TLC Care Achieves World First ‘Platinum’ Wellbeing Award
A luxury care provider with homes in North London, Hertfordshire, Surrey and Cambridge has achieved a global award first for “leading the way” in staff wellbeing. TLC Care has been awarded platinum accreditation on the new Investors in People Wellbeing Framework, becoming the first workplace in any industry to achieve the highest available grade. Homes were praised for being completely agency-free, with a host of wellbeing initiatives, training and development opportunities contributing to impressive staff retention, low levels of absence, and progression opportunities. The Investors in People ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ framework identifies platinum organisations as those that are high performing across their practice – including actively improving people’s health and wellbeing, and encouraging a positive workplace culture. The award-winning care provider, which operates nine homes providing nursing, residential, respite and dementia care, also retained its Platinum Investors in People accreditation after first achieving the mark in 2020, and achieved Hospitality Assured World Class status across all homes to complete a trio of major accreditations. As part of its Wellness Framework, TLC Care works with its team members to set individual 30-day wellness plans focussing on healthy eating, exercise, sleep, engaging with nature and spending time with family and friends. Additionally, 30 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) have been added across the group in the last four years to break down the stigma around mental health and promote good work-life balance for all employees. Training for these roles and a range of other key areas including medication awareness, food safety and manual handling is created and delivered in-house – giving employees the chance to mentor others in areas they are skilled at. Mandatory dementia training, which has been developed in consultation with experts and residents and includes a sensory experience to help staff understand what it may feel like to live with dementia, helps team members build better relationships with customers and feel more confident in their work. Care team members have opportunities to progress to senior roles such as Unit Managers and Home Managers and regularly attended development courses, with many employees taking on ‘TLC Care Champion’ roles for their home in areas such as End of Life, Safeguarding, Infection and Prevention Control, and Medication Management and Pain. Onboarding coaches help to integrate new employees with ongoing guidance and support, while overseas team members are provided with a meet and greet and transport from the airport, one month’s free accommodation, English lessons where required, support finding permanent accommodation, and information packs and advice about the area they will be living in. All homes also operate a ‘support cupboard’ allowing team members to pick up essentials such as hygiene products and tinned food to take home. The report concluded that TLC Care is “demonstrating outperformance and leading the way” as part of a “people-centric culture”. The organisation’s wellbeing strategy ensures its methods and successes are repeatable across the business, enabling constant improvement informed by employee feedback and a positive culture. Paavan Popat, CEO of TLC Care, said: “To be the first organisation ever to achieve Platinum Investors in People Wellbeing Accreditation is an incredible achievement and a testament to the passion and dedication our teams have for the wellness and health of one another. “This in turn has positively impacted on team member engagement, retention, career progression, recruitment and the overall care that is provided to our residents who are at the heart of all we do. “Over the past three years we have been really focused on our journey to retaining our overall Platinum status, whilst incorporating the Investors in People Wellbeing accreditation. We are incredibly proud of our team member Wellness Framework, which captures how we support our team members to bring their whole selves to work, how we promote good mental health for all and how we develop our leaders at every level to champion wellness.” The Investors in People framework assesses an organisation’s approach to leading and supporting its workforce while improving its services over time, while the Invest in Wellbeing framework refers specifically to an organisation’s approach to wellbeing. The assessment was part of the initial pilot process for Investors in People’s refreshed We Invest in Wellbeing standard, which will be formally launched later in the year. Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We would like to congratulate TLC, for not only receiving their Platinum accreditation, but also for being the very first to do so under our new We Invest in Wellbeing framework. “TLC are now placed within an esteemed group of organisations that understand the value of putting employee Wellbeing at the heart of their people strategy. I now look forward to seeing their on-going growth, as they fly the flag for best practice within their sector, as well as in our community.” https://www.tlccare.co.uk/
apetito celebrates 8 years of supporting the real living wage
Alongside Living Wage Foundation Week (November 6th – 12th), leading meals provider to the care home sector, apetito, celebrates 8 years of supporting the real Living Wage within its business. An accredited employer by the Living Wage Foundation, apetito now employs just under 2,000 people across the UK. Not only does it meet the recommendations set out by the Living Wage Foundation but when its annual profit-sharing scheme is factored in, it effectively pays more than the Living Wage. According to apetito’s CEO and Chair for UK & North America, Paul Freeston, the company believes passionately in doing business the right way and this includes ensuring that employees receive a fair wage which not only improves their quality of life but also benefits our business and society as a whole. “We are a proud supporter of the real Living Wage and are committed to being a real Living Wage employer. “We are listening to the recommendations from the Foundation for the year ahead and will be mobilising increases in line with its recommendations ahead of May 2024. “With the current economic conditions, we know how tough it is at the moment for families to keep abreast of cost-of-living increases, and not only is it the right way to do business but we believe it’s the only way to do business”. Speaking on behalf of the Living Wage Foundation, director, Katherine Chapman, says: “apetito is one of our longest standing supporters and it’s fantastic to see its continued commitment to the real Living Wage – it demonstrates the company’s values as a business, putting people first and doing right by their employees.” With its production kitchens based in Wiltshire, apetito is a leading supplier of meals into the care home, healthcare and social care sectors alongside its consumer home meals delivery brand, Wiltshire Farm Foods. For further information and careers opportunity check out Explore Our Range of Care Home Meals https://www.apetito.co.uk/our-service/care-home-meal-services
A new development in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
A new development in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is now available that can help reduce symptoms and lessen the care burden for patients and their caregivers. Zeyzelf® twice weekly rivastigmine transdermal patch is for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s dementia and it is the first ever patch to be launched in the UK that does not need daily application. A study showed Zeyzelf® twice weekly is bioequivalent to daily rivastigmine patches, but because it only has to be applied twice weekly, it can be easier to administer and help the patient and caregiver maintain adherence. Zeyzelf® twice weekly is also 52% less expensive than some rivastigmine patches. In elderly patients, transdermal delivery of rivastigmine may have advantages over other delivery routes, such as oral medications, as it provides ease of use for the patient and carer, gives greater adherence to prescribed regimens and has less risk of toxicity and ‘dose dumping’. Transdermal delivery of rivastigmine, which works by blocking certain enzymes in the brain to help reduce symptoms, is also useful when elderly patients are unable to tolerate or unwilling to swallow tablets. In a comparative study, Zeyzelf® twice weekly demonstrated better adhesion properties than the daily rivastigmine patch – in 95% of patients there was satisfactory adhesion, compared to 67% with the comparison patch. Skin adhesion is one of the most important functional properties for a transdermal patch and is critical for the safety, efficacy and quality of the patch. Poor adhesion can lead to improper dosing, with additional patches having to be used, which takes up more carer and healthcare professional time. There are currently 900,000 people with dementia in the UK, which is projected to rise to 1million by 2025 and nearly 1.6million in 2040. Alzheimer’s disease, which affects multiple brain functions, is the most common form of dementia and it is a progressive condition, with symptoms developing gradually over many years and eventually becoming more severe. The cost of dementia to the UK is currently £34.7billion annually – an average cost of £32,000 per person, two-thirds of which is paid by the patients and their families either in unpaid care of private social care. Treatments such as Zeyzelf® which can be easier to administer and improve compliance can help reduce this care burden. Zeyzelf® twice weekly is launched by Luye Pharma Ltd, which specialises in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The company believes Zeyzelf® twice weekly will offer a significant development in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and it has been well received by patients, clinicians and carers in Spain, where the product launched last year. Said Andy Farrant, General Manager of Luye Pharma Ltd: “Zeyzelf® twice weekly patches are an important development in the treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia, where a small change can make a big difference. We know that transdermal delivery can be advantageous to both patients and carers and by having a patch that only has to be applied twice a week, rather than daily, will significantly reduce the carer burden and also potentially improve compliance. “Healthcare professionals and carers all recognise that compliance is a major issue in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Luye has launched Zeyzelf® twice weekly to help meet this unmet need. The product has been incredibly well received in Spain and is being widely used with patients and we hope this will be the same in the UK. Read more here
Operations director shortlisted for ‘Woman of the Year’
A leading care consultancy is celebrating the success of its operations director after being shortlisted for ‘Woman of the Year’ at the Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency (TRI) Awards. Trish Kelly, Operations Director at Fulcrum Care Consulting, has been named as one of five finalists up for the industry accolade that looks to acknowledge remarkable accomplishments achieved by a woman in the sector. The awards as a whole look to celebrate and reflect on the challenges faced, the customers supported and the opportunities seized over the past year. These achievements might stem from a specific project, campaign, case, or deal — or they could be a result of exceptional performance in a leadership position within a business. Tony Thiru, CEO of Fulcrum Care, said: “Trish has an excellent track record of turning around failing services and developing care homes to realise their full potential. She has been an invaluable asset to the Fulcrum team. Trish is very capable at implementing service improvement plans and has immaculate attention to detail, making her worthy of this award.” Regularly acting as the nominated individual, Trish completes audits and cooperates with registered managers to apply best practice principles in homes to support both residents and staff. Trish is also able to adapt to crisis situations, translating the comprehensive spectrum of requirements and complicated regulatory concerns into a clear action plan that will ultimately improve the care offering. Tony added: “In one particular scenario earlier in the year, the intervention of Trish as the nominated individual, saw one care home experience significant turnaround in its outcomes in just ten weeks and Trish’s diligent efforts led to the resolution of several issues and breaches identified during the CQC inspection. These kinds of results are second nature to Trish now, and with her help, Fulcrum has never failed to turn around a care home that we’ve worked with.” The awards ceremony will be held at the London Hilton Bankside on 21st November as Fulcrum hopes for a repeat of last year’s success where the consultancy won ‘Best Turnaround of the Year’. For more information about Fulcrum Care Consulting, please visit https://fulcrumcareconsulting.com/. For more information about the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and to see a full list of finalists, visit https://www.tristrategy.co.uk/tri-awards-shortlist.
Care home provider elevates dementia awareness
Leading Scottish care provider, Meallmore Ltd, is introducing dementia awareness in several homes across the country, which are designed to transform the way in which communities approach dementia. Care homes Greenan Manor in Ayr and Crimond House in Fraserburgh have launched dementia cafés over the summer. These specialised cafés are supported by Alzheimer’s Scotland and aim to create dementia-friendly experiences for older people, connect with communities, improve awareness, and upskill staff. Greenan Manor piloted the café, called Let’s Connect, which provides a space for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to participate in dementia-friendly activities and receive information with family and friends in a safe and supportive zone. In addition to tea and coffee, this includes arts and crafts, board games and puzzles, which are adapted for residents’ abilities and cognitive levels. The Let’s Connect Café has been used for meetings with families, as well as offering space for local healthcare professionals to discuss dementia care. Greenan Manor plans to extend access to its dementia café to members of the public in the autumn. Crimond House is in the early stages of establishing its own dementia café and other Meallmore homes have introduced similar supportive spaces, building on the care home group’s leading work in delivering personalised care to residents with the condition. The cafés have been launched as part of the ‘Strive, Achieve and Excellence’ framework, which was established by Meallmore in 2016 and allows the provider’s 26 care homes to trial projects tailored to the needs of their residents. The framework, which is not limited to dementia, gives each care home the opportunity to integrate the latest and best practices into their care and can, ultimately, influence business-wide change. An example of this includes the use of the Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument; an Occupational Therapist-designed framework used to deliver activities in a manner customised to the different stages of dementia. This ensures people living with dementia can participate in all kinds of activities, such as baking and arts and crafts, in a way that makes sense to them. Meallmore initially trialled the PAL framework at St Olaf Care Home in Nairn to great success, resulting in a company-wide roll-out. Hazel O’Rourke, Meallmore’s Quality Director said: “Sadly, there are around 90,000 people with a dementia diagnosis in Scotland and people living with dementia account for around 66% of the current care home population[1]. “The most important thing we can do for people living with the condition is to provide them with the best care we possibly can. At Meallmore, we’re committed to supporting those living with dementia by working to create a compassionate environment and community where dignity is nurtured, identities are preserved and a sense of belonging is fostered. “It’s not only our mission to bring comfort and connection to those entrusted in our care, but also to educate, listen to and support the families, healthcare professionals and community that interact with those living with dementia. We wish to bring our families closer together and improve the lives of the people that we care for.” Louise Robertson, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisor, South Ayrshire said: “I was delighted to offer support and guidance to the new Let’s Connect Café at Meallmore’s Greenan Manor. It’s such a positive project and enables people to get together and share their experiences. “These cafés are so important for people with dementia and their families. Not only do they provide a safe space to relax and socialise, but they also offer the opportunity for peer support.” Staff at several Meallmore care homes across Scotland have also participated in specialist sensory training. This involves a 2.5-hour session experiencing what it feels like to live with dementia. Colleagues are placed into a dementia experiential environment and asked to perform certain everyday tasks. The training provides insight into the daily lives of people with dementia, allowing colleagues to better understand how to support their needs and further improve their care. Following the session is a debrief that provides key information about dementia and a reflection session discussing how care can be adapted to suit residents with the condition. Training has already taken place at St Modans in Fraserburgh, Auchtercrag in Ellon and Kincaid House in Greenock, with a plan to deliver the experience to other homes across Scotland. Since opening its first care home, Daviot Care Home (formally known as Meallmore Lodge) in Inverness in 1987, Meallmore has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading care providers. Meallmore currently has a network of 26 care homes across Scotland, including offering care for the elderly, specialising in dementia, and adults with mental health diagnosis. More information about Meallmore Ltd can be found at https://www.meallmore.co.uk/
Care Roadshow Wales 2023
In less than one month, the event will open its doors to leaders in the care sector, offering an unparalleled opportunity to learn, connect and explore the latest ideas and innovations in the industry. The Care Roadshow Wales, will take place on Tuesday, 14th November 2023, at Cardiff City Stadium – those working in the industry are encouraged to mark their calendars for this must-attend event. Event Features CPD Seminars and Panel Sessions: Care Roadshow Wales offers a lineup of inspiring free-to-attend CPD accredited seminars and panel discussions led by industry experts. Hear from speakers including: Each session will provide invaluable insights into the latest ideas, best practices and emerging trends in the care sector. Face-to-face Local and Regional Networking: Building and nurturing professional relationships is essential. This event provides the ideal setting for face-to-face networking with peers, care sector leaders, industry suppliers and influential speakers. Share experiences, exchange knowledge and collaborate with other like-minded professionals. Building connections at Care Roadshow Wales can lead to future partnerships and growth opportunities. Care Roadshow Wales: Explore a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing their latest products, services and resources tailored to the care sector. Connect with the top companies in care and discover innovative solutions that can enhance the quality of the care provided, streamline operations and more. Network and explore innovations with: Free: Care Roadshow Waales is committed to making valuable industry insights and networking opportunities accessible to all. The event offers free admission, including all seminars and panel sessions. There are no registration fees or hidden costs, making it an affordable and invaluable opportunity for care sector leaders. Care Roadshow Wales is not just an event – it’s a platform for growth, learning, and collaboration. Join the care community at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 14th November 2023 and take advantage of this unique opportunity to advance your business. Join the care community to empower positive action within care. Register for your FREE ticket here
Surrey care group committed to excellence in end-of-life care
A luxury Surrey care group has put two more of its homes through a programme aiming to enhance end-of-life care provided by care residences and organisations – empowering its staff to understand the compassionate philosophy of palliative care. CHD Living’s Abbey Chase, a Chertsey nursing centre offering nursing and residential care, and Kingston Rehabilitation Centre, providing specialist care for complex neurological conditions, are the organisation’s two latest services to complete the ‘Six Steps of Success’ programme working alongside Princess Alice Hospice. The Six Steps programme aims to facilitate organisational change and support, educating care staff and ensuring that every care facility is equipped with dedicated champions who have access to up-to-date national and local information around palliative care. Both centres engaged in rigorous training, received visits from trainers to implement new processes, and participated in workshops to enhance their end-of-life care practices. The teams also compiled a comprehensive portfolio showcasing the evidence of their successful integration of the Six Steps training into their daily caregiving routines. The initiative emphasises the importance of open discussions about end-of-life care and aims to ensure that hospices are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources to deliver respectful, patient-centred, and well-led care. It highlights the significance of caring throughout the end-of-life journey, offering a compassionate and effective approach to supporting individuals in the final stages of their life. The Six Steps programme encompasses six key components: Becs Page, CHD Living’s Quality Assurance Manager, said: “Having another home become accredited in the Six Steps programme is a further milestone for our organisation and a reflection of our commitment to providing the highest standards of end-of-life care. It reinforces our dedication to ensuring that every individual, their families, and our incredible staff receive the utmost support, respect, and compassion during this sensitive journey. The Six Steps programme encompasses our core values and achieving this accreditation demonstrates our commitment to consistently elevate the quality of care we provide.” CHD Living’s focus has been on ensuring that end-of-life care is delivered respectfully and compassionately, taking into account the needs of the patient and their family and making sure it’s safe, effective and well-led. To find out more about CHD Living, please visit www.chdliving.co.uk
Bed Bugs In Care Homes
Bed bugs are one of the most-feared pests to be found in care homes. This is because due to the nature of a care home, bed bugs can spread quickly causing an infestation that could have a significant negative impact. What are bed bugs Bed bugs are very small but not as most believe invisible to the naked eye, so you will be able to spot them. The most difficult part is that they like to hide away from light and are nocturnal so they can be difficult to find. A typical bed bug is round, brown and 5-7mm in size. These are the adults, but you may also see lighter coloured and small individuals which are the growing stages. Apart from seeing the bed bugs you may also see their faeces. This is usually brown to black and is small spots – it is most visible on lighter surfaces like mattresses and around wall sockets but can be present on the headboard of the bed or bedside furniture. Good passengers Bed bugs are good passengers as they will cling to clothing, suitcases, books and furniture as modes of transport. With staff and residents moving from room to room, the likelihood of bed bugs being transported is very high. They can spread rapidly room to room via migration in search of a blood meal or spread inadvertently via a bed linen trolley which may be going from room to room. Managing a bed bug infestation The best course of action is always to seek a professional pest technician. They can quickly build in number and pest technicians will have access to tools and insecticides that will be able to eliminate them quicker. However, there are a number of steps you can take which do not involve a professional pest technician. Staff pest awareness training is vital. Ensuring your staff are aware of the signs of bed bugs and preventative measures to guard against them is key. These preventative measures include vacuuming and washing clothing or bedding that has been brought in with new residents. Washing materials at 60OC will kill all life stages of insect. Areas often missed when vacuuming include the edges of carpets, under beds or heavy furniture and the seams of fabrics in armchairs, mattresses and fabric-style headboards, which are good hiding spots. You can also use steam on the mattress or dry cleaning to get to thermally kill them.
10,000+ Milestone For MAG Laundry Equipment
MAG Laundry Equipment, suppliers of commercial washing machines & tumble dryers, is proud to have supported more than 10,000 care homes across the UK in their latest milestone. Clean laundry and bedding is critical for care homes, hospices, nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare organisations. With a nationwide fleet of accredited engineers MAG Laundry Equipment has successfully assisted over ten thousand care homes with their products, services, information and support. MAG’s product range includes commercial washing machines, tumble dryers, ironers, presses and detergents. For 100 years, since 1922, MAG’s products have been developed and improved to become some of the most reliable, energy-efficient and affordable machines on the market. MAG also provides care homes with ozone sanitisation and ozone generators to eliminate unpleasant odours. Rooms are left sanitised, smelling fresh and free from harmful bacteria and viruses. You have peace-of-mind that your care home laundry machines can quickly be maintained and repaired as MAG Laundry Equipment supply, install and service equipment across England, Scotland and Wales. If you are looking for high quality wash results that remove stubborn stains then speak with MAG for their recommendations. Complete thermal disinfection is a standard feature on their washing machines for nursing homes. To find out more about how MAG can support your care home telephone 01422 244733 or visit: https://maglaundryequipment.co.uk/sectors/nursing-care-homes/
