How can we take action against dementia using technology?
In the UK, someone develops dementia every three minutes, and the Alzheimer’s Society estimates that the number of people living alone with the condition will double to 240,000 in the next 20 years. Gavin Bashar, UK Managing Director of market-leading provider of Connected Care and Health solutions Tunstall Healthcare, explains how technology such as telecare can help people with dementia and those who care for them in a way that promotes independence as well as managing risks. “With 225,000 people developing dementia each year it has never been as important to introduce measures into people’s lives to protect their dignity and support their independence, as well as reducing interventions which are currently costing the UK economy £26.3bn a year. “Technology is crucial in enabling the delivery of care, which means people living with dementia can enjoy more independence for an extended period of time. It can also help to relieve the pressure on carers, improving their quality of life and enabling them to care for longer. As our social care and health systems continue to experience limited budgets and rising demand, it’s becoming increasingly important that providers employ solutions which enable care to be delivered in a more effective and person-centred way.” A range of solutions “Telecare systems can be tailored to the needs of the individual, helping to manage events such as falls, medication management and people leaving their care environment and being unable to find their way back. They can be configured to ensure help is automatically provided in the event of an emergency, 24 hours day, from a carer, response service or the emergency services as appropriate. They can also enable carers to carry out daily activities, or have uninterrupted sleep as they know they will be alerted in the event of an incident. The earlier technology is introduced, the easier it is to understand the eventual outcomes and how support can be given, enabling greater patient-centred care.” Telecare in practice “Tunstall is working with organisations across the UK to help support people with a wide range of needs using technology as part of services. The Hertfordshire Telecare Service supports almost 4,000 people in Hertfordshire to live more independently, many of whom have dementia.” Norman* has vascular dementia, and lives alone, although his daughter lives nearby. Technology is helping him to remain safe and at home, and provide reassurance to his daughter. Unobtrusive telecare sensors in his home will automatically raise an alarm at the 24 hour monitoring centre if they detect floods, fires or carbon monoxide in Norman’s home, and property exit sensors have also been fitted which will notify the centre if an external door is opened. A specially trained operator at the centre can then talk to Norman through the speaker on the Lifeline unit to assess the situation, and make sure Norman is okay. If the operator is unable to get a response, they can contact Norman’s daughter, or the British Red Cross Responder Service so they can check on him. Norman’s daughter has also given her father a GPS tracker device, which enables her to locate him should he leave home and be unable to find his way back. Together with the Telecare Service, this has already helped Norman to be found quickly and returned to his home, avoiding him being at risk. It also means that Norman is able to remain in his own home, rather than being admitted to residential care for his own safety. “This in turn relieves pressures on care homes and their employees, as telecare enables more people like Norman to live at home.” Integration is key “Although technology is a fantastic resource when it comes to reducing the pressures on care homes and the needs of residents, it should never be used to completely replace human interaction and care. Technological solutions should always be connected to the wider cycles of care within housing, health and social care to reap as many benefits as possible. Dementia sufferers often express feelings of loneliness, so giving them the opportunity to feel safe whilst also encouraging carers to interact with them regularly and family members or friends to visit, will make a huge difference to their life.” Telecare and the digital switchover “No matter the technology that is being used, it is important to remember that a digital transition has been announced which represents a huge opportunity to make services faster, more efficient and more insightful. Care home providers worried about the digital switchover and how this may affect their staff and residents, should always seek advice.” For more information, please visit https://www.tunstall.co.uk/dementia/.
Care technology plays growing role in facilities for the elderly and infirm
Electronic systems are helping operators in the growing care homes sector to provide caring environments that are not only comfortable and friendly, but also safe, efficient and good business propositions. Higher standards of living and medical advances are helping to increase life expectancy for many people and security-based technology is becoming an important factor in their later-years care. Secom, one of the UK’s top electronic security solutions providers, has a care technology offering that adds sector-specific systems to its overall portfolio for clients in the public and private sectors. Neil Fitzwalter, Secom’s Care Technology Manager, says: “The care sector is growing rapidly on the back of massive investment in facilities catering for the elderly, ranging from the healthy to those with possibly serious medical issues. “Developers need the ability to deliver the best possible care service in order to achieve a reasonable return on their investment. Purchasers – and their families – need the assurance of a quality lifestyle for residents and a truly professional approach to caring. “Our range of systems can provide all-round assurance, including access control, security monitoring and fire detection as well as ensuring efficient deployment of staff to handle day-to-day needs of residents – and their personal emergencies. “We offer the latest in wired and wireless technologies, giving us complete flexibility in meeting clients’ specific requirements. We can also fully integrate our solutions with the full range of life safety and security systems such as access control, fire alarms and closed circuit television. “The traditional emergency button is at the core of ‘nurse call’ technology, but in the digital era it comes with added features that boost efficiency and help to enhance the care provider’s reputation.” He says this is particularly important for providers, who are subject to Care Quality Commission scrutiny and are competing to attract future residents. “The ability to produce clear and concise activity reports can be a valuable benefit, enabling care providers to monitor day-to-day service performance and overall efficiency. These records can also provide crucial evidence for addressing complaints over service delivery – for example, when residents or their relatives perceive that a call may have been unanswered for an unreasonable length of time. “Management reporting of this type is vital for an efficient care business – but it is also highly desirable if an operator is to achieve ongoing CQC approval of care facilities. This approval, in turn, is an important marketing tool, and a licence to continue operating.” Neil Fitzwalter says while care technology is vital for efficiency and service quality in accommodation for the elderly and frail, it is equally appropriate in homes for vulnerable adults or children and other residential properties where there is a duty of care, such as boarding schools. He says: “In these cases, the links between our security and monitoring systems are particularly important. Access controls and intruder alarms keep unauthorised people out, while monitored CCTV addresses safeguarding issues as well as recording other undesirable activity. Automatic fire detection systems help to save lives and limit damage. “These systems mostly feature on-site monitoring and recording, but the are often also cloud-based, giving authorised managers immediate access to information at any time and, in some cases permitting monitoring by external agencies, such as Secom. This connectivity is, naturally, carefully controlled to avoid breaches of privacy. “We are in interesting times, with security poised to become a partner in caring for vulnerable people of all ages. Our role is to provide systems that enhance the integrity of the care sector – so that staff can ensure residents are always safe, comfortable and speedily attended to when necessary.”
Borough Care Appoints New Area Manager
Borough Care has promoted Nerys Carpenter to the position of Area Manager. Nerys was previously Home Manager of Borough Care’s Shepley House in Hazel Grove. Borough Care is the largest not-for-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport and has eleven homes across the borough. As an Area Manager, Nerys will support Borough Care’s Home Managers in providing the best possible care and making sure services continually improve. Ensuring the teams at Borough Care’s homes provide a safe, harmonious environment for residents, and support their physical and emotional wellbeing, will be a critical part of the job. Commenting on her new role, Nerys Carpenter says: “I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge and working with the great teams Borough Care has at its homes. Having been a Home Manager for four and a half years, I can bring first-hand, practical experience to my new role, ensuring we all work together to provide exceptional care for our residents.” Nerys has spent her whole career in care at Borough Care, having worked there for over twenty years. She has worked her way up; starting as a Care Assistant and progressing through the ranks to Care Supervisor and Deputy Manager. Nerys has worked at five of Borough Care’s homes, including Marbury House, which is a specialised Active Recovery residential care home. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “At Borough Care, we love to promote home-grown talent wherever possible and we’re very proud of what Nerys has achieved. She brings a wealth of practical experience to her new role, along with an enthusiastic nature. Her colleagues already hold her in high esteem so I know she will successfully assist our Home Managers and their teams. Find out more about Borough Care here
Survey proves link between laundry and quality of life in the care sector
Miele research finds that allowing residents to do their own washing, as well as prioritising infection control, leads to happier lives.
Naidex 46: Aspiring for a Better Future of Independent Living
Naidex 2020 and all co-located events postponed due to coronavirus. The show will confirm the new dates by Monday 16th March. For more details, please visit the Naidex website: www.naidex.co.uk. Naidex is Europe’s most established event dedicated to the disability and independent living industries, taking place this 17th & 18th of March. Showcasing the latest innovations in mobility, care, rehab, assistive technology, accessible design and more, the show brings together visitors into the halls of Birmingham’s NEC for two days of opportunities, innovation, discovery and education. As technology continues to evolve and society advances towards inclusion and accessibility, Naidex sets itself as the point of reference for the future trends set to take over the independent living and healthcare sectors. Boasting hundreds of world-class suppliers, educational seminars, expert-led panel debates and countless educational features, Naidex is a must-attend for anyone who is a professional from the health and care sector. So, whatever the purpose of the visit, whether you’re looking to adapt your home to make it more accessible, land your dream job, or learn about what’s been going on in the sector, you’ll find what you’re looking for. With all this lined up, Naidex offers all the innovations that are improving accessibility and inclusion, as well as empowering people with a disability. And if this wasn’t enough, tickets are completely free at naidex.co.uk. What’s in store for 2020? In 2020 Naidex will be back for its 46th anniversary – Europe’s most established event dedicated to the disability and independent living industries will be flooding Birmingham’s NEC once more on the 17th & 18th March 2020. Always looking to bring you the latest solutions that allow disabled people to live more independently, 2020’s show will put its focus on the key topics taking the industry by storm – from inclusion and accessibility to mobility and employability, Naidex 46 has you covered. You will be able to shop from 400 world-class suppliers and try before they buy, but Naidex has always been much more than a marketplace where visitors can find the latest innovations – it is a place where people come together and learn about the industry’s future. As the epicentre of the disability and healthcare world, Naidex 46 will also boast an unparalleled speaker line-up, providing you with 300 inspirational seminars from renowned names such as Microsoft, Sainsbury’s, BBC, O2, Monzo and more. Throughout both days, seminar theatres will be brimming with information and advice, leaving audiences uplifted and empowered. What’s more, the most loved features will be making a comeback – you will be able to test the very latest mobility products on the Mobility Test Track, get involved in the Live Sports Arena, or discover the latest in digital and physical accessibility, courtesy of the Accessibility Summit. If this wasn’t enough, the 46th edition of the show will also see the launch of new features, such as the Naidex Junior Trail, which will be providing children and their parents with paediatric solutions created specifically with children at heart. With all this lined up, Naidex will once again become the hub of the disability sector. And the best part? Tickets will be remaining completely free at naidex.co.uk.
Call for volunteers for study into benefits of singing for people with dementia
The transformative power of singing for people with dementia was brought to the public’s attention in the recent BBC1 documentary, ‘Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure’. People living with dementia came together to form a choir and stage a triumphant performance at the Royal Concert Hall. Their experiences showed the power of music to improve the lives and wellbeing of people with dementia. Now, a new grant from the Alzheimer’s Society, will allow for further research to examine the effects of group singing on the quality of life of people recently diagnosed with dementia, and the relationship between them and their carer. It is the first randomised, controlled study to focus on how singing can support people who have been diagnosed with dementia in the last 12 months, and their carers. Justine Schneider, Professor of Mental Health and Social Care, at the University of Nottingham said: “If the benefits of singing can be established scientifically, through this small trial and hopefully with a larger one to follow, it could help to secure more funding for singing. This would provide greater support for people with dementia and their carers to live well with the condition, for as long as possible. In turn this could help delay long-term care admissions and reduce the cost of health and social care.” Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society, commented: “We owe it to the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK to not only fund research to find new treatments, but also to improve support for people today. Alzheimer’s Society is committed to investing in, and accelerating, research like this study which can help transform the lives of people affected by dementia. At our Singing for the Brain groups, we see the positive effect that music has on people’s wellbeing and mood. We’re delighted to be funding this project which will help better understand the impact music has on people affected by dementia. But research like this simply cannot happen or progress without people taking part so we’d encourage anyone interested to get in touch with the team today.” Call for volunteers for groundbreaking study into benefits of singing for people with dementia The research team, from the Institute of Mental Health at the University of Nottingham, is looking for about 80 pairs, made up of the person with dementia and their main carer. Although some participants, chosen at random, will be asked to wait before they start attending the singing group, everyone will eventually have the chance to attend 10 weeks of free weekly singing sessions, led by experienced musicians. Researchers will use questionnaires to collect information about quality of life, mood, cognition and the relationship between care partners. They will also talk to people who attend the singing groups and observe sessions, to understand how people take part, what they get from it and whether they change over time. The singing groups will be fun, informal and no singing experience is necessary. The sessions will be held in Mapperley initially, with more starting in the Mansfield area later in the year. For further information or to volunteer, call 0115 748 4315 or email, preside.research@nottingham.ac.uk
Award helps Avoid Hospital Admissions
Ann Drea, a band 6 locum occupational therapist working in a Pilot Front of House Team at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, was the proud winner of the Cosyfeet OT Award 2019. Her £1000 award money was used to purchase assessment equipment to facilitate a safe and speedy return home for clients. Here is Ann’s account of how the assessment equipment is being used to avoid hospital admissions.The Front of House team operates a pilot frailty project and is part of the intermediate care tier of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. This scheme runs within Hinchingbrooke hospital, receiving referrals from the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E), the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) and the Fracture Clinic. The small team consists of occupational therapists and therapy assistants who work closely with multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) within each of the above areas to assess persons who are medically fit for discharge but may have ongoing therapy needs. They may therefore require holistic social or health assessments to determine if we can facilitate a safe and timely discharge to their pre-admission destination. The provision of equipment is a compensatory approach to support a person to execute daily functions that are currently challenging. This approach, when used in conjunction with education and therapy delivery, reassures the person and/or their care givers and enables them to be more accepting of support, if even for a temporary period, until they are at their baseline. The assessment stock, funded by the Cosyfeet OT Award, consists of essential items to best support a person at home and provides the FOH team with an immediate source of equipment for carrying out assessments. Appropriate items can then be ordered for swift delivery to a person’s home address. This also supports health and social care community teams, as necessary items are in situ, ready for their professional follow up intervention.We are witnessing more and more ‘casual’ hospital attendances whereby no appointment is needed, for instance at A&E, which in turn puts a huge strain on such services (James et al 2016). A greater number of individuals aged over 65 now present with falls, lack of social input (“acopia”), increased confusion (often associated with a background of dementia), reduced mobility and unwell (“off legs”) and/or an exacerbation of a pre-existing long term condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These are not usually life-threatening medical emergencies. The majority of our referrals are the older patient population who require more assessment time than other patients due to their complex comorbidities. This can lead to delays in discharge because of the time needed to explore the most appropriate discharge pathway. From a FOH therapy perspective, we can identify and assess those who have the potential for discharge back to their own homes to avoid unnecessary admission onto an acute ward, and so reduce bed-days. FOH use a non-standardised form of assessment referred to as a My Discharge Plan. This paperwork accompanies the individual whilst in hospital. The findings of the MDP often involve:(i) further therapy input across general physical and cognitive functioning to enable the person to return to their baseline.(ii) equipment needs in order to support a return to baseline and/or remain at their current baseline level.(iii) requisitioning a suitable package of care (POC) and or social input.(iv) actively referring to community services to support the individual’s discharge home e.g. community therapy, assistive technology, and/or:(v) signposting to relevant services. The role of therapy within the FOH service is broad as the assessment is a holistic picture, however, a key aspect of this involves assessing and identifying the need for equipment that may support the person to carry out their day-to-day activities independently. Experience shows that a “tell, do and show” approach instils greater understanding and willingness to engage. “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand” (Confucius). Examples of the use of assessment stock to supported individuals are as follows:Karen, a 66-year-old lady, presented with bilateral ankle fractures following a fall. Her house has many internal steps. With advice on developing a micro home environment and the trial of a gutter frame and glide commode, Karen was enabled to get home and commence with bed-chair-commode (variation) transfers until review by the fracture clinic. This allowed her to stay within her own environment, supported by her partner, without the need for an overnight stay and/or an interim bed. Steve, a 72-year-old gentleman, presented due to a fall when transferring from bed. Steve lives with his wife and has a substantial medical history but is a very independent man. He continues to master the stairs, has been struggling with bed and toilet transfers and has an unsteady gait with his stick. Prior to his fall Steve had been reluctant to have any equipment. After exploring identified aids for himself, including a bed handle, a wheeled Zimmer frame (WZF) and a free-standing toilet frame (FSTF), both he and his wife could see how they would help him to conserve energy and provide a means of remaining at home with a reduced risk of falls.Mick, a 95-year-old gentleman, was referred from A&E to AAU due to a fall within the bathroom at home. Mick lives alone and remains independent with activities of daily living (ADLs) but experiences increased pain on movement. His baseline mobility is with a stick. Mick consented to explore the use of a WZF due to his unsteady presentation. He relies on armrests to support his STS (sit to stand). There was currently no frame around his toilet at home and he leaned heavily on a towel rail. He agreed to explore a FSTF to aid his transfers. After being able to try equipment out he consented to having a WZF and FSTF until he was stronger. He also agreed to involve community therapy follow-up to explore other concerns such as bathing transfers regarding falls prevention, and to maintain his independence. Our new stock of demonstration equipment is vital as it avoids us having to rely on merely explaining it or having
Does the UK Government need to rethink social care?
Nine in ten over 55 say UK Government needs to rethink social care for the older population Audley Group also found that eight in ten (82%) do not think the resources are in place to support a growing older population – a stark reminder of the worries facing those looking ahead to the future. The same proportion (82%) also believe the UK’s attitudes towards care of those in later life need to change. The number of over 75s is predicted to double in the next 30 years1, giving new urgency to act now. Yet 88% of over 55s believe there isn’t the provisions in place to support this growing elderly population. Only a quarter (29%) of over 55s are comfortable that they are financially prepared for their future care needs, with three in five (61%) saying they worry about how they will fund future social care if they need it. Crucially when discussing their confidence in the government, only a third (32%) trust that the state will provide for them financially if they have care needs in later life. Nick Sanderson, Audley Group CEO, commented: “Social care is an issue which has plagued British politics in recent years and it’s clear that it’s a pressing concern for the majority of people. Inaction from the government and ever-increasing delays on the social care green paper has meant that the public have lost trust that a suitable solution will be offered. Boris Johnson has publicly committed to solving the social care crisis, and we need to see his words put into action and genuine change implemented. A first step here is removing the need for people to go to hospital and in turn cutting the strain on the social care system. A holistic approach which brings together housing, social care and health will be what makes the difference here and will place more trust in people that they will get the support they need, when they need it.”
King’s Lodge Care-Home rated ‘Good’ in all areas by CQC
Aura Care Living, one of the UK’s leading providers of luxury retirement and nursing care, is delighted to announce that its recent inspection by industry regulatory body, the Care Quality Commission, has returned an outstanding report praising the improvements and excellent standards within the home, with an all-round rating of ‘Good’. King’s Lodge has experienced significant growth and development over the past 6 months, seeing the number of residents grow from 13 to 37 as the establishment has become more and more known for its unparalleled offering within the care sector. King’s Lodge is run by General Manager Sarah Jane Parkin, who has been with the company since August 2019. Sarah’s energetic and dynamic leadership has steered the home from strength to strength, evident in this recent CQC report, which can be read here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-4021653954. Prior to working at King’s Lodge Sarah, a mental health nurse by profession, has worked in acute mental health, forensic mental health, and child and adolescent mental health. She has a passion for care for the elderly and those living with dementia. Sarah has worked for various local providers, and has specialist skills that lie with commissioning new services and improving standards for care homes that may have been struggling. A group of people standing in front of a buildingDescription automatically generatedA group of people in a roomDescription automatically generatedKings Lodge is part of the Aura Care Living collection which is built on the foundation of fundamentally changing later-life living, while setting new standards of excellence. Linda Lloyd, CEO of Aura Care says: “The latest feedback from the CQC shows our dedication to providing the very best to our residents and community. Aura Care Living puts the residents at the heart of everything we do, and the latest rating is a reflection of the dedication and hard work from our community of highly trained staff.”
