Cameron House

Built in 1987, Cameron House is a purpose-built residential service designed to cater for the needs of thirty individuals who have dementia.

It is only two miles from the centre of Inverness and located in a desirable residential area.

Accommodation
There are 26-single and 2-double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities. Service users are encouraged to make use of their own furniture.   The home has been built around a small courtyard garden, which allows service users to circulate freely and safely.   The home is on two floors and has a lift.

There are ample communal areas including lounges, dining room and various quiet areas.   There is an extensive garden with a summerhouse and a greenhouse.   The grounds are enclosed by fencing and a gate, which enables service users to walk around the grounds in comparative safety.
 
Services
Individuals are admitted to Cameron House because of their needs. Service users will have been diagnosed as having Dementia and therefore it may not be possible for them to live in the community without 24-hour support. Once an application form has been completed and we are in receipt of all the relevant information, two members of the senior team meet with the applicant to carry out an assessment, then a 6 week period of assessment will be offered. If, after this period, it is found that the individuals needs could be met at Cameron House a place will be offered.

Aims & Objectives

• To provide a happy and caring environment, enabling individuals to live as independently as possible.
• To provide service users with individually designed care plans to meet their needs whilst always being mindful of rights and choices.
• To positively encourage open and good relationships with relatives, advocates, professional agencies and other professionals in the wider community.
• “In Christ’s name we seek to retain and regain the highest quality of life, which each individual is capable of experiencing at any given time".
• To provide palliative care at the end of the resident's life.

Individual Care Plan
As previously stated, service users have an individual care plan which aims to meet their specific needs.   This plan is constructed by the resident, their family or advocate and the Key Worker.   The Key Worker is the named member of staff who has overall responsibility for the service users care.

The plan is a working document, which is updated regularly.
 
Family Involvement
Family members are encouraged to remain involved in the care of their loved ones at Cameron House.
They do this by visiting on a regular basis and may wish to accompany residents on social outings, G.P./ hospital appointments, etc. They may also wish to remain involved with aspects of personal care, for example:  helping loved ones to bathe and dress.

Family members are valued by staff and they provide vital links to residents’ backgrounds and history, and help in compiling a life history book for the resident.

Families are encouraged to participate in care planning and reviewing processes and there is a monthly Relative's Support Group.
 
Community Involvement
Cameron House is fortunate in having the continued support of local community members, as well as a dedicated Friends Group and regular volunteers.

Other Services include:

• The services of the Hairdresser are available two days per week and a well-equipped hairdressing room is available for this service.
• The Chiropodist visits on a needs basis. 
• The local Church of Scotland Guilds are responsible for staffing a small ‘shop’ which operates once a week in Cameron House.   Service users may make purchases of sweets, toiletries, etc. thereby enabling them to retain some independence. Church Guilds come in every week on a monthly basis.

Management and Staffing
The Service Manager is supported by a Deputy Manager and 3 Senior Care workers to manage the day-to-day running of the care home. All senior staff are professionally qualified.
Permanent Care Workers provide 24-hour support to service users and there is also a bank of relief staff.
The home also has an Administrator and a Gardener/Handyman.

All staff have one-to-one supervision with their Supervisors and this positive management enables staff to develop and become more confident and motivated.     All staff also have an annual appraisal.

S.V.Q. assessments are ongoing in the home and staff are also provided with individual training plans.

 
Admission Procedure

Criteria
CrossReach is committed to the principle of equal opportunities.

Given the philosophy underpinning the work of CrossReach, it is essential that staff are comfortable with delivering services in Christ’s name and are able to speak through their personal commitment to Christ.

CrossReach does not require prospective service users to belong to the Christian faith nor indeed to any faith and aims to ensure that applicants are treated equally.
 
Costs
The costs are available on request.

Referrals Procedure
Referrals may come from individuals, their families, health professionals or the local authority.
 
Additional Information

Activities
Service users have a daily programme of activities to choose from which may include:

• Reminiscence groups.
• Daily worship services.
• Crafts.
• Baking.
• Discussion groups.
• Watching videos etc.
• Trips out in the minibus.
• Trips to Eden Court Theatre.
• Trips on the Seagull Trust boat.
• Walks in the grounds.
• Massage.

Friends of Cameron House organise an annual programme of events such as bus & theatre outings, musical evenings, Burns & St. Andrew’s social nights, sales of work and 'daffodil tea'.