BriarGate Dementia & Alzheimer's Care - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Q. How are rooms allocated? Can a resident be relocated if the original room is unsuitable?New Alzheimers and Dementia Care resident will be allocated a bedroom upon admission, but we reserve the right to transfer any resident to another room should the need arise. Any such decision would be made after consultation with the resident and/or a representative.
Q. Can a resident bring in personal or favourite items, such as ornaments, trinkets, mementoes, jewellery, etc.?
We encourage personal treasures, as long as they are name-labelled prior to admission. In some cases it is preferable to laminate special photos rather than putting them in a frame (handling often results in frames getting broken).
We do not advise the wearing of valuable watches, rings and other jewellery. We suggest that a cheaper ring and watch is purchased in case of loss.
Trinkets and ornaments should also be name-labelled, as they may be carried around by the resident, then left sitting on a chair or in the courtyard. A name enables staff to return items to the right room.
Q. Is it permissible for a resident to have his/her own personal TV and/or radio in the room?
Personal radios, stereos and televisions are permitted. Please ensure they are name-labelled. Consideration for other residents should be shown when using audio devices. Insurance must be arranged before admission, if required.
If repairs are required, we can arrange this, but all repairs are at the resident’s/family’s expense.
Q. How about personal furniture items?
BriarGate provides furnished rooms. However, BriarGate residents are welcome to bring in a suitable quantity of their own furniture, if so desired.
Q. Valuables?
All care is taken with residents’ belongings, but we do not accept responsibility for valuables retained by our residents. We encourage relatives to keep residents’ valuables in their care. For those articles which are in daily use (for example, watches, spectacles, dentures, bracelets, rings), we recommend identity engraving.
Q. Do you provide bed linen?
All linen is provided. Residents are welcome to personalise their rooms with favourite bedspreads, over-blankets or cushions. It is essential that these items are named.
Q. Please tell me what your services will cost me.
What you have to pay personally depends on whether or not you
qualify for a subsidy and the level of subsidy. The first step is to have
your local District Health Board Needs Assessment Services
Coordination (NASC) complete a Need Assessment Process and then
apply to Work and Income NZ (WINZ) for a subsidy.
Q. What kind of clothing should a resident bring?
Residents require sufficient clothing for the various seasons. All clothing must be clearly name-labelled before admission. Tracksuits are the most practical and comfortable choice of clothing.
Clothing is carefully and hygienically laundered at BriarGate. To avoid shrinkage of clothing, we suggest that woollen garments are not suitable.
Q. Do you provide toiletries?
Other than soap, no. Residents will need to bring their own personal toiletries, e.g. shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, hairbrush and comb.
Q. My relative is on regular medication and needs to be reminded/supervised/helped. How do you handle this?
BriarGate are legally responsible for the safe use of medication. Our medication policy sets out procedures to ensure safety is maintained at all times. This policy is available on request. Medication is administered only by designated staff at BriarGate.
Q. What happens if a resident needs specialist Health Care?
Specialist health care may at times be requested and/or arranged by a doctor. Cost will be dependant on circumstances e.g. public/private.
Q. My relative has particular personal care needs. Do you cater for individual requirements?
In consultation with the resident and his or her family/representative the Registered Nurse/Care Staff will design an individual personal care plan to meet daily requirements; e.g. bathing, dressing, activities and outings.
Q. Are residents confined to the premises?
No. BriarGate has a 10-seater mini-bus and residents are encouraged to go out on daily outings. It is important that families have signed the appropriate consent form before BriarGate residents go out in the bus.
Q. When and how often can we visit a resident?
Family consultation and involvement is important to us and our residents. We look forward to working with families. We do not have set visiting hours; visitors are welcome at any time. Naturally, we discourage late visiting as this can be disruptive to residents. We ask that visitors please show consideration for other residents during their visit.
BriarGate Reception Hours
Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday After Hours: Consult the Registered Nurse or the Person in Charge.
Q. Do residents have access to daily news?
The New Zealand Herald is read to BriarGate residents daily. Free community papers are also available during the week. We have communal TV and residents may have personal TVs and/or radios in their own rooms.
Q. Do you take care of regular and urgent laundry?
Yes. BriarGate has a fully equipped laundry. It is the role of the caregiver to ensure that dirty washing is taken to the laundry and washed. Clothing that requires special care with laundering can be taken home by relatives.
Our caregivers are encouraged to take all care with residents’ garments.
Q. What about hair care and dressing?
A hairdressing service is available on a weekly basis. Staff will arrange appointment and time. Hairdressing is a cost met by the resident.
Q. What is your policy on pets?
BriarGate has a home cat (“Sammy”) and two fish tanks. We encourage relatives to bring pets to visit but it is the relative’s responsibility to ensure their care and safety at all times.
Q. Are your premises secure?
BriarGate is a secure facility. Our policy is that all outside windows and doors are to be locked by 7pm. Staff are responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to.
The interior alarm system is turned on as soon as it becomes dark. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any concerns about security.
Q. Are your facilities well-maintained?
Maintenance is carried out regularly on the property. However, if you notice anything that requires attention, please inform a staff member.
Q. Do you have good fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures in place?
Fire drills are carried out under the direction of the New Zealand Fire Service at intervals during the year. Residents will be advised when a fire drill is to be carried out.
All staff are trained and familiar with their respective facility’s evacuation plan.
For safety reasons the following electrical appliances are not permitted to be used by residents in their bedrooms at BriarGate:
- Electric Blankets
- Electric Jugs
- Electric cooking appliances (e.g. fry pans)
- Electric heaters (Briargate supplies heaters)
Q. What is the procedure if I/we have concerns or issues regarding your facilities, services or quality of care?
Please inform a senior management staff member of any concerns, complaints or recommendations you have.
BriarGare welcomes constructive suggestions for improvements to the service we offer.
