Visiting dog inspires care home resident to speak
RALPH the dog turned a care home resident who rarely speaks into a chatterbox during a recent visit. The pet pooch and his owner, Ian Turnbull, were visiting The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton-on-Tees. When the pair went to see resident Brian Fenny, 85, who has dementia, staff were surprised when he began speaking to his four-legged visitor. Jessica Roth, activities coordinator at The Beeches Care Home, said: “Brian doesn’t tend to talk that much and mainly communicates through gestures and looking at pictures. “However, when he saw Ralph, he started talking in sentences. He kept saying Ralph was “lovely”, and a “good boy”. He was telling Ralph to sit and wait as he was giving him his dog treats. “Brian had a big smile on his face and then, when Ralph was going to see the next resident, he put his thumbs up. “Myself and the other girls on shift were surprised at how much he responded to Ralph. It warmed our hearts seeing him so happy with the dog.” The visit from Ralph and Ian was arranged through Wag and Company North East Friendship Dogs. The charity assesses volunteers and their dogs and arranges regular visits to older dog lovers in their own homes or in care and medical establishments across the region. As well as visiting Brian, Ralph was taken to see other residents in their rooms and those sat in the main lounges in both the home’s residential and dementia units. Jessica Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “Everyone responded well to Ralph and enjoyed giving him dog treats. “A big thank you goes to Ian for bringing Ralph to meet the residents and to Wag and Company for arranging the visit. “The residents always love visits from animals, particularly dogs, as many of them used to be dog owners and activities like this bring back fond memories.” For similar stories about Ralph the dog and other care related stories click here
Market Drayton home delivering outstanding care
A north Shropshire care home has become one of only a few in the county to be awarded a rare ‘ outstanding ‘ rating by independent watchdogs. Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission praised staff at Woodcroft in Market Drayton for their “exceptional service” and how they respected and valued residents and empowered them to get involved in their care following the unannounced visit last month. The 50-bed home caters for older people and those with dementia in long term residential or respite care. It underwent an inspection by a CQC team on February 22 and was marked against five categories to assess whether it was caring, responsive, safe, effective and well led, receiving an overall outstanding recommendation. Woodcroft in Croft Way isrun bythenot-for-profit organisation Coverage Care, Shropshire’s largest independent care provider. So far in 2019, inspections of two other Coverage Care homes – New Fairholme in Oswestry, and Briarfields in Shrewsbury – have resulted in ‘good’ ratings. The inspection team questioned 11 residents, seven relatives, and staff including managers and carers and reviewed medical and care records as well as staff files to make its assessment. The official report said services were tailored to meet the needs of individuals and delivered to ensure flexibility, choice and continuity of care while the home’s leaders and the service culture they created “drove and improved high-quality, person-centred care”. It added: “The service provided outstanding care and emotional support to people living in the home. Staff demonstrated a real empathy for the people they cared for. “The service’s visions and values promoted people’s rights to make choices and live a dignified and fulfilled life, this was reflected in the care and support that people received. “Without exception people, their relatives and professionals told us they experienced compassionate care from staff. This ensured the service was run in the best interest of people who used the service.” David Coull, Chief Executive of Coverage Care, said: “This is a superb report that has reinforced the incredible work that is being done by the team at Woodcroft. “Every single aspect of the service provided at Woodcroft has been examined and adapted to deliver the best outcomes for the residents and this has been reflected in the outstanding rating. We are very proud of the team at Woodcroft and will be using their experience as examples of best practice across our network of homes.” Woodcroft Manager Kelly Lowry, who was noted in the report for her “exceptional leadership qualities, drive and enthusiasm”, added: “Our aim is to deliver a home from home environment where residents are respected and receive the highest standard of care possible. “One of the most gratifying things to read in this report were comments from inspectors, the residents and relatives about the compassion of our team. We are delighted to be one of just a few ‘outstanding’ homes in Shropshire and will carry on working hard to deliver the best care.” For more information about outstanding care click here.
Bluebird Care, launches Nursing Associate Training Scheme
Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire have partnered up with the University of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Care Association to introduce the Nursing Associate Programme for home care Care Assistants who wish to gain further qualifications. Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire have begun offering this apprenticeship style placement to encourage further training and career development, without having to give up work, or go off to University. The Nursing Associate Programme provides the qualification between a Care Assistant and Nurse, a strong career progression for Care Assistants who want to upskill. Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire all provide a unique service and approach to home care. They offer a wide range of clinical care services, which is not typical of all home care providers. Debbie Ferguson is the Nursing Manager and works across all three franchises to offer expert care to her customers. Over the next two years, Debbie will be training her new student, Rachel Lear. Rachel, 44 began the Nursing Associate Programme on 21st January this year and will finish her training as a qualified Nursing Associate. Rachel has worked at Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire for almost two years and has progressed during her time with the home care provider. She started as a Care Assistant and within just six months, had been promoted to a Care Assistant Mentor. Before this, Rachel was a teacher and had been in the teaching profession for 15 years, after which she decided to have a career change and go into domiciliary care. This opportunity came about after the University of Lincoln approached Bluebird Care Lincoln asking if they would like to take part. The University have been running the Nursing Associates Programme for two years and, when they learnt Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire offer a more clinically focused service, knew they had to offer them the chance to be the first home care provider in the UK to offer the Programme. This opportunity is so unique because home care providers do not usually offer such a clinical service, this is usually left to nursing homes and hospitals. However, the care team and Director of Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire, Victoria Webber, are passionate about ensuring people are comfortable in their own homes, while receiving the care they need. The Programme was offered to all staff who work at Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire and the idea was received with great interest and following a formal interview process, Rachel was selected. The University has a new intake of students every year and seeks to grow learners in a professional environment. The Programme also offers a placement at another care provider, and Rachel will be doing hers in a hospital, where the hospital student will join Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire for two weeks. The qualification is funded by the local authority, but the students wages are paid by Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire Rachel Lear, Trainee Nursing Associate, Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire, said: “I am thoroughly enjoying the TNA course. Every day is different, it is a good mixture of delivering care to our customers and training both at university and with our Nurse Manager. There is lots to learn however everyone at Bluebird Care are so supportive, giving me a wide range of experiences, which I approach enthusiastically.” Victoria Webber, Director of Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire, said: “This training is such a fulfilling opportunity and I’m really pleased we have been able to give someone the opportunity to keep learning while also working. Rachel has taken to the role so well and Debbie is doing a wonderful job of overseeing her and guiding her through. Thank you also, to the University for making this possible, it has always been my ambition to give my staff as many career development opportunities as possible and this Programme is a great way a broadening the already strong options we have at all the Bluebird Care franchises across Lincoln.” Debbie Ferguson, Nursing Manager at Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire, said: “I am really pleased to see another member of the team training to be able to do nursing. My job is extremely enjoyable and I see great importance in being able to provide a nursing service to people in the comfort of their own homes. Rachel is a wonderful student and I think it is great that Bluebird Care Lincoln, Bluebird Care North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey and Bluebird Care South Lincolnshire and the University are giving her and other students this opportunity to gain further skills and make a real difference to people’s lives.” For more information about Bluebird Care click here
The Latest Technology That’s Driving Quality of Life in Dementia Care
With dementia care in residential care settings becoming increasingly important as diagnoses rise, Person Centred Software has launched a new ‘Who I Am’ feature as part of its electronic evidence of care and care planning system, Mobile Care Monitoring. The feature enables staff to provide a more responsive and personalised quality of dementia care and improve residents’ quality of life. The new feature enables care homes to share vital information about residents’ routines, life story and wishes from the care plan with carers via the mobile application. These personalised routines are vital when caring for those with dementia as it helps them to maintain their daily functions and minimise their anxiety. Benefits of the new feature are already being realised. The manager at a care home in Sussex reports that the ‘Who I Am’ feature helped a carer to know how to support a resident when they were anxious and upset; the carer saw on ‘Who I Am’ that reading a prayer would soothe them. Similarly, a care home in North Somerset said that when a resident went to hospital, staff were able to provide personalised care and support. A hospital nurse got in contact with the care home to say that it was the best information she had ever seen Jonathan Papworth, co-founder and director of Person Centred Software, says, “It became apparent to us that whilst administration software helps care providers’ efficiency, it doesn’t actually help those delivering care. Social care really only exists because of these people, so we decided to focus on improving the lives of the care staff users. With the new capability of ‘Who I Am’ at their fingertips, carers have all the information they need to further help and support their residents.” ‘Who I Am’ is modelled on Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘This is Me’ tool and other one-page profiles that are widely used in social care to improve the quality of information and ease of information sharing. Not only is information available on carers’ devices, but the hospital pack provided within Mobile Care Monitoring automatically collates the information from residents’ ‘Who I Am’ profiles to ensure staff fully understand residents at every stage of their health and social care journey. Person Centred Software’s ‘Who I Am’ software addition is electronic, so staff can access up-to-date information securely whenever they need it, even when offline. This instant access is particularly important for new and agency staff and supports NICE best practice guidelines on dementia care. In 2018, NICE updated their dementia guidelines for the first time in 10 years, “With diagnoses on the rise, and 1 million due to have dementia by 2021, all health and social care professionals must be properly equipped to support people with dementia at every stage.” With the addition of ‘Who I Am’, Mobile Care Monitoring further helps care providers comply with CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) to improve quality of life for the 69% of residents living with dementia in UK care homes. Notably the KLOEs C1.4 and R1.2, which ask, “Do staff know and respect the people they are caring for and supporting, including their preferences, personal histories, backgrounds and potential?” and “How does the service make sure that a person’s care plan fully reflects their physical, mental, emotional and social needs…?”. ‘Who I Am’ creates a holistic resident profile that gives staff immediate insight into how best to support residents. Read more here about dementia care technology
CLOSED – WIN the ‘Now Just Press Play’ dementia-friendly DVD
We are Gill and Marilyn and since 2012 our mission has been to create outstanding activities for older people in care and at home. From our first hand experiences with our own families we understand how challenging it can be to offer engaging and stimulating activities to older adults, including those living with dementia. So, drawing on our rewarding careers in primary and secondary education, we began to create and deliver activity sessions for professional care settings. Over seven years, we have facilitated hundreds of activities to UK care and nursing homes and have carefully refined our method and the materials that we use, some of which can be found on our website. We experienced first hand how our reminiscent poems and activity ideas helped to ‘light up lounges’. We now want to pass on our resources to care and nursing homes, Activity Co-ordinators, carers, families and friends everywhere. That’s why we created our new DVD, ‘Now Just Press Play’. It draws on our years’ of experience of delivering activities in UK care homes. Using poems from our first book, ‘Now tell me how about you?’ this DVD has been extensively tried and tested in care homes and other settings. Ideal for professional caregivers… Professional caregivers will save hours of preparation time. Our DVD contains enough material for approximately seven hours of activities or conversations – or even more depending on usage. It can be used with or without a member of staff present and is suitable for use by individuals or in a larger group setting. Those caring for older loved ones, including people living with dementia, will enjoy discovering hundreds of new topics from the past that may otherwise have been forgotten. ‘As easy as just press play’. Care staff and families will save hours of preparation time. Our DVD contains enough material and stimuli for at least seven one hour-long activities or extended conversations. Can be played to individuals or with a group Cost saving Our DVD helps care and nursing homes reduce costs by offering an alternative activity that can be enjoyed with or without a member of staff present. Original nostalgic poetry Now Just Press Playcontains seven original poems drawing on themes from the post-war period. These poems were written specifically by us for use with older people including those living with dementia. They are narrated and presented by experienced care home activity leaders. The DVD features over 100 reminiscent images such as these to encourage conversation Conversation prompts Families and caregivers will enjoy exploring and discussing hundreds of topics from the post-war period as memories are triggered by words and pictures. Tried and tested Our DVD is presented and narrated by two experienced activity leaders in the UK care sector and who have an in-depth knowledge of the reminiscence material discussed. This material has been extensively tested in UK care and nursing homes. Accessible We created this DVD specifically for older people including those living with dementia. We use broadcast quality audio and large format high contrast subtitles to make it as easy to follow as possible. Images used on this DVD have been digitally edited to be as high contrast and as clear as possible. The material is presented at a measured pace with opportunities throughout to pause and discuss or reflect on the topics raised. Demonstration video To see how the Now just press play DVD works, watch a demonstration of one of the activity videos on the theme of Winter: This DVD runs for one hour and one minute (including running time of static images to allow time for conversation). Usage Care and nursing homes – Bedroom, living room and common areas Your home – Living room, bedroom, kitchen The Journey – Early, mid, late Challenges – Communication, loneliness and isolation, sadness and depression We also believe in the power of technology to help end loneliness. There is a wealth of content available for free online which would be of great interest to older people but may not be easily accessible. In an increasingly connected world, it is possible that older people, including those living with dementia, could feel even further left behind by advances in modern technology. Our DVD is a product that seeks to address some of these challenges ‘Now Just Press Play’ Copyright Bonnie Day Limited 2018-2019 unless otherwise stated (see Legal Notice section of DVD.) The unauthorised reproduction of this DVD is expressly prohibited by law. To find out more about our DVD, books and other resources, go to www.bonnie-day.co.uk Please be aware this competition is now closed.
Twiddlemuffs and doll donations help residents with dementia
Twiddlemuffs and dolls have been donated to a North Yorkshire care home to help residents with dementia. Volunteers from two separate groups knitted and donated the therapeutic items to Sycamore Hall Care Home, in Ripon. The Ripon Cathedral group of the Mothers’ Union Diocese of Leeds dropped off around a dozen handmade twiddlemuffs at the home. While the volunteer group Comfort Dolls and Twiddles for People With Dementia made a separate donation of twiddlemuffs and several comfort dolls. A twiddlemuff is a knitted or crocheted handwarmer with accessories such as ribbons and buttons sewn on to them, which help to calm those with dementia by keeping their hands and minds occupied. Dolls are also used to provide therapeutic effects, particularly for those in the later stages of dementia, with residents being comforted by holding and interacting with them. Chrissie Medway Steele, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “The donations from both groups came as a surprise but a very welcome one. “Both twiddlemuffs and dolls provide great therapeutic benefits for our residents with dementia, helping to improve mood and wellbeing. “A huge thank you to the Mothers’ Union Ripon Group and Comfort Dolls and Twiddles for People With Dementia for making these donations. Sycamore Hall Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information about twiddlemuffs and doll donations and about Sycamore Hall Care Home visit www.hillcare.net.
Double marathon sponsored walk for care home garden
WALKERS are aiming to conquer a double marathon in less than 24 hours to raise funds for a sensory garden at a Cheshire care home. More than half a dozen volunteers will tackle the 49-mile route – which is only three miles short of a double marathon – to raise £1,000 for Halton View Care Home, on Sadler Street, in Widnes. Brian Freeston, husband to the home’s activities coordinator Laura, has organised the walk from Widnes to his hometown of Rhyl, on the Welsh coast. He has been backed by DW Sports Fitness, on Cross Street, Widnes, who have offered one-hour a week of free personal training to anyone who takes part. The gym is also arranging additional fundraising events during March, involving a treadmill and exercise bikes. All funds raised will be used to buy raised flower beds, flowers, herbs and vegetables, providing a colourful, edible garden to stimulate both sight, sound and smell for residents at Halton View Care Home. Laura said: “We wanted to raise funds for a sensory garden for our residents to enjoy. “Brian has done lots of charity walks and bike rides to various places before and, being originally from Rhyl, he came up with the idea of walking there from Widnes. “He’s currently planning to complete the walk in approximately 17 hours and anyone else who wishes to take part is welcome to do so. “We’d also welcome any and all donations, which can be made through our JustGiving page or we have sponsorship forms at the care home.” The sponsored walk from Widnes to Rhyl will take place on Saturday, 13th April. To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/haltonviewcarehome. Anyone who would like to take part in the walk or marathon should contact Laura Freeston at Halton View Care Home by calling 0151 422 0001.
New home manager for Teesside care home
A FORMER care assistant has risen through the ranks at a Teesside care home,The Beeches Care Home, to be named home manager. Jessica Brown joined The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Newtown, in 2014 and was promoted to senior care assistant before becoming deputy manager in 2018. She became home manager in February 2019 and has said she is aiming to lead the home to the highest rating from industry watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC). She said: “I truly believe that everyone is unique and should be treated in a person-centred way, with activities and services tailored to each person’s individual preferences. “ “I am very excited to be the new home manager of The Beeches and am delighted to advise that the home has achieved a “Good” CQC rating across the board. We are working towards achieving an outstanding rating at our next inspection.” Originally from Stockton-on-Tees, Jessica studied for an A Level in aviation at college but decided it wasn’t for her and took at job at a domiciliary care company in 2011. She then moved to a facility offering independent living space for elderly people as a senior care assistant before moving to The Beeches, a residential and specialist dementia care home. The Beeches Care Home received a “Good” rating for all five areas in their latest CQC inspection report. The report stated the home’s residents were “supported to maintain a healthy diet”, “treated with equality, dignity and respect” and provided with “person centred care”. For more information about the Beeches Care Home please visit https://www.hillcare.net
Residents at Pelton Grange care home enjoy dementia friendly screening of hit musical
A DEMENTIA friendly screening of blockbuster musical Mamma Mia! was a hit with Pelton Grange care home residents in the North East. More than a dozen residents and staff from Pelton Grange Care Home watched the movie at Pelton Community Centre, on Front Street, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street. Popcorn, crisps, biscuits and tea were served throughout, with residents free to chat, get up and move around if they wished. Many staff members attended on their day off with their children. Chris Hogan-Hind, home manager at Pelton Grange Care Home, even got up for a dance with resident Brenda Clifford during the movie’s finale, accompanied by ABBA hit Waterloo. He said: “Everybody sang along to the songs. There was laughter and joy all round. “For the residents who couldn’t necessarily follow the story, they were able to enjoy the music and have a wonderful afternoon.” Pelton Grange Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
