The Knowles / Services

Our catering service
It is our aim to provide not only a balanced and nutritious diet but also a varied, interesting and appetising one. Cook is usually willing to add “favourite recipes” to the schedule and take that little bit of extra care to make meal times appetising. Special diets can usually be catered for, which could include diabetic, medical, vegetarian, or simply your preference.

Tea, coffee or other hot or cold drinks are available 24 hours a day, plus snacks if you get hungry between meals.

You will be encouraged to eat in the dining room but may eat in your bedroom if this is your choice. Your visitors may dine with you subject to prior notice and a nominal charge.

You may have a packed lunch if you are going out for the day providing your request is made with sufficient notice.

Your Menu Choice
The daily midday menu is displayed early in the day on the menu notice board in the entrance hall. The Menu is varied each day, we have a varied Menu choice for Breakfast, Lunch & High Tea. All our meals are freshly prepared in our own kitchens.

Meal times
Meals and drinks are normally served at the following times:

Should you require a meal out of these hours due to medical appointments etc. then alternative arrangements will be made whenever possible.

Other facilities we provide:

• Hairdressing salon
• Consultation room for meetings with Doctors etc, in privacy
• Landscaped gardens with seating
  
• Visitor parking
  
• Choice of two assisted baths and 2 assisted showers
  
• Telephone
  
• Regular mobile library visits including large print books
  
• Passenger lift to the first floor
  
• No steps throughout
  
• Emergency call point protection in every room
  
• In house laundry service for your personal washing
  
• Handrail assistance throughout
  
• Fire detection and alarm protection in every room
  
• All hot water taps have temperature control valves for your safety
  
• All central heating radiator surfaces have low temperature guards for your safety
  
• All doors are 800mm wide for easy access
  

Sensory Gardens
Our sensory gardens with lots of colours, shapes, movement, scents, tastes and textures, provides a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. Professionally designed in conjunction with the national disability and gardening charity, Thrive, to benefit and enrich the lives of residents, especially those with Dementia or Parkinson's who's senses which may have dulled with age by stimulating, sight, sound, smell. taste and touch.

Residents are encouraged to help with planting and tending, if able. The garden is safe for the disabled with planting beds, pots, bird bath and bird table at a functional height for wheelchair users.

Data Protection
Your computer and document records are confidential, will be kept secure, out of general view and protected with access allowed to authorised staff only.

You will be allowed access to your records without notice delay and your friends and/or relatives will only be allowed with your prior consent.

Religious worship or services
You have the right to meet clergy of your chosen denomination at any time. You may attend religious services either within or outside the home, as you so desire. You should, if necessary and where possible, arrange for transport and accompaniment with friends or relatives for external services. If this is not possible, care staff may accompany you if staffing levels permit at the escort extra charge rate.

Telephone
We have a portable telephone, which you may use for incoming calls. You may have a private telephone line installed at your own expense, providing the cable route is fully external and agreed with the Home Manager.

Newspapers
You may have newspapers and magazines delivered by the local newsagent providing you are responsible for starting and stopping supply and costs.

Sundry Extras Account
Your Sundry Extras Account (SEA) is activated upon your payment of a £25 deposit and then all additional services provided to you will be charged to it.

We will send you a SEA statement on the 20th day of each month for all items provided up to that date and your payment will be due on the 1st day of the next month. This will be added to your bank direct debit fee payment (if applicable), otherwise, you may pay by cheque. We make no administration of interest charge for this service, however late payment may incur interest charges or the facility being withdrawn.

All receipts for the items charged to you will be kept in the homes office should you wish to examine any.

Your deposit will be pooled into our bank account with no interest being paid and it will be refunded at the end of your stay, less any money owed.

If you do not have a SEA you must pay for all of your additional services at the time of supply. We do not offer a credit facility.

Your laundry
We will undertake all your laundry for you, however as is human nature, mistakes may happen especially with delicate or woollen items, therefore should you prefer your friends or relatives to undertake this task for you, you are more than welcome.

You are responsible for arranging, and the cost, of your dry cleaning.

Clothing labels

• All items of clothing should be labeled prior to admittance.
  
• You are responsible for all labeling costs.
  
• Written identification on clothing is not acceptable because it fades, this includes indelible ink.
  
• Only the pre-printed fabric type of labels should be used.
  
• These should be printed with your full name, or your known name if different.
  
• They should be securely sewed or clipped onto each garment.
  
• Costs are variable, please ask the supplier for a quote.
  
• We recommend WOVINA, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1ER, 01208 73484 who, at the date of writing, charge £3.60 for 6 dozen labels or £5.50 for 12 dozen and Taggit clips at £1.87 for 50, £3.74 for 100, £5.60 for 150 or £7.47 for 200.
  
• These clips enable labels to be simply and quickly fitted to garment labels.

If your garments are brought into the home unlabelled:

• We will urgently arrange for clip-on labeling for all of your garments without notice. These will be charged to you at our tariff rate
  
• We will not contact either yourself or relatives beforehand because of the requirement for speedy compliance to help prevent loss of your garments.

Respite or short stay clients requirements are the same except that the:

• Your garments may be labeled with an indelible pen, as Wovina labels are not possible due to time restraints.