VALUES AND OBJECTIVES:

Simeon exists to provide homes and sheltered housing for the elderly, physically and mentally handicapped and for those who are unable to find a place, temporarily or permanently, in the social order. We aim to create conditions calculated to affect favourably their physical, moral and mental welfare. As far as possible, we aim to enable them to take their place as responsible citizens of the community.

The above is our legally constituted primary objective. We can describe the values by which we seek this objective as follows:

Our home is a space where we have built a house to accommodate people who wish to live together. Welfare suggests a threefold nature of the individual human being: physical, soul and spirit. Responsible citizens suggest a wilful activity, and a sense of belonging.

Within these values, sit a host of related issues that society often view as rights. Each individual values privacy, health, self-determination (choice), and spiritual freedom. We hold these to be self-evident human values, whether legislated rights or not. Simeon terms these as part of the essential dignity of the individual human being, which Simeon understands as a spiritual phenomenon. We value all people as equal in the respect.

While equality belongs to the respect granted to every individual, freedom belongs to the way each thinks and practices his way to spiritual recognition.

For individual needs, where we are just not of equal ability or disability, and where we each feel not free, in this realm belongs brotherliness.

Simeon describes Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity as essential values in our common endeavour.

It is our policy to fulfil in practice the values and objectives in line with the national care standards. We offer best quality accommodation, care, and life for all who live within our community. Privacy, well-being, and self-determination are the essentials.

Simeon committs to upholding these conditions regardless of the changing needs of our residents. We will meet the high dependency needs of frail and dying residents, because Simeon is their home. This we manage because of our own training, our high ratio of co-workers to residents, and our good working with General Practitioners, District Nurses, and other medical services in our area.

The sense of belonging and having a home can only be real if there is also a relationship to the neighbourhood around. Individuality can have meaning only in relationship to individuals. Home can only be my home if I can have some meaningful view of others’ homes. Thus, involvement as a citizen in the activities of others out with my home is important to my own sense of self-determination.

Simeon’s policies and procedures, care planning, records, co-worker supervision and training documentation, diary of daily events, and of course being in constant communication and conversation with each other, friends and relatives reflect the national standards. We minute all management meetings, and annual accounts drawn up. Simeon uses all this evidence to regularly oversee the quality of our life.