Using technology to connect
Alive has been using touchscreen technology to enrich the lives of older people in care settings for almost a decade since its inception. We use touchscreen devices during our meaningful activity sessions in a multitude of ways, allowing us to respond in the moment to the needs, interests and wishes of individuals. Touchscreen devices can place the whole world at our fingertips. We use them to explore people’s life stories – finding pictures, films or facts that can transport people back to their happiest memories. We create music together by using the latest sensory music apps such as ‘Bloom’ or ‘Midnight’ as stimulation for people living with dementia. Spontaneous internet searches allow us to explore, discover and share music from any decade or country. Touchscreen devices can also be connected to a TV or projector, for an interactive group experience. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that using technology can bring many benefits for older people, including those living with dementia, such as increased cognitive and physical activity, social interaction and learning new skills. Alive met one man who said he was going to buy his own games console so he could play against his grandchildren when they came to visit! It’s easy to set up technology in most care settings. The majority already have large TVs in communal areas, so they are generally equipped with a good space to use. It’s simple to plug a touchscreen device into a TV using an adaptor and HDMI cable and the TV is a familiar focal point to captivate a group. Alive has many amazing examples of how technology can be used to open up life again for older people. A particular favourite comes from a reminiscence session where we were discussing love and marriage. One resident was originally from South Africa and we were able to find a picture looking down the aisle of the church in Durban where she was married almost 60 years previously. At that moment she was transported back to the happiest day of her life and it was a privilege for everyone in the room to share the memory with her. So, how can you get started using technology with older people? Buy a new or refurbished touchscreen tablet and explore! You can also book onto the Alive ‘iPads and older people’ training course and we will empower you with all the knowledge you need to you enrich the lives of the people you care for. For more information about Alive and to book training please visit www.aliveactivities.org/ Info@aliveactiviities.org Follow Alive on Facebook and Twitter @Aliveactivities
Care Home Support and Training
At Care Home Support and Training we work with Managers, Nominated Individuals and Providers to meet and exceed the regulatory requirements. Expectations on social care services mean that Managers and Providers can sometimes feel overwhelmed with what appears to be increasing demands and ever changing requirements. Care Home Support and Training work with you, offering professional support and expertise to find creative solutions to your challenges and problems. We have a small team, with over 45 years of experience in health and social care. We offer a personalised service, specific to your needs, whether that is training in the fundamental standards, how to improve your CQC rating, streamlining documentation or policies …. or any care home challenges that you may face. CQC are using their enforcement powers to effect change, placing restrictions on registration as well as closing services that fail to meet the regulations. We are just as passionate about the quality of social care services and how quality impacts on service users, but we will help you and your business to succeed. Being the Registered Manager is a pivotal role in health and social care. Does the Manager get the training, support and mentorship that they require? Is the service well-led because the Manager is continuously seeking to improve? Remember, we all know that mistakes will occur, but it is what the Manager does about it that affects the care home rating. Our training can be delivered at your premises or at one of the many venues across the country. If you want further details about any of the services that we offer, then please use the contact form on our website: http://carehomesupportandtraining.co.uk
Bluebird Care Gosport Launches Campaign to Unite Against Loneliness
Bluebird Care Gosport, a home-care provider in the Hampshire area is embarking on an ambitious, and possibly life changing campaign, to try and bring about an end to loneliness. Unite Against Loneliness will be ongoing throughout 2019; the Bluebird Care Gosport team will be running a yearlong campaign to raise awareness of, and ultimately, try to eradicate loneliness within the local community and beyond. The aim of the campaign is split into two objectives; the first is to raise awareness of the overwhelming issues of loneliness among the elderly and vulnerable. The second, is to show everyone how easy it is to support people who may be isolated and lonely, by encouraging them to be more socially inclusive and focused on community outreach. Small actions go a really long way. The campaign is in partnership with The Silver Line, the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated. Bluebird Care Gosport have a different event planned for each month of the year, which they hope will inspire others to take part in and share across social media. Some of the monthly activities include a Lock-In Social Experiment, Dinner Nights, a Pen Pal Project and Neighbours Month, to name but a few. Kat Thomas, the mastermind behind these exciting plans, is the Director of Bluebird Care Gosport, the newly opened home-care provider in the area. Kat’s first challenge is The Isolation Experience, which she will be completing in February. Kat will be isolating herself for seven days and making a video diary, talking about mental health, and the emotional ramification of isolation. Kat will be in a self-contained flat, and will have no access to the outside world, no technology, her phone or visitors. Kat Thomas, Director of Bluebird Care Gosport, said: “My biggest hope for this campaign is that it steers real change in our communities. There are so many charities, organisations and groups out there doing amazing things; The Silver Line, The Jo Cox Commission, The Campaign to End Loneliness, and lots more. “Even the government is making serious headway in identifying the problem and steering real change but we can only make a difference if communities and people come together. If we are a society that is United Against Loneliness, then that’s when great things can and will happen. “I really look forward to my year of campaigning and can’t wait to see this idea take shape and become something real, that could be life changing for people.” To keep up with Bluebird Care Gosport’s campaign over the year, to find out more and to get involved yourself, follow the team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bluebirdcaregosport/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bluebird_care_gosport/.
HC-One care home ‘pimps out’ zimmers to help residents recognise their frames
Residents of a HC-One care home based in Coventry have been decorating their Zimmer frames, along with staff to help reduce the number of falls. The Pimp My Zimmer project aims to reduce falls after a care home matron noticed people with dementia sometimes find it hard to recognise their own frame. Zimmer frames are usually grey, making them hard for people with dementia to tell apart or, in some cases, see them clearly. But with the help of staff at Brandon House, Residents have had their frames transformed into colourful works of art. HC-One’s care home manager, Sheryl Davis, said: “Our main priority at Brandon House is to ensure Residents recognise their frames, which will help to reduce the number of falls. “We are planning to decorate other Resident’s frames as we can already see that Residents are responding well to the decorations and most importantly remembering to use their Zimmer frames.” Staff at Brandon House explored Resident’s pasts to ensure frames were truly personalised, so that Residents would want to use them. One Resident, Colin Gulliver, had spent many years as a security guard in Coventry and always loved being in a job where he was in control of a situation. Now, his security branded Zimmer goes everywhere with him as he fulfils his security checks around the home. He added: “I love my Zimmer and now that its yellow and black I remember to use it when I walk.” Another Resident, Jean Forrest, dedicated his Zimmer frame to ‘Coventry ska legends’, The Specials as he spent the majority of his life following the band and getting to know the group through his son. His Zimmer is branded in two-tone colours and extremely striking and recognisable. HC-One’s Brandon House is a purpose built home offering nursing and dementia care, on the outskirts of Coventry. For more information or to arrange a tour, call 024 7663 8602 or visit https://www.hc-one.co.uk.
Mayor of Lincoln celebrates the launch of Bernadette House’s homecare service
A care home in Lincoln was joined by the Mayor to celebrate the launch of their new homecare service, with an official cake cutting. The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Keith Weaver, was invited to launch the new service at Bernadette House and to learn more about the valuable homecare that care workers would be providing to the local community. Owner of Bernadette House care home and homecare service, Elizabeth Stephens, welcomed the Mayor and introduced him to homecare staff, as well as local health partners who also attended the event. Elizabeth, commented: “We were honoured to have the Mayor of Lincoln and Cllr Chris Burke join us to celebrate the launch of our new homecare service. “I was delighted to introduce him to Bernadette Homecare and share with him the plans we have to expand our healthcare service within the area, to those who have care and support needs at home.” Following the cake cutting, the Mayor enjoyed refreshments with social workers, staff and other members of the community, who attended the event. The Mayor said he was pleased to see a “care home with a strong reputation progressing into new business areas that will service the community.” Bernadette’s Homecare offers the same high standard of care delivered to residents of the care home, but out in the local community. All aspects of personal care are provided including assistance with administration of medication, preparation of meals, and general housework. The service also offers companionship and live-in care. For more information about Bernadette’s homecare service, call Bernadette House on 01522 521926 or click here
Great Oaks welcomes new care home manager
Registered nurse Sara Muslin has joined the team at Great Oaks in Bournemouth as care home manager. Sara has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years and has vast experience in the care sector, having managed care teams for over 20 years. Sara has spent the past six years as a registered manager for care homes which specialise in nursing, residential and dementia care. In her new role, Sara is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the home, ensuring that the highest standards of care are maintained and that the Care Quality Commission standards and guidelines are adhered to at all times. During the first few weeks, Sara will take the time to get to know all of the residents on a personal level, seeing them regularly in order to deliver ongoing person-centred care. Each resident has a personal care plan covering the totality of their needs, which will be regularly updated and reviewed by Sara as part of this process. Commenting on her new position, Sara said: “I am thrilled to be joining a team that is so welcoming and passionate about delivering a high standard of care to residents. The home’s values reflect how care should be delivered and how I myself, would want to be cared for. “I am looking forward to being part of the very best care organisation in the south, which puts the health and wellbeing of residents at the heart of everything it does. I will also ensure the home remains a happy, safe place where residents thrive and the team are proud to work.” Great Oaks is the latest addition of an established family of care homes managed by Encore Care Homes, with two other care homes in Dorset and Hampshire. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of 24 hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings. Please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk for more information or call 01202 087444.
Guitarist Keith gets a special gift from pastor
Former church band member Keith Keenan has been gifted a guitar to continue playing in his care home in Skelmersdale. Keith, who lives at Aaron Crest Care Home, on Tanhouse Road, was given the instrument by Rev Dr Anne Kazich. The community priest in the parish of St. Paul’s has been visiting the home on a regular basis to lead monthly singing sessions with the residents. She learned Keith used to play guitar in a church band, so decided to find someone willing to donate a guitar to get him strumming again. Keith said: “I’m so happy with my new guitar and it will be looked after. I’m looking forward to learning the chords again that Dr Rev Anne has given me.” Rev Dr Kazich said: “Keith has been coming to our singing group and clearly enjoys taking part. “He shared that he used to play the guitar in a worship band in his previous church and said he would love to do it again. “On occasions he bursts spontaneously into beautiful worship hymns – so I thought I would see if anyone is able to donate a guitar to make his dream come true – and indeed that someone came forward. “Keith enjoys expressing his love and worship for God in these ways and it would be a shame if he can’t continue just because he is not in his own home anymore.” Keith learned to play guitar at the age of eight. He was a regular church goer and was taught to play by Pastor David Downes, of Flimby Church, in Cumbria. He was lead guitarist for the church band when he moved with his wife and children to Wigan. After moving back to Skelmersdale, he was eventually diagnosed with Korsakoff’s syndrome, a chronic memory disorder, as well as epilepsy and neurological problems following a car accident. He moved into Aaron Crest Care Home in September 2018 and has been regularly participating in the singing sessions with Rev Dr Kazich. Home manager Adrienne Ratcliffe said: “Keith has been getting involved with many of our regular activities but has shown a special interest in the singing sessions with Rev Dr Anne Kazich. “It was very kind of her to get him a guitar, which he absolutely loves. Despite his health conditions, he remembers how to play and has been practicing. “We’re looking forward to seeing him perform at future sessions with the Rev Dr.” Aaron Crest Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Great Oaks care home welcomes soft food diet specialist
Great Oaks in Bournemouth has appointed a soft food diet specialist to allow for a wide range of diet requirements to be catered for at the care home. Patrick Fensterseifer, head chef at Great Oaks, specialises in the production of dysphagia meals which means he is able to cook dishes for residents who have difficulties with swallowing. Patrick is passionate about preparing meals that are flavoursome, nutritious, well-presented and meet the specific dietary requirements of every resident. As a Dorset Healthcare NHS dysphagia practitioner, Patrick has a wealth of knowledge which has enabled him to lead the rest of catering team confidently and help expand their skills and understanding of the disorder. Patrick has more than 18 years’ experience as a head chef and has demonstrated to the rest of the team that it is still possible to be creative when catering for a resident who requires a soft food diet. Great Oaks also works closely with Dining with Dignity, a specialist training provider, to help meet the nutritional needs of residents who have dysphagia. The catering team receive training from a specialist Dining with Dignity chef, who also provides a bespoke workshop plan, which includes demonstrations on how to prepare puree meals. Patrick Fensterseifer, head chef of Great Oaks care home, said: “At our home we are so passionate about going the extra mile to put a smile on our residents’ faces. Meal times are treated with great importance, everyone has individual needs and we take the time to get to know what each resident likes and doesn’t like to eat. “Every meal is prepared using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to ensure our dishes are as nutrition-rich as possible. When we create meals for our residents with dysphagia, we like to challenge ourselves to serve soft diet food, which still look like their solid counterparts. We use a range of mould and piping techniques that allow us to create a variety of appetising courses which contain the vital ingredients that boost our residents’ health. I am a member of the National Association of Care Catering which ensures the team are continually learning, creating new recipes and evolving the catering offering at Great Oaks.” Great Oaks is the latest addition of an established family of care homes managed by Encore Care Homes, with two other care homes in Dorset and Hampshire. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of 24 hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings. Please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk for more information or call 01202 087444.
Bluebird Care Gosport Launches Campaign to Unite Against Loneliness
Bluebird Care Gosport, a home-care provider in the Hampshire area is embarking on an ambitious, and possibly life changing campaign, to try and bring about an end to loneliness. Unite Against Loneliness will be ongoing throughout 2019; the Bluebird Care Gosport team will be running a yearlong campaign to raise awareness of, and ultimately, try to eradicate loneliness within the local community and beyond. The aim of the campaign is split into two objectives; the first is to raise awareness of the overwhelming issues of loneliness among the elderly and vulnerable. The second, is to show everyone how easy it is to support people who may be isolated and lonely, by encouraging them to be more socially inclusive and focused on community outreach. Small actions go a really long way. The campaign is in partnership with The Silver Line, the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated. Bluebird Care Gosport have a different event planned for each month of the year, which they hope will inspire others to take part in and share across social media. Some of the monthly activities include a Lock-In Social Experiment, Dinner Nights, a Pen Pal Project and Neighbours Month, to name but a few. Kat Thomas, the mastermind behind these exciting plans, is the Director of Bluebird Care Gosport, the newly opened home-care provider in the area. Kat’s first challenge is The Isolation Experience, which she will be completing in February. Kat will be isolating herself for seven days and making a video diary, talking about mental health, and the emotional ramification of isolation. Kat will be in a self-contained flat, and will have no access to the outside world, no technology, her phone or visitors. Kat Thomas, Director of Bluebird Care Gosport, said: “My biggest hope for this campaign is that it steers real change in our communities. There are so many charities, organisations and groups out there doing amazing things; The Silver Line, The Jo Cox Commission, The Campaign to End Loneliness, and lots more. “Even the government is making serious headway in identifying the problem and steering real change but we can only make a difference if communities and people come together. If we are a society that is United Against Loneliness, then that’s when great things can and will happen. “I really look forward to my year of campaigning and can’t wait to see this idea take shape and become something real, that could be life changing for people.” To keep up with Bluebird Care Gosport’s campaign over the year, to find out more and to get involved yourself, follow the team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bluebirdcaregosport/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bluebird_care_gosport/.
