6 – Diet, Allergy, Mobility, Sensory and Medical Issues

Bullet point lists the key features and equipment follow. Feel free to request further information and always just indicate your wish to use any of the aids mentioned, if they are not already to hand.

6a – Dietary Issues

  • Vegetarian food items are always available for breakfast
  • Other diets are best notified in advance and all reasonable requests can usually be met
  • Food Hygiene – ‘Scores on the Doors’ Rating of 4 stars out possible 5

    • 6b – Allergy Issues

  • No Smoking throughout
  • All bedding used is Hyper allergenic
  • All linen and towels washed with non-biological detergent
  • Hardwood flooring in the Hallway, Lounge/Breakfast room, and ‘Allergy Friendly’ Room 6
  • Carpets are vacuumed each day
  • Normally dogs are only allowed if they are fully trained Assistance, Hearing or Guide dogs

    • 6c – Physical Mobility Issues

  • See further detailed information under Car Park and Easy Access Bedroom and Wet Room
  • Easy Access Ground floor bedroom with en-suite wet room

    • Critical Dimensions – Gaps, Widths, Turning Circles and Distances

    These have been measured for clear usable gap width, surface width or turning circles. The measurements are given in centimetres (cm) and metres (100 cm). 2.4 centimetres equals one inch.

    See also the ‘Plan of Guest Areas on Ground Floor’ showing many key measurements

  • Path width from car park to rear garden lawn is 84cm and 7 metres long
  • Landing outside front door: 86cm deep behind pillars or 117cm deep between the pillars
  • All thresholds and doormats are flush with floor level including at the front door
  • The narrowest gap through any doorway is 76cm
  • 19cm manoeuvring width to opening side of front doors and Easy Access bedroom door
  • 142cm turning circle in ‘Easy Access’ bedroom
  • 140cm turning circle in ‘East Access’ wet room
  • 120cm turning circle in Hallway
  • 150cm turning circle available in Lounge / Breakfast room
  • Gap in front of toilet to reach wash basin is 54cm in Easy Access Wet Room

    • 6d – Sensory Issues

    Assistance, Hearing and Guide Dogs

  • Fully trained Assistance, Hearing or Guide Dogs are always welcome with their owners. The rear garden is completely fenced in for security and suitable feeding and drinking bowls are available.
  • Other dogs are generally only allowed by special arrangement to limit any allergy issues
  • Dogs can be exercised along the service road or in the local parks with dog areas.
  • All owners will be expected to clean up after their dog with a plastic bag

    • Hearing and Acoustic Issues

  • Mobile induction loops for hearing aid users with a ‘T’ – switch at reception and in lounge
  • A neck induction loop that connects to the TV/DVD in any Guest bedroom
  • Deafgard with vibrating, strobe and text alert action for alarm clock and smoke alarm
  • Paper pad, pen and clipboard constantly available at the Reception counter
  • Willingness to converse via fax or email.
  • Abbey Guest House is very quiet, being set back some 30 metres from the Oxford road
  • Conifer hedge around the car park acts as a further acoustic screen
  • Family sized rooms with standard ceiling heights and all windows double glazed
  • Soft furnishings dampen any echo’s of the walls
  • Background music plays gently in the lounge / breakfast room but can be turned off
  • Experience suggests conversations are not hampered by acoustic noises or reflections

    • Vision and Lighting Issues

  • Large print information folder is always available in Breakfast / Lounge
  • All exterior signs are high contrast and illuminated automatically through the night
  • There are no glass screens to look through at reception or elsewhere
  • Key switches and items labelled with either a large font or a Braille label, sometimes both
  • Camera based text magnifier for use with guest bedroom TV screens or a computer screen
  • Access Statement and Information Folder available in various sized print fonts
  • Computer file formats to enable use of screen reader and speech synthesis software
  • Camera text magnifier that links to any guest bedroom TV screen or a computer screen
  • All entrance doors have small glass panels in upper half.

    • Colour Schemes and Tonal Contrasts

  • Bedrooms have gold carpets, white ceilings and cream walls with one dark red feature wall
  • Bedside tables are birch with contrast dark green or dark grey glass surfaces
  • ‘Easy Access’ wet room with high contrast dark blue and blue features against white walls
  • Bedroom light switches are white with contrasting dark green fingerplate background
  • The hallway has hardwood flooring, dark cream walls and white ceilings
  • Stairs and first floor corridor have Red carpet, cream walls and white ceilings
  • The doors are white with contrasting brass handles
  • Bedroom furniture is birch contrasting against white walls.
  • Bed linen is cream with a red and green poppy pattern with dark red valance.
  • Arm chairs are white with contrasting dark red cushions/arm protectors

    • Lighting

  • The hallway has a chandelier and down-lighters
  • The lounge/ breakfast room has ceiling pendants lights, wall picture lights, a table lamp and a floor standard lamp and benefits from natural daylight from the 350cm wide patio doors
  • The stairway and upstairs landing has down-lighters and benefits from natural daylight from a 250cm high by 130cm wide feature window
  • All bedrooms have large windows supplying plenty of natural daylight
  • Guest bedrooms have ceiling pendant lamps and either wall mounted bedside lights or individual bedside table lamps
  • En-suite bathrooms and wet room have down-lighters and most have natural daylight
  • All have shaver points and lights over the wash basin mirrors
  • No spot lights or windows face into guests eyes in the hallway / reception area

    • 6e – Mobility and Medical Equipment Loan

    The Red Cross offers a Medical Loan Service in Abingdon. They are based at Red Cross House, Colwell Drive, in the centre of Abingdon, next to a McDonalds. Tel: 01235 552 644. Opening times are 1.30 to 3.45 pm.

    Mobility and Medical Equipment Repair and Purchase

    Joncare is an Abingdon company that can arrange a comprehensive range of equipment repairs and purchase as required. Also, temporary free loans whilst items are repaired. Their Mobility Matters Independent Living Showroom is located at 7-8 Radley Place, Radley Road Industrial Estate, OX14 2RY. Tel: 01235 523353 and Fax: 01235 531019

    Carer Support

    Bedrooms 1 and 3 have twin beds. See Floor Plans for location

    Proprietor (Terry) is able to offer a limited amount of individual assistance. She has over 40 years experience of first aid and care obtained as a member of St John Ambulance if you wish to bring a carer / support person with you. None of the rooms have connecting doors.