Surprise party for golden couple Mary and Jimmy
A SURPRISE party was thrown by Tyneside care home staff in celebration of a resident’s golden wedding anniversary. Banners, balloons and a cake were brought out at Willowdene Care Home, in Hebburn, to commemorate Mary Collins’ 50 years of marriage to husband Jimmy. Mary, who has lived at the care home since 2016, was surprised by staff after seeing anniversary decorations in the lounge. Cards and a specially made cake were presented to the couple to congratulate them on their milestone. Mary said: “We were both so happy and pleased with the party. We absolutely loved everything.” Mary, 75, and Jimmy, 77, married on 26thOctober 1968 and lived together in Jarrow. Mary worked as a nurse, enjoying bingo in her spare time, and Jimmy was a fitter and then engineer at sea. He also played football, managed teams for both children and adults, and was Chairman of St Bedes AFC. They have two children, Maureen and Michael, and one grandchild, Sarah. Michael Beaney, home manager at Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West, said: “Mary and Jimmy are such a lovely couple. “The staff wanted to surprise them with a party on their golden wedding anniversary. “They were absolutely amazed by the effort the staff went to and thoroughly enjoyed their day together. “We all wish them the very best and many more happy times to come.” Willowdene Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Call For Action To Stop Next-Of-Kin Being Exploited
Next-of-kin are losing out on inheritances or having to pay excessive charges to claim them as a result of increasing numbers of local authorities disregarding Government guidelines for identifying rightful heirs where people die with unknown relatives and without leaving a will. A comprehensive research report by an international genealogy firm, Anglia Research, shows that there was an increase of 90% between 2016 and 2017 in the number of local authorities ignoring Government procedure for dealing with the legacies of people dying intestate. If a deceased person has no known relatives or friends, local authorities take responsibility for their funeral, commonly known as a pauper’s funeral. Government guidelines dictate that the death should be listed publicly, enabling relatives and specialist firms to try and trace next-of-kin. Specialist firms can then offer their services, with fees only paid when a successful claim for inheritance is made by next-of-kin. Instead many councils are now giving cases to ‘heir hunter’ firms on an exclusive basis. This means that there is no competition, enabling firms to charge higher fees to next-of-kin knowing that they won’t be undercut. In most cases consumers don’t know they have a choice and end up paying these exploitative rates, sometimes losing out on tens of thousands of pounds. In some cases next-of-kin have missed out completely on their rightful inheritance due to a lack of competition and transparency leading to mistakes being made and legacies being given to those not entitled to them. Anglia Research’s Chief Executive, Peter Turvey, says: “Where heir hunting firms are given cases exclusively by local authorities they are charging at least 15%-25% in fees, compared to cases on the open market where competition drives fees down to around 2%-5%. “This practice is exploiting next-of-kin who don’t know they have any other option than to pay these extortionate rates. “We are calling on all local authorities to end exclusive arrangements and follow the Government guidance which is designed to protect next-of-kin.”
Poppy gown created by care home in tribute to veterans
A POPPY gown has been created by a Sandiacre care home residents to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The elaborate frock has been covered in handmade poppies of different sizes and is adorned with the phrase: “Lest we forget”. Residents at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, on Longmoor Lane, came up with the idea after informing care home staff they wanted to do something special for the centenary. Treetops Hospice charity shop, on Derby Road, loaned a manikin to the care home for the project. Residents then painted paper plates and cut them into poppy shapes before attaching them to the gown. The final design has been on show in the care home lounge in the week running up to Remembrance Day. Julie Mulvany, home manager at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, said: “The residents, staff and visitors have all loved seeing the dress and we’ve had some lovely comments. “Everyone enjoyed taking part in making it. The dress is our tribute to the service men and women who have given so much for our country.” Alongside related activities in the home, residents were taken to the Stapleford Remembrance Day service to pay their respects. One resident in particular, Ray Winfield, enjoyed chatting with police officers on duty and calling into the pub on the way back to the home. Longmoor Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home’s remembrance ceremony for former resident Jill
Loving husband Peter Stapleton donated a bench to a Chesterfield care home in memory of his wife. Jill Stapleton lived at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, Holmewood, for over four years, until February 2018. A remembrance ceremony was held at the home with Peter, Jill’s friends, fellow residents, family members and care home staff. After donating the bench, Peter said: “I wanted the home to have something to remember her by.” Those at the ceremony were invited to write messages to loved ones lost, which were attached to balloons and let off in the home’s garden. Joanne Clark, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, said: “Jill was loved by everyone at Barnfield Care Home. “We held a beautiful remembrance ceremony in the garden with her husband, Peter, whose kind donation is very gratefully received.” Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
You should pay for your own old age care if you can afford it
Conservative voters say, you should pay for your own care in old age if you can afford it. A Censuswide survey, commissioned by Ridouts Solicitors, a leading specialist law firm in the health and social care sector, shows there is widespread support for individuals to save for the cost of their care in later life. 57% of Conservative supporters surveyed thought it would be fair to ask those with the means to do so, to make provisions to pay for their care in old age. Only 13% disagreed. Ridouts has today published a report on the future of social care, ‘Achieving a Health and Social Care System Fit For Purpose’, which sets out their expert vision of how to solve the current challenges facing the social care sector. The law firm is calling for greater personal responsibility when it comes to funding social care. The survey’s findings show that the majority of Conservative voters would support such a policy, paving the way for the Government to reform the social care payment system in this way. In 2017, the Government’s general election manifesto suggested reforms that would have meant increasing numbers of people using more of their own assets to pay for their care in later life. This comes ahead of the publication of the Government’s highly-anticipated Green Paper on the future of social care provision. Founder and MD of Ridouts, Paul Ridout, says: “The results of this survey support the Government putting a new focus on fairness in the funding of social care. People who can afford to pay for their care should pay for it, backed with a support system for those who can’t. We need to see greater self-responsibility when it comes to funding social care. “Our Green Paper, which is the result of more than 75 years’ combined experience in the health and social care sector, also recommends filling empty places in care homes, improving training, promoting a career in care as a valued profession, and distinguishing between the roles of care commissioner and care regulator. We believe our recommendations will improve the quality of care for everyone who needs it in our society.” The survey also revealed that more than half of Conservative supporters (55%) also agreed politicians should not allow people to avoid paying for their relatives’ care, or their own care, if they can afford to pay for it, rather than making the taxpayer pick up the bill. The idea of using public money to train care staff is supported in the polling by 54% of all respondents, with Conservative supporters again most likely to agree (65%). This chimes with a recommendation from Ridouts’ policy report that care providers who offer high-quality staff training programmes should receive match-funding from Government. The Government’s Social Care Green Paper is expected this autumn. Care Minister Caroline Dinenage MP is expected to speak at the Care England National Conference on Wednesday, 14 November 2018.
Probably the most economical tableware on the market
Probably the most economical tableware on the market – Gompels Super Tuff Melamine Robust Melamine has been valued as a robust tableware option for many years, so why is it such a popular choice in today’s busy care environments? It certainly fits the bill when it comes to functionality, with a super smooth feel that mimics the more expensive porcelain option, as well as its ease of care, but the real benefit comes when you compare the annual replacement rate of melamine to porcelain. Cost effective You can expect to replace less than 20% of your melamine dinnerware annually compared to 50%-150% of porcelain. Additionally, if you use disposable paper plates, consider how much money you’d save not replacing large volumes of plates etc, as well as less storage space and less waste removal. Porcelain, being prone to chipping and breakage is definitely the more expensive option in the long run. Considering that after your initial investment in a set of melamine you can easily get 2-4 years wear out of it, if properly handled and washed, making melamine a sensible choice for your budget. Easy to use The benefits to your residents are also important, and include: Lightweight, easy to grip and use, with smooth surfaces and rounded edges Avoids temperature shock as any non-food or drink areas remain cool, it also has a lower thermal capacity than glass or porcelain Bright colours make melamine more visible for those with Dementia, and our colour range makes it easy to differentiate for allergies Resistance to scratching and chipping reduces the risk of bacteria being trapped on the surface BPA free Taking care of your melamine is easy, being completely dishwasher safe, and we recommend using a bleach free dish washing product. Melamine it is not suitable for heating in a microwave or oven. Avoid direct exposure to flames or heat surface, such as a cooker hob. Longer lasting Melamine will save you money, being more robust and longer lasting than the alternatives, especially disposable options. Take a look at our range of plates, bowls and cups online at Gompels.co.uk Current offers include: Save £9 on white dinner plates Save £6 on yellow side plates Save £7.50 on red bowls (These discounts apply when you buy 2 packs of 12) Visit Gompels.co.uk or call our customer service team on 0345 450 2420 to see how we can help you save more today.
Edyn.Care launches personalised home care in London
Edyn.Care has launched its personalised home care services in London, empowering seniors to stay at home, happily and safely knowing that 24-hour support is on hand. The CQC regulated company combines the human touch with tech-enabled solutions to provide high-quality and proactive care tailored to its clients’ needs, helping to build long-term harmonious relationships to ensure peace of mind. The UK population is ageing. By 2040 one in seven are projected to be aged over 75, according to government report, the “Future of an ageing population”. The need for quality home care services will increase substantially in the coming years, forcing the sector to modernise processes to meet demand. Edyn Care sees the potential for 15.9M elderly clients and their families to eliminate paperwork and simplify the process using tech-enabled solutions. Edyn Care started in 2017 after Co-Founders Jonny Bottomley and Oliver Ross experienced having to arrange care for a loved one and recognised that the sector was ripe for an overhaul. The offerings available were expensive, had no continuity and just provided poor service. While Jonny’s family struggled to find the right home care for his Grandmother, the lack of personalisation in the care for Oliver’s Grandma rendered her experience cold and monotonous. Jonny Bottomley, Co-Founder & CEO at Edyn Care, said: “Mental and physical deterioration increases rapidly when people are put into care homes. Not only that, but the whole process puts a strain on the family as the quality of service currently available is poor. My family found it very difficult to find a reliable company to care for my Grandmother. Her Doctor struggled to recommend the right care and it took a long time to get all the information we needed to feel at ease in trusting someone else to look after her. With Edyn Care we want to change this by providing not only great home care but also speeding up the whole process of finding a great carer. All of this while having the possibility of monitoring the care on a day to day basis with the help of smart tech. We do more than just match the very best carers with our clients. We want Edyn Care and our carers to become a consistent figure in our clients’ lives, providing all they may need whilst in the comfort of their home.” The carers employed by the company go through a comprehensive screening process and background checks. The stringent vetting process includes meeting the team in London. Using behavioural and skill-based interviews, only the top 5 percent are selected to then complete a two and a half-day introduction with an in-house trainer. Edyn Care’s bespoke plans are holistic in nature and capture more than just care requirements. Information about personality traits, interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes are also collected in the registration process. Using this information an algorithm quickly matches a client with the carer that fits them. The company then builds dedicated home care teams who work together to ensure each client receives the right care, and offer medical (diagnosed diseases) and non-medical (daily tasks) services. On each visit the carer updates and records the information collected via an application and provide wellness scores across six criteria – mood, sleep quality, diet, bowel movement, comfort and mobility. Family members are updated in real-time and all the information is stored in a Care Hub available to access anywhere, anytime. The data collected can help foresee health issues to proactively seek treatment. It is led by a team of six and backed by an advisory board of leading figures in the UK care industry such as Lord Prior, Ex-Chairman of Care Quality Commission; Tim Weller, Chairman of Incisive media and Trustpilot; Ian Smith, Ex-Chairman of Four Seasons Care Group; and Jayne Almond, Founder of Stonehaven Equity Release. Operating in South London with plans of expanding in the upcoming months, the company offers packages that go from £18 per hour, in the Daytime Carer service, to £850 per week for the Live In service, giving 24 hours of care, 7 days a week. Care can be arranged within 12 hours. For more information, go to edyn.care
Baby yoga classes held at Teesside care home
BABIES and elderly care home residents are taking part in yoga sessions together at a Stockton-on-Tees care home. The Kalma Baby sessions are held at Ingleby Care Home, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, with residents and visitors with young children all invited to participate. Staff, residents’ families and members of the community with babies and toddlers have all been taking part. Bringing the two generations together provides benefits for both groups, explained Jessica Jolly, who runs the sessions. Jessica, who works as a mental health nurse, said: “The session at Ingleby Care Home went down really well. “I was so impressed at how the residents reacted to it and there are so many benefits for the babies and parents.” Resident Moira Hall, 78, said: “I really enjoy the children coming in. Especially at this age, as it takes me back to when my son, Grant, was that small.” Resident Margaret Salmon, 92, added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to go to baby yoga but as soon as I saw all the little babies my heart melted. I absolutely loved it.” Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Jessica contacted us as she was looking for a space to run the Kalma Baby sessions and thought our residents would be interested in taking part. “We regularly have nursery groups and school children visit the residents and they always light up when they see the young ones. It brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the home. “So we jumped at the chance to host the baby yoga sessions and the first was a huge success. Everyone is really looking forward to the next one.” The next Kalma Baby session takes place at 11am, Thursday, 6th December, at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessica Jolly on 07453171709 or email jessica@stockton.kalmababy.co.uk. Kalma Baby provides yoga classes primarily across the North East for parents and children aged from six weeks to 18 years. The sessions help with babies’ digestive system, promotes body awareness and confidence, helps build muscle strength, promotes healthier, deeper sleeping patterns, improves coordination and motor skills, and promotes bonding between parent and infant, according to the Kalma Baby website.
Brain Injury service recognised for end of life care excellence
Two neurological rehabilitation specialist units in Northampton have completed Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for its end of life care. Christchurch View and Loyd House were awarded the Quality Hallmark certificate by GSF for demonstrating excellence in care standards and showcasing evidence based best practice in end of life care. The certification process includes assessment against 20 clear standards of best practice; reviewing the care of residents using the After-Death Analysis Audit Tool and Quality Assessment Visit and reviewing the integration of the processes into everyday practice. Gillian Jeffers, Registered Manager for Christchurch View and Loyd House, said: “I am extremely proud of the teams for achieving this certification. It clearly shows their commitment to a holistic approach to the care and support our service users receive. We have now commenced the full accreditation programme to improve our service delivery even more. “Putting our heart and soul into our care is paramount to what we do at Christchurch View and Loyd House and we are thrilled that the GSF have recognised this.” The National GSF Centre in End of Life Care is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise Community Interest Company providing training and support to enable frontline staff to provide the highest standards of care. GSF improves the quality, coordination and organisation of care, leading to better patient outcomes in line with their needs and preferences. Christchurch View and Loyd House are owned and operated by Christchurch Group, which was established in 1998 to provide high quality brain injury rehabilitation within a community setting. The organisation has since grown into a leading provider of specialist neurological rehabilitation that offers a range of specialist services across eight centres in York, Lincoln, Birmingham, Northampton, Bedford and Harwell in Oxfordshire.
