
station is on the mainline Hastings – London.
Crowhurst is set in a rural location which offers peace, tranquillity and
beautiful open countryside with far-reaching views to the sea. This
location provides freedom to wander in secure grounds; away from the
roads and the traffic.
‘The Firs’ benefits from an abundance of wildlife which visit the home
regularly, from birds, badgers and foxes to a visit from a local stable.
Admission Policy
We feel that preparation for and of a resident is extremely important if
we are able to care well for each individual. In order to make the move
into our home as easy as possible, visits will be made beforehand to the
proposed resident.
A pre-admission assessment will be made to ensure the suitability for
'The Firs' for the client and visits encouraged by both the client and
his/ her relatives.
When all parties are happy then a structured time plan is compiled to
make the move as smooth as possible, taking into account the possible
need for redecrating, installation of furniture and the preparation of
the other residents.
'The Firs' - We care because you do.
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