Technological innovations are the key to saving the dementia care system
With dementia cases predicted to triple to 150 million by 2050, it is imperative that funding for the dementia care system is increased. The current system is woefully inadequate to support any further increase in cases, and a survey for World Alzheimer’s Month from Social-Ability has found that 82% of respondents feel that the care sector will be unable to cope with the rise in demand for dementia care services. As it is, something needs to change, and technological innovations may be the solution to saving the dementia care system. Staying independent Technology and data science play a big role in predicting and identifying risks. Artificial intelligence across the world is being created to diagnose dementia early. AI developed at the University of Exeter, for example, can predict if a person will develop dementia within two years with 92% accuracy, while researchers at the University of Cambridge are working with AI that is able to identify patterns of dementia before symptoms even occur. By diagnosing dementia early, people will be able to access treatment and care that they urgently need. With the aid of AI, people with dementia will also be able to lead a more independent life. While the care of artificial intelligence is no substitute for a person, AI sensors are being developed to monitor a person’s behaviour. Placed around the house, these sensors can pick up any unexpected changes in behaviour, such as changes in temperature or walking patterns, that may be a sign of deteriorating health. People with dementia will therefore be able to live with a degree of independence, with AI intervening only to alert carers of warning signs. Preventing loneliness Chronic loneliness is one of the most significant issues for people living with dementia. Before the pandemic, a third of people with dementia experienced loneliness, with loneliness twice as common with people in long-term care settings. The pandemic has only made people with dementia feel more isolated, with care home residents not having access to family and friends. No technology is a substitute for in-person contact, but the rise of video communication has a part in reducing feelings of loneliness. Though video communication has been present throughout the 21st century, it has only become a key part of people’s daily lives since the onset of the pandemic. Since Covid restrictions have been lifted, care home residents have been allowed more freedom. However, Covid outbreaks in care homes and family members living abroad remain obstacles in care home residents seeing their loved ones. With the use of video communication, care home residents and others with dementia who lack in-person contact will be able to see and speak to their loved ones, and allow for more frequent communication than would usually be possible in person. Happiness hour One technology that has already been rolled out in care settings across the UK is interactive light technology. The technology has been used to great success across thousands of UK care venues. Social-Ability, a leading developer of this technology, has gone a step further by pairing the tech with a host of services, providing training and support to care staff to improve care outcomes and increase usage. The Happiness Programme uses interactive light technology to host games that care home residents can participate in. Each game varies, with differing goals, from training cognitive or motor skills to encouraging players to socialise with each other. The result is a holistic improvement in health and wellbeing, with other features such as the Happy Memories Programme allowing family members to share pictures with their loved ones in care homes. The diverse applications of interactive light technology will support care workers by reducing their workload, and tackle some of the pressing issues in the care sector today, such as the overreliance on medication and the loneliness faced by residents. By being innovative, there is no limit on the applications of technology to support the growing number of people living with dementia. As our health and social care system grapples with the aftershocks of the pandemic, it is vital that diagnosis and support for people living with dementia are not left behind. Technology has the power to equip us for that challenge and we must seize that opportunity now. Author: John Ramsay, Managing Director of Social-Ability
The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine!
Rose Lodge Care Home in Market Deeping epitomises the Country Court philosophy of ‘Our family, caring for yours’. The recently refurbished home offers luxury facilities in a calming, homely environment which coupled with a compassionate care team means that residents enjoy a safe and comfortable life with a varied programme of events and activities to ensure that everyone gets the most out of every day at Rose Lodge. With maintaining high standards of cleaning and hygiene in mind the group have already installed Duplex Steam floor cleaning machines into a number of their homes as part of a planned rollout to the remaining sites in the coming months. The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine washes, mops, scrubs, dries, polishes and sanitises all floor surfaces from slip-resistant safety floors and tiles, to rubber, wood, vinyl, carpet and many more. It is available in both steam and standard models and with its contra-rotating cylindrical brushes, it produces an exceptionally thorough clean on all floor types. The steam models are unique in their class being the only steam-injected cylindrical brush floor cleaning machine on the market. On carpets steam is excellent for refreshing and revitalising fibres and removing stains.On hard floors, particularly profiled and safety flooring, which can be amongst the most challenging types of flooring to maintain, the Duplex delivers a thorough clean and leaves surfaces dry in seconds and is approved by Altro to clean their slip-resistant safety flooring. Benefits of Steam From bedrooms, bathrooms and dining rooms to kitchens, lounges and corridors, Duplex can supply a solution to most cleaning needs with a range of models to suit different sized areas. To demonstrate the efficacy of its products, Duplex have commissioned independent tests by the Hospital Infection Research Laboratory in Birmingham and have certified data that proves their machines kill the bacterium most common in the environment including Clostridium Difficile. The Duplex Steam floor cleaning machine is surprisingly light and easy to use and highly manoeuvrable around furniture and fixtures. A well received training and installation session was carried out at Rose Lodge recently where the Duplex 340 Steam made light work of the laminate flooring – reducing the need for chemicals which is not only great for the environment but also helped make the hard working housekeepers job easier to maintain a cleaner safer living space for clients and support staff alike.
Paperless systems, improving quality of care, because we care
Background CAREAudits apps and systems evolved via an associated company Kern Systems were Ken Newlove director and founding member had been developing and deploying paperless systems for EPoS and Finance in the private and public sectors since 1999. Back in 2014 the team had more than 50 years experience in IT and software development as well as having been heavily involved in the third sector, with a trustee of three charities, a director of a business directly involved in the care market and a consultant in a £10 million turnover charity and interim CEO and Chair at an adult hospice. Working in the Care Sector the team recognised in 2014 the sector was becoming overwhelmed with administration driven by ever increasing legislative compliance requirements and controls and pressurised by ever increasing costs. The CAREAudits apps evolved from their desire to give something back to the Care Sector; to develop systems that genuinely reduce costs and increase efficiency as well as improving accountability and quality. And above all a system that would be easy to install and use by everyone. The CAREAudits System The CAREAudits app and Web Portal Auditing Tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland in numerous Care Homes and Care Services. CAREAudits managers are checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety, to Medication Audits, Training and Maintenance as well as residents and patients quality and wellbeing, and now helping manage Corona Virus, to name but a few. Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are”. The system allows care providers to audit or check via the app just about everything and manage areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in it’s Web Portal. Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system.Natalie Lawrence at Yorkare Homes says “It’s a paperless system that runs alongside our existing client records system helping to make our whole operation paperless.” CAREAudits ensures management and staff are aware at all times of what needs checking, that it’s been checked, actions required by whom, by when including full resolution management. Each CAREAudit also scores the answers so management can monitor improvement. The system has over 100 example audits to select from. CAREAudits is extremely easy to use and care providers can easily add or edit their own audits in minutes ensuring simple management of ever- changing requirements. App users can use CAREAudits with virtually no training, it’s that simple with help text and standard answers available to every question ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care provider’s expert. Users can download the app for a trial and be up and running with the full system in only a few days. CAREAudits the company is a part of the Care Plus Innovation Group and is based in new offices in the MWS building, Priory Park, Hull, HU4 7DY on the A63 near the Humber Bridge. Info:- visit https://www.careaudits.co.uk email apps@careaudits.co.uk Click here to view our YouTube Training Videos! https://www.careaudits.co.uk/training-and-help-videosor call Ken Newlove operations director on 01482 238887
Maintaining independence without compromising on style …
At evekare, we are passionate about helping people with mobility issues maintaining independence, without compromising on style. This is the mainstay of our company ethos. We offer a range of innovative and affordable products designed to assist people to go about their daily lives safely and independently. evekare products are constructed using the highest quality materials and are subjected to comprehensive quality and safety testing, with product warranty of up to 15 years. Our extensive range of durable and practical solutions for the bathroom include bath and shower aids, such as stools and chairs, bathroom accessories such as bath shelves and corner shelves which are also grab rails, and toilet aids, such as raised toilet seats and toilet frames. We also have an extensive range of grab rails in a variety of high quality finishes and colours including: matte black, white, stainless steel, gunmetal, rose gold, gold and polished chrome. We have a finish suitable for every home. Our range of grab rails also come in the following sizes: 300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 900mm – giving a size option for every user and every setting. You can also match your grab rails to our bathroom accessories so you have a seamless colour finish and theme throughout your bathroom. Our range also includes the innovative LED night light grab rails, these are a unique range of grab rails with a smart contemporary design, which add a touch of class to any room. Our LED night light grab rails are suitable for use in bathrooms or other household rooms, battery-operated (meaning no wires), automatically activated by sound in low light and support up to 250kg.
Introducing the world’s first movable bedpan disposer PANAWAY® M1
A game-changing evolutionary step towards transforming waste management in elderly care, hospices and hospitals. Haigh, a respected leader in waste disposal technology, is launching Panaway® M1 – the first-of-its-kind movable bedpan disposer helping hospitals and care homes safeguard their patients, offering a mobile, cost effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly solution to medical waste disposal. Originally developed to deal with issues relating to sluice room flexibility, site access and maintenance response caused by COVID-19 restrictions, the innovative design has been a game changer helping healthcare organisations rethink their infection prevention strategies. An estimated 95%* of the UK NHS sites now use disposable medical pulp products for managing patient waste, with disposable (single-use) systems rapidly becoming established worldwide as best practice to prevent infections and crosscontamination within the healthcare environment. Panaway® M1 gives care organisations all the convenience, accessibility and benefits of a modern sluice room where and when it’s most needed – without compromising on safety. Easy to set up and relocate, Panaway® M1 is supplied with all fixtures and fittings required to use in a wide range of locations. Leading the way in performance, versatility and ease of use, the Panaway® M1 is economical and energy efficient, using less energy and water than other washing systems. With no hot water required, it is good for the environment – and the paper pulp is eco-friendly, hygienic and highly cost effective. Quiet, quick and easy to use, the Panaway® M1 disposes of pulp product and contents in less than a minute. It aims to make the life of the user as straightforward as possible, freeing up time for patient care. Panaway® M1 is an invaluable addition as an emergency stand-in when a bedpan machine or washer is unavailable or as a cost-effective temporary solution whilst migrating a site to a disposable system. Jacob Shepherd, Managing Director at Haigh, said “We have been bowled over by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Panaway® M1 trials. This is the tool site operators wished they always had when it comes to patient waste and the associated infection prevention procedures. Even sites that do not currently use disposable pulp can see benefits without having to switch from washing systems all in one go. We’ve already seen some neat ways Panaway® M1 has been used that were completely new to us and we are genuinely excited to see how this further develops over time.” Find out more:For more information about renting, purchasing or a trial of Panaway® M1 contact Michelle Marriot on +44 (0)7500 626463 or email info@haighmed.com
Allica Bank supports new entrant to the care home market in first healthcare deal
Allica Bank has delivered its first commercial mortgage within its recently launched healthcare division, enabling the purchase of a 21-room, Shropshire-based care home. Hartlands Rest Home, a residential and dementia care home based in Oswestry, has been providing elderly care to the local community for over 35 years. The home has performed extremely well historically, providing high-quality standards of care to its residents, reflected in its consistent ‘Good’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for all five categories (safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led). The loan – totalling nearly £500,000 – enabled the purchase of the company from its previous owner, who was retiring after running the home for its 35-year history, with the transaction completing in October. Allica said the new owner is a first-time buyer that has extensive experience in the care home sector, and they will be supported by the existing management and operational staff, who will continue to manage its day-to-day activities. Anthony Newman, Specialist Relationship Manager at Allica, says the bank is extremely pleased to have been able to support such a promising business: “We are delighted to be able to help our customer acquire his first care home,” he explains. “Their experience in the care sector, combined with the care home’s long-standing and excellent regulatory performance and reputation in the community, made it a transaction we were keen to support. It’s fantastic, too, to see Allica’s new healthcare division able to make a mark so quickly.” David Ward of Christie Finance, the firm that helped arrange the loan, added: “In a sector which is seeing many challenges, this transaction shows the appetite that exists to support both new entrants and existing operators in acquiring quality, well run and profitable care homes. We’re proud to assist such a strong borrower as they enter the market for the first time. “Allica’s approach to this transaction is evidence of relationship banking doing its job of working with the customer to understand the requirement and is a testament to the real value that care specialists can bring to the sector.”
Compulsory vaccines for carers u-turn : Too little too late?
MANDATORY Covid-19 vaccine requirements for health and social care workers are set to be removed on Tuesday 15 March, in a recent announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care. It follows a government U-turn on the previous vaccine mandate for NHS workers in England, which was set to come into effect from the start of April, and has been decided after a public consultation where 90% of respondents supported its removal. Laura Kearsley, partner and solicitor specialising in employment law at Nelsons, said: “When the compulsory vaccine announcement was made last year, there was a real worry in the care sector as to the impact it might have on recruitment and staff retention – particularly given the shortage of staff that the industry is already experiencing. “There’s no arguing that the requirement to be double vaccinated caused a number of challenges for employers, as many workers refused the jab and chose to leave their roles or left bosses with no choice but to terminate their employment. “Despite the U-turn, professionals in the industry – including chief executive of Care England, Martin Green – have spoken out about the decisions being too late for many as it’s unlikely they will return to roles they’ve just left. However, at the moment, this still remains to be seen.” Advice to employers “As the mandate has now been lifted, many employers in the sector may well be wondering whether they are legally obligated to contact workers who have left their employment and, if so, whether they’re required to automatically offer them the option to return to their former employment. “While we await further detail on the revocation, it’s unlikely that employers will be obliged to re-offer jobs to those who left or were dismissed during the process. It’s also unlikely that staff returning to their roles will be legally entitled to have their previous service recognised in terms of continuity of employment. “This is an unprecedented circumstance that has never had to be navigated before in any industry, therefore it’s important to ensure the correct steps are taken as more information comes to light in the coming weeks.” For more information about managing your workforce, please visit: www.nelsonslaw.co.uk/managing-your-workforce/
Pocketalk announces GDPR compliance and Pocketalk Plus as it transitions from hardware-centric business to global solution
Pocketalk, the global leader in connecting conversations and removing language barriers, today announces GDPR compliance and its new product for healthcare settings the Pocketalk Plus. The announcement comes following the pandemic, which inspired Pocketalk to focus its efforts on connecting patients with their healthcare providers. Pocketalk is now the first GDPR-compliant handheld translation device and ready to be used in clinical settings, giving caregivers and patients the ability to speak directly and instantaneously. This elevated communication will deepen patient and caregiver rapport, leading to increased satisfaction for both parties, greater comprehension on diagnosis and treatments, and most importantly, lower rates of readmission. The clarity, speed and convenience offered by Pocketalk cannot be replicated by translation lines or interpretive services. These existing systems of translation come with long wait times and can be expensive for healthcare providers. Pocketalk has the ability to dramatically reduce non-medical costs in translation and interpretive services, and offers immediate communication. With a combination of speed and direct communication, Pocketalk minimises scheduling requirements, reduces stress, and ultimately gets patients the care they need to move on to the next phase of treatment. With its launch in 2018, Pocketalk was originally designed as a travel-friendly practical communication tool – but when first responders aboard the Diamond Princess cruise line had to quarantine in Yokohama at the start of the pandemic, Pocketalk took action. It donated devices to enhance communication between first responders and passengers, reducing the interpreters’ exposure to COVID-19. This incident, as well as rapidly increasing cases, inspired Pocketalk to pivot its focus from world travelers to first responders and healthcare workers in multilingual communities. The result was the development of the Pocketalk Plus, a critical tool for medical professionals and first responders, arming them with quick, accurate translations in the field. The Pocketalk Plus boasts a large screen that is readable from 6 feet of distance, a strong speaker and a noise canceling microphone – perfect for healthcare professionals to use in a clinical setting. Other features of the device include: Pocketalk Plus is available now for £349.00 Nori Matsuda, Pocketalk’s CEO, Pocketalk said: “Our mission is now an international one: to remove language barriers and connect all humans through conversations — the ones happening in all sorts of environments: medicine, education, logistics, personal. We’re now speaking in one “common” language — a necessity in a world where, as the past two years have shown us, we share one common biology. We believe that everyone should be able to communicate easily across every corner of the globe which is why we have created these new products to cater to everyone’s needs.” Since Pocketalk launched in 2017, the company has been a leader in the handheld translator market with its Pocketalk Classic and Pocketalk S devices. Pocketalk has connected people of all backgrounds through language translation and the engine has been honed by over half a billion translations achieving an unparalleled level of speed and accuracy. To date the company has sold nearly one million Pocketalk handheld devices. The Pocketalk products and services are available to purchase on the website. For more information, visit the online newsroom and follow Pocketalk on Instagram and Facebook.
Employing Care Workers From Overseas
The UK government has finally acknowledged that workers from overseas can help to address the current critical shortage of care assistants and home care workers in the UK. Carers will now join Senior Carers on the list of skilled jobs that can be filled with workers from abroad. The Carer route is temporary but is likely to be in place for at least 12 months. Employers may breathe a sigh of relief but there is some red tape involved and they need to be prepared before embarking on this route to recruitment. There are also extra costs involved. The first step is to apply for a Sponsorship Licence which gives employers the right to employ foreign workers. Sponsors have duties and it is essential to have the right HR systems in place. Once that is in place, they can recruit, but the new staff member will need to make an application for permission to come to the UK as a Skilled Worker or to stay in the UK but in a different job. The whole exercise will obviously take longer than the normal recruitment process within the UK. However, in the long term, it may cost less time and management energy than advertising without success in the UK. Get Ready To Employ Care Workers From Overseas We know that employers in the care sector need people now. We also know that this sector is already heavily regulated and employers will not welcome yet another set of responsibilities and regulations connected to Sponsorship Licences. We can take the pressure off. We can ensure everything is in place for a successful and ongoing Sponsorship Licence which will give you the flexibility to employ foreign workers as you need them. We handle the red tape to get the people you need in place as fast as possible. We are not a faceless law machine like some firms. We offer a personal service which takes into account the nature of your particular business. You will not be passed around different lawyers and you will not wait ages for answers to your questions and concerns. We are experts in this work and have a great track record. Contact us if you need more information or help. We offer a free 20 minute consultation. Call Sallie Davies or Angela Cole on 01473 229820 or email at info@immigrationlegalservices.co.uk
