Care Staff Embark On Pioneering Maritime Training
Staff at maritime charity, The Royal Alfred Seafarers Society, have taken part in the care facility’s pioneering Maritime Acquaint Training programme which helps staff better understand their seafaring residents. The training day, which was funded by a supporter of the Society, took place at the beginning of May on a P&O cross channel ferry from Dover to Calais. It follows the format of the charity’s forward-thinking Maritime Acquaint Training Programme first established by the Society’s CEO, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, in 2016 to help staff better understand the physical and psychological needs of their former seafaring residents. Staff from the charity’s specialist nursing care home in Banstead, Surrey took part in the training to build an appreciation for the lives of residents who have worked at sea. As a nursing care home which caters for those who have served at sea and their dependents, it is important that staff are aware of residents’ predisposition to feel isolated and accustomed to hardship. The training programme enables staff to understand the often extreme conditions of life at sea and help tailor their care as such. The care offered to residents takes into consideration the particular struggles of the diverse ways people live at sea, and the many issues former seafarers may face in later life. Staff from across the Society’s departments were joined by a former Trustee of the charity who had served in the Merchant Navy for over 40 years. Staff were shown the responsibilities, leadership skills and instinct required to lead a crew in often perilous journeys around the world. The group were invited to see first-hand how large vessels are controlled and steered. Staff emerged from the experience appreciating how unpredictable the weather can be out at sea and the significant responsibility for those working aboard ships. One member of staff who took part in the training commented: “I was amazed to see how the Captain of the ferry controlled such a big ship. I was particularly interested in the satellite screens where we could see our ship, and others, and how each ship had a different line of travel that they had to follow. It was a fascinating day.” The Society’s CEO, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “As a charity dedicated to the cause of caring for aged and infirm seafarers we are always looking for ways to integrate our staff into the seafaring community. Our care offering is unique in that we offer tailored care plans for a small community of retired Merchant and Royal Navy seafarers and fishermen; to ensure this works we strive to give our staff the best opportunity to empathise with our resident’s backgrounds. By offering the Maritime Acquaint Training programme and bespoke sessions such as this we ensure all staff can build rapport with and relate to the colourful experiences of our residents. It is a very successful initiative which we hope to grow in the future with more hands-on experiences like this session with P&O ferries.” To find out more about the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society please visit the website: www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk.
Care home staff Step Out For Stroke and raise hundreds
CARE home staff joined hundreds of participants at Stewart Park in Middlesbrough for the Step Out For Stroke fundraiser. Two Hill Care Group homes in Stockton-on-Tees sent staff members to take part in the event, raising hundreds of pounds for the charity. Home manager Helen Wood, administrator Debra Hall and her daughter Poppie, from The Beeches Care Home, Newtown, completed one circuit of the park. From Mandale House Care Home, Thornaby, activities coordinator Tracy Wilson and care assistant Jacqueline Ball completed a double circuit of the 120-acre park. Both homes join dozens of other Hill Care Group homes across the North running separate fundraising events for the Stroke Association through the year. Sponsorship for the Step Out For Stroke walk took The Beeches Care Home’s total to over £400 – having been fundraising since May. The walk was Mandale House Care Home’s first fundraiser for the charity, taking their total to £120 so far. The money will go towards supporting stroke survivors and their families, with over 1.2 million people living with the after effects in the UK. Poppie, aged 5, said: “I enjoyed doing the walk with everyone and meeting new people. It was great to receive a medal at the end. I’m going to take it into school to show my class.” Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “We decided to do the walk to raise awareness for the Stroke Association and also raise funds for this great charity that is close to a lot of people in The Beeches.” Louise Hawksby, home manager at Mandale House Care Home, said: “We’re delighted to get started fundraising for the Stroke Association, a charity that means a lot to everyone at Mandale House. We’re looking forward to future events.” For more information Step Out For Stroke please click here
Event showcases Farrow Court’s award-winning approach to social housing provision for older people Media release
An event has been held to showcase Ashford Borough Council’s £17 million flagship sheltered housing scheme at Farrow Court as a pioneering way to address the emerging health and housing agenda. Held during Dementia Action Week, the event provided an opportunity for a specially invited audience of frontline housing, health and social care professionals to hear how the council is achieving better outcomes for health and social care through all aspects of housing – such as its own building programme and homelessness prevention. Guests included senior representatives from Kent County Council, Ashford’s Clinical Commissioning Group, registered providers of housing and other local authorities in Kent. Built, owned and run by the council, Farrow Court is a rarity in modern-day social housing provision for older people. It is fully dementia-friendly and among the 104 units of accommodation are: 84 units aimed at enabling independent living for those aged 55 and over 12 units for people with learning difficulties Seven units within Homebridge, which provides recuperative care for those people who are well enough to leave hospital but who need a care package or adaptations made before they are able to return to their homes. This innovative approach has helped prevent bed blocking One guest room within Homebridge The dementia-friendly scheme has been devised in recognition of the need to make special provision for the needs of an ageing population – by 2026 it is anticipated that around 40% of the residents within the Ashford borough will be aged over 50. Following keynote speeches, around 40 guests toured the Farrow Court building to see the scheme for themselves. They were addressed by Ashford MP Damian Green, Rebecca Wilcox, housing operations manager at Ashford Borough Council, Jenny Buterchi, partner at PRP architects, who designed the award-winning development, and Kent County Councillor Graham Gibbens, Cabinet member for adult social care. Damian Green said that in previous visits it was obvious to him that those Farrow Court residents to whom he’d spoken were really proud to call it home: “When you consider that someone’s home is key to their sense of wellbeing then it’s clear that Farrow Court is a huge success. It should be a model for other parts of the country to follow.” Jenny Buterchi explained that the needs of residents influenced every design decision taken at Farrow Court. This ranged from the provision of a variety of landscaped courtyards and gardens to encourage people to enjoy the benefits of outdoor living, to the focus on communal facilities (restaurant, residents’ lounges, shop, hairdressers, therapy room) to bring people together to help combat loneliness and create a strong sense of community. “Even the smallest design touches have made a huge difference. For example, a memory shelf as we call it is fitted alongside each front door for each resident to personalise with something that is important to them. It could be a flower display or a favourite ornament that says to them – ‘this is my home’. Rebecca Wilcox outlined the council’s innovative approach towards delivering quality accommodation that meets the needs of local residents. “We are working proactively with partners to address the needs of not only an ageing population but also identify trends that enable us to adapt our homes to meet the more complex needs of our residents now and in the future,” she said. In praising Ashford Borough Council as a forward-thinking authority, Cllr Graham Gibbens said: “Farrow Court is revolutionary and shows how Ashford has been at the forefront of innovations in this sector. I commend everyone who has been involved in delivering such a marvellous facility.” For more information about Farrow Court and other sheltered housing schemes provided by Ashford Borough Council visit https://www.ashford.gov.uk/housing/supported-living/sheltered-housing-in-ashford/
New medical device to end suffering in silence
A new medical device designed to help people who have problems swallowing their tablets is now available in the UK, Med-Easy™ is described as a breakthrough product by its manufacturer Fagron, the world-leading pharmaceutical compounding business. The liquid has been developed for people who suffer from dysphagia: a difficulty in swallowing, which might occur after a stroke or if a patient has cancer, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. It will also help people who find it difficult to swallow because their medication gives them a dry mouth. Med-Easy™ is aimed as well at people who struggle to take large tablets, children making the transition from liquid medicine to tablets or capsules and people young and old who suffer from pill anxiety. “We believe Med-Easy™ provides a breakthrough for all those people who up to now have to suffer in silence. They or their carers have had to resort to crushing tablets or disguising them in food. Both practices are ill-advised and if medication is not taken properly the condition for which it was prescribed is unlikely to improve.” said Dan Barton, the Marketing Communication Manager of Fagron UK. Med-Easy™, which has a slight cherry taste, has been available in Europe under a different brand name. It is now on sale initially in 22 Knights pharmacies throughout the North East of England. Peter Horrocks, Superintendent Pharmacist at Knights Pharmacy Group said: “We are delighted that our pharmacies are the first to offer customers this much-needed product. Like some of the best ideas it seems so simple, but it works and has the potential to help a very large number of people.” There are no confirmed figures, but it is thought that dysphagia and pill anxiety affects millions of people in the UK. “A cure is not always possible, meaning the condition needs to be carefully managed. In a care home, for example, there might be many residents affected by dysphagia. So having an easy-to-use solution on hand is incredibly important,” said Mr Horrocks. A tablet is placed on a medicine spoon and covered in 10ml of Med-Easy™. It wraps around the tablet and suspends it in liquid, helping it flow freely down the oesophagus. Med-Easy™ is sugar and gluten free and can be used with any tablet or capsule which is normally taken with water. A senior NHS speech and language therapist, whose daughter has Asperger’s Syndrome, has described Med-Easy™ as a “lifesaver”. Sonja Jacobs, the Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Complex Needs at Barts Health NHS Trust in London, said her 19-year-old daughter Chané had never been able to swallow tablets. But that had not been an issue because she had only ever taken medication which was available in liquid form. “That was fine, but because of quite severe anxiety – and sleep problems which just got worse and worse – she was prescribed medication that was only in tablet form. Her anxiety was getting really, really out of hand – so much so that so that she was housebound. She’s really, really sensitive to taste – that’s part of her autism – but luckily she absolutely loved the taste of Med-Easy™, so otherwise I think we would have had some problems. She’s really, really sensitive to taste – that’s part of her autism – but luckily she absolutely loved the taste of Med-Easy™, so otherwise I think we would have had some problems.” said Sonja. With the help of Med-Easy™, Chané was able to take her medication which successfully addressed her problems with sleep and anxiety. “If it wasn’t for that period – those two months when she needed it – she would have still been in an incurable position. Now anxiety is managed, sleep is managed and she can swallow the tablets because she’s not so anxious.” said her mother. “Med-Easy™’s been an absolute life-saver. Without that we would have been down a terrible, terrible path.” Med-Easy™ is also available through Phoenix Healthcare and Chemist 4U. For more details visit www.med-easy.co.uk/
Tees Barrage sponsored walk for care homes
Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, and Ingleby Care Home, in Ingleby Barwick, both walked over 3 miles for their chosen causes. Mandale House raised £125 for their residents’ fund and Ingleby collected £124 for the Stroke Association. Setting off from Acklam Road, the group from Mandale House walked via Teesside Park to the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, where they stopped for a well-earned cuppa. After learning about the history of Tees Barrage and watching the wildlife, they continued across the Infinity Bridge, past Stockton Riverside College and back to the home. Resident Jean Whenray said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and the scenery was beautiful.” Louise Hawksby, home manager at Mandale House Care Home, said: “We organise a sponsored walk to Tees Barrage every year and it’s always a highlight for the residents and staff. Everyone had a wonderful time and we raised a great amount for the residents’ fund, which will help towards outings during the summer months.” The group from Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, then set off for their walk around Tees Barrage before a drink in the Talpore pub. Resident Shirley Naylor said: “It was a lovely walk out to raise money for a great cause. I’d never walked around the Barrage before but it was beautiful.” Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “We have organised various fundraising activities for the Stroke Association with the sponsored walk being the latest. We’d like to thank all those who donated and helped us raise a wonderful amount for a very worthy cause.” Mandale House and Ingleby care homes are part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. For all media enquiries please contact Sam Schofield on 07895 127353 or email sam@schofieldcomms.co.uk.
Sidmouth’s Malden House Celebrates “Outstanding” Rating from CQC
Hartford Care is proud to announce that Malden House Care Home in Sidmouth, has received an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the first Outstanding rating for the Hartford Care family. Malden House, providing care to older people and those who live with dementia, was found to be Outstanding following an inspection in March 2018, based on its ability to deliver well led, responsive, caring and effective approaches to care, and was commended for safety. The CQC report stated: “people received exceptionally effective care, based on best practice evidence by staff with an in-depth knowledge of their care and treatment needs. The ethos of the home was one of an extended family. Staff had excellent communication skills and developed positive, kind, and compassionate relationships with people. Staff ‘went that extra mile’ to meet their needs and wishes”. The Outstanding care is underpinned by the core values of Hartford Care to provide care, comfort and companionship and to make a positive difference to the quality of life for those who call Malden House home. Only 2% of care homes in the UK are currently rated as Outstanding, and Hartford Care is thrilled to be recognised for the exceptional care and support delivered at Malden House, and to be one of the top care homes in the country. Nicky Nendick, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care at the CQC said: “Malden House is a service that promotes an ethos of an extended family atmosphere and is committed to providing care in a compassionate, person-centred manner. It is clear that the vision and values of the staff and management which focus on people’s wellbeing, having a sense of purpose in life, and also encouraging people to continue with their outside interests and hobbies has an overall positive effect on the lives of those using the service”. CEO of Hartford Care Sean Gavin said: “We’ve always been really proud of the team at Malden House because they ensure the residents receive the best possible care, on a daily basis. We are delighted this has been recognised by the recent report by CQC and I would like to congratulate the team on this outstanding achievement. This is a first for the Hartford Care Group and I am confident that Malden House will be a shining example for the rest of our care homes in the family. Registered Manager Agnieszka Orlowska comments: “I started my journey with Hartford Care in 2014 and as a Manager, it has been my biggest dream and ambition to achieve this outstanding rating. I am very proud of the whole team because they have all contributed to this achievement to provide care, comfort and companionship in an environment that is safe and happy for all. The outstanding rating is proof that we provide a high level of person-centred care, so our residents can live their lives with purpose and full potential – we are very happy! Malden House has developed and embedded strong community links with places such as Sidmouth Museum and delivers a successful and innovative weekly ‘Tiny feet club’. The club focuses on building intergenerational relationships, providing sensory and stimulating opportunities for residents and children to spend time together. At Hartford Care, we believe our excellent reputation within the care industry has been achieved by remaining the home of choice across the South of England, and we look forward to future celebrations at our additional 13 Care Homes. for more information please click here
Hill Care MD shortlisted for Barclays Yorkshire Women in Business Award
CARE home boss Wendy Waddicor has been shortlisted for the Barclays Yorkshire Women in Business Awards 2018. The managing director of the Hill Care Group joins other nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to business in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Wendy has been the head of Hill Care, which has its headquarters in Chesterfield and homes across the North, since 2006. She has overseen the company’s growth from two homes to 38 with almost 2,000 beds, generating a turnover of over £50m, doubling in size in the last year alone. She said: “While Hill Care’s growth was directly achieved through single home and group acquisitions, central to our success was creating a corporate culture and belief set focused on respect, responsibility and support. I want to ensure expansion does not come at the cost of our core values and that everyone understands they are here for one reason: the care of those they have the privilege to look after.” Outside of her business achievements, Wendy has raised thousands of pounds for charity and inspired Hill Care staff to join in her fundraising campaigns. In July 2017, she took part in a 345-mile cycle ride from London to Paris to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. At the time, Hill Care had 25 homes that all ran associated fundraising activities, helping to generate £10,000 – far exceeding Wendy’s original target of £1,500. She said: “Cycling the London to Paris ride has got to be my biggest and best ever personal achievement. And, actually, it wasn’t the ride itself that I am proud of. I am most proud of how I inspired the whole company to join together to raise awareness, money and education for charity.” The Barclays Yorkshire Women in Business Awards 2018 concludes with a glittering awards ceremony on 21st June, at Bowcliffe Hall, near Leeds, for more information about this please click here
Coming Clean
Guests expect high standards when visiting respected hotels, standards that should undoubtedly be replicated in the care home environment. Comfort and cleanliness are the most important factors when providing guests with a ‘home away from home’ feel – a crucial experience for both care homes and hotels to deliver. In fact, from the moment people enter a care home, it’s important to make a positive first impression. Guests expect to be greeted with a homely, clean and friendly environment, while their friends and families need to be assured their loved ones are in safe hands – your cleaning practices will be a key indicator of this. People will expect friendly staff, as well as clean, tidy and fresh smelling public and private areas – however, there’s a fine line between a clean and a sterile environment. Striking the balance of meeting health standards while maintaining the ‘home from home’ feel is the key to happy residents and reassured loved ones. The difference between cleaning and disinfecting Care homes face unique challenges, as cleaning standards should be appealing on a multi-sensory level to ensure an inviting atmosphere, but must also, crucially, stop and prevent the spread of germs and disease. It’s also often recommended that a different product should be used to clean each area and surface, which makes the cleaning process complicated, time consuming and product heavy. But it’s important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes “soil” or dirt from a surface, but doesn’t kill microorganisms that can cause disease, odours and spoilage. You must both clean AND disinfect to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and diseases. Disinfecting a surface that has not been effectively cleaned is not only inefficient, but ineffective as well! Disinfection best practices To help you meet care home cleaning standards while maintaining a welcoming environment, here are three key best practice tips: Remove all ‘soil’ first, then let the disinfectant do its job. Well formulated cleaning products, that work first time, allow you to be effective whilst also saving time. For efficiency, use a multi-purpose product that both cleans AND disinfects in one go, such as Flash Professional Multisurface and Glass Spray Cleaner. To prevent the spread of germs and disease, clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, paying special attention to highly touched areas including door knobs, taps, lift buttons, hand rails, chairs, phones, tables, remote controls and light switches. Stringent cleaning standards can mean establishments use harsh bleaches that give off a sterile, pungent odour – which can ruin your homely atmosphere and create an uninviting environment. P&G Professional’s Flash and Febreze professional cleaning is efficient, easy to use and, importantly, pleasant smelling. The C4 Fabric+Air Refresher product eliminates odours and freshens public areas. Choosing the right professional products that clean, disinfect and leave a fresh, inviting atmosphere could make all the difference in creating the right ‘home from home’ environment to give residents an enjoyable experience and loved ones peace of mind. For more information on how to keep a Clean Care home environment, visit www.pgpro.co.uk or call 01932 896000
Nursing home residents go back to the 50s with new ‘reminiscence pod’
Residents at Barking Hall nursing home in Barking, near Needham Market, are enjoying remembering the fun of the fifties thanks to a new Reminiscence pod that has been created in the grounds of the home. Staff at the home, which is part of the Healthcare Homes Group, have transformed a summer house in the garden, converting it into a Reminiscence pod which resembles an 1950s style American diner. The pod was officially opened by resident Marjorie Abbott during a recent open day celebration at Barking Hall at the end of April. Marjorie has lived at the home for 16 years – longer than any other current resident. The pod has a juke box inside and the walls are adorned with pictures of film stars from the era. Residents can spend time within the pod, remembering one of the most –loved eras in their pasts, and musical groups who come to entertain the residents will also use the pod for their outdoor performances. The home provides residential and nursing care for up to 49 residents and staff work with them to create the activities they’d most like. When planning the pod, residents explained that they wanted to use it to remember a carefree time such as the 1950s. Home Manager Sue Oates said: “The reminiscence pod is an excellent addition to our home – it is already proving to be very popular with residents who are enjoying spending time there, sharing memories and reminiscing about one of their most loved eras. We aim to make Barking Hall a ‘home from home’ for those who live here, and that means providing our residents with new and interesting ways to make the environment as enjoyable as possible. I hope that the pod will be a treasured part of the home for many years to come.” Barking Hall is based on Needham Road in Barking near Needham Market. For more information on the Reminiscence pod visit www.healthcarehomes.co.uk or call 01449 720793.
