Innovative VR technology built specifically for the care sector
Care home residents across the UK are experiencing captivating, personalised virtual environments to improve their mental and social wellbeing with the launch of innovative VR technology built specifically for the care sector and supported by Alzheimer’s Society’s innovation programme. With Recreo VR residents can experience environments that reflect their own personal histories, hobbies they’ve enjoyed and topics of interest from the past, such as hobbies, interests and favorite holiday destinations. Bespoke content can be requested by individuals, promoting person-centred care and empowerment while helping to stimulate memories. The easy-to-use headsets and software, which come with full training and support for staff, have proven successful in trials, with 90 out of 100 people living with dementia enjoying their experience. Feedback from residents and care home staff has been hugely positive across the trials as Danielle Savage. Care Home Manager at Wrawby Hall Care Home said: “To see the smiles on their faces was just wonderful. We can’t recommend Recreo VR enough.” “A lot of what the residents were seeing on the headset prompted memories for our residents, which they were then able to discuss and reminisce about. Such a truly wonderful experience. My heart could burst and I did have a few tears, it’s amazing our residents can have these wonderful experiences.” Founders Alex and Sam were inspired to create Recreo VR after seeing the transformation a journey to a beach had on Sam’s grandmother towards the end of her life. Joyce, who lived with dementia and had been non-verbal for a long time, began to smile and engage in conversation during the trip. This experience is what Sam and Alex aim to replicate using VR technology, as they said: “We believe that virtual reality has the power to transform the lives of residents, build social connections and enhance their quality of life. We want to empower care organisations to embrace new technology and create experiences in their settings that have noticeable impact on both residents, their families and staff that go beyond the traditional approaches.” Recreo VR, is supported by Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme, a service that champions dementia innovation. Simon Lord, Head of Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We’ve been blown away by the impact Recreo VR technology has had on people living with dementia and the incredible feedback from the care sector. We believe in the power of technology to help improve and personalise care for people with dementia, which is why we chose to support the founders to develop the product and use our testing panels to help shape the experiences. It’s vital that those living with the condition are able to still doing things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that’s exactly what products like Recreo VR can provide.” The headset, which was rated comfortable by 97% of residents during trials, is lightweight and counterweighted for increased comfort. When it is turned on the Recreo VR app immediately loads and is easy to use, with sessions led by carers making it accessible for residents to engage with. The software is operated by using eye movement to navigate, this means there is no need for controllers and difficult interfaces, reducing barriers for engagement for both carers and the people they support. Recreo VR technology experiences using a strict filming criteria to ensure the environments are suitable for older people, and the reminiscence content has been co-designed with individuals living with dementia. To discover more about Recreo VR and it’s ability to enhance the lives of residents and empower caregivers visit recreovr.co.uk. Anyone with a great product or innovation idea to improve the lives of people with dementia can apply for funding and support through the Alzheimer’s Society Innovation programme. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/accelerator.
Grimsby care home under new ownership
A leading Yorkshire-based social care group has new ownership of a care home in Grimsby as the organisation grows a portfolio of personalised services to meet the changing needs of users. Hull-based HICA Group has purchased Fairways Care Home on Little Coates Road, Grimsby from Care Plus Group for an undisclosed sum. Fairways Care Home is a 55-bed single storey, purpose-built home located within a large, landscaped site. The home provides high quality residential and dementia care. The employment of all 65 staff has been secured in the handover to new ownership, and manager Sam Brackenbury will continue to lead the team. HICA already has a strong presence in Grimsby, operating Cranwell Court, a 56-bed purpose-built residential and dementia care home in Cambridge Road; the 41-bed specialist care home, the Anchorage in Rutland Street; and homecare organisation HICA at Home, based in Wilton Street. A spokesperson for Care Plus Group explained: “We are pleased that by selling Fairways as a going concern, all current staff have transferred over to the new owners and there will not be any disruption to the residents and their care. “We are proud to be handing Fairways over to another not-for-profit organisation with other care homes locally, allowing Care Plus Group to focus on our community health and social care services. “The Board would like to thank all the staff at Fairways for their hard work during the time Fairways was part of Care Plus Group and wish residents, their families and HICA all the best for the future.” Terry Peel, HICA CEO, said: “As we broaden our care home horizons with the inclusion of Fairways into the HICA portfolio, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities it presents to enhance the lives of our residents and their families. “This new ownership is part of our ongoing strategy to expand our commitment to delivering exceptional care and support services to the communities we serve.” He added: “We would like to extend our gratitude to Marcus Armstrong and the dedicated team at Brabners solicitors for their exceptional support and expertise throughout the acquisition process, and to Ian Wilkie of Healthcare Property Consultants Limited for his invaluable guidance in navigating the complexities of the healthcare property sector. Their collective efforts have played a pivotal role in making this acquisition a reality.” Fairways goes beyond the conventional care facility; it is a purpose-built home offering comfort and companionship. With spacious en-suite rooms on a single floor, the strategic layout ensures easy access to communal areas, fostering an environment for residents to enjoy an active social life. Heather Joy, director of operations at HICA added: “We take great pride in extending a warm welcome to both residents and their loved ones at Fairways. Our team is committed to preserving the legacy of exceptional care and support services, previously established by the Care Plus Group. It is an honour to continue to build upon this tradition, infusing it with the unique and caring touch that defines HICA’s approach to compassionate caregiving.” As a not-for-profit company, HICA Group has a strong community, care-focussed ethos – with any operational surplus invested back into its portfolio of care homes and its homecare services.
Community gathers for caring for YOU roadshow
DOZENS of healthcare workers from across Kirklees gathered for the caring for YOU roadshow, to share information, products, and advice for mental and physical wellbeing. The “Caring for YOU” roadshow came to Aden Court Care Home, Birkhouse Lane, Moldgreen, Huddersfield, for the latest gathering of the region’s care staff. The initiative is organised by Kirklees Health and Care Partnership, Kirklees Care Association, and Calderdale Cares Partnership as a way for various organisations to share their products, services, information and advice. Among those to host stands at the event was The Health and Wellbeing Academy, part of the University of Huddersfield, who offered free health checks to attendees. Halsa Wellbeing gave diet and nutrition advice, alongside free samples of various teas, dried fruits, breakfast pots and vitamin D sprays. Calderdale Cares Partnership was there to give advice on mental health and finances, as well as the Kirklees and Calderdale Integrated Schwartz Rounds Network, a forum for clinical and non-clinical staff to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. Diane Roberts, operations director for the Hill Care Group, which operates Aden Court Care Home, was one of those in attendance. She said: “We were delighted to be able to host an event where we could focus on the health and wellbeing of social care staff in Kirklees. This is a great initiative and feedback from our staff shows it has had a positive impact. We plan to build upon this in the future.” Wendy Waddicor, director and chair of the Hill Care Group, added: “We were delighted to host this event in collaboration with various health and social care partners for all care home staff in the Kirklees area. “The care and welfare of our staff is as important to us as the care and welfare of the people we all look after. It’s essential that we look after ourselves and these health and wellbeing events are a great support and source of information for our staff.” https://www.hillcare.net/our-homes/aden-court-care-home-huddersfield-west-yorkshire/
Future of Care Conference in Harrogate
Next week, the eagerly anticipated Future of Care Leaders Conference North 2023 is set to take place at the Pavilions of Harrogate on 28th November 2023. This landmark conference promises an insightful exploration into ensuring a brighter future for care, featuring prominent speakers and organisations leading research and change in the industry. Leaders in social care are encouraged to reserve their space at the event before spaces are filled. The conference will feature a session with the independent regulator of health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), providing delegates the opportunity to engage directly with the regulatory board. Other speakers in attendance include: · Conference Chair: Sameena Ali-khan, ITV News Presenter · Keynote Speaker: ‘Big Ian’ Donaghy, Dementia Campaigner · Mike Padgham, Chair, Independent Care Group · Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO, Walfinch · Professor Yvonne Birk, Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Social Sciences & Associate Director at NIHR School for Social Care Research · Dan Archer, CEO, Visiting Angels UK · Frank Van Dillen, Partner, Dementia Village Associates Beyond the programme, delegates can take advantage of additional benefits included in their ticket. This encompasses ample refreshments, including breakfast, a hearty lunch and regular snacks. To conclude the day, delegates can enjoy a complimentary drinks reception. The last few tickets are now available at futureofcare.co.uk
Social Tech Trust to turn assistive technology concepts into prototypes
· Challenge Works – a Nesta enterprise – has announced a new partnership with social innovation charity, Social Tech Trust, to provide technical and data support to innovators in the Longitude Prize on Dementia and help develop working prototypes of new assistive technologies. · The Longitude Prize on Dementia is incentivising the development of breakthrough technologies that can learn from people living with dementia and adapt to their changing condition to help ‘fill the gaps’ as cognitive function is reduced by the disease. · 24 semi-finalists were announced in June 2023, all of whom will be submitting a working prototype ahead of five finalists being selected in summer 2024. Tuesday 14 November: Challenge Works – a Nesta enterprise – is partnering with social innovation charity Social Tech Trust, to support teams competing in the Longitude Prize on Dementia, to develop working prototypes of new assistive technologies to help people living with dementia remain independent for longer. The £4.34m Longitude Prize on Dementia, funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK, is incentivising the development of breakthrough assistive technologies for people living with dementia. 24 international teams are developing solutions that use AI to learn about their users and adapt to help ‘fill the gaps’ as their cognitive function is progressively reduced by the disease. The solutions will help people to live independently for longer while maintaining fulfilling lives. Five finalists will be selected from these 24 teams in summer 2024. Social Tech Trust, a charity that challenges organisations to think differently about technology’s role in society, will be helping each innovator to assess where their product might benefit from support and provide appropriate technology and data advice. The charity will also leverage its network of experts to introduce innovators to big tech companies, including Microsoft, AWS and NVIDIA. The semi-finalists include a range of innovations, from AI gamified software that promotes positive social experiences to help delay decline in brain function (from Memory Lane Games) to biodynamic lighting and sensor systems that can ease symptoms of sundowning – irritability and confusion that can worsen as daylight fades (from Chroma Lighting). Chris Blues, Director, Social Tech Trust said: “Around 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, including 900,000 in the UK. Tech has enormous power to help with many social challenges – including dementia, which can devastate lives, causing people to lose their memory, identity and sadly, relationships. Supporting innovators with technical and data support to help refine their prototypes is the first step in using technology to ease the lives of those living with dementia.” Wider capacity-building support and co-creation The partnership will form just one element of the non-financial support offered to teams participating in the Longitude Prize on Dementia. Alongside the technical support, wider support is being provided through opportunities to ensure all technologies are co-created with people living with dementia or caring for people with dementia. The innovators will attend two co-creation workshops this month, one focusing on social connectedness and technology features from the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (a Canadian partner of the prize) and another on user-centred AI design and personalisation hosted by Innovate UK and National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA). Co-creation is essential to ensure that new technologies developed through the prize are designed to meet the needs of their intended beneficiaries and their lifestyles. Alzheimer’s Society has also established 38 local focus groups involving people living with dementia and their carers. These groups will assist innovators in ensuring their product is co-designed and has considered some of the most important elements of living with dementia. International co-creation and access to user opportunities have also been set up with international partners. This will help to ensure that every innovation learns from people living with dementia and can adapt and support changing needs over time. Challenge Works is also offering advice and guidance from 15 dementia experts, ranging from frontline dementia healthcare professionals to, leading dementia academics as well as design and customer experience experts. The innovators will be able to book one-on-one sessions with each expert. Ruth Neale, Programme Manager for the Longitude Prize on Dementia at Challenge Works said: “We’re excited to join forces with Social Tech Trust to provide semi-finalists in the Longitude Prize on Dementia with tailored technical and data support to develop their ideas into prototypes. The team at Social Tech Trust will provide a bespoke technology support package for our international cohort to drive high-quality tech products for the next stage of the competition. This is one element in the programme of capacity-building support that is being provided to teams in the next 12 months.” More information about the Longitude Prize on Dementia can be found at dementia.longitudeprize.org
Pain monitoring technology helps gives residents a voice
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
