More than three quarters of care home reviews give a top rating for dignity and respect
Research by carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home reviews website, reveals that more than three quarters (81%) of the 74,000 reviews* of UK care homes on the site have a top rating (5) for residents being ‘treated with dignity’. The data follows the regulator (CQC) highlighting a clear link between a provider’s quality of care and how well it treats its staff and residents in terms of human rights. Paul Corrigan, CQC Non-Executive Director and Board Equality and Human Rights Champion, said: “There’s a clear link between the quality of care a service provides, and whether the people who use it and its staff feel that their human rights are respected and they are treated equally. “And equality and human rights will only become more important over time because of demographic and system change; research shows that money spent on reducing health inequalities is the most efficient way of improving health outcomes for a local population.” Earlier this year, Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care gave her advice at the launch of its national report into the sector, on what to look out for when choosing a care home. She said: “I would look out for – what do the relationships between the staff and the residents look like, how does that feel? And are people being treated with dignity and respect, do you get the sense that [the care home] is a community, not a service?” Davina Ludlow, Chair of carehome.co.uk, said: “In the CQC’s resource ‘Equally Outstanding’, which it has developed to promote equality and human rights and show best practice, it praised Shadon House in Gateshead, a care home run by Gateshead Council. However, it’s clear from the reviews we receive on a daily basis, that there are many care homes that are providing high quality care to residents – this is incredibly reassuring and exactly as it should be. “On our reviews site for care homes, ‘dignity and respect’ has always been one of the key categories for friends, family members and loved ones to rate services by. Giving residents dignity through compassionate care, and enabling them to have as much independence as possible, makes them feel valued and is vital to their wellbeing. It is good to see this is a priority in so many care homes.” Research by carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home reviews website, reveals that more than three quarters (81%) of the 74,000 reviews* of UK care homes on the site have a top rating (5) for residents being ‘treated with dignity’. The data follows the regulator (CQC) highlighting a clear link between a provider’s quality of care and how well it treats its staff and residents in terms of human rights. Paul Corrigan, CQC Non-Executive Director and Board Equality and Human Rights Champion, said: “There’s a clear link between the quality of care a service provides, and whether the people who use it and its staff feel that their human rights are respected and they are treated equally. “And equality and human rights will only become more important over time because of demographic and system change; research shows that money spent on reducing health inequalities is the most efficient way of improving health outcomes for a local population.” Earlier this year, Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care gave her advice at the launch of its national report into the sector, on what to look out for when choosing a care home. She said: “I would look out for – what do the relationships between the staff and the residents look like, how does that feel? And are people being treated with dignity and respect, do you get the sense that [the care home] is a community, not a service?” Davina Ludlow, Chair of carehome.co.uk, said: “In the CQC’s resource ‘Equally Outstanding’, which it has developed to promote equality and human rights and show best practice, it praised Shadon House in Gateshead, a care home run by Gateshead Council. However, it’s clear from the reviews we receive on a daily basis, that there are many care homes that are providing high quality care to residents – this is incredibly reassuring and exactly as it should be. “On our reviews site for care homes, ‘dignity and respect’ has always been one of the key categories for friends, family members and loved ones to rate services by. Giving residents dignity through compassionate care, and enabling them to have as much independence as possible, makes them feel valued and is vital to their wellbeing. It is good to see this is a priority in so many care homes.”
More than three quarters of care home reviews give a top rating for dignity and respect
Research by carehome.co.uk, the UK’s leading care home reviews website, reveals that more than three quarters (81%) of the 74,000 reviews* of UK care homes on the site have a top rating (5) for residents being ‘treated with dignity’. The data follows the regulator (CQC) highlighting a clear link between a provider’s quality of care and how well it treats its staff and residents in terms of human rights. Paul Corrigan, CQC Non-Executive Director and Board Equality and Human Rights Champion, said: “There’s a clear link between the quality of care a service provides, and whether the people who use it and its staff feel that their human rights are respected and they are treated equally. “And equality and human rights will only become more important over time because of demographic and system change; research shows that money spent on reducing health inequalities is the most efficient way of improving health outcomes for a local population.” Earlier this year, Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care gave her advice at the launch of its national report into the sector, on what to look out for when choosing a care home. She said: “I would look out for – what do the relationships between the staff and the residents look like, how does that feel? And are people being treated with dignity and respect, do you get the sense that [the care home] is a community, not a service?” Davina Ludlow, Chair of carehome.co.uk, said: “In the CQC’s resource ‘Equally Outstanding’, which it has developed to promote equality and human rights and show best practice, it praised Shadon House in Gateshead, a care home run by Gateshead Council. However, it’s clear from the reviews we receive on a daily basis, that there are many care homes that are providing high quality care to residents – this is incredibly reassuring and exactly as it should be. “On our reviews site for care homes, ‘dignity and respect’ has always been one of the key categories for friends, family members and loved ones to rate services by. Giving residents dignity through compassionate care, and enabling them to have as much independence as possible, makes them feel valued and is vital to their wellbeing. It is good to see this is a priority in so many care homes.”
Dechoker demonstration
Admiral Nurses awarded for long-standing service
Dementia UK recognises the achievements of three pioneering Admiral Nurses for people living with dementia Dementia UK, a charity providing specialist dementia support, has awarded three of its Admiral Nurses for 20 years’ of service. The awards recognized Alison Coignard, Dr Julia Botsford and Debbie Hawkins as providing exceptional standards of care and support to families facing dementia, helping to define what it means to be an Admiral Nurse. Admiral Nurses provide the specialist dementia support that families need. When things get challenging or difficult, Admiral Nurses work alongside families affected by dementia, giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions, helping families face dementia with more confidence and less fear. Alison Coignard was one of the first ever Admiral Nurses since 1993, providing impeccable support to people living with dementia through the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. She is now employed directly on the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, using her knowledge and experience for families who most need it. Dr Julia Botsford has held a number of positions in clinical practice including working as a Senior Admiral Nurse at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey until 2015. With her extensive experience, she has published a book entitled ‘Dementia, Culture and Ethnicity’ providing insight on how culture can impact on the provision of dementia support and care. She also balances her time working on the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline. Debbie Hawkins led the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust for many years, before going on to work on the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline in 2014. Debbie has been pivotal in realising the appropriate way of communicating a diagnosis of dementia to a family. In addition, she has led the way in helping people with learning disabilities who then go on to develop dementia. Commenting on the awards, Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO at Dementia UK, said, “It’s an absolute privilege to recognise the long-standing service of these three amazing Admiral Nurses. All of them have been at the heart of key developments within Dementia UK as we constantly look to increase specialist dementia support. They are simply great examples of what it means to be an Admiral Nurse – a practical and emotional lifeline to families living with dementia.” There are currently 212 Admiral Nurses working across England, Scotland and Wales and Dementia UK’s target is to have 300 in place by 2020.
How Play Dough Can Be A Recipe For Sensory Success
Everyone knows how much fun play dough can be; it’s a staple toy of almost every childhood. But the question is, can play dough be more than a children’s toy – can it be a therapeutic tool for aiding sensory development? CLH Healthcare have found from independent studies that play dough can make a fantastic learning and play aid for children (and adults) with all manner of disabilities, from autism to sensory delay. Research has also suggested that it can be a fantastic tool for seniors living with dementia. Play dough is a fantastic tool and a form of sensory therapy that every care home and respite facility should offer. What are the benefits of play dough? Fantastic stress-reliever Kneading, rolling, flattening and punching the play dough provide the chance to relieve stress and reduce feelings of anxiety and worry, which can lead to children (and adults) with autism and other special needs feeling frustrated and acting out because of these feelings. Boosts hand strength Studies have shown that play dough can also help to refine motor functions, making it a fantastic play aid for helping to boost hand strength, as well as dexterity and coordination. Makes a great learning aid Play dough can be a fantastic tool for facilitating learning, from teaching shapes and numbers to colour and smells, play dough can be a fantastic aid for children and adults alike with special needs. Acts as a social aid Research has shown that sensory play using tools like play dough can help to aid social interaction. Many children with autism and other special needs struggle to interact with others, which is what makes play dough such a useful tool. CLH Healthcare at who can be reached on 01392 823233.
The key safe company unlocks new personal alarm system
New from The Key Safe Company is One Touch, a personal alarm system which uses GPS networks to offer unrivalled independence to end-users. Unlike alternative solutions, One Touch allows users to travel far outside their home, thanks to powerful yet unobtrusive movement monitoring software, providing traceability and peace of mind to telecare centres and relatives. Users are provided with a two-way SOS speech pendant which, when pressed, will call up to three contacts simultaneously and allows clear, two-way conversation with the responder. Geo-fencing ‘safe’ or ‘danger’ zones can be set up to trigger a call when the user exits or enters a pre-defined area, which is particularly useful for dementia sufferers. A breadcrumb function also allows the system administrator to view a history of the device’s movements and to request a live location update. Unlike other products on the market, the One Touch administration system can be accessed using any modern internet-enabled device, including laptops, tablets, smartphones and smart TVs, as it does not rely on the use of Apps. The system is quick, simple and intuitive to set up, and the portal can be tailored to suit the administrator’s needs. One Touch has unique software, available exclusively from The Key Safe Company, who also distributes the market-leading Supra C500 KeySafeTM, the UK’s market leading and only Police accredited LPS mechanical key safe for exterior installation. Commenting on the launch of One Touch, David Ogden managing director of The Key Safe Company, said: “Our business is built on a commitment to supporting and caring for the older and vulnerable members of our communities, making the new One Touch system a natural addition to our product portfolio. “By using a roaming SIM with access to all mobile phone networks, One Touch provides users with the freedom and independence to continue enjoying everyday activities, whether it’s visiting friends, walking in the park or going to the shops. Crucially, relatives and telecare providers also have visibility of their movements and can set vital geographical parameters to alert them of potential risks without being intrusive. “The One Touch system can form an important part of care packages and works well alongside our Supra C500 KeySafeTM, which provides safe and controlled access to a property, in the event of an emergency at home.” Lightweight and tactile, the One Touch device can be worn on the wrist or a lanyard and is water and dust resistant to IP54, making it suitable for outdoor use. A quick release, anti-ligature lanyard protects the wearer from injury in the event of a fall and the unit can be fully recharged in two to four hours. If the device battery is low, the responders are contacted via email. The SOS devices are available in a choice of four colours. For further information on One Touch and the full range of key safes available from The Key Safe Company, visit www.keysafe.co.uk.
Getting to know a Dementia UK Admiral Nurse
Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses provide an emotional and practical lifeline to families living with dementia. We sat down with Matthew Burns who works in and around Wakefield in conjunction with South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. We talked through his background, the families he supports and developments in post-diagnostic dementia care • Tell me a little bit about your background I started off as a mental health nurse 10 years ago, working in an acute mental health older person’s ward. Over the years I became more and more interested in caring for people with dementia, particularly as many carers and families I spoke to felt as though they didn’t have the support and care they needed. It was then that I discovered the role of an Admiral Nurse, a post I have been working in for the past six years. The role allows me to provide an emotional and practical support to families living with dementia and it’s a great fit for me. • Outline your typical working day in your area Usually I make about two or three home visits to families with varied needs and circumstances. When meeting these families, I have a range of responsibilities to help them live with dementia more comfortably. On an emotional level, I get families to understand dementia and help them come to terms with the changes that they have both had in their lives.I also employ mindfulness and stress management techniques – again dependent on families’ needs. On a practical level, I support families when decisions about care need to be made. This can range from liaising with different social care providers to advising families on Lasting Powers of Attorney. • Describe your relationship with Dementia UK Given that dementia is so underfunded, it’s fantastic to have Dementia UK raising awareness of the work of Admiral Nurses and helping to set up Admiral Nurse support in more UK regions. The charity has always been great with our personal and professional development, regularly putting on masterclasses and practice development days so that Admiral Nurses are always at the forefront of specialist dementia support. • What do you most enjoy about the role? The freedom to practice how I want is a huge motivator for me as well as going out onto the field and providing the best, tailored support I can. This allows me to build up long-lasting and worthwhile relationships with carers and families. I know how hard it is for families living with dementia; not only practically but also emotionally. Each day I truly feel that I am making a difference. • What are some of the challenges? We support many families living with dementia meaning we have to juggle a lot of responsibilities. As Admiral Nurses, we pride ourselves on offering an individualised service, offering something to everybody living with dementia and ensuring that no one gets left behind. • What impact have you had on families through your work as an Admiral Nurse? I currently support a daughter whose father is living with dementia. Following a diagnosis of dementia, life at home became unsustainable for her and a decision was made to move her father into care. I supported the daughter in being able to navigate the often complicated social care system and ensuring that she found a care home which was the right fit for her father’s circumstances. The daughter has been so grateful for Admiral Nurse support. • How do you see the role of an Admiral Nurse changing over the years? The digital revolution has impacted lots of sectors and we can expect to see more Admiral Nurses engaging with digital ways of working. Skype consultations could even be a possibility and will allow us to work even more flexibly than we do now. Furthermore, Admiral Nurses could be appearing in more settings like hospices and acute medicine wards. Attributed to Matthew Burns, Admiral Nurse for Wakefield Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one emotional and practical support for families living with dementia through our growing network of Admiral Nurses. Our Admiral Nurse Helpline is open seven days a week from 9am-9pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on the weekend. You can call 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org to get the support you need.
Care Home Customers Have No Time to Paws With Therapy Pet Visit
Customers at a Greenock care home have become the latest group to showcase the healthy benefits of pet therapy. Bunny & Co mobile petting zoo visited Blackwood’s MacLehose Court in Inverclyde with a broad range of animals for the customers to hold and experience. From rabbits and guinea pigs, to chickens and hens, the Bunny & Co husband and wife team Stan and Laura, ensured that the customers had a day to remember as they set up in the lounge area of the care home. From the comfort of familiar surroundings, the customers got the chance to pet and to feed the animals, while learning more about their habits and traits. Laura Schosloff, founder of Bunny & Co, said: “It’s the same everywhere we go. Everyone’s eyes light up when they see a pet to cuddle or get close to. And that’s the same staff as it is for residents. “Animal-assisted therapy used to be frowned upon as its benefits were unproven and that it would only result in germs being brought it. “But the benefits are so clear to see. When someone is petting one of the animals, they relax. It encourages communication and interaction. “We’ve got rats, mice and hamsters, there’s hens and cockerels, there’s so many different animals that there’s something for everyone. “It’s such a rewarding job. If I won the lottery, I’d still be doing this. We love seeing everyone enjoying themselves and the animals love it as well.” The use of therapy pets, or therapets, is becoming more commonplace in care homes and hospitals – and last year even Edinburgh University offered therapy sessions to help students reduce stress at exam time. Research has demonstrated that the mere act of stroking a dog or a cat has exceptional benefits. These include slowing down heart rate, reducing blood pressure, calming nerves, regulating breathing and elevating mood. Plus, dogs love attention – so their welfare is also increased through taking part. The customers packed out the lounge area at MacLehose Court as the pets were set out in two separate pens while others were placed on laps and allowed to roam more freely. Samantha Harkin, a resident at MacLehose Court, said: “It’s really great to have the animals here. “It’s nice to get to touch them and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while.” The pet visit was organised by Blackwood staff to help customers experience and learn about the different animals in an environment they felt comfortable and confident in. Dougie Reid, Care Services Manager at MacLehose Court, said: “You could really see how happy everybody was when they got to meet the animals. “Just stroking a pet and getting the chance to interact with something out of the ordinary can boost morale and encourage further discussions and dialogue. “Many of our residents would have had a pet of their own, or an experience of animals, so re-connecting them in this way is a hugely positive experience. “We try and do activities every day and keep things fresh but special events like this pet therapy visit make life at our care home even better for the residents.” Blackwood put those who use its services at the heart of how it operates and aim to give people control over their own lives through innovative care.
Glasgow care home to host Christmas market for residents
Food and gifts will help those at the Bupa Highgate care home get in the Christmas spirit With Christmas markets a firm festive favourite, a care home in Glasgow has found a novel way to make sure that residents don’t miss out, by setting up a market inside the home. Staff at the Bupa Highgate care home will be hosting a pop-up Christmas market on December 8. Ensuring there is something for everyone, the market will have a range of stalls including those selling gifts and cakes, and a stall selling food and drink run by the kitchen staff. There will also be a raffle and a tombola. Designed to bring families and friends together, while also helping residents get in the Christmas spirit, the home initially trialled the idea in 2016. Having proved a huge hit, the team were keen to bring it back this year. Michelle Ferrey, Home Manager at the Bupa Highgate care home, said: “Not all our residents can get out to Christmas markets, which is why we’ve worked hard to bring the Christmas markets to them! “All the staff get really involved and encourage our residents to come outside and visit the different stalls and join in the Christmas fun. We have a range of stalls which means it is almost like going to the Christmas stalls in George Square. For those who fancy a little tipple, we even have a dram of honey whiskey for our residents and their families to enjoy. “When we first came up with the idea we thought it would be a great way for residents and families to get together at Christmas and enjoy the Christmas markets that they might otherwise miss out on. It’s a nice way to bring everyone together for a dose of Christmas spirit and enjoy a tradition of visiting the markets that most will look back on fondly. Everyone has a lovely time, especially when we get the music playing for our Christmas sing along.” The Bupa Highgate care home is situated in Uddingston, just ten minutes from Glasgow centre. It specialises in providing support and assistance to elderly residents and those living with dementia. Each resident is given an individual care plan and is made to feel at home with Highgate’s comfortable, homely surroundings.
