Brexit: The three things care home managers need to do now
As an industry where 1-in-5 workers are migrants and there is already a turnover rate of a little over 25%, the care sector is quite understandably steeling itself for Brexit and the end of the free movement of workers. However, careful planning can help care home managers prepare their organisations for the challenges ahead… Consider the financial impacts You don’t need a degree in economics to work out that when the recruitment pool shrinks, finding staff is going to get more difficult and wage costs are likely to go up – and indeed a rise in starting wages is already being reported in the media. This may mean that not only will care homes struggle to find people to fill roles, they’ll be hard-pressed to keep up with wage inflation. The potential impacts of this may be far-reaching and could even lead to care homes being forced to close. However, forewarned is forearmed; forecasting for various possible scenarios will enable care homes to put safety first and adjust pricing in order to keep staffing levels in line with legislative requirements. Consider what this may mean for professional staff Much of the talk around Brexit will affect care home recruitment focusses on lower skilled employees such as cooks and care assistants, but recruiting skilled staff is also likely to become more difficult. For example, currently, under the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualification Directive 2005/36/EC, nursing is one of the seven professions in which EU nationals seeking employment in the UK are entitled to have their qualifications automatically recognised. If this agreement is no longer in place post-Brexit, the recruitment landscape may change, possibly by placing increased additional bureaucratic burden on care homes to ensure staff have the requisite qualifications. Support existing EU staff Under current government plans, it looks likely that existing EU staff will be able to remain in the UK and apply for ‘settled status’ upon completion of five years’ qualifying residence. In order to minimise the attrition of valuable workers, it is worth care home businesses exploring how they can support staff in providing the right evidence and documentation in order to reassert their immigration status and ensure they have leave to remain by the end of the two-year grace period post-Brexit. It may also be worthwhile employers considering whether they can provide any additional benefits to remain attractive as an employer (having taken advice on any knock-on effect from an employment law and/or tax perspective of course). By-line, Gary McIndoe, MD, Latitude Law
Montessori for ageing and dementia
The Maria Montessori Institute is proud to present, for the first time in the UK, a unique event: a two-day workshop showing how the knowledge and practical wisdom of Montessori can be used to better the lives of those who have dementia. The goal of the Montessori programme is to support people living with dementia by preparing an environment that enables them to care for themselves, others, and their community. This innovative approach, which is gaining momentum in Australia, the US, and now being introduced here, can be adopted for individuals or groups, and used at home as well as in residential care settings and hospitals. The Montessori approach enhances quality of life for those with dementia by creating a setting in which they can succeed. Individuals are given roles, routines and activities tailored to their abilities, enabling them to be as independent as possible and to have a meaningful place within their community, resulting in positive outcomes for both the older adult and those who care for them. Louise Livingston, Director of Training at the Maria Montessori Institute, which trains Montessori teachers, said: ‘For many years Montessori has been supporting children to become confident, creative and independent individuals who are well-prepared for life. If this works for children from birth to adolescence, it seems natural to extend the approach to the elderly. What is being achieved using this approach in care homes is astounding.’ Lynne Phair, Renowned Independent Consultant Nurse and Expert Witness for Older People, author of ‘Adult Safeguarding – a care leader’s guide’: ‘When I visited care facilities in Australia and witnessed how Montessori methods were changing the lives of people with dementia, I could not believe it! I am very excited that we are, for the first time, bringing Montessori dementia care to the UK.’ When: Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th January 2018 9.00am – 5.00pm Where: Maria Montessori Institute 41 Riding House Street London W1W 7BE Contact: Jethryn Hall Public Liaison, Maria Montessori Institute 0207 435 3646 info@mariamontessori.org www.mariamontessori.org Facebook: MariaMontessoriInstitute1 Instagram: montessorimmi Twitter: montessoriMMI The workshop will also be held in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Cool Cooking with DM44 Durakool PCB Power Relays
Technologies Ltd introduces the Durakool DM44 PCB Power relay, originally developed by the Willow Team, to control the carcass cooling fan of wall mounted ovens, built into modern kitchen units. The DM44 is used in many domestic appliances, to turn on and off heating elements and to control cooling fans. The DM44 has a 16A 277VAC rating suitable for heater and motor load switching. It operates between -30 to +105°C making it ideal for use in domestic appliances (white goods). Most PCB relays only operate up to 85°C and are usually placed in control panels, at the top of appliances, which is generally the hottest point. Inside white goods, such as cookers and washing machines, the temperature can rise higher than 85°C. Because the DM44 is able to operate up to 105°C, it is possible to locate multiple DM44’s in various positions within appliances. John Merrill, Relay Product Manager at Willow Technologies, commented, “All relays used in domestic appliances are controlled by a number of different standards, which must be met. Not every PCB relay will meet the requirements for cookers and washing machines.” The 5000Vrms coil to contact isolation of the DM44 PCB Power Relay meets international standards for use in domestic electrical equipment. This power relay has a long electrical life of 100,000 operations (at rated load at 105°C.) “You could say the DM44 is a really cool relay!”. Concluded Merrill. Click here to view datasheet About Willow Technologies Limited Founded in 1989, Willow Technologies is located in Copthorne, West Sussex in the UK. We provide electronic solutions to customers by designing, manufacturing and supplying components and systems globally to the electrical and electronic marketplace. Specialists in switching, sensing, resistive and hermetic seal solutions we have a wide portfolio of sensing technologies and over 60 years of application experience. Our in-house engineering capability and rapid prototyping facility for custom parts enable us to develop products to match specific application requirements. Willow is ISO9001:2000 registered.
The Impact of going Digital in Care
Surrey Care Association have released a special report for residential and domiciliary care providers on the impact of going digital in care, the challenges facing care providers today, the CQC’s reaction to care going digital and a fundamental change in approach. Senior members of the association gathered across a roundtable on 26th October, which was sponsored by Cura Systems, to form this discussion and transparently share experiences. It was found that in companies where technology is in place, between 5 and 15% of their care staff’s time is apportioned to administration tasks. Companies not using technology typically spend between 20 and 25% of care staff time on chasing paperwork. A clear case for reform, if ever there was one. The White Paper also highlights an inconsistent approach from the CQC towards technology. It was widely found that the CQC’s response to the adoption of technology during an inspection is down to the particular inspector’s personal views. Are the care providers ahead of the CQC with their thinking and technological evolution? Do perceptions need to be changed across the board? Erica Lockhart, Chief Executive of the Surrey Care Association, commented: “Andrea Sutcliffe actively promotes technology – but maybe this needs to be encouraged throughout the CQC team.” The potential for predictive analysis through the use of Artificial Intelligence to aid fall’s prevention was also discussed. As well as care businesses having to now cater for a new generation of workers, with different needs and expectations of their employers. Go to the Surrey Care Association’s website now to download the whole white paper. Download for free at http://www.surreycare.org.uk/news/white-papers-2017 Surrey Care Association welcomes you to join the discussion going forward. If you have any questions, or would like to contribute to the debate please get in touch: sca@cura.systems
How to ensure your employees are not making a career move they’ll regret
Work can be such a huge part of our lives, but according to research from CV-Library, four in 10 (43.2%) care workers admit to having some major regrets around career moves they have made. While we cannot always predict the outcome of the choices we make, especially when it comes to work, having regrets is by no means ideal. Worryingly, a quarter (25%) of care workers also said that they don’t like their current jobs, suggesting that employers in the sector need to do more to keep their employees happy. Below, we identify carers’ top career regrets and explain how you can help your staff to avoid making these mistakes. Maintain a great company culture The top career regret amongst care workers was moving to a company they didn’t end up liking. What’s more, over a quarter (26.3%) of care professionals said they regretted leaving a company that they actually really liked. As an employer, you don’t want your company to be considered a mistake. Therefore, maintaining a great company culture can help to keep staff happy and stop this from happening. There is more pressure than ever on this industry to provide top quality care. And while you may bear the brunt of this as an employer, it can also put a lot of burden on your employees. The demanding nature of caring for vulnerable adults or children can be tough and coupled with ongoing staff shortages in the industry, your workers need to feel assured that they are working for a company which has a supportive and friendly culture. You might choose to ask your current employees whether they feel you could improve anything, as this will enable you to implement changes that make a real difference. What’s more, you should ensure that you look after new employees as they transition into your workplace. This can reduce the risk of your company becoming someone’s biggest career regret. Getting it right can do wonders for your environment, especially as the culture can filter down to patients and their families, creating a more positive environment for all. Ensure you are approachable As an employer, you should seek to create a friendly environment where all employees feel comfortable coming to you with any issues they may be facing. After all, you don’t want employees to feel stressed at the prospect of addressing any problems, and potentially letting these issues become worse. Otherwise, this could have negative implications further down the line, and could even lead to staff leaving the business. Remaining calm under pressure is one of the key skills required for care professionals. But, while you need to be resilient, giving emotional and practical support can take its toll on even the toughest of workers. Therefore, you should be prepared to act as an approachable support system to your workers where it may be necessary, to show that you are looking out for them and understand the demanding nature of the role. To create a friendly environment it’s important that you have an open door policy. Employees want to work for someone they can trust and that they feel comfortable discussing their worries with. Letting them know that your door is always open shows you are approachable and arranging one-to-one catch-ups, particularly in their first month of joining, could help them to ease into the business. If possible, encourage staff to get to know each other as well. It may be that they feel comfortable talking to their colleagues about any of the smaller issues they may be facing. You could also implement a buddy system for new starters, where they are given a go-to team member who they can speak to if they feel overwhelmed or want to talk anything through. By creating a support network where staff feel they have people they can approach, you’ll stand a better chance at attracting, recruiting, and retaining the very best professionals in the industry. Provide development opportunities The data also revealed that 22.2% of care professionals regretted not going for a promotion. What’s more, 11.1% said that they regret going for a promotion when they weren’t actually ready for it. Taking on a new role within the care industry, whether that’s managing people or services, is a big decision and it can be hard to find the right balance. So, it’s vital to give advice and guidance to your staff about their career progression. In addition to this, it’s important to know when your workers are ready for the next step in their career; whether that’s a promotion or taking on extra responsibilities. Working with your employee to create a personal development plan, outlining their goals, what they need to do to achieve them, and when they need to achieve them by, is a great first step. Especially as it enables them to take stock of where they’re currently at, and think about what their next step will be. In summary Over-all, employee happiness is the key to staff retention, motivation and a positive working environment within the care industry. The job can be extremely taxing, but no employers wants their staff to question whether they have made the right decision by joining your organisation. Don’t let your company be a mistake: listen to your workers and support them, especially your new starters. By Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library
Help the Homeless Campaign from primary school children
Residents from Sunrise of Eastbourne have been busy knitting hats and scarves and setting up a donation fund in aid of the “Help the Homeless” campaign, led by two local primary school children. Aiming to source and wrap Christmas gifts for homeless people throughout Eastbourne, the campaign is the brainchild of Kyle, aged 9, and Max, age 7, who both attend Ocklynge Junior School on Victoria Drive. Last year Kyle and Max delivered over 60 wrapped Christmas gifts to homeless people in Eastbourne and are striving to hand out even more this year, with the help of Sunrise of Eastbourne. After Sunrise of Eastbourne’s General Manager, Fiona White, heard about the campaign, residents and team members decided to come together and create a range of wearable Christmas presents, as well as set up a donations trolley, and fill bags with blankets, duvets and sleeping bags. This will add to the collection of clothes and toiletries that Kyle and Max have already gathered. Fiona will accompany some of the residents from Sunrise of Eastbourne on Christmas Eve, to deliver the gifts. Now in its third year, the “Help the Homeless” campaign originated from Kyle and Max’s involvement in Ocklynge Primary School’s “Love in a Box” initiative, through which Christmas presents were sent to disadvantaged children abroad. One day, Kyle came home to his mother to request that presents also be delivered to those in the local area that needed them, and the campaign was born. Kyle and Max want to extend the programme so that, once gifts have been given to homeless people in Eastbourne, parcels are also taken to Brighton and central London, where the rate of homelessness is even greater. The “Help the Homeless” campaign is one example of the ways in which Sunrise of Eastbourne engages with the surrounding community, and promotes activities that enable residents to be creative and expressive. Fiona and the team at Sunrise of Eastbourne are accepting donations until 15th December to help Kyle and Max’s efforts. The care community provides high-quality nursing care, dementia care, and assisted living, focused on a range of individual needs. Fiona White, General Manager at Sunrise of Eastbourne, said: “It has been heart-warming to see so many of our residents get behind Kyle and Max’s inspirational ‘Help the Homeless’ campaign. “The initiative is a great way to bring Christmas cheer to homeless people throughout Eastbourne, and is a fantastic example of different generations coming together to help others. “At Sunrise of Eastbourne we continually strive to engage our residents in creative activities and reach out to the local community, and we look forward to supporting the ‘Help the Homeless’ campaign in the coming years.”
Musicians provide therapy for elderly with dementia
MUSICAL therapy has been helping Sheffield care home residents living with dementia. Singers from charity Lost Chord have been at The Laurels and The Limes Care Home to perform and engage the residents in musical activities. Katie Hainback and Juliane Gallant, from the charity, performed Christmas songs and classics the residents remember from their younger days. They included Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Danny Boy, A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square, I Got Rhythm and a selection from The Sound of Music. Lost Chord was launched in Rotherham before expanding across South Yorkshire and the rest of the UK. The charity, whose patrons include Sir Cliff Richard, Lesley Garrett CBE and Dame Vera Lynn, is dedicated to improving the lives, well-being, awareness and self-esteem of those living with dementia. Jane Ridge, home manager at The Limes Care Home, on Manchester Road, said: “All our residents love music. “Even those with advanced dementia enjoy listening to songs they remember from earlier in their lives. “Katie and Juliane from Lost Chord were absolutely brilliant. They performed many of our residents favourites and everyone had a great time singing along. “We can’t wait to have them back in the home in future.” • The Laurels and The Limes Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net. Lost Chord is an innovative charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and well-being of those living with dementia using interactive musical stimuli to increase their general awareness and self-esteem. For further information visit https://lost-chord.co.uk/.
Diamond anniversary gives Glasgow couple reason to sparkle
Resident at Bupa’s Deanfield care home celebrate 60 years of marriage anniversary A HAPPY couple from Glasgow have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family at Bupa’s Deanfield Care Home in Penilee. Joe Adams, 81, and his wife May, 80, toasted their diamond wedding anniversary at a celebration in the home with over 30 guests – including their bridesmaid from 60 years ago. Born and raised in Glasgow, the pair wed on October 18 1957 at Croftfoot Parish Church and had a special event exactly 60 years later surrounded by 30 guests, including guests from their wedding day, along with friends they’ve made in the years since. Joe said: “May and I can’t quite believe it has been 60 years since we got married. We’ve shared so many memories and experiences together which we fondly look back on such as our first dance to ‘Love Me Tender’ by Elvis Presley. But I think we can both agree our favourite memories are from bringing up our children. “Our advice to young couples is to always be there for each other. At the end of the day that is all that matters and we think that’s the secret to a long and happy marriage.” The couple – who have four children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren – first met on a bus to work going to Watson & McLeans, a chain makers, where they both worked in Govan. Claribel Durairaj, Home Manager at Bupa’s Deanfield Care Home, added: “Joe is such a lovely resident and May is always in the home visiting him. They are a truly inspiring love story for future generations. That’s why we wanted to do something special for their 60th wedding anniversary. “Reaching a diamond anniversary is such a special achievement and the whole celebration was really fitting. The day was filled with love and joy and couldn’t have gone any better.” Deanfield Care Home in Glasgow is a modern, two-storey home that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of residents. A range of care options are available, specialising in nursing and nursing dementia care. The care home encourages all residents to be as independent as they can so they can lead as full and active a life as possible. Whether residents are there for a short stay or a longer period, Deanfield aims to make each person feel at home. Staff are experienced and highly trained and spend the time talking to each resident when they arrive to make sure that their care plan is tailored specifically to their needs and wants.
Camelot care murals in reminiscence project
Murals showing well-known local landmarks are becoming major talking points in local specialist dementia-care nursing homes run by Camelot Care in Somerset and Devon, with more planned by the specialist dementia care-provider because of their noticeable impact on residents’ sense of well-being. At Camelot House in Wellington, a large mural of Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor (pictured) is proving a firm favourite with residents, prompting them to share their memories about the reservoir which has been a favourite destination for ‘days out’ since it was created in 1979. Meanwhile residents at Camelot Care’s Freshfields Nursing Home in Plymouth are revelling in their memories of special moments at Plymouth Hoe, thanks to the installation at their home of a large mural featuring a photo of the landmark. And upstairs at Freshfields another newly-installed mural showing an autumnal scene in a local wood, captured by activities co-ordinator Paul Hutt, is helping bring back happy memories for dog- loving resident Elizabeth Bessant. Stephen Teasdale, development director for Camelot Care, said: “We showed the people who live with us a variety of different images to find out which ones they would enjoy seeing on the walls of their home. “These three were firm favourites, and they are so happy to share their memories of these lovely scenes with us.” Camelot Care has been following with interest the findings of research undertaken by Guys and St. Thomas’ Charity into the role of the arts in reminiscence, and how it can empower people with dementia. “The pilot project run in London has provided good evidence that art can spark reminiscences in a way that measurably improves wellbeing in older people with dementia, and our new mural is certainly getting people talking,” said Stephen. As a result of the London study a range of practitioners are now using the arts in dementia care, with strong anecdotal evidence suggesting that this can be highly effective. Camelot Care is currently installing a mural featuring the pier at Weston super Mare in its Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater, with a seaside-themed environment being created around it for next summer. For further information on Camelot Care visit: www.camelotcare.co.uk
