Runwood Homes Senior Living are pleased to announce their partnership with Person Centred Software
Runwood Homes Senior Living are pleased to announce their partnership with Person Centred Software and the implementation of its award winning Mobile Care Monitoring system. Introducing this innovative care plan system at Runwood Homes residential care settings will create more efficient care teams by significantly reducing written paperwork and simplifying recording processes, giving carers more time to focus on providing good quality care to residents, whilst ensuring a high standard of care delivery evidence. Person Centred Software’s electronic care planning and evidence of care system will be available to all Runwood Homes care employees as it is gradually rolled out to over 70 professional care and nursing homes across the UK. The care monitoring hub will hold all necessary information about each residents care needs, enabling streamlined shift handovers and a consistent, centralised digital logging system. Available via a secure app, Mobile Care Monitoring will include care plans, evidence of care documentation, monitoring information as well as prompts and alerts, entirely bespoke for each resident. Speaking of the new partnership with Person Centred Software, Runwood Homes Business Operations Director, Sarah Sanders said, “We are delighted to be working with Person Centred Software to implement a new digital care plan system at Runwood Homes. Providing our carers with an instant-access, easy-to-use system will enable more time to be spent giving care and spending quality time with our residents.” Sarah Sanders continued, “Mobile Care Monitoring will encourage staff to record care delivery in more detail due to its ease of use, and will also ensure all staff member are well-informed of every residents care support at the tap of a button which really positive for team unity.” Mobile Care Monitoring won a ‘High Commendation’ award at the Care Home Awards 2018, recognising how the successful the product is in improving services. Runwood Homes have introduced the Mobile Care Monitoring system toElizabeth House residential care home in Hadleigh, Essex, and will soon expand the systems availability to the rest of the Runwood Homes group over the coming months. For all enquiries please contact Runwood Homes by calling 01702 559797 or emailing info@runwoodhomes.co.uk. www.runwoodhomes.co.uk
100-year-old celebrates Burger Day at care home
A CENTENARIAN chef has been making burgers for fellow care home residents to celebrate National Burger Day. Nancy Sallis, who lives at Holmewood Care Home, in Chesterfield, donned her apron and chef’s hat to turn mince beef into delicious patties. The 100-year-old joined fellow residents Hazel White, Thelma Scarborough and Margaret Shatwell to make enough burgers for tea at the care home. They mixed the minced beef, onions, salt and pepper by hand before forming them into burgers and serving them in buns with a selection of sauces. Kathleen Richardson, home manager at Holmewood Care Home, on Barnfield Close, said: “Our residents were very eager to show off their culinary skills. “They were so engrossed with the mixing of ingredients and really put their hearts into it, while reminiscing about cooking for their loved ones. “When we were serving them for tea, they were so proud of the burgers they kept informing other residents that they made them.” Holmewood Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. Burger Day was established by Mr. Hyde, an email service offering advice on food, clothing and entertainment. For further information visit https://www.nationalburgerday.co.uk/.
New Local Service to Help Elderly and Relatives with Making Social Care Choices
A new Sutton based service, Encompass Living, has launched to help people with care and support needs to maintain their independence, remain living at home and get the best out of life. The new service will also help those who are supporting relatives requiring care to create a rapidly responsive bespoke, flexible package with the ability to be amended and developed as care requirements change. People with assets of more than £23,250 are often called ‘self-funders’ and may not be eligible for assistance from their local authority towards the cost of their care and support. Many people agonise over the challenge of obtaining information, guidance and practical support, and often don’t know where to turn for help in identifying their options and negotiating with service providers. Lorraine Thomas, the Managing Director of Encompass Living said, “People want information they know comes from a trusted source when they are faced with making decisions about the support they need to live independent and meaningful lives. “Living life to the full can seem impossible when you don’t know what your options are and how your support needs can be met in order to maintain your independence. We offer a free assessment and work with people every step of the way to identify cost effective options. We provide a fast, responsive and supportive service and one that puts our customer at the heart of the decision-making process. This is all about them, their needs and how they can live the life they want. “Encompass Living is designed to take the worry away to give them information, care and guidance as simply as possible.” Lorraine went on to say, “We help people who may be elderly, infirm or have a physical or mental disability make the right care choice. We do this by identifying individual support needs and providing options specifically designed for them. Our Care Navigators are accredited support brokers, so customers can be assured of a professional service. Our free assessment provides the individual with a free document outlining recommendations for their personal essential care and support. The individual can then engage Encompass Living to provide further support through a three-tier service offer. The first is to develop a support plan, researching options for the customer and helping them make the choices that are right for them. The second tier is to source those services and negotiate the best available costs, and the third is a weekly management service which ensures everything runs smoothly and the services continue to meet their needs.” Head of Service for Encompass Living, Justin Walker said, “Think of us as Care Navigators, guiding people when they are at their most vulnerable and needing care or support to maintain independence or get the most out of life. People’s support and care needs do not come neatly packaged into one issue. The task of finding an individual’s support or care plan can be time-consuming and stressful for all concerned. It is very much a bespoke service aimed at the individual and their requirements to make their life better” The new service is available now. For those faced with having to make those next step decisions regarding care, Encompass Living can be contacted through their website, Encompass-Living.co.uk, or by calling 020 8770 5350.
What to consider when refurbishing your property for Dementia care
Simon Hutton, Partner at property and construction consultancy, Ridge and Partners LLP (Ridge), explains the factors care providers must consider when upgrading or refurbishing their properties for dementia care. Increasing costs and tighter regulations are some of the biggest issues facing care home owners and managers today, together with increasing demand for specialist care facilities. Many providers are looking for expert guidance on how best to manage their properties and importantly how to future proof them as much as possible to save both time and money in the long run. Ridge works with a number of care providers to improve and upgrade facilities. As well as upgrading older properties, we also work with providers to create more innovative, bespoke and modern facilities. We frequently come across the same considerations and challenges. Consider Care Quality Commission (CQC) recommendations CQC feedback is often central to a decision to refurbish a property. For example, we recently worked with one provider to update all of its en suite facilities, replacing shower pods with wet rooms. This reduced the likelihood of residents tripping, making the room more streamlined and removing potential hazards – a detail that was noted in a subsequent CQC inspection. Cater for families Spending quality time with loved ones is central to residents’ wellbeing. Increasingly our clients are looking to replicate a hotel feel that also feels like home. A well thought out design should reflect a lifestyle in which residents’ families are able to visit comfortably. Reworking space to include guest rooms that allow for overnight stays, private dining areas and guest bathroom facilities provide a welcoming environment which families enjoy visiting. Explore technology Undeniably, maximizing on advances in technology is a growing area not just within the care sector. The use of technology has revolutionised how care homes are providing a superior and, more importantly, safer environment. Many of our clients are moving towards wireless nurse call technology, using a WIFI system to allow residents to call for assistance. Whilst pendants are becoming much smaller and more discreet, we also have the technology to link them to the building itself, meaning when residents reach certain areas such as lifts or doors, a member of staff is notified – ideal for residents with dementia. Design for dementia With demand for dementia care on the increase, consideration for this must be built into all design and construction. We work closely with our clients to agree an approach that caters for residents with dementia, but also offers a desirable place for all. For example, the consideration of a balcony. An addition that would require significant fencing if used by residents with dementia, which may create a claustrophobic feel for other users. Signage, colours and finishes are also elements to be explored carefully. Techniques including using pictorial signage and colour coordinated floors are both reassuring and enable residents to remember where they are. Choose the right partner Work with a property and construction partner that is experienced within the health and care sector. Refurbishing a care home requires its own special considerations, different to many other refurbishment projects – from maintaining an operational care home, with minimal disruption to residents, to understanding industry expectations and ensuring recommendations are in line with current CQC regulations. For more information, visit www.ridge.co.uk
Care home top tips: How healthcare professionals can assure patient safety in the heat
There is good evidence that dehydration in the summer months causes a significant increase in the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and other severe infections associated with it. Jennie Wilson, member of the Infection Prevention Society, provides these key facts to help you prevent your patients becoming dehydrated. Keep drinking Adults need to take in a minimum of 1.5 litres of fluid every day. This is equivalent to at least 8 large cups or mugs of fluid. Make sure that drinks are offered to patients enough times during the day to enable them to drink this amount of fluids Older people are more vulnerable to dehydration The loss of thirst reflex, decrease in muscle mass in which to store fluids, and reduced kidney function combine to make older people at much greater risk of dehydration. They need to be reminded to drink and advised of the importance of drinking enough to keep them healthy Any fluid is good fluid The most important thing is to consume sufficient fluids; it does not matter what form this takes. Use fluid rich foods such as jelly, ice cream, yoghurt to supplement fluids in drinks Assistance to drink Think about the design of cups or mugs used to serve drinks. Are these appropriate and pleasant for patients to hold and drink from? Remember that some older patients may need someone to help them drink and a member of staff will need to be allocated to support them Support people worried about incontinence One reason older people do not drink enough is that they are worried about being able to get to the toilet in time or about getting up in the night to use the toilet. Make sure that they know how important it is that they drink enough during the day. If they are in hospital or care, ensure they are reassured that they can ask for help to get to the toilet Look out for signs of dehydration Some of the more obvious signs are a dry skin or mouth, dark coloured urine, or complaining of a headache. Also look out for confusion or drowsiness as these can also be important indicators that a patient is becoming dehydrated Choice and drinks preferences Exploring preferences of your residents and extending the choice of drink to include theirs can make a big difference. Introduce an anonymous form to help residents select what they enjoy drinking the most Introduce protected drinks time A structured approach to ensuring all residents are offered drinks means no confusion as to who has or hasn’t had a drink most recently Provide additional drinks before and after meals Some people may not manage to drink with their meal, or may not want to. Building in extra time for hydration around the meal means that the need for drinking won’t get lost when the focus is on food These principles are not only important for patients in hospital, but also for the frail elderly in their own home or in residential care
Portsmouth care home residents dance with Golden Toes
Portsmouth care home Hartford Court welcomes dance company Golden Toes to provide seated dance classes for the residents. The summer sessions include simple choreography influenced by different dance styles such as samba, flamenco and salsa to bring sparkle and joy through dance and music. The benefits of the sessions are numerous: The sessions are taught regularly by credible and talented dancer Alex Hewitt who began dancing at the age of eight then studied ballet, tap and modern and said: “I first visited Hartford Court in March of this year and each time I visit Hartford Court I get to know each resident a bit better! “I really enjoy seeing residents become more confident in the classes and getting to know more about all the personalities in the room. The best feedback I’ve recently received after a recent class included a man who told me that I had made him smile and that he hadn’t smiled in nearly six months.” Michelle Presdee is the General Manager at Hartford Court care home and said: “I think that the classes encourage residents to talk about their lives and share stories with each other which always lifts their spirits. The classes and shows are about making people happy and it’s wonderful seeing the smiles on our residents’ faces when they are dancing!” Veronique A Murdoch is the Managing Director of Golden Toes and commented: “Our classes encourage the residents to move their bodies in new ways, the most important part of the class is that the residents enjoy themselves.” Open since 2016, the prestigious purpose-built facility is located at the heart of Guardians Gate, adjacent to St. Marys Hospital on Milton Road in Portsmouth. The state-of-the-art 60-bed care home offers residential and dementia care including respite care and daycare services to the elderly people of Portsmouth and surrounding areas. The facilities at Hartford Court care home are truly exceptional and welcoming. The reception area incorporates a comfortable seating area, a resident’s shop and a hairdressing and nail salon. The rest of the home boasts a library, a choice of formal and informal dining rooms, a number of lifestyle kitchens and of course plenty of restful communal lounges including The Colonial Lounge, The Captain’s Quarters and the Parlour with lots of subtle influences from local author Charles Dickens. The quality of build, design and finish are second to none with nautical touches, inspired by the proud Naval History of the city of Portsmouth. Hartford Care is a family-owned business that has been established for over a century and its respect for residents’ privacy, dignity and individuality is central to its ethos. Michelle added: “We firmly believe that each and every one of our residents has an absolute right to choose the way they live their lives. We believe this ethos is why we have been recognised for three years in a row as a ‘Top 20 Care Home Group’ in the UK.” See golden-toes.com to find out more about the care home activities offered by the dance group or visit hartfordcare.co.uk to discover how Hartford Care offers person-centred care.
Technology helps provide an Outstanding level of care at Kingfisher Court
Kingfisher Court in Nottinghamshire, part of Oakdale Care Group, has been rated Outstanding by CQC following a recent inspection. The report published in August 2018 mentions that the care home’s adoption of technology has helped contribute to the level of Outstanding care. Kingfisher Court has been using Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system since April 2017 to electronically record the care and support delivered to residents, and for reporting and care planning. The report explains, “An electronic support plan was used in the home and staff carried small electronic tablets which recorded the care and support people needed and when this was given. This system ensured people received care and support in the way they preferred, and we saw their support needs had been discussed and agreed with them.” Andrew Long, CEO of Oakdale Care Group says, “Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system played a significant part in our achieving an Outstanding rating at Kingfisher Court’s first CQC inspection.” He continues: “We first reviewed the Person Centred Software system in late 2015, when I was then still formally with the LNT Group and Nominated Individual for Ideal Care Homes. I was continually challenged by the amount of time that care staff were having to spend on manually writing up care plans, floor management folders, handover notes etc, and was trying to think of ways of saving their time so that they could concentrate more on actual resident care. The Person Centred Software Mobile Care Monitoring system provided a genuine next generation answer to how care is described, captured and communicated effectively and efficiently. It helps release people’s time to care properly and simultaneously improve the evidence that supports person centred care planning and outcomes.” Andrew adds: “The system produces reports that enable us to look at trends and assess simple things like weight loss, weight gain, hydration, food intake and satisfaction of clients, as well as the day to day care interactions our staff are performing. It also allows us to see what’s going on in the care home even if we’re not there.”. Even residents at the home recognise that the system is helping to improve the quality of care. The CQC report states: ‘One person told us, “The staff explained the system. I think it’s marvellous and it makes it clearer for everyone. I can see what’s written down on there or the staff show me on a computer. It’s the way things are now, and I’d rather spend time with them than have them scribbling in books about me all the time.”’ www.personcentredsoftware.com
Café serves care home residents supermarkets’ surplus
CARE home residents received a special invitation to a Skelmersdale café that specialises in turning supermarket surplus food into delicious meals. Residents and staff at Aaron Crest Care Home, on Tanhouse Road, were given the VIP treatment at the nearby Junk Food Café. Café coordinator David Scott reserved a table and served a home cooked, three-course banquet after spotting several of the home’s residents walking by. They pass the Tanhouse Community Centre, where the café opens every Wednesday, on their weekly walk to the newsagents. David invited them in for a tour before offering to cook for them if they returned with fellow residents and staff from the care home. Five residents and two staff members took him up on the offer and were treated to food and music alongside other members of the community. He said: “We intercept surplus food from Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Lidl. All the food we get would otherwise end up in landfill or in our bins. “Our café is run on a “pay as you feel” basis. This means people come and eat then give their time, skills, or money for their meal. “We have two cafés, one in Tanhouse and the other in the Ecumenical Centre, all run by our amazing army of volunteers.” Adrienne Ratcliffe, home manager at Aaron Crest Care Home, said: “It was so kind of David to invite our residents and staff for a meal. “What a wonderful idea to take good ingredients supermarkets would otherwise throw away and turn it into delicious food. “The quality of the courses our residents and staff enjoyed were brilliant and they all said they would recommend it to friends and family. “There was also music and lots of people from the community, so the residents enjoyed good conversation.” Aaron Crest Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Hill Care team’s Snowdon summit nets over £1,400 for charity
A TEAM from Chesterfield care home group Hill Care has raised over a thousand pounds for the Stroke Association after climbing one of the UK’s tallest mountains. Staff from group’s head office, on St Mary’s Gate, scaled Snowdon as part of an ongoing fundraising campaign for the charity. They have so far collected £1,410 in sponsorship after conquering the 1,085m Welsh mountain. They join Hill Care’s 38 homes across the north of England in raising funds for the Stroke Association throughout 2018. Wendy Waddicor, managing director of Hill Care Group, said: “The Stroke Association is our nominated charity this year and all our homes have been working hard to raise as much as possible. “The head office team took advantage of a recent break in the weather to climb Snowdon and have so far raised a brilliant amount for the charity. “We’re so proud of all them for reaching the summit – no easy feat – and hopefully it will inspire others to take on their own fundraising challenges.” The Hill Care Group operates care homes across the north of England. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
