Meals / Medication / Visitors / etc..

Meals and Drinks
All food provided at Column House is prepared daily by our resident chef and is healthy and nutritious. The chef works closely with staff and residents. Specialist dietary requirements can be catered for and residents will be expected to participate in the preparation of meals on a regular basis with support from the chef or other staff. Residents will develope new and lost skills around food preparation, good nutrition, budgeting and shopping skills.

There are hot and cold drinks available at all times and there is a vending machine providing a range of snacks and sparkling drinks.

Medication
Medication will be dispensed by our local Chemist, blister packed for added safety and administered by staff, all of whom have received appropriate training and induction. Two months prior to the planned date of discharge, residents will be given the opportunity to self-medicate (depending upon medication and health status), which will be closely monitored by staff until discharge.

Personal Possessions
Column House provides a safe for all residents to keep their private possessions and valuables. Column Care may need to hold private possessions then a completion of the appropriate paperwork signed and witnessed by each resident and two members of staff. We are unable to accommodate large items, such as furniture etc.

Visitors
Visitors are welcome at Column Care by prior notice and within reasonable hours (after 09:00h and before 21:00h). It is however requested that residents ask visitors to avoid meal-times and medication times. For any visitors under the age of 16 years of age a suitable meeting area will need to be arranged and the visit may be closely monitored by staff.

Life-Plan
The care planning system at Column Care is known as the Life-Plan and covers a range of care needs broken down into long and short term goals. This will include but is not limited to immediate care, treatment, employment/education needs, diet, physical and mental health assessment and plans for the future. Residents are encouraged to take a lead role in the completion of their Life-Plan along with their allocated key-worker.

Ongoing Aims and Objectives
Column Care is a CSCI registered unit providing accute care, respite and rehabilitation for adults (18-65 years of age) with mental health problems, learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries, we also accept dual diagnosis. It is our aim that after an initial period of assessment that the care plan goals is implemented enabling residents to work toward more independent living. At the end of the six month – to two years depending on resident’s diagnosis and prognosis it is anticipated that Column Care will work alongside residents to identify suitable housing in the area of their choice and to assist residents to move into their new home. Upon discharge from the unit our aim is to provide each resident with a 24 hour crisis telephone service and an outreach service depending on location. We at Column Care know that this can be a difficult time where residents can feel abandoned, isolated and lonely - we aim to lessen that impact.

Leave
Following an initial period of assessment and familiarisation with the local environment, unescorted leave from the unit will be permitted where appropriate. This will be done subject to fulfilling the requirements of the residents’ agreement. Initial leave from the unit (generally within the first month) will be escorted by staff.