Analysing care systems for the elderly across the globe
The human population is ageing, thanks to the quality of life improving worldwide through effective care systems – and so many medical advancements being seen, too. It’s vital that elderly citizens are looked after as they reach their later years in order to keep them comfortable and happy as they age. This level of care will change from one country to the next though, as we explore in this article… Care systems seen throughout the UK Staggered care is popular across the UK, easing elderly citizens into accepting care. When individuals are beginning to struggle, perhaps with making meals or getting washed, they can access help from home. This is in the form of specially trained carers who visit those in need at their own homes to provide necessary care. For older people who require more assistance, the UK is also seeing more and more specially designed homes and flat complexes being built. These often have a community room where residents can socialise and a warden that is present during the day. The homes are specially designed for those who are less able, with non-slip floors, stairlifts and apparatus to help with getting up from the toilet and in and out of the shower. Nursing homes with round the clock care is the next step for the nation’s elderly citizens. None of the services are free, although some people aged over 65 get help towards the costs and others use their savings. At the moment, people with assets of more than £23,250 have to pay for the full cost of their care (this includes the value of their home). This system will vary from one region to the next throughout the UK, mind. For example, in Northern Ireland, care in the home is free for people over the age of 75. For over 65s in Scotland, personal care is free if people are assessed as needing help for tasks like washing, dressing and preparing meals. Care systems seen throughout the US A largely private system complete with care insurance is the key element of the US’ health care system for its elderly citizens. There is also a programme called Medicaid that assists with medical costs for those with limited resources — covering nursing home care. This system pays for 61% of nursing-home residents’ care. Elderly care is a key consideration that must be made by many. In the US, 47% of men and 58% of women who are of or above retirement age will experience a need for long-term care in the future. Close to 90% of senior citizens surveyed also said that they wished to remain in their own homes as they get older. Care insurance often can assist with this, as it pays for home help such as the installing of curved or straight stairlifts depending on the layout of the property, as well as washing and cooking support. Even when elderly people begin to require day-to-day assistance such as getting dressed, only 4% said that they would prefer to move into a relatives’ home over staying in their own surroundings. Despite this low figure, 75% of adult children think about their parents’ abilities to live independently and presumably consider their future options. These children contribute between $7,000 and $14,000 per year to care for an ageing parent. Across the US, nursing homes are another option for the nation’s elderly citizens. Many of these are funded by private healthcare. 11.2% of women over the age of 85 lived in a nursing home in 2014 and this figure stood at 6.1% for men of the same age group. Care systems seen throughout Canada According to statistics released in 2016, the number of over 65s in Canada exceeded the number of under 15s for the first time — 16.9% to 16.6%. When looking at health expenditure as a whole, Canada has invested more funds into drugs rather than hospitals and physicians over the past 30 years and this could count towards their ageing population. Canada’s healthcare system is largely publicly funded, as a result of taxing. The capital of Canada, Ottawa, promised to spend $6 billion over the next decade in order to address their ageing population and help with home-care programmes — a move that should help the nation’s elderly citizens make their properties more accessible through the installation of such features as a disabled stairlift and aids to assist them in the bathroom and kitchen. Elderly citizens throughout Canada are quite reliant on nurses to provide care at the moment too. This is causing more pressure on nurses and carers and the demand for these workers is predicted to rise from just under 64,000 full-time jobs to 142,000 by 2035. Perhaps these stretched resources are the reason why more Canadians are taking on the role of caregiver and offering informal care for their own parents. In fact, 30% of workers with older parents take 450 hours per year of time off work — putting a strain on their own careers and on employers. Care systems seen throughout Italy There’s a different elderly care system seen throughout Italy. The care of elders is said to be the responsibility of a person’s family and therefore care homes are not as popular as in other countries (less than 2% of the senior population use care home services). In fact, Italian institutions often only intervene if the person has no family to care for them. It was once a tradition in Italy for women to provide the majority of the care to their family members. However, they are now taking up employment and their time is spent working instead — creating a greater reliance on public care facilities. The mentality of family care was evident in 2004 when the majority of Italians thought that it would be beneficial if adult children looked after their older parents when they became reliant. It is likely that this mentality has continued many years later. Unlike many other nations, Italy doesn’t have as much of a staggered
Safeguarding: steps to identify if a child is in a high-risk environment
Healthcare professionals will be well aware that identifying when a child is in a high-risk environment is a crucial step in taking action to safeguarding against both abuse and neglect. There are over 600,000 children in the UK who are living in what is described as a “high-risk” environment. This is a crisis within our child welfare services; therefore, the government is providing £17m of additional funding to inspire organisations like yours to modernise child services by improving information sharing across safeguarding organisations. If you are involved in child safeguarding, you will be aware that time is an essential factor in preventing both emotional and physical damage from ruining the lives of young people. Representatives in this area need to be up to date with the best methods for identification, prevention and taking action against child cruelty. Signs that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect Being able to identify signs that indicate a child is at risk of abuse should be a priority for anyone who works with young people. To give you a little insight, we have put together this list of the top signs to look out for – We hope this helps! • Malnutrition • Poor hygiene • Untreated physical or medical problems • Comments from a child that no one is home to provide care • Tiredness • Frequent lateness or absence from school • Inappropriate clothing • Frequent illness, infections or sores • Being left unsupervised for long periods Legislation changes and funding are not enough to protect children. What is needed is the full support and innovative minds of the organisations involved in the process. This means keeping up to date with the latest child safeguarding practices and taking action to implement them. You can prepare your organisation by learning the best practices for identifying, preventing and taking action against child abuse here. How to report a child safeguarding issue If you discover that a child is likely to be suffering from abuse or neglect, you need to act fast to prevent a potentially disastrous or damaging scenario for the young person. You can go about this in three ways: • Whistleblowing: You can report any child welfare concerns that you have to the NSPCC who can support you and advise on what to do next. • Organisational child protection procedures: If your organisation deals with a lot of young people, there may already be a safeguarding process in place for you to follow. For example, if you work in a school, there should be a designated child protection teacher for you to share your concerns with. • Local authority child protection: Each area in the UK has its own child protection team who can help you to report issues and take action against child abuse or neglect. You can find the details of your local authority child protection service here. How to improve your child safeguarding procedures The best way to improve your existing child safeguarding procedures to ensure less cases of abuse slip through the net and more children can be protected is to keep your knowledge in this area up to date. This means seeking advice from experts in this field, reading up on success stories or case studies and researching the best strategies for your business. You can achieve all of the above for your organisation by attending our annual Child Safeguarding Conference in December. Find out more about the safeguarding event or book your tickets today! See salford.ac.uk for more information. Twitter: @SalfordUni_SPD Facebook: @SalfordProfessionalDevelopment Related content: Independent Age launches new safeguarding leaflet to help those at risk of abuse Safeguarding: The use of camera technology and independent monitoring in the care sector Awareness of key patient safeguarding legislation in the UK is low to average, report health and social care professionals How the introduction of new technology has improved patient safety New range of qualifications for the health and social care sector
How virtual reality is improving healthcare
There have been many wonderful developments in technology over recent years, one of the most magical of which is the virtual reality technology revolution. How virtual reality works Virtual reality works by deceiving the brain into believing you are in a 3D world. It immerses users by stimulating up to four of your five senses – This could include touch, vision, smell or hearing. Virtual reality or VR, is changing the way that we game, shop, test and educate ourselves. It is being used to develop industries such as healthcare, education, transport, mental health and even utilities. How is the utilities sector using VR to assess training needs? Steve Havvas, the Virtual Reality Programme Manager for Anglican Water, has developed a pilot scheme to enhance the way in which this water provider trains and assesses staff. In an interview with Salford ONECPD, he said: “The advantage of VR is that it is remote, it is mobile and it is interactive. I can deliver training to 1,000 people in a day if I wanted to.” The bespoke training package that Steve has developed for Anglican Water covers a range of health and safety topics. “The first thing we start with is 360 degree drone footage which has a real wow factor. We then move to a driving simulator with 360 degrees of footage where we work on identifying hazards, whether that’s blind spots or hazards in the road.” “We also have a 360 degree crash simulator so people can experience what it is like to be in an accident. On the safe dig simulator we can see what happens when things go wrong, we can replicate an explosion that would happen if we were to cut through a gas pipe for example.” “It’s very realistic, the stuff we use is all real footage and we use live pictures from sites.” “The feedback we’ve had so far has been very positive. The thing about VR is you are fully immersed and because everyone is involved in the same scenario at the same time the engagement with the material is very good.” After assessment is complete, the data that is collected from this VR programme can then be used to identify trends and highlight specific training needs for users. This development is helping to set the standard for modern corporate training techniques across all industries. “People can be afraid to use new technology or invest in new technology until someone else does. We’ve all got the same goals and it would be nice for the industry to work collaboratively, if we all used the same common platform they we could deliver the same standard of training.” Discover CPD course and conferences on health and social care here Can virtual reality be dangerous? VR has been known to cause disorientation and make users feel dizzy or sick after prolonged use. Because of this, it is recommended that users gradually introduce themselves to virtual reality technology and ensure that the area in which they operate their headset is clear of potential hazards. How virtual reality is improving healthcare An area where virtual reality is having a big impact is medical simulation training in the healthcare sector. This is helping aspiring doctors, physicians and surgeons to practice procedures in a realistic scenario before facing the real thing. Even more interestingly, VR is also being used for pain management for those experiencing painful procedures or “phantom pains” in amputated limbs. Research has found that if the parts of the brain that are linked to feeling the sensation of pain are engaged then the patient will be more able to manage discomfort due to being immersed in the virtual world. Physical therapy is another area where healthcare services are beginning to use VR. The ability to track body movement and help patients to complete their sessions by using challenges such as catching a virtual ball have proven to be very effective. Mental health is not exempt from the virtual reality revolution either. Virtual reality has been used to assist patients in both cognitive rehabilitation and exposure therapy in the treatment of phobias. If you would like to learn more about how the NHS is changing to harness technology so that we can do more with less, click here to learn more about The Future of NHS Procurement conference. Should we be excited about virtual reality? The undeniable answer to this is YES! Virtual reality has the capacity to modernise the way that we approach healthcare and executive training across all sectors. This immersive technology has already made a lot of progress for a variety of sectors, so it is worth investigating how you can integrate this into your business development plans so you aren’t left behind. See salford.ac.uk for more information. Twitter: @SalfordUni_SPD Facebook: @SalfordProfessionalDevelopment
How to prepare for ‘Big Data’ in healthcare
Technically minded individuals such as data managers are only just beginning to understand the extent that Big Data can influence the way that both UK businesses and healthcare services are run. “Our overarching objective is that by 2020 we will have revolutionised the way technology, data and information are used to transform the delivery of England’s health and social care services.” – NHS Digital However, for the less tech-savvy people out there, there is a great degree of confusion as to how Big Data will affect us and what we need to do to get involved. To ensure that this system works effectively for all, preparation and implementation plans need to be generated so that your organisation can adapt and take advantage of these exciting changes. The easiest way to adapt to the future of your industry is to expand your knowledge and learn from those who have successfully managed to make Big Data work for them through innovation in data usage and analytics. Over the coming years, Big Data, and how we use it, will be pivotal in how organisations process information and strive forward within their chosen industry. Don’t get left behind! Learn about what you can do to get involved in Big Data implementation here. How is Big Data useful to healthcare services? Big data collation allows healthcare professionals to look at the big picture in more depth. Assessing data in this way allows healthcare services to make decisions based on relevant statistics that allow them to predict outcomes and identify trends so that they can act fast to treat or prevent diseases and infections. Better access to this data also allows our health services to tighten their networks as they can more readily share information. This enables doctors to treat patients faster as they do not have to wait for updates from other services that are involved in the treatment journey of a patient. This saves time and cuts costs as others will be able to access information, test results, allergies, health history and more to make the best decision possible regarding the needs of the patient first time. Furthermore, with all of this information available, diagnosis is likely to become a lot more accurate, which means that the waste of time and resources created by a misdiagnosis can be reduced which will also save our NHS a lot of money. What skills are in demand to make Big Data work for health services? Healthcare services in the UK notoriously fall short when it comes to staying up to date with the latest technological developments. However, strained budgets mean that services are now being forced to focus on cost and waste reduction. This means advancements from Big Data are being welcomed with open arms! Application of Big Data systems, like any other large institutional change, also means that resourcing the right skills to make it work is necessary. This has led to a rise in demand for data analysts and consultants as well as more technically minded healthcare professionals who are able to analyse findings. Skill shortages in these areas are becoming a problem, so it would be a smart move to begin upskilling existing staff as well as attracting people into these job markets. Doing this effectively will require access to knowledge and training about Big Data. Many educational institutions are already working towards creating opportunities for individuals and organisation to get involved in this by launching events and training courses to help services cope with the transition. <Find out more about how Salford ONECPD can help your healthcare service to adapt to Big Data> How to prepare your healthcare service for Big Data At Salford ONECPD, we always recommend approaching big changes from an informed perspective. This is why we have already begun to tackle the problems that come alongside the implementation of Big Data systems. We have already launched an Annual Big Data Conference as well as training courses that can help you adapt to change by capturing the skills that you need to make a difference. All that you need to do is get involved! – You can enquire online here. See http://www.salford.ac.uk/onecpd for more information. Twitter: @SalfordUni_SPD Facebook: @SalfordProfessionalDevelopment
How to optimise facilities management in healthcare
Facilities management in the healthcare sector has developed dramatically in recent years. FM professionals are under constant pressure to adapt to the demands of an ageing population, the rise of technology and concerns for the environment. Changing trends that healthcare facility managers need to look out for Clever facilities management is in demand, as it plays a vital role in optimising the limited NHS resources. Get it right and you provide healthcare professionals with the safe, efficient and functional workspaces that they need. Get it wrong and disruptive technologies, skill shortages and changing workforce demographics are all factors that can impede the quality of service and have a negative impact on patient outcome statistics. In order to prevent this, we need to ensure that we recognise the upcoming trend changes that will affect our services. For example, by 2020, Generation Y will make up half of the global workforce. This means employees will be more adaptable to technology, making new integrations should be less difficult to implement. However, this generation is also likely to retire later in life, so workspaces need to be able to facilitate staff members with restricted movement or other special needs that come with old age. This and other demographic changes will massively influence the way that you manage healthcare facilities, so it pays to stay ahead when it comes to how you manage your sites. How to stay ahead with your facilities management In recognition of this, events and workshops are becoming available to FM professionals and their organisations in order to aid their transition into more efficient workspaces. For facilities managers, these events can prove invaluable, and equip you with the vital tools needed to adopt the smart facility management strategies that will make a big impact. Salford ONECPD will be holding their annual Facilities Management Conference at Adelphi House on 13 December 2018. Click here to reserve your tickets! This event will help you capture the knowledge that you need to create a plan for optimising your facility. Areas that are essential for any facilities manager to address include: – Leading change in facilities management – Advancements in green facility management – The budget barrier: Why this is no longer an option to do nothing – New technologies and product innovation – The possibilities of collaborative working on shared problems – Tackling skill shortages in facilities management – Putting the workplace firmly on the agenda – Do property compliance systems really do what they say on the tin? – Defining the future of facilities management ONECPD’s Facilities Management Conference will tackle all of the key issues above and more. Learn how to transform your business into a cost-effective modern workspace. Only then, will you be armed with the knowledge and connections that you need to keep up with the drastic changes in demand. This conference is highly recommended for all FM professionals, so act fast to avoid missing a big opportunity to stay ahead of the competition by listening to and becoming an expert in your field. Conference places are limited – reserve your place here. See salford.ac.uk/onecpd for more information. Twitter: @SalfordUni_SPD Facebook: @SalfordProfessionalDevelopment
Three new Parklands care homes planned in £16million Highlands investment
The latest phase of a multi-million pound investment by independent care provider Parklands Group has been given the green light. Plans for a £6.5 million care hub for older people in Inverness, one of three new Highland care homes planned or already under construction, have been approved by the Highland Council. The largest single investment by Parklands, the Inverness facility will be built in two phases, the first consisting of a two-storey care home featuring 48 bedrooms, a café, hairdresser and eight day rooms. The second phase will offer 16 assisted living suites, with three day rooms, and will be linked to the care wing on both ground and first floor levels. The site will include landscaped gardens, 42 parking spaces and sheltered cycle racks. The development will occupy a prominent gap site next to Milton of Leys Primary School. Work on phase one is expected to begin next spring. Parklands currently operates seven care homes in Moray and the Highlands but has recently embarked on a significant programme of expansion. Last year, the company expanded its existing care homes in Muir of Ord and Tain at a cost of £1 million, adding a further six bedrooms in each home. Meanwhile, construction of its latest £4.5 million care home in Grantown is nearing completion and work is expected to start soon on a £4 million facility in Fortrose. By 2020, the company will have invested £16 million over three years on new and extended care homes, creating around new 200 jobs and making it one of the largest private sector employers in the north. The company currently has a workforce of around 500. Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands, said: “We are delighted that our plans to build and operate a new care hub for Inverness have been approved. This will be our largest ever investment and arguably one of our most innovative, combining the traditional care model with assisted living support. It is a fantastic site overlooking the Moray Firth and in the heart of the fast growing Milton of Leys area. It will be a facility for the entire community and will be closely integrated with local health facilities, schools and community groups. “Inverness will be our flagship development, creating 100 new jobs, but we are committed to continuing to invest in smaller towns and communities across the Highlands. Our eighth care home is nearing completion in Grantown and work will begin soon on our ninth in Fortrose. Together, these investments will create a further 100 jobs for the region. By 2020, Parklands will be one of the largest private sector employers in the north, a testament to the quality of our care and our workforce.” Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing said: “I welcome this further investment in the Highlands by Parklands. This will provide care home facilities for many at a local level which will enable people to stay near their families.” Ian McNamara, Chair of Highland Senior Citizens Network, added: “The Highland Senior Citizens Network welcomes this imaginative development at a time that is particularly challenging for independent providers of residential care. The number of older people who will need this level of care, in spite of the best efforts to support them in their own homes, is going to increase steadily over the coming years.” For more information on the Highlands care facilities by Parklands, click here. Related articles: RECRUITMENT DRIVE STARTS FOR NEW CARE HOME: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/content/recruitment-drive-starts-new-care-home Balhousie Care Group raises over £34,800 for Alzheimer Scotland: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/news/balhousie-alzheimer-scotland Scottish dance visits Sees care home: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/blog/Scottish-dance
The Firefly Club independent living suites open in Hampshire
Omega Elifar, a UK leader in long-term care accommodation, has opened The Firefly Club – an innovative residential care development in Bordon, Hampshire. The property comprises 10 independent living suites alongside eight full-care suites and a large activity suite, and is designed to deliver a unique assisted living experience guided solely by each resident’s needs – with an industry-leading provision of high staffing ratios. The Firefly Club provides an inspiring and enriching environment for individuals who wish to maintain their independence but enjoy the peace of mind and security that comes with living in a supported community, as well as those who require around-the-clock care services. For the former, The Firefly Club offers Independent Living Suites (ILS) – private, contemporary studio apartments with fitted kitchenettes, defined living/dining areas, in-room laundry facilities, en-suites, and voice-activated assistance technology – allowing residents to live freely. ILS residents also have full use of the communal kitchen and dining room. Alternatively, for those requiring 24-hour care, The Firefly Club provides specialised Care Suites – more spacious residential rooms designed with mobility in mind, including en-suite wet rooms with overhead hoist systems. Care Residents can choose to independently prepare their food, or have their meals fully catered; laundry and housekeeping services are also provided. Central to The Firefly Club’s ethos of “living a colourful life”, the Activity Suite affords residents the opportunity to discover new passions and immerse themselves in Firefly’s range of events, including regular film nights, afternoon teas, dances, and themed dinner evenings. Additionally, the suite includes an exercise room and a hydro-therapy pool accessible to all residents, as well as classes that promote an active and energetic lifestyle. Residents can also participate in aromatherapy, or undertake physiotherapy sessions conducted by licensed practitioners. Vanessa Read, Managing Director of Omega Elifar, comments: “The Firefly Club is a personal passion project of mine. Omega Elifar has years of experience providing a high standard of interactive care to adults with learning difficulties, and over time, we realised that there was a gap in the care industry for adults with a wider range of care needs who still wished to live independently. We understand that each individual is unique and thus, have approached the creation of The Firefly Club in a similar manner – everything is scalable to our residents’ improving or declining needs. No one will ever have to move out if their needs grow or lessen. Ultimately, in introducing The Firefly Club we are aiming to provide a personalised home for those that need a little extra care and attention. I believe that we can make a difference and The Firefly Club will help us achieve this.” With over 30 years of transformative care experience, Omega Elifar has a proven record of establishing developments that place at their heart the personal growth and well-being of residents. At Omega Elifar, Every Life Is For A Reason and as such, the passionate management and expert staff of The Firefly Club have made caring not just their business but their guiding light and purpose. For more information on The Firefly Club, click here. Photos: Christopher Lanaway Photography Related articles: Tips for achieving dementia friendly design in care homes: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/content/dementia-friendly-design Hallmark care home wins national design award: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/News/Healthcare-Design-Awards Spearhead set to open care home showroom in Stafford: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/news/spearhead-care-home-showroom
How healthcare professionals can reduce dehydration
There is good evidence that dehydration causes a significant increase in the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and other severe infections associated with it. Jennie Wilson, member of the Infection Prevention Society, provides these key facts to help you prevent your patients becoming dehydrated: 1. Keep drinking Adults need to take in a minimum of 1.5 litres of fluid every day. This is equivalent to at least 8 large cups or mugs of fluid. Make sure that drinks are offered to patients enough times during the day to enable them to drink this amount of fluids. 2. Older people are more vulnerable to dehydration The loss of thirst reflex, decrease in muscle mass in which to store fluids, and reduced kidney function combine to make older people at much greater risk of dehydration. They need to be reminded to drink and advised of the importance of drinking enough to keep them healthy. 3. Any fluid is good fluid The most important thing is to consume sufficient fluids; it does not matter what form this takes. Use fluid rich foods such as jelly, ice cream, yoghurt to supplement fluids in drinks. 4. Assistance to drink Think about the design of cups or mugs used to serve drinks. Are these appropriate and pleasant for patients to hold and drink from? Remember that some older patients may need someone to help them drink and a member of staff will need to be allocated to support them. 5. Support people worried about incontinence One reason older people do not drink enough is that they are worried about being able to get to the toilet in time or about getting up in the night to use the toilet. Make sure that they know how important it is that they drink enough during the day. If they are in hospital or care, ensure they are reassured that they can ask for help to get to the toilet. 6. Look out for signs of dehydration Some of the more obvious signs are a dry skin or mouth, dark coloured urine, or complaining of a headache. Also look out for confusion or drowsiness as these can also be important indicators that a patient is becoming dehydrated. 7. Choice and drinks preferences Exploring preferences of your residents and extending the choice of drink to include theirs can make a big difference. Introduce an anonymous form to help residents select what they enjoy drinking the most. 8. Introduce protected drinks time A structured approach to ensuring all residents are offered drinks means no confusion as to who has or hasn’t had a drink most recently. 9. Provide additional drinks before and after meals Some people may not manage to drink with their meal, or may not want to. Building in extra time for hydration around the meal means that the need for drinking won’t get lost when the focus is on food. 10. Remember these principles are not only important for patients in hospital They are also important for the frail elderly in their own home or in residential care. For more information: NHS England. 10 key characteristics of ‘good nutrition and hydration care Health Protection Scotland. National Hydration Campaign Resources University of West London. I-Hydrate Project The Infection Prevention Society Related articles: Innovative new Droplet mug helps carers tackle dehydration Spotting signs of dehydration in the elderly and 10 ways to improve eating habits of a loved one DRINK UP: HOW TO ENSURE RESIDENTS ARE WELL HYDRATED
Spearhead set to open care home showroom in Stafford
Spearhead Healthcare, one of the UK’s leading suppliers to the care home sector, will open the doors to a new care home showroom in Stafford in response to growing demand for high quality furniture, furnishings and equipment designed specifically for the care environment. The care home showroom, located on Staffordshire Technology Park, will offer a complete overview of the company’s interior product ranges, from floorings and fabrics to curtains and chairs, all displayed within fully-fitted room scenes. Based on the successful concept of the company’s first showroom at its head office in Kilmarnock, Scotland, the Stafford facility is the first of its kind in England and aims to help all types of care home groups scope out their requirements, discuss design options and visualise the fit-out that would best suit their home. The care home showroom scenes include a lounge, dining room, café and reception area; a dementia suite with bedroom and living area; a room showcasing products and designs for bariatric care and younger adults; plus the ‘Bedroom in a Box’ option. Launch event on Thursday, 20 September Professor June Andrews, international dementia expert and former director of the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), will officially open Spearhead’s new care home showroom at a launch event on Thursday, 20 September. Issac Theophilos, founder of a successful care home consultancy and author of the recently published book ‘How To Get Outstanding’, will also give a presentation and lead a discussion at the event. Five copies of his book will be given away in a free prize draw. Russell Pillar, Director of Care Interiors at Spearhead Healthcare comments: “We are delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of our new showroom that will provide the ideal surroundings for national or local care home operators to take a step back from their busy daily routines and weigh up decisions about interiors without distractions. “They will be able to see and touch the furniture and furnishings for themselves, while benefiting from the knowledge of our team of design consultants who have a wealth of experience in fitting out all areas of a care home. In particular, we can advise on creating dementia-friendly environments, and how to meet practical and regulatory requirements without compromising on style. “Care home managers are warmly invited to attend our launch event on Thursday, 20 September at the venue, which will provide a great opportunity to network with their peers and to share ideas. The whole team is looking forward to the event and welcoming our first visitors to the showroom.” Recently launched products that will be displayed in the showroom include a new range of lounge chairs with pressure-relieving foam built into the seat cushion, designed to prevent pressure issues developing; and the Circular 6-9 Seater Bench/Table from Spearhead’s Outdoor range, allowing residents’ wheelchairs to fit easily at each table. Spearhead have been a trusted ‘one stop shop’ supplier to the care sector for more than thirty years, supporting projects from concept to completion, helping customers protect the reputations of their homes, and enhancing quality of life for residents. Recent projects include the full refurbishment of the specialist care facilities Trinity Court and Royal Park in the West Midlands, which included a cinema and café. You can register to attend the opening of Spearhead’s new showroom here. From 20 September, visits to the care home showroom are by appointment only. Call now on 0345 180 1800 or email sales@spearheadhealthcare.com to arrange. Related articles: Tips for achieving dementia friendly design in care homes: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/content/dementia-friendly-design Hallmark care home wins national design award: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/News/Healthcare-Design-Awards
