“On the Admiral Nurse Helpline, we never judge – it’s open access for anyone living with dementia or supporting people with dementia.”
58-year-old Mark Challinor works as an Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK on the national Admiral Nurse Helpline. Dementia UK is the only charity that provides Admiral Nurses who are specialist dementia nurses. Mark completed his Registered Mental Health training in 1989 at Lincoln. Having worked for seven years in Scunthorpe in older people’s services in inpatient and community services, he moved back to Lincolnshire initially as a community psychiatric nurse. This created a platform for Mark to take up a variety of older people leadership/management roles over a 24-year period managing inpatient, community, and mental health liaison services across Lincolnshire. Throughout this time, Mark undertook several complementary roles that included CQC Specialist Advisor, University Practitioner/Lecturer, and an additional role as a Best Interest Assessor. At the age of 55, Mark left the NHS in 2019 with a yearning to return to front-line clinical services. “Whilst I had heard about Admiral Nursing when I was working in the NHS, I didn’t really understand or know the role they played in supporting families with dementia.” A new countywide Admiral Nurse community for Lincolnshire hosted by St Barnabas Hospice was piloted in June 2019 where he mainly visited families in their own homes. Whilst the local communities and the commissioners were supportive of the pilot, the service was redesigned in 2022 and Mark saw this as an opportunity to strengthen his skill set working for Dementia UK on the national Admiral Nurse Helpline. Mark started as the only substantive male member of staff on the helpline in February 2022 and can say without hesitation that “it’s the best job and organisation that I have worked for.” “Although home based you never get the sense that you are working alone. No two days are ever the same and whilst the helpline is extremely busy, you always work with supportive and passionate colleagues that share similar aspirations and skills. “This internal network creates a supportive culture so that you can draw on this wealth of experience and knowledge whenever you are faced with a particular challenge or question. When juxtaposed with a continual focus on personal development and personal well-being, it is easy to understand why this ‘recipe’ is successful and probably explains why retention rates remain high for Admiral Nurses. Although a cliché, ‘happy staff equates to happy customers.” For Mark, it’s also about positive connections. “Some people, especially older people just want to chat. I love making a difference, and giving people hope and inspiration. Having a skill set within dementia care allows me to provide ideas, coping strategies, and understand their needs to manage and embrace dementia on a day-to-day basis both during the day and at night. Whilst dementia is sometimes portrayed negatively by the media you never sense this when you are supporting families. “I’ve found the positive thoughts and comments received from individuals and families who I’ve supported to be overwhelming. “People who call us on the helpline can be very distressed, especially when memory problems are evident, after a diagnosis, or when they are trying to support the person with dementia. “Many callers disclose their frustrations about the current health care system, their feelings about injustice and funding, and continual issues with trying to navigate through health and social care systems. “For many calls you provide encouragement, validate their feelings, and acknowledge strategies, tweaking an approach or providing them with a script that they can use to enable further help. Many callers ring in to check with us that they are doing ‘the right thing’ and are ‘on the right track.’ “We often receive calls from younger people who are worried about problems with their memory or something they have seen in the news. “On the Admiral Nurse Helpline, we never judge – it’s open access for anyone living with dementia or supporting people with dementia. This can include those people with dementia, their families, or friends as well as professionals seeking additional help. “Although many of the callers are of a sensitive nature, many families also want to talk about amusing anecdotes or stories and particular strategies that they have adopted that we can always share with others. “We often lose sight of the fact that supporting somebody with dementia can create new experiences and opportunities, gathering insights that carers find amusing and want to share with us.” Mark often finds himself laughing with the callers as they find this a welcome release of emotion that can be cathartic. A typical day for Mark Mark works substantively three days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Generally, he logs on around 8.45am and the team are led daily by a shift coordinator. From Monday – Friday there are between 10-16 Admiral Nurses on a shift from 9am-5pm and from 6pm-9pm and on weekends, there are 3-5 nurses. The Admiral Nurses are assigned one of two specific roles; a triage team that works through previous requests and emails from callers or alternately a team dedicated to take live calls from callers as they ring in. These roles, including the shift coordinator, alternate so that they always have opportunities to change roles as demand dictates. He starts taking calls at 9am which can vary, depending on the clinical situation described on the call. Some calls may be short in relation to signposting and offering advice and others may be complex, averaging around 30-60 minutes. “In between calls, we’re also encouraged to take a break to reflect and where needed debrief. Every shift always has a senior lead nurse who can provide additional support in situations like safeguarding. “I document calls after speaking to a family. On a call, we can access an extensive database of information and we also have a map to help us access where the Admiral Nurse teams are across the UK. “I have 30 minutes for lunch and stop taking calls at 4.30pm. I then have 30 minutes to complete the final call and check out and then debrief again with colleagues.” Nursing is
South East care group champions ‘Wear it PINK!’ day to raise awareness for breast cancer
Residents and staff at a South East care group were left overjoyed following the success of its fundraising competitions and activities to raise awareness of breast cancer to mark ‘Wear it PINK!’ Day 2022 – one of many educational projects championed to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nellsar, a family-run group of 13 homes throughout Kent, Surrey and Essex, were among the millions of people across the country taking part in the awareness month to support life-changing research for breast cancer – providing literature on the importance of self-examination and championing early detection as a means to save lives. Throughout the awareness month, the ‘Know Your Breasts’ booklet, as well as other guidance leaflets, were distributed across the 13 homes reaching 900+ staff members, all residents, their families, friends and more, utilising this vast network to reach out and educate an incalculable number of people of all ages. On Friday 21st October, Nellsar also supported ‘Wear it PINK!’ day, which has been running for 20 years to raise money and awareness for ‘Breast Cancer Now’. Whether it was a dash of nail varnish or glamming up in hot pink from head-to-toe, the family-run care group encouraged staff, residents and families to come together and further promote the importance and benefits of self-examination and early diagnosis though engaging activities such as fundraising games, raffles, sponsored walks and auctions. Viv Stead, Recreation and Well-Being Manager at Nellsar, said: “Our motivation for such a big initiative was to impact as many lives as possible. We wanted to use the resources throughout the business and reach out to as many staff, residents, friends and family members as possible. “Breast cancer is a profound issue and one that we are determined to ensure doesn’t go unnoticed. It affects millions of people every year, which meant we felt morally obliged to get all of our staff and residents on board through a month-long campaign of education and fundraising activities. All our residents and staff fully embraced the insight, togetherness and enjoyment the month had to offer, coming together to raise awareness for such a wonderful initiative. All in all, the month was an overwhelming success and I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped spread such an important message for an incredible charity that is so close to our hearts.” Built on strong foundations, the family-run Nellsar care group has worked hard to build the trusted reputation of its homes and prides itself on being approachable, accountable and empathic in its relationships with the families it supports. For more information on Nellsar and its homes, please visit www.nellsar.com. Alternatively, to read more about ‘Wear it PINK!’, visit https://www.wearitpink.org/.
Introducing Social Prescriptions: Can They Aid My Physical and Mental Health?
There is no hiding that chronic health conditions can have a huge impact on many areas of our lives. From physical issues (i.e. asthma, diabetes) to mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression, medical conditions may limit the extent to which you are able to carry out your daily tasks. Indeed, you may find it challenging to work, leave your house, or even spend time with your loved ones. Of course, specific medications are essential to help patients overcome a wide range of conditions. But on 22nd August 2022, the British government announced that it is gradually starting to trial an additional, alternative way to alleviate and improve patients’ mental and physical health. In 11 different areas across the country, GPs will be able to offer ‘social prescriptions’, which aim to take care of the whole person, as opposed to address set of symptoms. But what are they exactly? Here, we take a look at the introduction of new social prescriptions, while highlighting their impact and effectiveness on patients’ overall well-being. What is social prescribing? Social prescribing allows GPs, nurses, and other care professionals to refer people to an array of local, non-clinical services and support. This concept recognises that a patient’s health is dependent on a number of environmental, social, and economic factors, and therefore seeks to treat people’s needs in a more holistic fashion. For instance, social prescriptions encourage individuals to join and get involved in a variety of friendly, socialising activities. These can include all-ability cycling taster days, running and walking groups, healthy cooking lessons, and art therapy. It is a valuable opportunity for people to get active and connect with their community, which in turn can highly benefit both their physical and mental health. Not only that, but specific activities (i.e. dance classes, gardening) are becoming popular options for social prescribing as they help tackle sentiments of loneliness, thanks especially to their social focus and physical demand. In short, social prescriptions are non-medical referrals that aim to complement existing treatments to better one’s general well-being. The benefits and effectiveness of social prescriptions Social prescribing can work for a large portion of people, and at least 900,000 patients will receive this type of referral by 2023/24. It may be useful for those living with one or more long-term conditions, for those who feel isolated on a regular basis, and for those who are dealing with complex situations and therefore require some tangible, moral support. Tobias Alpsten, CEO and Founder of myGP comments, “Social prescribing takes a holistic approach to addressing a patient’s symptoms. It can be used when medication may not be required. This concept has shown evidence in improving emotional wellbeing and improved quality of life for a patient. For example, a patient who has an existing long-term condition could be prescribed socialising or exercising by their GP, to best support them.” Here are some of the most noticeable advantages of this innovative form of GP prescription: Are there any disadvantages? As with everything, there are some possible downsides to the introduction of social prescriptions. One of them, for example, is that some patients might fail to engage with their prescribed scheme for long enough to notice the incentives. As well as lowering the chance of effective treatment, this can also take space from a person who instead would have benefitted from the opportunity. It could also be argued that, in the case of people suffering from social anxiety, social prescribing might intimidate the patient, as they could feel challenged or forced to engage in community activities. This means that they may end up finding themselves in uncomfortable situations that could add to and heighten their sentiments of anxiety. Further research is definitely required to determine who is more likely to benefit from social prescribing. But overall, emerging evidence suggests that it can improve people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Ultimately, from aiding social connection to providing tools to manage chronic illnesses, social prescriptions are alternative, non-clinical referrals that are here to stay.
Sustainable & Cost-Effective Hot Water For Care
Care facilities typically exhibit significant, but varied, hot water and heating usage patterns, which contributes to the current 40% tally of UK greenhouse gas emissions generated by the built environment. To help achieve climate-neutral building stock by 2050 the industry is being challenged to reduce operational energy use over all other measures. By increasing the use of renewable energy supply and prioritising on-site renewable energy sources the hope it to reduce both carbon and bills. Sustainability comes with a cost. Whether in the form of new build projects or, and far more likely, the refurbishment of existing yet ageing facilities, understanding the necessary capital investment, operational savings and payback periods is going to be key. Addressing the efficiency of domestic hot water (DHW) systems – whether through the implementation of heat pumps, solar thermal, direct electric water heating or even simple modernisation of existing gas appliances – helps care facilities meet sustainability goals in a practical and cost-effective manner. It also delivers improved year-round conditions for staff and clients in care, providing access to spaces better suited to delivering medical care and assisted living. Far too often, healthcare hot water systems suffer from poor application design leaving them oversized and demanding more appliances, ancillaries, space and complex installation than necessary. Inefficient and less environmentally friendly, such systems will prove more costly to build and operate for their entire lifespan. Oversizing inherently comes from a lack of understanding of different types of hot water system. When faced with healthcare DHW systems that have too many variables and decisions on diversity, sizing programmes will oversize to prevent perceived hot water problems. Understanding the application demands – from intense peak/all storage to continuous demand/all power – is critical when sizing a dynamic hot water system. At Adveco, our dedicated application design team provide accurate, bespoke sizing, for both new build and refurbishment projects. Once correctly sized, we can recommend, supply, commission, and service the optimal appliances whether they be gas, electric or a mixed hybrid approach that incorporates low carbon and renewable technologies such as solar thermal and heat pumps. This is the best way of ensuring hot water demands are met in the most cost-effective and sustainable manner. The Path To Lower Carbon Hot Water The design of applications for commercial hot water systems has remained remarkably consistent and if a building is more than ten years old it is going to be built around either a condensing gas water heater or an indirect water heater and boiler. Gas-based hot water systems were specified because this was the most cost-effective and cleanest way of producing high-temperature hot water.In the past decade though we have seen a seismic shift in thinking driven by the wide acceptance of the harmful effects of global warming and a need to address its root causes. To decarbonise DHW applications there are currently two core technology options, air source heat pumps (ASHP) or solar thermal. Although both can provide low or zero-carbon heat, neither can fully replace an existing water heating system. Since commercial DHW systems must operate in excess of60°C to prevent the threat of legionella, ASHP efficiency, designed to work with lower temperatures, rapidly falls away limiting supply. Solar thermal on the other hand is limited by the sun’s availability across the year, and it is worth remembering will not provide space heating either. However, both can be used as a source of preheat to reduce energy use. Both will work equally well with after heat provided by gas or electric water heating. For buildings already on gas and that rely on large amounts of DHW – a large proportion of current UK healthcare properties – solar preheat is the preferable option. Depending on the site and energy consumption habits, solar thermal will typically provide around 30% of the hot water demand. For new build properties, the expectation is for specification to default to a mixture of heat pumps and direct electric afterheat. For new healthcare builds, consultants are specifying for greater electrical load to account for the additional power demands. This though is a costly addition for large legacy properties wanting to introduce electrification for hot water and heating. For smaller hot water demands in new builds, where the need for a gas supply has been avoided, that additional cost may be acceptable. But if electrical costs need to be offset then the numbers are now looking really favourable for adopting solar thermal for either electric only or existing gas-based strategies. A much more rapid return on investment is now achievable and the property gains undisputed carbon and cost savings. Shaping the future of care properties today A hybrid approach, which encompasses some or all these technologies, is unavoidable for commercial projects and is the most sensible, practical, and cost-effective option. Whether all-electric or using gas after heat, healthcare organisations can actively drive sustainability and retain control of operational expenditure for decades to come. While we must all recognise the importance of excluding fossil fuels from future commercial systems, consideration should be given to the expected adoption of greener hydrogen toward the end of this decade. The Government expects this will be a core component for meeting net zero at a national level, especially for buildings with higher energy demands. It is therefore worth confirming whether existing gas water heaters or replacement units will accommodate the proposed 20% hydrogen blend that would begin the decarbonisation of the gas grid. With hydrogen policy to be confirmed in 2026, retaining gas in existing commercial buildings keeps options open and future-proofs a building for other emerging heating technologies. The drive to adopt sustainable and renewable technology is encouraging, but there currently remains no single technology that supplies all the answers for commercial scale projects. Whether a new build or refurbishment project, the physical limitations of a site will always propel or preclude certain options. A practical, open minded approach to driving cleaner heat through a mix of replacement gas and renewables is what will really propel buildings towards 2050 net zero targets while also delivering considerable benefits to those using these buildings.
National care hero award for Bristol carer.
Holly Kane, a carer at Crossley House care home in Bristol, has won a national social care hero award in recognition of their hard work. The award has been made this week by Support Social Care Heroes (SSCH), an organisation which aims to preserve, protect and improve the health and wellbeing of those providing social care. SSCH launched the monthly award programme this year to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the 1.54m people working in social care in the UK. Holly, who was nominated for September 2022, is the 9th award winner. Holly was nominated by her colleagues. Lydia Edwards, the Deputy Manager at the home, said: “Holly has progressed greatly in her time at Crossley House especially as she had no experience of care beforehand. She has grown in knowledge and experience immensely! “Holly is always willing to go the extra mile to improve the lives of our residents with her bubbly and outgoing personality. Holly is an asset to our team and residents and this shows by covering additional shifts, sometimes at short notice. We are all so proud of Holly having achieved this great award.” On hearing they had won the award Holly said: “ Since being at Crossley House I have learned so much from the experience and the training provided by Ablecare. I love being around the residents and making their lives so much better.” Holly will receive a £50 voucher for the grocery store of their choice, a box of chocolates, certificate, a SSCH hoody and Crossley House will receive a bunch of flowers. The prizes have been sponsored by J9 Advisory, a Yorkshire-based advisory firm. The social care workforce is often overlooked yet they keep the most vulnerable people in our society safe and well. It is hoped that SSCH will receive significant support following research which found that the overwhelming majority of the public feel that social care staff are undervalued (81%) and underpaid (80%). The monthly care hero awards have been created to show that care workers are appreciated. Nicola Richards, Founder of Support Social Care Heroes, explained the thinking behind the idea: “Social care staff often do not get the recognition that they deserve despite being valued by their managers and employers. “Many care homes already have ‘employee of the month’ schemes and we really felt we should do something to bring all these nominations together from around the country to celebrate all our social care heroes and the amazing work they do. “The pandemic has brought social care colleagues across the country together as we have supported each other like never before. I hope these awards will provide a positive boost to carers, managers and the wider care home teams. “These awards are the first step in our long-term plans to ensure those who need care, and those caring for them, are valued by all in society. “Our country’s social care heroes have been on the front line and in the headlines for almost two years and this new initiative will help show them that they are valued and recognise the work they do.” Social care employers are encouraged to nominate their staff for a care home hero award (employee of the month). Taking part has been made simple and easy: post a photo of your employee of the month and which care home you represent, to social media, with the hashtag #SocialCareHeroAwards and tag Support Social Care Heroes page. Tell us in 160 characters why the person is a social care hero. All nominations will be curated by the Support Social Care Heroes team and on the last Monday of each month a winner will be chosen at random.
International hires spearhead growth for care home group
A leading care home group has hired several new employees as part of an international recruitment drive as it continues to expand across England. With a wealth of experience and specialist care skills in nursing, not-for-profit organisation HICA Group has recruited seven nurses from the Kerala region in India. The Hull-headquartered care business, which owns and manages residential care homes across Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire as well as two retirement villages in East Yorkshire and Lancashire, worked in partnership with a national recruitment agency to source experienced and skilled nursing staff. Carmela Walker, operations and compliance manager, nursing services, at HICA Group, said: “After a thorough and comprehensive interview process, we’re delighted to welcome seven new members of the team to HICA. “Our HR team worked closely with Search recruitment, who have local experts in global locations, to find the right calibre of candidates with the relevant skills and experience. “Although we tried our best to recruit locally in the UK, which remains our key priority, we’re faced with an increasingly challenging nursing shortage alongside a sharp rise in demand for highly skilled professional nursing employees following Brexit, so we need to broaden our options. “We have recruited internationally before and we still have some of those employees working for us, who have settled well into their local community, which has now become their home. “International nurse recruitment has been a real benefit, not simply from a staffing perspective, but also in what the new recruits bring to us, sharing their expertise, and their culture. “It’s great to welcome our new members of staff and we’re excited to be working with them and helping them to develop their skills to become lead nurses and, potentially, future managers.” Five employees are based at The Lodge in Chorley, HICA Group’s specialist nursing care home designed to support people living with a dementia and the challenges they face. The other two nurses will be based at The Wolds Care Centre in Louth, Lincolnshire. The Wolds Care Centre is a 66-bed care home with specialist dementia, nursing and residential care communities. For more information about HICA Group, please visit: https://www.hica-uk.com/
Tunstall Healthcare recommended to partners by Digital Office for Scottish Local Government
Aria Care Home recognised in national awards for its outstanding care to residents and team members
Aria Care Home, a 28-bed eldercare home based in Newport, has been shortlisted for three national care awards – two for the home itself and one for its Managing Director, Ali Al-Mufti. The care home has been named as a finalist in two categories at the Caring UK Awards – national awards which has recognised Aria’s excellence and achievement for both Care Home of the Year (Wales and Midlands) and Best Initiative in Care, taking place in Leicester on December 1st. To further add to the success, Aria’s Managing Director, Ali Al-Mufti, has been shortlisted for the Leader of the Future Award at the Leaders in Care Awards, on the 11th of October in Birmingham. The care home, based in Newport, offers its patients first-class care from highly qualified and experienced staff who deliver around-the clock care covering residential, dementia and respite needs. Having a diverse range of amenities and opportunities, Aria Care Home offers residents’ surroundings that fit their lifestyle and care needs. It averages 60 monthly enquiries from new residents due to the excellent care of its elderly patients. The home has also been an accredited Real Living Wage employer for the past 12 months, offering additional schemes such as employee wellness schemes to support the mental health of team members. To that end, Aria has achieved an ambitious target of 0% in staffing turnover for much of the year. Caring UK Awards said of the shortlisted nominees: “Never has there been a more appropriate time to recognise the amazing and selfless contribution that our carers make and how they have given so much to protect and care for their residents in the face of unprecedented challenges.” Managing Director of Aria Care home, Ali Al-Mufti said of the nominations: “It has been an incredible year for Aria Care Home. I am thrilled for everyone here that the things we do to try and always better the care we provide to our residents, and the hard work of our team members has been acknowledged on a national level. The team have cultivated a remarkable culture here this year and understands the importance of love and support not only for our residents, but each other as well. “Our team worked diligently and selflessly during the covid outbreak, having to deal with some of the most challenging times ever seen in the sector and did so with unrelenting selflessness and resilience. They are an amazing group of people, and I am so proud of all of them.” The home has been regularly named in the “Top 20 Care Homes in Wales”, accredited by carehome.co.uk which is determined solely by reviews from residents and their families. Having worked in the care industry for over 11 years, Ali added “I hope that one day we can contribute a positive change in an industry that is facing many challenges. At Aria Care Home, we have no fear of trying to do things differently and will always focus on the wellbeing of both our residents and the workforce.”
Supercentenarians 110th birthday celebrations at Knights Court
Knights Court Care home has celebrated the 110th birthday of a much-loved member of the community. Marie Pevovar celebrated the remarkable milestone birthday at her home, Knights Court Care Home, Edgware, Middlesex, on Tuesday September 27th with a party and special visit from the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Mrs Janet Mote and Mayoress Mrs Ann Moore. Knights Court, part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group, was decorated with plenty of balloons, and Marie, joined by her granddaughter Lisa and those living alongside her in the home, was entertained by a live singer who sang some of her favourite Frank Sinatra songs. The spread of party food and drinks included a giant fresh cream cake made in the shape of the numbers 110. Born two years before the outbreak of World War I, Marie’s astonishing lifespan extends across two world wars, the reigns of five monarchs and the tenures of 22 Prime Ministers. The youngest of five siblings, Marie came from humble beginnings, growing up in London where she lived with her parents until her marriage to Mannie. The young couple moved to Potters Bar where they had their son David, raising him there and later in the West End, where they established a garment business. Within a few years business was booming. One of Marie’s favourite tales from her youth, told to her granddaughter Lisa Pevovar, involves her designing and styling trousers for women – a garment not seen on women at home in those days – having seen women wearing them on a trip to the south of France. She recollects that the women’s trousers she pioneered became the top selling item for their business. Marie has retained a lifelong interest in fashion; always known as a fashionista, she has collected many compliments for her style of dressing over the years. Since 2015, she has been in the care of Knights Court, where the team pulled out all the stops for her 110th birthday. Knights Court Care Home manager Natalie St Lewis said: “A 110th birthday is a rare and incredible milestone, and it was our great privilege to share this moment with Marie and her family. “Marie’s birthday was all about taking every single moment and appreciating it. It’s been a wonderful and humbling experience being able to care for her for the past six years. I also thank Marie’s family for placing their trust in me and my team to look after Marie’s needs over the years. “Thank you to my amazing team for their hard work and dedication in making the day such a success. We loved celebrating the life of this remarkable woman.”
