Celebrities and Sports Stars Unite For Care Sector Festival
The national social care charity Community Integrated Care is hosting ‘The Best Day Possible’, a world first digital event for the care sector on its ground-breaking digital activity platform, www.What-To-Do.co.uk. What To Do offers a diverse range of free accessible and adaptable activities every day for people who access care and support. With sessions delivered by world class partners, across the arts, culture, sport and community sectors, including yoga, cookery, exercise, dance, arts and chair-based clubs and a digital disco, the site has changed lives and connected hundreds of people who access care across Britain throughout the pandemic. To celebrate the charity’s 34th birthday, Community Integrated Care is hosting the inaugural Best Day Possible digital festival on Tuesday 15th March. With an incredible array of accessible and inclusive experiences, including a dance masterclass with Strictly legend Vincent Simone, activity sessions with Manchester City in the Community and Warrington Wolves Foundation, a virtual styling session with make-up artist to the stars, Clare Pinkey, and even an exclusive performance from New York City by award-winning US theatre star, Morgan Kirner, this festival will bring joy and new experiences to care services across the country. Community Integrated Care is one of the UK’s largest social care charities – supporting thousands of people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex care needs, mental health concerns and dementia. Their What To Do website has been created in response to the loneliness and isolation that many disabled people can experience, which had been exacerbated by the pandemic. By offering accessible, adaptable and aspirational activities, as well as a host of special experiences – with recent guest appearances from the likes of Manchester City Co-Captain, Ilkay Gundogan and WWE Superstar, Ashton Smith – the site aims to give people a positive answer if they ever find themselves asking ‘What To Do’?. Since its launch in 2021, it has supported many profound outcomes for people who access the site – including enabling people to cook independently and form new friendships. The charity hoping that this star-studded bill will encourage many more people who access support and carers to discover this incredible free platform, and to join the growing online community of friends. John Hughes, Director of Partnerships at Community Integrated Care, says: “The Best Day Possible will be a phenomenal event. We are thrilled to have secured a range of incredible experiences, which very much reflect the ‘wish list’ of our community and the range of partners our charity has. From exclusive performances by stars of Strictly Come Dancing, to the chance to travel virtually to Broadway to watch a theatre show, or even learn how to make cocktails and enjoy a makeup masterclass, there is truly something for everyone! What To Do is a vital platform. It’s exciting, empowering, and entertaining experiences have made a real difference to many people, through the worst of the pandemic and beyond. It is now a thriving community that so many love being part of. There is an open invitation to anyone who wants to join in to log-on at www.What-To-Do.co.uk and be part of the fun. This is truly a fitting celebration to mark the 34th anniversary of a charity that has made such an incredible impact on society.” Oliver Thomason, who is an active member of the www.What-To-Do.co.uk community, says: “I love What To Do! It’s given me the chance to enjoy and learn so many new things. It has been amazing to try exciting activities for the first time, like Yoga. It’s really helped me in my home life too, because I’ve learned great things like how to make my own delicious meals. I really can’t wait for The Best Day possible. It is going to be amazing to have the chance to try so many great things and meet so many special people. I hope that lots of people can join in with the fun.”
Poetry and Tea shared by students, care home residents and the Duchess of Cornwall.
‘Poetry together’ is an initiative led by broadcaster and author Glyes Brandeth in a bid to unite young and older poeple to recite poems they have learnt by heart. ‘The owl and the Pussycat’ was the chosen poem to be recited by four care home residents and seven year 5 primary school students in front of The Duchess of Cornwall and Gyles Brandreth, before they shared a chat over some tea with the Duchess herself. The Duchess of Cornwall was joined by Primary school children from Hunderfold Primary, along with residents of Hungerfold Care Home at Eaton Square School in Piccadilly. The 11 performers firstly performed their poems infront of a packed audience of four other schools and care home residents along with the Duchess and Gyles. 91 year old, Audrey Hawkins, a Hungerfold Care Home resident said how excited she was and said “It’s like a dream, I’m like a two year old and all three of us have has the hairdresser in today”. The residents and students were then awarded with a certificate form the Duchess of Cornwall along with the school and care home being given a signed copy of Gyles’ book ‘Dancing by the Light of the Moon’, after they both enjoyed their front row seats of their performance. “I think this day has been great for the children. I didnt want to let them down this morning, so I rehearsed, and rehearsed and rehearsed. It was good.” said Graham Cartey, a 61 year old Hungerfold Care Home resident. Students from Knightsbridge School in London were then joined by the Duchess of Cornwall for them to recite their funny poem ‘Matilda Who Told Lies and was Burned to Death’ by Hilaire Belloc together, before they recived a certificate from Gyles Brandreth. The duchess told the children that Matilda was the first people she learnt as a young girl, she stated that she believes she was told to learn it after she told some kind of lie, however, she can still remember most of the poem. once the final perfomance was complete, the residents and school children then joined the Duchess for tea and cake together, and the duchess warmly greeted as many guests and she could. After meeting the Duchess, one lucky resident said “I never dreamt I’d do that. I just chatted to her and told her my father was in the Coldstream Guards and my uncle. they were often on duty in Windsor and at Buckingham Palace in the First World War. She was just natural, it’s like a dream, I just cant believe it happened. I pray everyday that I dont wake up but I’m glad I woke up today.” After the event, David Mayer, Hungerfold Primary School headteacher explained that “I think that it has been wonderful today to combine two completely different generations to prodiuce a set of memories that neither generation will ever forget.” You can watch a video of their performances below.
NHS pledge to cut single-use plastics from care homes and hospitals.
NHS England has vowed to cut the use of single-use plastics in hospitals and care homes by half of their usual use, in a bid to reduce waste and its negative impact that its having on the environment. Nurses from every sector, have been called to take action and encourage their employers to cut the use of plastics in their catering halls, as part of the move with NHS England. This new movement was announced by NHS England cheif executive Simon Stevens as he stated that he wanted to “dramatically” reduce the number of single use plastics by 100 million. The move has been backed by NHS catering suppliers such as WHSmith and Marks & Spencer as they agreed to cut the use of stirrers and straws by April 2020. They have also agreed that plates, cups and cutlery will be slowly reduced in the following 12 months. Hospitals and care homes that have in-house catering have also been urged to join in with the committment of those retailers by singing a pledge which supports the move. Mr Stevens also stated that “Its right that the NHS and our suppliers should join the national campaign to turn the tide on plastic waste,” However, they have stated that plastic items that are required for medical use in hopsitals and care homes are exempt from the cut. Last year, the NHS bought at least 16 million pieces of plastic cutlery, 163 million plastic cups, around 15 million straws and 2 millions plastic stirrers. Therefore, by doing this, it will benefit the environment, our patients and taxpayers who fund our NHS. “Support from local NHS organisations to sign the pledge and cut the use of catering plastics will need all NHS staff to take action in their own areas and encourage their employers to go further faster.”
Fire Safety Week survey shows unsafe fire doors in homes
Fire Safety Week survey shows unsafe fire doors in homes and that their work place is at risk of serious fire. The results of the study were released in order to mark Fire Door safety week, which is now supported by the London Fire Brigade. It was revealed in the results that there are serious delusions over fire door safety, and a high popularity of unsafe practice. Out of the current 1,000 current and former care home employees, three quarters stated in the survey that they believe that more can be done to prevent or manage a fire, and more than half of them stated that unsatisfactory action was taken as a result of preventing a fire in their work place. As well as this, three in five members of staff have already reported safety concerns with the majority of them having little to nothing changed. 47% of people who took the survey admitted that they didn’t know what the role of a fire door was when it comes to keeping a fire contained for a specific amount of time, while over 80% of them admitted to deliberately propping a fire door open and defeating the purpose of the door. According to Care Home Professional’s online report, “One in five care workers incorrectly believed that painting a regular door with flame proof paint make it a legitimate fire door, and the same proportion stated that the gap between the fire door and the door frame did not matter. Additionally, three quarters (72%) said they had witnessed or were aware of fire doors being tampered with, including removing the door closer to make doors easier to open. As well as making the door closer redundant, when combined with other adjustments, this could leave the fire door unfit for purpose in the event of a fire.” the chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation, (the company which organises Fire Door Safety Week), Helen Hewitt stated that “We all need to feel protected inside buildings, and especially so when we are asleep. Care homes and other specialised housing provide a living place for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. the companies and other operators that run and maintain them have a responsibility to ensure they residents’ safety – and as an industry we need to continue to provide out expert support to ensure the correct specification, installation and ongoing maintenance of fire doors. We hope that through raising awareness during Fire Safety Week, lives will be saved through a reprisal of fire doors and safety arrangements in multiple occupancy buildings.” To read the fire safety survey please visit https://www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/fire-doors/
A pill taken in your 20’s could prevent dementia
A leading scientist and Scotland could be the country responsible for the breakthrough of allowing people who may suffer from dementia, will be able to take a pill in their 20’s and 30’s that may be able to prevent it. It is estimated that around 90,000 Scots are affected by the disease, and Professor Craig Ritchie said he is “very hopeful” that the research that is taking place, will eventually lead to treatments that stop and prevent the changes in the brain that ultimately lead to dementia. Professor Richie, who leads the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium, said a lot of the drugs involved in recent trials had failed because “they haven’t gone in early enough” 30% of dementias are now known to be preventable. Scotland are aiming as a country to have the largest number of the population to have people signed up to agree to being used as research for dementia. They are currently recognised globally, as a country, for their studies involving significant figures for people in full health as well as those who have a family history of dementia, who haven’t yet developed signs of dementia, volunteering to test and try out these new methods of treatment that are being produced. Ultimately, future treatments could also work in a similar way when it comes to using a similar drug to prevent HIV developing into Aids. He said: “A lot of the changes that lead to dementia in later life have their origins in mid-life. Clearly if we can identify those early change in the brain then those are the people for which risk factor modification might slow down the progression and/or some sort of pharmacological intervention. That’s the goal and that’s what we are working towards. I always say 40s but you might say 20s or 30s. That’s not too much of a stretch for people who work in say heart disease or cancer or diabetes. Dementia is inevitable if you pick it up at the end stage. You can’t expect to cure cancer in someone where it is spread all over their body. That’s the same with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, according to Alzheimer Scotland, there are four main drugs that are used to tackle the symptoms of dementia. these are classes as “good drugs” according to Alzheimer Scotland, however, these have been available for 20 years. However Professor Ritchie, who is Professor of Ageing at he University of Edinburgh, continued to state that “we know if you have a good education in childhood that reduces your risk of dementia in later life”. Research has also shown that by exercising, not smoking and ensuring that you upkeep a healthy diet, ensuring your brain is kept healthy too is crucial when it comes to reducing the chance of developing dementia symptoms in your later life. “If you get all those three things right the need for drugs to reduce dementia decreases. We need to be aware that people with dementia can benefit massively from non-pharmacological interventions.” The charity has stated that by maintaining these outside research projects, it allows Scotland to become more of an attractive country for the companies who conduct the research, who have “hundreds of millions” to spend. He said: “Of course you are going to want more money but number one the gap is closing, number two the way we spend that money is really important. If the research projects are coordinated you are going to gain a far greater amount of knowledge and that’s really important for a small country.” For more information about this please visit Alzheimer Scotland
Dementia researchers awarded with £1.5 million
£1.5 million has been awarded to the next generation of dementia researchers by motor-racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart and his charity Race Against Dementia, which was formed after his wife of 57 years was diagnosed with the frontotemporal dementia. Sir Jackie recently partnered with the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, to identify early-career scientists with the highest change of transformational ideas for research. Dr Cara Croft and Dr Christy Hung both from University College London and DR Claire Durrant at the University of Edinburgh are the three new Race Against Dementia Fellows. The fellowship is named in recognition of the entrepreneur and inventor Sir James Dyson who has also joined to support the funding through the James Dyson Foundation. Dr Croft will be joining forces with UCL from the University of Florida in order to explore how generic risk factors may or may not contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and will also look at whether these generic pathways may also be bale to be treated and targeted with future Alzheimer’s drugs. While Dr Hung will be investigating whether progressing a process called autophagy, which is known as a cellular garbage disposal system, would be able to look at a new way of treating the disease. This new idea will allow Fellows with unusual opportunities for collaboration with the scientists who who most well known for studying dementia and well as introducing them to the highest level tutoring from experts from outside of their field of study. Sir Jackie, whose experience in Formula 1 spans six decades, said: “When my wife, Helen, was diagnosed with dementia I knew our lives wouldn’t be the same again. “I’m fortunate to be in a position to provide Helen with the best possible care and that I’m part of a close-knit family that has been a crucial source of support throughout this difficult time. I know the situation is very different for many others affected by dementia. “We urgently need to see new ways to treat or prevent dementia and the only way to do this is through research.” For more information about this please visit Race Against Dementia
Generous plumber inspires charity tradesmen
From plumber to internet sensation overnight. Generous plumber James Anderson from Burnley fixed a 91 year old’s – who is terminally-ill – boiler for free and when the news got out he was a hit online. ‘No charge for the lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24-hour to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.’ was written on the receipt for the work he had done and when the ladies daughter saw what he Mr Anderson has written, she took a picture of it and posted it online. Attention was later drawn to the post when it was commented on over 1,100 times and liked on twitter by more than 117,300 times. The father of five’s generous work has now inspired other tradesmen to pursue this with their trades and businesses too. However, this charitable work hasn’t always been plain sailing for Mr Anderson as it has seen him get into debts of up to £8,000. But this hasn’t stopped him and he has been continuing his work through donations and crowdfunding appeals in order for him to be able to help the sick and elderly across Lancashire. Since starting up his not-for-profit plumbing business in 2017 from home, it has been noted that he has been able to fix more than 2,000 peoples heating and plumbing either, for free or at a massively-reduced cost. the inspiration for his work began when he saw an elderly man being treated unfairly by another engineer and this spurred his not-for-profit work which is called Depher (Disabled and Elderly Plumping and Heating Repairs). Mr Anderson has hopes that Depher will be a nationwide enterprise but his work relies on donations from the public so he currently still does paid plumbing jobs on the side to help pay for the charitable work that he does. Recalling on the heart-breaking reality of another customer’s struggle to live at home alone without heat, Mr Anderson said: “This still makes me cry today. “I was at this lady’s and the boiler was knackered. She didn’t have any money, she had people dying in her family. She had come to the end of her tether and she had, when I walked in, a bowl on the table full of tablets. “And this woman was 82 years of age and she even said to me [when] I walked in, ‘If you can’t do the boiler I’m just going to take them because I’ve had enough and I’ll be better off’. “And I burst out crying then and I was going, ‘nah that’s not going to happen’. And I got in contact with the local Lord Mayor and I got in contact with Age Concern. “The three of us come together and we got her a boiler the next day. And, do you know the lady is still here. I still see her. She’s still smiling.”
ABB open API platform empowers elderly to lead independent and fulfilled lives with smart technology
In one of the first examples of its open API platform in practice, ABB has been working alongside the iHomeLab of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts to pioneer a personalized virtual assistant to improve quality of life for elderly residents through the use of smart technology. With increasing life expectancy, the number of seniors in the population will continue to grow. Consequently, solutions for Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) are becoming increasingly important to allow the elderly to live independently at home for longer. The ‘My Life, My Way’ project is the first project of its kind to use ABB’s new open API platform to provide an alternative means of holistic care and virtual support for key aspects of social and clinical care provision within assisted living environments. Designed to help large groups of residents live independently for longer, the project was implemented by iHomeLab and bonacasa Smart Living, together with a number of international partners. The project uses a virtual assistant, which supports assisted living in bonacasa apartments in Switzerland, implemented by the ABB-free@home® system. Called Anne, the virtual assistant interacts with residents through voice control or a tablet. The solution uses ABB-free@home® through its open API, MyBuilding portal and ABB Ability™ cloud-based platform to enable users to easily control all the functions of their smart apartment. At IFA 2019, ABB launched its open API platform to completely transform the smart home sector and create new possibilities for developers and partners to integrate hundreds of apps and solutions such as this unique virtual assistant. The ‘My Life My Way’ project is a powerful example of how ABB’s new open API platform enables greater third-party integration for the benefit of the end user. Through the API of ABB-free@home®, residents can ask the virtual assistant to access the Smart Home menu and easily control up to 15 functions in their apartment, from door automation to lights and video intercom. The trial comes at a critical time in healthcare provisioning, when global health care spending is projected to increase at an annual rate of 4.1% in 2017-2021, up from just 1.3% in 2012-2016 *. Many clinicians and worldwide healthcare providers are turning to smart technology as a positive route to provide innovative, cost-effective ways to help reduce and relieve the pressure on personnel and financial resources in health trusts. The key purpose of the trial with bonacasa Smart Living inhabitants in Switzerland was to check the acceptance of a virtual assistant with non-technically advanced people. User behavior was analyzed in detail and conclusions drawn, which were important for further development and commercialization of the project. The pilot also wanted to prove that the virtual assistant could really help residents to live in comfort and maintain daily routines in a healthy and supportive way. Oliver Iltisberger, Managing Director of ABB’s Smart Buildings business, said: “We are now living in a world where rising health care costs and our ageing population is causing unprecedented challenges to the health care sector. Smart technology offers new and pioneering ways in which certain aspects of care can be automated, but also help people live better, safer and more comfortably in their own homes to reduce the pressure on support resources.” “This trial is very exciting and demonstrates how easily smart technology can be adopted if it is integrated holistically into the living environment and can be personalized to the user through our open API platform.” ABB-free@home® allows for easy control of home automation applications from a mobile device or PC. In this trial, residents used a tablet with the on-screen avatar, in addition to panels on the wall, to control and manage certain functions within the home including lights and blinds, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) and the secure entry system. Smart technology packaged into sleek, user friendly controls and used across personal devices such as phones, computers or tablets are removing the stigma associated with supported living devices. The avatar offered an easy-to-use, natural way to interact with smart technology while helping residents to have more control over their day to day lives. Dr. Andrew Paice, Head of iHomeLab comments: “The aim of this pilot was to help elderly residents lead independent and fulfilled lives by blending people and technology. While the technology in the background is quite complex, for the end-users the virtual assistant is a friendly, human-looking avatar, which can be seen on the screen of their PC, TV, tablet or smart phone. Residents can speak to the virtual assistant using their native language. In a way, it’s like a modern version of a butler: someone that you can trust, who knows you very well, serves you as and acts in your interest when you need – either in the background or face to face.” With rising loneliness and isolation also affecting a growing number of the elderly, the avatar project is seen to be having a positive impact on helping families and friends connect more regularly through digital with video calls and instant messaging. Digital enablement in assisted living spaces ensure solutions can be easily integrated and combines smart home and healthcare technology into a single package of support and care. From managing medication control, helping with diet through to alarm setting and reminders, along with providing independent living, security, communication and social entertainment through digital enablement, the avatar is becoming widely accepted with two out of three residents asking to keep the tablet after the trial. Iltisberger from ABB continues: “We believe virtual assistants like this one can play a pivotal role in helping elderly residents and people with mobility issues, whether its programmed to support and maintain daily active lives or while in recovery.” “With the launch of our new API platform we welcome any new advancements in the medical field and anticipate a huge increase in smart technologies for assisted living programs. At ABB we continue to work with our partners to invest in the advancement of smart home and building technology to support
UK care home technology is advancing with Amazon Alexa
Numerous care homes in the UK have had their technology enhanced with the use of Amazon Alexa for their residents. Care homes such as Livability Brookside House stated that they believed it allows their residents to gain more independence, as with the help of Alexa, they are now able to control their television, play music and even control their lights. It is noted that some residents even use their gadgets to set reminders for them to take their medication, or have a drink of water. Staff at Hampton Care home on the outskirts of London, said that this kind of technology allows their time to be free’d up in order for them to give extra assistance to those who need it more than others. 89-year old resident ruth states that “I’d be bored stiff without her” and in the recent months when her eyesight has started to deteriorate, she has used her Amazon Alexa to listen to audio books, she explains that she uses her Alexa “on a daily basis”. A friend for life with new care home technology Loneliness is highlighted as one of the curses of the elderly, however, with an Alexa at hand, They will never be alone. Nursing staff have urged that an Alexa will never replace the involvement that they have with their residents, however, no matter the time of day, Alexa is a voice that can answer any questions – and that can be life changing for the elderly community. Balcombe Care Homes stated that “Industry experts are keen to exploit this aspect of the technology, and are creating programs designed to specifically help elderly users, including dementia sufferers, who could reap major benefits from this interactive speaker” An Amazon Alexa simply works from saying the word “Alexa” within territory of the device and it will respond, offering you a huge range of services and answers. It is explained on the Balcombe Care Homes website that an Alexa can “look up facts on the internet, organise shopping lists, playa your favourite music and, if your home network is set up appropriately, Alexa can even turn off your lights and set your heating thermostat on demand.” They also explained that by introducing an Amazon Alexa in an elderly person’s home, this may even possibly delay the need of a patient to move into a care home. Hampton Care Home state that the “pros outweigh the cons” when it comes to introducing devices like this into their care homes, as people have warned that it may have the “Black Mirror effect” and residents may be getting listened to, however, Digital Line boss and project architect George Vaughn states that “We shouldn’t be afraid of using AI in care. It forces residents top be more articulate and engage their brains”. And he emphasises that “People are still needed for when residents need to be washed, dressed or hoisted out of bed. The speakers simply allow residents to make decisions without needing to ask.” Care and Nursing Magazine previously covered ‘Smart Home Social Care’ click here to see how those changes that have been put in place, have worked and impacted the lives of residents
