Tai chi sessions for North Yorkshire care home residents
TAI CHI sessions are being piloted at a North Yorkshire care home, Hazelgrove Care Home, to help residents with their mobility and stress levels. The ancient Chinese martial art is now being practiced at Hazelgrove Care Home, on Randolph Street, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Specialist sessions are being run for the elderly residents by facilitator Allison O’Neill, the owner of Saltburn based Guiding Light School of Holistic Education and Healing. Called Rainbow Tai Chi, the sessions are based on the international Capacitar Multicultural Wellness Education programme, which originated in the USA. Allison is piloting the therapeutic sessions at the home, which involves gentle, flowing movements to exercise the muscles without causing strain on the joints. The NHS advises that tai chi can help people aged 65 and over to reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs. Allison said: “I was looking for a care facility where I could pilot the therapy and was thrilled when Hazelgrove invited me to work with the people who reside at the home. I look forward to coming to every session as the residents are very welcoming and the energy is really warm and inviting. And we also laugh a lot. Resident Joyce Baxtrum, who has been taking part in the sessions, said: “We’re going to shower ourselves with light.” Allison has also been running one-on-one reflexology and reiki therapy sessions with residents who struggle with mobility. Sharon Lewis, activities coordinator at Hazelgrove Care Home, said: “We can see real benefits to the residents and their family members have also begun taking part. Residents overall well-being is enhanced from the gentle movement and the calming music. They enjoy visualising the movement of rainbow light and the whole therapy stimulates all their senses. Residents always look forward to the session.” For more information about Hazelgrove Care Home please visit www.milfordcare.co.uk
Cold Weather Priority Initiative Aimed at Tackling Winter Deaths
According to The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), each year in the UK, there are 40,000 so-called ‘excess winter deaths’ as a result of cold. 82.5% of these are among the elderly (aged 75 and over) enter the Cold Weather Priority Initiative. Based on ONS data, in England alone there were as many as 1,724 extra deaths during the ‘Beast from the East’ (22 February to 3 March 2018). Across the UK the number the number may even be as high as 2000. In response to this and with winter approaching off grid energy trade association, The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, whose members supply up to 1.5 million rural homes in the UK and 733,000 homes in the Republic of Ireland with heating oil, is urging members of the public who are 75+ and who use heating oil to sign up to the Cold Weather Priority Initiative. The CWP initiative will assist in identifying and help those most at risk so they are prioritised for delivery when it comes to heating oil supplies throughout the winter months, especially during periods of extreme cold weather or fuel shortages. FPS Chief Executive Guy Pulham comments: “Cold Weather Priority is an important industry initiative that was launched in 2017 and played a key role in the heavy snow ‘Beast From The East’ we experienced earlier this year. Many of our members implemented the CWP scheme to help prioritise elderly and vulnerable customers during that bad weather period. Thankfully, situations where supplies of fuel are short and the cold is extreme are rare but before the winter sets in we are asking members of the public who are aged 75 and over to get in touch with their FPS member heating oil supplier if they believe they should be part of the CWP initiative. FPS members will also over the next few months be employing various methods to identify customers who they believe fall into the ‘CWP’ category, so that deliveries can be prioritised to these people during the winter months.” The CWP initiative has also received support from The Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who comments: “The last 12 months have shown the problems that severe conditions can cause and for those using heating oil and liquified petroleum gas to heat their homes this can be particularly challenging. The Cold Weather Priority Initiative is a welcome effort by industry to provide security and comfort to thousands of those most in need.” If you would like to know more about the scheme visit Cold Weather Priority by clicking here
Triple success for Balhousie Care Group at National Care Awards
Three exceptional people from Balhousie Care Group have been shortlisted for a National Care Award. Heather Smith, Yvonne Manson and Ross Balmer are finalists for the prestigious awards which recognises the very best of those working the care industry. As the Operations Manager at Balhousie’s Advanced Specialist Care Unit, Heather Smith has been shortlisted for the Learning Disability Services Manager award for the second year running. Yvonne Manson, who is a Dementia Nurse Consultant with the leading care home provider, is a finalist in the Care Leadership category. This accolade follows Yvonne’s success at the Royal College of Nursing’s RCNi Awards last July where she picked up an award for leadership. Finally, a relatively new addition to the Balhousie team, Ross Balmer, is a finalist in the Care Apprentice category at the National Care Awards. Joining Balhousie Dalnaglar care home in Crieff just over 18 months ago, Ross has found his vocation in the care sector and is currently working in a carer role while studying to become a nurse. Tony Banks, Chairman at Balhousie Care Group, said: “Everyone at Balhousie Care Group is immensely proud of our team members who have made this year’s National Care Awards final. It is wonderful to see individuals at various stages in their career making a real difference to people across our care homes, from staff to our residents and their families by providing the very best of care. Congratulations to Heather, Yvonne and Ross and we’ll be rooting for you all at the final in November.” The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole on Friday November 30, 2018. To find out more about Balhousie Care Group, please click here
Cupcake week celebrations at Widnes care home
CHOCOLATE, toffee and raspberry were just some of the flavours on offer on National Cupcake Week at a Widnes care home. Residents, staff and families at Halton View Care Home, on Sadler Street, enjoyed a tea party and dance to mark the occasion – alongside lots of cakes. The tasty treats were made by a resident’s family, the home’s cook and other staff members. Entertainment was provided by singer Junior Davies, who performed a variety of songs from old movies. There was also a disco that had residents and their family members on their feet – burning off the buns. Home administrator Alison [surname?] dressed for the occasion as Alice in Wonderland, with her dress decorated in stick on cupcakes. Fellow staff members also donned the stickers and wore brightly coloured clothes for the party. Vicky Brown, home manager at Halton View Care Home, said: “Everyone had a great time at the National Cupcake Week party. “There were flavours to suit everyone’s tastes and the cakes were thoroughly enjoyed by all. “I’d like to say a big thank you to the families, staff and the cook for baking and Junior Davies for entertaining us with his old movie songs.”
Mayor and Mayoress attend care home’s cupcake celebration
VIPs joined residents, staff and families at a National Cupcake Week celebration at a Skelmersdale care home. The Mayor of West Lancashire Noel Delaney and Mayoress Bernadette Green were among guests at the event at Aaron Crest Care Home, in Skelmersdale. They were joined by councilors Maureen Nixon, Claire Cooper and Ron Cooper. Marj and Paul Ridgley from Skelmersdale Pulse, a non-profit organisation helping those with anxiety, depression, isolation and loneliness, also attended the celebration. A giant cupcake, as well as smaller cakes, pastries and sandwiches were served during the home’s tea party. The home’s administrator Emily Muscatelli and activities coordinator Alison Moore prepared the centerpiece chocolate cupcake, with white frosting, pink sprinkles, chocolate stars and edible flowers. There was also singing and entertainment from George Windsor, who performed songs from two of the residents’ favourite musicians, Elvis and Cliff Richard. Adrienne Ratcliffe, home manager at Aaron Crest Care Home, on Tanhouse Road, said: “Everyone had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the cupcakes. “A special thank you goes to the Mayor and Mayoress, as well as the councillors and representatives from Skelmersdale Pulse, for visiting the home.”
Roald Dahl brings primary school pupils and elderly together
ROALD Dahl has been bridging the generation gap in Skelmersdale as primary school pupils read their favourite stories to elderly care home residents. Year four and five pupils from Delph Side Primary School were visiting Aaron Crest Care Home for Roald Dahl Day – celebrating the author’s birthday. The youngsters read from their favourite Dahl books, including Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and The Twits. Adrienne Ratcliffe, home manager at Aaron Crest Care Home, on Tanhouse Road, said: “During their visit, the children were amazed to see a record player and a singer sewing machine, as they hadn’t ever seen one before. “It was great to see the children interacting with our residents – some of them are more than ten times the age of the pupils. “The children thoroughly enjoyed reading and did not want to leave, asking when they can come back. “They’re welcome back anytime and we’re already looking forward to their next visit.” Teachers Marie Fitzgerald and Joanne Skelhorn accompanied the pupils on the visit. Marie said: “We always love to visit the home with the children and they are always excited to meet the residents, talk to them and read their favourite books.”
Balhousie Care Group shortlisted as service business of the year
Care home group Balhousie Care has been shortlisted as service business of the year in the annual Courier Business Awards. The Perth-based group, which runs 25 care homes across Scotland, is a finalist for its leading-edge elderly and specialist care, which focuses on inclusive, person-centred programmes. These include a Participation Charter, which gives care home residents and families a say in everything from policies to recruitment, and Together We’re Great, another person-centred project which supports the needs of every individual within the organisation. Balhousie Care Group has picked up a raft of awards in the last year for leadership, innovation and its leading-edge dementia strategies, as well as achieving 6-star ‘excellent’ ratings from the Care Inspectorate – the highest ratings possible from the regulatory body. Chairman and Balhousie Care founder Tony Banks said: “The whole team at Balhousie Care has been working hard on achieving excellence across the organisation, from how we approach care to our core company values. It’s great to see everyone’s passion and commitment recognised with this award shortlisting.” Among Balhousie Care’s most recent accolades is an RCNi award for leadership for Dementia Consultant Yvonne Manson, who has headed up a host of innovative dementia initiatives. To find out more about Balhousie Care Group please click here.
New manager joins Balhousie Moyness care home in Broughty Ferry
Balhousie Care Group has announced a new manager for its care home in Broughty Ferry. Elaine Onyiuke, originally from Belfast and now living in Dundee, comes to Balhousie Moyness with three decades of experience in care homes and social care. As well as caring for the elderly, she has worked in child protection, for central Government and for Dundee Families Project, established to help families at risk of homelessness due to antisocial behaviour. Elaine, who has come to Balhousie Moyness from a care home manager role in Fife, said her first step is to meet and talk to residents’ families. “Balhousie is at the forefront of personalised, bespoke care. We know there isn’t a one-size-fits- all approach and I’m excited to continue to take that philosophy forward. I’m also looking to bring in more dementia-friendly areas in the home, as well as garden-related activities that will encourage residents to spend more time outside in our beautiful gardens,” said Elaine. Caring and looking after the elderly has been part of her life since childhood, said Elaine. “I’m from a really large family – I was one of nine kids – so I was used to being a babysitter. And in our house we always had a grandparent living with us, we didn’t know any different.” Elaine heads up 38 staff at Balhousie Moyness. The 29-room care home is set in landscaped lawns and a walled garden which includes a summer house. To find out more about Balhousie Care Group please click here
Teens talk football and manicures at Teesside care home
STUDENTS have been volunteering at a Teesside care home, Mandale House Care Home, as part of a summer project with the Middlesbrough FC Foundation. The 15-to-17-year-olds are taking part in the club’s National Citizenship Service (NCS), which involves work in the community. They have been spending time with residents at Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, as well as helping with their summer fayre. The group gave manicures to the female residents and talked to the male residents about The Boro, showing them pictures of Riverside Stadium. They also played bingo and some of the volunteers demonstrated their tap skills for former dancer Irene Fleming, a resident at the home, on Acklam Road. She said: “They are so clever. I remember when I could dance like that.” During one of their visits, the NCS group manned the stalls at the home’s annual summer fayre, as well as played games with visitors and residents. Two of the volunteers also dressed in elephant and monkey costumes to provide entertainment for the day. The fayre raised almost £300 for the residents’ fund, which will help pay for the residents to attend a winter pantomime later in the year. Louise Hawksby, home manager at Mandale House Care Home, said: “The group paid three visits to the home as part of their summer project and the residents loved seeing them every time. We are so grateful for their support during the summer fayre as well, which raised a great amount for our residents’ fund. A huge thank you goes to the Middlesbrough FC Foundation for thinking of us again. They are always welcome at the home and we look forward to every visit.” For more information about Mandale House Care Home please click here
