5 Benefits of Outdoor Cover in Care Settings
With the summer in full swing and the recent pandemic situation, the need to spend time outdoors has never been so prevalent. We’ve therefore outlined five of the greatest benefits that a canopy brings to care settings when paired with a nature garden. • It’s Safer to Socialise Outside Right now, it’s safer to spend time with others outside making your residents, staff and visitors feel much safer and at ease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces where it might be harder to keep people apart and there’s less ventilation.” Correspondingly, spending time outside when the weather is pleasant seems to make the occasion more enjoyable for all involved. The sun has put a smile on everyone’s faces, particularly after being cooped up indoors all winter. • Nature Heals It is well known that nature heals and spending time within nature can help patients to feel better in themselves. Over the years, several studies have found that something as simple as windows that look out into a natural outdoor area with trees, foliage and flowers, can improve attention span, reduce stress and even help hospital patients heal after surgery. Alongside many other studies, Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D. published a paper in 2002 titled Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals which stated that “simply looking at environments dominated by greenery, flowers, or water — as compared to built-up scenes lacking nature (rooms, buildings, towns) — is significantly more effective in promoting recovery or restoration from stress. (See Ulrich, 1999, for a survey of studies.) A limited amount of research suggests that viewing settings with plants or other nature for a few minutes can promote measurable restoration even in hospital patients who are acutely stressed.” • It’s Great for Our Mental Health In relation to healing, spending time within nature is also known to be highly beneficial to our mental health. The mental health charity Mind explains: “Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems including anxiety and depression. For example, research into ecotherapy (a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature) has shown it can help with mild to moderate depression. This might be due to combining regular physical activity and social contact with being outside in nature. Being outside in natural light can also be helpful if you experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects people during particular seasons or times of the year. And people tell us that getting into nature has helped them with many other types of mental health problems.” • A Covered Outdoor Space Encourages Movement For patients with limited mobility, they may be put off going outside by worrying that it may rain or be too hot and the effort to go outside won’t be worth it. However, if they have a canopy that they can sit under, without the need to rush indoors if it rains, they may be more inclined to venture outside and reap the benefits of the great outdoors. This will also keep them more physically active my moving about instead of staying seated indoors. • All-Year-Round Outdoor Protection A canopy enables your nature garden to be used all year round as it provides protection from both the sun and rain, keeping you cooler in the hot, summer months by creating a cooling shade underneath the canopy. It also protects from the rain by providing a sheltered area where residents and staff can take time out to recharge sit outside with a beverage and listen to the calming sounds of the rain whilst keeping dry. A canopy therefore gives your residents the chance to enjoy the healing benefits of nature throughout every month of the year. If you are thinking of adding a canopy to your care home or healthcare setting, contact the canopy experts Able Canopies Ltd. on 0800 389 9072 or email sales@ablecanopies.co.uk you can also visit: www.ablecanopies.co.uk
What makes a safe home for the elderly?
It can be very difficult to imagine what it is like to be old; especially if you are very young and in good health. But imagine you could put on a pair of glasses with ‘elderly vision’. Suddenly, you might find, the world is transformed; that there are challenges and hazards everywhere. Difficulties that, ordinarily, would never have crossed your mind. Switching on to ‘elderly vision’ is what we must all do if we are to work to make a place safe and elderly-friendly. It involves imagination and creativity to fill the shoes of someone debilitated with age, but it is essential to do so. This article is your elderly vision. Read on, and together we will travel through a mundane house, identify its dangers, and discover what can be done to make it elderly friendly. The Kitchen Think of an ordinary kitchen, perhaps your own. Now it’s time to turn on the elderly vision. Suddenly the kitchen cabinets are either too high or too low. The pots and pans dangle from hooks that are too much of a stretch, and out of reach. The lighting is not adequate and, with your impaired vision, you cannot really see what you are doing. The kettle is awkward to lift and dangerous to pour. And the kitchen floor itself could trip you up if you aren’t careful. A better kitchen Those are just a couple of examples of how the kitchen can be unsafe for the elderly. How, then, can it be made safe? Perhaps the most important remedy lies in how accessible the kitchen is. The cabinets, sink and oven; especially if the kitchen is for the personal use of someone who requires a rollator or wheelchair. Plug sockets should also be within easy reach. For the floor, try laminate or low-pile carpeting. They are low-maintenance and slip-resistant. One way to avoid knee and waist injuries is to install a pedestal to help raise the levels of certain kitchen appliances, such as the washing machine. Drawer dishwashers and slide-away, eye-level ovens also increase accessibility and reduce the likelihood of preventable pains. And finally, part of the answer lies in some very modern technology, such as Amazon’s Alexa, which can turn off the lights, set reminders, and even call the emergency services. This last feature could quite literally be life-saving. Bedroom There is less going on in the bedroom, but it can still be very poorly optimised for an elderly person. The biggest obstacle is the bed itself. That is, if the bed is too low or too high — which could lead to unnecessary strains or injury. Then there are the usual accessibility problems. Where the light switch is can be a huge obstacle for someone challenged by age. Furniture may not be the right size, and rugs and mats may look decorative but they can slip underfoot. Bedrooms are also prone to having electric cables and extension leads running precariously over the floor — again, a trip hazard. A better bedroom Fortunately, you can make a bedroom elderly-friendly quite quickly, and for not a lot of money spent. For example, if the bed is too high, a new one may be needed. If it is too small, you may be able to install risers to save purchasing a new bed. Like in the kitchen, drawer handles should be well within reach of an elderly inhabitant, without much (if any) bending or stretching. There should be an accessible bedside lamp, and even a torch, should the occupant need to get out of the bed at night. Alexa, or some equivalent, would be handy in here, too. Bathroom You don’t need a pair of elderly-vision spectacles to imagine the dangers of the bathroom, as even the most agile person can slip if they aren’t careful. A better bathroom By now you should be noticing a pattern of what it takes to make a house elderly-friendly: accessibility. In the bathroom, this extends to making sure the toilet seat and the sinks are at the right height, and that there are handles to help with hoisting oneself out of the bathtub. Walk-in showers are much easier to use if they can be installed. And non-slip mats really need to be considered in order to avoid preventable accidents. Living room Typically, the living room is one of the largest parts of any house. They also tend to be cluttered, and full of trip hazards. The furniture may also be a focal point for preventable injuries here. A better living room If a chair is too low, it could be a problem. A quick — and cheap — fix could be to just place a few extra cushions on the seat. But motor-raising chairs are much better in the long run. For wheelchair users and rollators, carpets and rugs can impede their use and be trip hazards on their own. In order to minimise accidents, a living room should be brightly illuminated and any decorative rugs, mats, and carpets that are risky should be removed. Other things to consider The little things can all add up to make the home a more comfortable experience, even if they aren’t immediately obvious or necessary — and even if, without the magic of ‘elderly vision’ we would never have thought of them. Those are gadgets such as key-turners, automatic tin-openers (which both ease off the use of arthritic limbs) and stovetop shut-offs. Tech such as this can take the pressure off the body when it needs it the most, both mental and physical, avoiding repetitive strain injuries. And the aforementioned Alexa, along with other virtual assistants, and things like auto-dialling alarm kits, could quite literally save a life. — This article was written by Thomas Drinkwater of Webster Wheelchairs, one of the NHS’s leading suppliers of wheelchairs, rollators, and other elderly and disability-friendly equipment.
Inject new life into rooms with interior landscaping
Inject new life into rooms with interior landscaping: a cost effective way to refresh decor and increase physical and mental health The benefits of keeping plants indoors have now been proven so many times that it is beyond any doubt houseplants bring very real, tangible advantages to anyone who has them around. And nowhere is this more evident than in a care environment. From hospitals and nursing homes to care homes for young and old alike, the addition of plants indoors will have an immediate impact on the physical and mental health of both residents and their careers. A a quick reminder, five of the most tested benefits are: They help deter illness – outside, plant roots tap the groundwater table for water which then evaporates through its leaves, accounting for about 10 percent of the moisture in the atmosphere. This also happens indoors as plants are watered, which increases the humidity. Although this may sound unappealing, it’s an absolute gift if you live in conditions that are frequently heated or air conditioned. Studies at the AgricUniversity of Nrway document that using plants in interior spaces decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs. And according to a new study from researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, higher absolute humidity is conducive for decreased survival and transmission of the flu virus. They aid easier breathing – Adding plants to interior spaces increases oxygen levels. At night, photosynthesis stops and plants typically start breathing like humans, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. However there are some plants –orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads – which actually do the opposite, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Strategic placing of these plants in bedrooms can refresh air during the night. They are a natural air purifier – one of my favourite houseplant benefits is that they actively remove toxins from air. NASA has researched it extensively and revealed that up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours are processed. VOCs include substances like formaldehyde (present in rugs, vinyl, cigarette smoke and grocery bags), benzene and trichloroethylene (both found in man-made fibers, inks, solvents and paint). Our climate-controlled buildings (which are now air tight too) trap VOCs inside. The NASA research showed that plants purify this trapped air by pulling contaminants into soil, where root zone microorganisms convert VOCs into food for the plant. They boost healing – A study conducted at Kansas State University found that viewing plants during recovery from surgery led to a significant improvement in the body’s responses including lower blood pressure, and lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue as compared to patients without plants in their rooms. Another technique to decrease recovery time which was recorded by Texas A&M University, is horticulture therapy in which patients are tasked with taking care of plants. The patients who physically interacted with plants experience a significantly reduced recovery time after medical procedures.They can sharpen your focus – A study at The Royal College of Agriculture in Circencester found that students showed a 70% greater attentiveness when taught in a room containing plants. In the same study, attendance was also higher for lectures given in classrooms with plants. We’ve known about the benefits of keeping plants indoors for many years, but it’s only recently that interior landscaping has really exploded in the residential and commercial space. Some of the current trends can be easily adopted by a care home and not only provide the many benefits above but also add an incredibly stylish touch to the interior design of a space. In some cases totally transforming rooms with some well thought out touches that don’t break the bank! Some of my favourite tricks include:Living walls or vertical gardens – When space is at a minimum vertical planting can look absolutely amazing. And in a bedroom setting, the introduction of easy to look after succulents also purifies air and helps residents sleep better. They don’t need to be particularly large, covering an entire wall. A vertical garden can look equally stunning with an indoor trellis and pot combination, or a display of hanging planters and pots.Living pictures – A relatively new idea, specially adapted picture frames can be planted up into a gorgeous living canvas. Watering is also easy as they can be removed once a week and placed on a table, watered and rehung.Living light fittings – If you really want to make a statement, give a living light fitting a go! A truly unique alternative to a chandelier (and a zillionth of the price!). Design-led light bulbs can be hung from the ceiling, surrounded by a pot system that contains hanging succulents. When the lights are off they look extremely eye catching and when the lights go on, positively theatrical!Creative pot displays – A few large, well placed planters and pots that pick up a room’s colour scheme is a simple yet hugely effective touch that will brighten and calm an environment immediately. You can be as creative or simple as you like and the beauty of a pot is that it can be moved.Living table tops – old tables that have glass on top of a lower section, provide a perfect and very original way to plant dwarf houseplants. Visible through the glass they can offer endless interest as they grow and change over time. Amanda Lorenzani is a garden designer and interior landscaper working across London, Sussex and the South East. www.instagram.com/amandalorenzaniamanda.lorenzani@gmail.comTel: 07900 255 970
Sensory rooms: six mistakes care homes need to avoid
Most care professionals are well aware of the benefits of sensory rooms – they are spaces which offer a calming, soothing environment or can trigger reactions and promote interactions, particularly important among residents with dementia. They can be used for individual sessions or with a group of residents, and family members can even join in with activities too. But there have been too many instances where time and money has been spent on decorating, furnishing and equipping rooms which, usually after a flurry of activity for the first few months of opening, then lie largely unused. Researchers have found that this is down to sessions which have not been effective or which may even have had the opposite of the desired effect – unsettling residents who are confused about where they are and why. In this article, Care & Nursing Essentials explores the findings of a study by Anke Jakob, researcher in design at Kingston University, and Lesley Collier, now Reader in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London. They reported in ‘How to make a Sensory Room for people living with dementia – developing design guidance for health care practitioners’ that of the 16 care homes where provision was studied, many of the existing sensory rooms had been inadequately designed, with inappropriate provision and without effective staff facilitation. We look at the common mistakes which have been made in setting up and managing this type of provision – and suggest how to fix the issues to make sensory rooms more effective… 1.Making the room too clinical At the recent Mental Health and Dementia Facilities Forum, Dr Jakob said she had found during her research that some sensory rooms had been created in clinical-looking rooms and were heavily reliant on technology. Feedback the researchers received from care staff included comparing the sensory rooms to ‘spaceships’ or ‘discotheques’. Traditional furniture, muted, warm colours and a fireplace are preferable to create a homely atmosphere in which residents can relax feel more comfortable. 2. Offering the same types of stimulation In the study, visual and tactile stimulation were well catered for, making up around 55% of all provision offered. Auditory and olfactory provision accounted for around 32% combined. Meanwhile, taste and movement experiences only provided 5% and 8% of the provision respectively. Gustatory experiences and movement/positioning of the body are therefore areas which need to be thought about more carefully when planning sensory rooms, in order to offer a full and balanced experience. 3. Using products aimed at children The researchers found that many of the technology-based sensory activities were not suitable or age-appropriate for elderly residents. This resulted in residents being disengaged and staff becoming less motivated to use the rooms as they could not see a response from residents. 4. Having too much stimulation Clutter, too many lights and too much sensory stimulation overall are just not conducive to what is meant to be a focused environment. The guide “How to make Sensory Room for people living with dementia” which was produced as a result of the study recommends: “To help maintain focus on an activity the space should not be filled or cluttered with too many sensory items and/or other objects that are likely to over-stimulate and distract attention. People with dementia find it difficult to filter relevant stimulation when there is competing stimuli.” 5. Not catering for the interests of all residents The stage of dementia a resident is in, their background and their personality are all important factors to consider when offering a sensory room. This person-centred approach (Regulation 9 of the CQC: Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014) is recommended in the guide, which recommends activities which are achievable for different groups and states: “The person setting up the room needs to remember that what relaxes one person may stimulate another. A person who is sensitive to stimulation is likely to respond quicker. By completing an in-depth personal life story, staff will be aware of what things stimulate or relax each resident.” Sensory equipment or items should be based on that person’s interests and needs, and critically the outcomes from each sensory session should be recorded alongside what has been stimulating or relaxing so that other staff will know what to use and what to do next time. 6. Failing to train staff in using the rooms effectively With a high number of staff and employee turnover being an issue in some care homes, training care workers on how to use the rooms is vital. This can be done in meetings, on the job with senior members of staff or via CDP training courses offered by external providers. Similarly, a visit to a nearby care facility which has an effective sensory room would be beneficial to share best practice. To conclude, we would recommend taking a look at the free guide “How to make Sensory Room for people living with dementia” to ensure your sensory room is designed to be as effective as possible. There are examples of “before and after” room makeovers as well as advice on quick, budget fixes and how to find the suppliers you need to provide good-quality, effective equipment. As long as staff are trained, have been timetabled to use the room and are keeping personalised records of each session, then your new and improved sensory room will soon become a vital part of your setting. The guide book “How to make Sensory Room for people living with dementia”, by Anke Jakob and Lesley Collier, is available as a PDF online at kingston.ac.uk/sensoryroom. The article “Sensory enrichment for people living with dementia: increasing the benefits of multisensory environments in dementia care through design”, by Anke Jakob and Lesley Collier, is also available as a PDF online at tandfonline.com
Want to improve your care environment for residents and staff?
New, revolutionary lighting – ‘Circadian Plus’ by amBX will transform your care environment by providing elite benefits. Research has proven that circadian lighting, which supports human’s natural 24-hour rhythm is beneficial for improved sleep patterns, mood and general wellbeing. Therefore, helping to reduce resident’s agitation levels, encouraging a better sleep pattern and allowing them to feel more in tune with natural daylight; in turn this can lead to a whole host of mental and physical health benefits. In addition to this, if employees are happier at work, have improved sleep patterns and most importantly feel that their employer cares about their wellbeing then it is going to have a positive impact on retention levels. Also, the installation of this revolutionary system can set you apart from the competition, improving standards, reputation and therefore ratings. As the human body ages, both day and night vision deteriorate. Moreover, light can often cause confusion if there is a glare or an unusual pattern. This is heightened when a person suffers from some sort of cognitive condition, such as dementia, which The Alzheimer’s Society reports around 80% of care home residents experience. The correct lighting can reduce distress and disorientation as well as on a more basic level minimising risks of trips or falls. A recent install in Ashmere Care Homes’ Heanor Park has been a great success. They are now using amBX circadian lighting to manage precision-controlled LED lighting on a 24-hour cycle throughout all rooms and resident areas. In addition, staff and residents have noticed a distinct difference in the lighting and the mood around the care home. amBX Circadian Plus is uniquely equipped to deliver an energy efficient, sophisticated lighting experience in every room – without complex programming. The timing, intensity and colour of light can be easily controlled. Circadian Light-Scenes can also be used in conjunction with standard dimmable lighting as well as variable white lights and full colour-spectrum LEDs. Maintaining or improving reputation, ratings and standards, recruiting and retaining staff, managing costs and ensuring your residents get the best standard of care are all critical challenges when running a care home. At amBX our aim is to make your life easier, helping to solve these challenges. Creating the future of wellbeing in the care environment. To find out more visit: www.ambx.com | call: 0173 764 9833 | email: info@ambx.com or visit us on stand: D804.
MMC: Making affordable homes for the elderly
Agile Ageing Alliance is a joining of innovators from across the building and housing sectors, as well as health, care, design & technology and finance advisors who have come together to produce a new way of retirement living. Neighbourhoods of the Future is a vision which modern methods of construction (MMC) can make a reality, providing much-needed affordable homes for the elderly as well as younger people. Here, Ian Spero – founder of Agile Ageing Alliance – answers editor Victoria Galligan’s questions on how MMC can help to solve the housing crisis. How many more affordable homes for the elderly are needed? Today, there are more than 11 million people aged 65 and over in the UK, by 2035, there will be 17 million. According to the Local Government Association, we are looking at a shortfall of more than 400,000 units of housing for older people by 2030 Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), emerging ‘smart’ technologies and big data analytics present possibilities for everyone. However, their potential impact on the way people, especially older adults, engage with the built environment is relatively unexplored. In a world where social networks are leading to a pandemic of loneliness, addressing the Ageing Society Challenge at a neighbourhood level should be a priority. Neighbourhoods are the settings where residents can socialise, realise common values, and achieve a level of social control and purpose. Why is MMC a good choice compared to traditional methods? The UK is facing an acute housing shortage. A better use of modern construction processes and materials could fix this, enabling thousands more homes to be built faster, cheaper and more efficiently; potentially transforming the quality and specificity of UK housing. Yet as things stand, our dependence on bricks and mortar defines a sector that is technologically moribund. Are there lessons to be learned from the successes of the automotive industry? Writing in the Agile Ageing Alliance’s Neighbourhoods of the Future 2019, report – commissioned by Tata Steel, Kieran Singleton Co-founder, of automotive design specialists Forge Design – expands on this theme: “Car manufacturers first recognised the benefits of platform manufacturing decades ago. To make better products more affordable, it is standard practice in the automotive world to try and maximise the amount of inter-vehicle commonality. This level of standardisation could have led to a conveyor belt of similar products and a huge reduction in user choice. But, by aspiring to great design, manufacturers have taken advantage of the platform approach to deliver exciting new concepts, embraced by the public at both ends of the price spectrum.” For our neighbourhoods of the future, the platform approach offers new opportunities for customised housing. This is particularly relevant for technologically enabled “adaptive” housing which can support independent living in later life. Matt Cooper is a leading advocate for MMC at Arup, an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists which made its name as the designer and engineer behind some of the world’s most ambitious structures. According to Matt: “The creative pioneers of the new generation of MMC not only have the opportunity to alleviate our housing shortage but to change the way housing is delivered across the social spectrum. With adaptable and agile regeneration capabilities built in by design, within the next 10-20 years, MMC may not only halt the downward spiral in our housing market, but act as the catalyst for a new social economy.” How are the units made accessible to people with mobility needs? Making our homes more accessible to people with mobility needs is a pre-requisite for an ageing population. Let’s face it, our perception of space, the elements in our environment that we find restorative or tiring, helpful or strenuous, change as we age. This happens together with changes in our bodies. New build housing and indeed retrofit homes can be made more accessible – and safer – by replacing steps with slopes/ramps, installing grabrails/handrails, trial installation of emerging new design of compact lifts, change floor coverings etc. Lighting can be improved to illuminate risk areas/install automated lighting (e.g. landings, motion/ pressure sensors when person gets out of bed). The bathroom is a top hazard area with regard to falls injury and could benefit from the use of non-slip flooring, lighting (as mentioned), taps/ other fittings as well as shower installation. Kitchen units can be lowered for easy reach from wheelchairs. Digital/ assistive technology measures have huge potential to improve lives. For some older people, it will be useful to offer an enhanced package such as the installation of sensors, alarm systems, automated use of environmental controls, the trial of new solutions, and/or innovative use of more mainstream systems such as Alexa etc. Frankly, we are still scratching the surface of what we can do by combining better design, new products and interoperable systems and enabling technologies to empower people in later life. You can read more about retrofitting in a great article by Sue Adams OBE CEO of Care & Repair England in the aforementioned Neighbourhoods of the Future report How do you envisage constructing enough units to meet this growing need? A wholesale commitment to MMC and the aims and aspirations outlined in our report could make a substantive difference at scale. We are speaking with developers and local authorities around the country who are keen to do things differently. By way of example, a pioneering independent developer Regents Regeneration is planning to build a new multigenerational neighbourhood in Coventry. The exciting thing about the Regents scheme is they intend to build a factory outside of the City where they will construct the new homes off-site. Furthermore, the idea is to work with Coventry University to evaluate the impact on residents. The university also plans to incorporate a teaching facility to address a growing skills shortage in the construction market. I will let Dr Evangelia Chrysikou, Healthcare Facilities Programme Director at UCL’s Bartlett Real Estate Institute, have the final word: “We must explain to people the benefits of inclusive societies. This needs
What to consider when extending care home services
James Thomas, QFP, Commercial Manager at d&t business planning, discusses the need for careful planning when extending care home services. The expansion of care home services requires the mitigation of risk through analysis and proper planning both to protect the business and those it cares for long term. Extending an existing facility by nature often requires significant investment and therefore, commercial backing. Securing appropriate funding will be a key part of the successful expansion of services. Here, a balance needs to be struck between the need for borrowing and the income likely to be generated from providing care services. An independent funding sourcing organisation that has relationships with all the main banks, satellite lenders and funding circles will be able to secure the best deal possible. A funding sourcing organisation will initially undertake a viability check prior to approaching any lenders, in order to assess the likelihood of securing borrowing. They will look at an individual’s or company’s background, assets and liabilities and the business idea. Because they understand the criteria for lending from numerous financial organisations, they can help set expectations. Here it is important to provide accurate information to ensure a realistic evaluation and assessment. Armed with this information, they can select the most appropriate lender to potentially back the project. To secure any business borrowing it will be necessary to provide a detailed business plan. This is a document setting out goals for the future and the strategy to reach those objectives. It will need to include information on cash flow, budgets and projections, but also an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Business plans should be realistic and achievable using existing financial records to help with forecasting. They should also detail milestones and set out a roadmap indicating thresholds when, for example, additional staff can be taken on, or when the business can afford to expand further. The starting point with any business expansion plan is analysis of existing figures. So, step one of the process of expansion is to ensure accounts are fully up to date. Getting to grips with the technology to enable regular reporting online will be something everyone needs to get used to and we recommend getting in the habit of keeping your information up to date so you are ready to complete the quarterly submissions when they are required. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are also an essential part of business planning. Monthly Turnover, Cost of Sales and Gross Profit will always be the most important key performance indicators, as at a glance, you get a good idea of how a business is performing at a high level. There will, of course, be some more specific metrics that are tracked behind these, which might include for example: variable and fixed costs such as staffing, training, recruitment, heating, cleaning, marketing, etc… Tracking back KPIs helps with planning. Consider a target of increasing residents in a care home by 30%. Work back and isolate what can directly affect the goal and monitor these metrics. • 30% growth = 10 more residents = 5 more staff, 10 more beds, 5 more items of equipment etc The same logic can be applied to marketing. How many leaflets and adverts are needed to create xx number of enquiries which ultimately become xx number of residents? So, whether you’re starting out, looking to grow, or an existing business, raising finance requires a workable and detailed plan tailored to your goals. This will help you source funding from the most suitable lender, and using an independent funding expert will help you shop around and secure the best deal for carefully managed expansion. For further information on independent funding and business planning when extending care home services please see: team-dt.com
Temporary catering facilities for events and kitchen refurbishments
Mobile Kitchens Ltd specialises in the hire or sale of temporary catering facilities and foodservice equipment. Ideal for events or to provide temporary catering facilities during your kitchen refurbishment, our versatile units and equipment offer an efficient and economic solution to the caterers’ needs. Production Kitchens, Preparation Kitchens, Ware-washing Units, Dry Store Units, Cold Rooms and Restaurant Units are available as individual units in their own right or they can be linked together on site to form a complete complex. Alternatively, we can offer modular, open-plan facilities, usually for larger, longer-term hires. We offer a free design service, and project management from concept through to delivery and installation on site, plus full technical support throughout the hire period. The standard specification of our smallest Production Kitchen unit includes a six burner oven range, salamander grill, twin basket fryer, upright fridge, hot cupboard, single bowl sink unit with integral hand wash basin, plus ample power points to plug in Microwaves, Food Processors, Toasters etc. Internal equipment can be interchanged and clients can effectively specify their preferred layout. Some advice when considering temporary catering facilities: Ideally the site must be accessible by road with any entrances and gateways no less than 3.5 metres in width. Space to manoeuvre a large Hi-ab truck needs to be considered and overhead cables/trees in the vicinity of the installation should be a minimum of 9 metres above ground to clear Hiab lifting gear. Linking of units to form a co-ordinated complex and weatherproof access to an existing building can be specified. All service connection points are provided on the exterior of each unit, and we can provide our own engineers to connect your services, if preferred. Any soft areas made to be made firm by means of purpose-built trackway to support the vehicle and cabin delivery. Linking of units to form a co-ordinated complex and weatherproof access to an existing building can be specified. We have many tried and tested design layouts and would be pleased to put forward our recommendations for your project. So if you’re planning a refurbishment or need to cater for an event then why not give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide advice and put forward a competitive proposal. For further information or to arrange a site survey, email: sales@mk-hire. co.uk call us on: 0345 812 0800, or visit our website: www.mk-hire.co.uk
Koubou Interiors
Koubou Interiors is an award-winning Interior Architecture and Design company specialising in Healthcare and Commercial design. Koubou Interiors is a BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) Registered Practice and it’s Managing Director Gilly Craft, is the current President having previously been the Institute’s CPD Director. The company has worked on a variety of projects in both the NHS and Private sectors including hospitals, surgeries etc. We also work with clients and their families who want to stay in their own homes but can only do so by adaptation to their living space. With a qualified team of designers, we offer a wide range of services that include: space planning, technical drawings, 3D renders and mood boards showing colour schemes and finishes. The designers in the practice have a thorough understanding of the requirements needed within a care home, healthcare and special needs environment. A full understanding of materials and surfaces that are relevant to designing for this sector is paramount and the team at Koubou take special care to update themselves constantly ensuring that they can offer their clients the best options and advise for the project. Designing for an aging population and dementia care is the practice’s speciality and Gilly Craft also gives talks on the subject. The next one being at the Surface Design Show on the 6thFebruary 2019. The practice can manage your project from it’s first inception to completion and is well qualified to work with a team of contractors. Interior Design can help create continuity, reduce feelings of disorientation and ensure even those with the most severe age-related illnesses can have a better quality of life and can make the environment more pleasurable for both residents, staff and visitors. Our accolades include; Best Public Service Building UK 2014 -2015 Best Healthcare Interior Design Company 2016 Best Healthcare Interior Architecture Design 2017 Interior Designer of the Year 2108 Best Medical Facility Interior Design Firm 2018 KOUBOU INTERIORS Tel 01344 779323 4 Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 6LT info@koubouinteriors.co.uk www.koubouinteriors.co.uk
