How Can Care Homes Create a Pleasant Environment for Their Residents?
A care home must make sure that it is a welcoming and pleasurable place to live for both current and future residents. For example, what does the home smell like when you first walk in? Does it smell like fresh flowers or is there a hint of urine? If you own a care home, it is absolutely crucial that your reception and lobby areas are friendly and hospitable for visitors. This will undoubtedly encourage new residents to regard your home as a place where they would enjoy living, especially if you have adorned it with fresh flowers or created an aroma of fresh bread. People will quickly form a favourable opinion and they may even imagine that they are visiting a five-star hotel and therefore look forward to their stay. This article will provide some guidance on how to improve your care home and make it more accommodating for new and existing residents. Remember, you should try to create a customer experience based on the ideal resident you have in mind. Ensure that the home always smells fresh The care home must have a pleasant aroma at all times. You therefore need to employ a well-trained cleaning team and ensure that every part of the building is maintained to the highest standards. Pay careful attention to; Housekeepers will also need to use the best cleaning materials and keep an appropriate work schedule. Another issue that management should consider relates to continence. For example, there should be an action plan in place to assess its impact on the home’s floors and furnishings. You may have to deal with two types of incontinence. The first type is urinary incontinence and this is a common problem, especially among the elderly. Care home managers can reduce incidents by making it easier for residents to access the toilets. It may also be beneficial to provide protective products such as pads and pants. Unfortunately, when residents remove these items, it is likely to affect the home’s physical environment. These types of situations can be managed by choosing appropriate furniture or by installing hard flooring. The second type is faecal incontinence. This does not happen often but it can be a problem for the environment. Physical disabilities and mental conditions such as dementia, or a reaction to certain medications, can be the root cause. Decisions and policies made for the benefit of residents Management should strive to ensure that every decision is made with the benefit of residents in mind. In this respect, it wouldn’t hurt for managers to put themselves in the shoes of their residents once in a while. Remember, the residents will have expectations about the type of service they want to receive. If they are not satisfied, they will move elsewhere. Nurture a culture of positivity and dedication among staff In order to improve your care home, you need to attract potential residents and convince existing ones to remain with you. From the first moment a visitor arrives, you should surround them with positivity. Don’t be afraid to highlight the level of professionalism that exists within the home. By taking care of even the smallest details, you can create an excellent first impression. For example: Management and staff should be proud of their home Reputable care homes will always attract the best staff, including those who want to work as a care home nurse. To ensure your facility maintains its high standards, you will need to: Management and staff should always follow a customer-oriented culture. This will involve being friendly and accessible to visitors and residents. The team should provide a warm welcome to anyone who enters the home and this must include making positive eye contact. Your residents’ families and friends will appreciate a show of positive emotional support and interaction. They will view it as an assurance that their loved ones are being well treated. Determine what type of residents your home can accommodate First of all, management and staff should nurture an inclusive sense of community with the residents. This could comprise acts of friendship and celebrating events to highlight the bond between staff and residents. Unfortunately, sometimes a resident may have undergone so many changes that the home can no longer accommodate their needs. Their continued stay may even disrupt their fellow residents’ quality of life. In this scenario, managers may have to make the difficult decision of recommending that they are transferred to an appropriate facility elsewhere. Otherwise, they could negatively affect the lifestyles of the other residents. Conclusion When it comes to attracting potential residents and engaging existing ones, it is essential that care homes adopt a customer-oriented approach. Positive first impressions are vital if the business is going to expand. You can start by designing a professional-looking reception area and lobby. Next, make sure that visitors are met by fresh smells when they walk through the door. Although there will of course be challenges, management and staff can overcome them by adopting a professional and positive attitude.
Care UK announced as Health and Social Care Sponsor of The Big ‘Green’ Draw Festival 2020
The Big Draw Team is thrilled to announce that Care UK is the official health and social care sponsors of The Big Draw Festival 2020 which this year is themed: The Big Green Draw: A Climate of Change. For the second year running, Care UK is hosting Big Draw Festival events in over 50 of its care homes across the UK throughout October. As an organisation that leads the way in integrating arts into care homes, Care UK is well-placed to inspire other care homes to engage with the arts particularly during this uncertain time. For The Big Draw Festival 2019, more than half of Care UK’s 123 homes teamed up with schools, nurseries and groups of young people to draw, craft and create together alongside residents as part of their Big Draw Festival ‘Drawn to Life’ activities. Thanks to the challenges brought about by Covid-19, Care UK is exploring a more digital approach to its Big Draw events in 2020 by continuing to encourage intergenerational participation – but remotely. Activities will reflect this year’s Festival theme by encouraging participants to embrace their creative sides, get back to nature and explore environmental and wildlife themes . Care UK homes have already come up with some exciting creative ideas – for example, Bowes House in Hailsham is preparing to take residents on a virtual safari with the help of Knockhatch Adventure Park, colleagues and residents at Larkland House in Ascot are creating an autumn scene after discussing their relationship with nature to inspire their artwork, and at Harrier Lodge in Whitstable, they are producing their interpretation of Kandinsky’s Concentric Circles. Care UK’s dementia expert Suzanne Mumford said: “We are very proud to be the official health and social care sponsor for The Big Green Draw Festival 2020. “The recent pandemic has shown very powerfully how important and rewarding creative activities can be to care home residents, particularly when some of the more usual trips out and visitors have not been accessible. “The Big Draw initiative really resonates with our activity-based approach to care. As we did last year we plan to involve young people participating alongside residents in our homes. Although visits in person are not going to be possible so that we can keep everyone safe, we’ve got some cunning plans up our sleeves to use things like zoom and facebook to link with schools and other groups. “Arts are an essential part of life in our care homes and I’ve seen first-hand how drawing and painting can bring satisfaction and pride to older people. Using art materials can also be a powerful reminiscence activity for people living with dementia – prompting long forgotten skills and bringing into focus memories of a person’s earlier life. “After last year’s life drawing class, I can’t wait to see what our teams and residents come up with for their Big Green Draw Festival celebrations this year. “ Director of The Big Draw Kate Mason said: “Care UK has a history and track record in supporting individuals to feel fulfilled, active and supported in their environment – often through challenging times for them and their families. The Big Draw charity shares Care UK’s approach around the focusing on the nurturing of an individual to help them unleash new (or rediscover forgotten) talents, fresh curiosity or interests that make them happy and feel connected to those around them. Curiosity, play and creativity are what make us human and help maintain vitality of body, heart and soul – whatever our age or stage of life. Kate added: “ I visited Sherwood Grange (Care UK home) for a Big Draw event in 2019 which proved to be a truly life-affirming and uplifting experience. The commitment from all involved – and quality of artwork produced was a delight to witness. An added benefit was to have the opportunity to chat with some of the artist residents and hear a little about their own stories and adventures. “The Big Draw has always championed the power of lifelong learning and the positive impact of creative participatory activities for ourselves and the planet. For The Big Green Draw Festival 2020 we will explore sustainable methods of engagement and rediscover the ways in which we do, and do not harmonise with nature. We look forward to supporting new digital methods of engagement with the arts and drawing this year. “Care UK – like The Big Draw – values and embeds opportunities for creative engagement across its national portfolio of care homes- seeing first-hand the impact that little things can have. Small things can often lead to big things and act as a positive catalyst for an individual’s quality of life and increased self-confidence. Like The Big Draw, Care UK are also able to share the stories of normal ‘everyday’ people who do extraordinary things and continually surprise those around them with their invention, tenacity and energy. “With all the above in mind, we are delighted that Care UK has agreed to be the official health and social care sponsor for The Big Green Draw Festival 2020: A Climate of Change. Care UK shares our ambitions, passion and core values around quality of life and the right for everyone to be respected and express themselves creatively. We are looking forward to what we know will be a fruitful and dynamic partnership.”
Collaboration for a Better Future – Tomorrow will be a Better Day
Life after COVID-19 The challenges around our ageing demographic are growing, with additional incidents like COVID-19 putting a magnifying glass on the problems we already have and need to address. Action is required to ensure we can all Age Well without fear of loneliness, isolation, avoidable ill health and poor living conditions. In less than 20 years, it’s estimated that 25% of the population will be over the age of 65. Evidence dictates England needs to improve the quality of housing to be accessible, affordable, safe and comfortable to live in and the environment in which our housing sits is just as essential to support wellbeing. Zero carbon infrastructure and assistive technology will be vital to the effectiveness of housing, supporting people to live well and age well at home. Following the events of Covid-19 in 2020 it is more evident than ever that access to quality open space, to support health and wellbeing and the ability to meet and socialise in places that are attractive, comfortable and safe are essential components in the places we design and create. The accessibility of safe technology to provide virtual interaction, activity and social engagement will be vital to supporting people’s mental health and in preventing loneliness and isolation. The Good Home Inquiry launched data earlier this year showing approximately 10 million people in England spent the coronavirus lockdown in a home that presents a serious threat to their health and safety. With about 1.8 million adults living in damp and/or cold housing and, of these, more than one in ten people are living with health conditions potentially caused or exacerbated by poor housing, causing them to be ‘at greater risk’ of contracting and dying from coronavirus. According to data cited in the report, 4.3 million homes in England are what the government defines as ‘non-decent’ putting the health and wellbeing of their estimated 10 million inhabitants at risk. The report highlights that people who have been identified as most at risk of COVID-19, including older people, those with pre-existing health conditions and Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority groups, are more likely to be living in non-decent homes, along with those on low incomes. The issues a winter lockdown could generate, with increased fuel bills and exacerbated fuel poverty and people spending more time in their homes struggling to keep poorly insulated homes warm for longer periods are causing real concern to health and social care as the health of those most vulnerable will be negatively impact. The report calls on government to make sure at-risk groups have the support they need now to make their homes warmer, free from damp and mold, and safer. For some this means providing trusted information and advice to signpost them towards those who can help. For others, this will require more direct intervention such as financial support from Government to ensure homes are safe. In the longer term, much more needs to be done to fix the poor state of England’s housing with our existing housing stock amongst the worst in Europe. It will require collaboration of the highest scale across the public and private sectors to address these challenges, as no one organisation or body will have the capacity to meet the demand. Listening and learning from past and recent living experiences of people is essential to creating places fit for the future and innovation is vital to achieving better outcomes. As Henry Ford said, ‘if you always do what you’ve have always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’, so it’s time for change. History demonstrates that challenging times promote creativity and some of the best new inventions came out of worldwide conflict and deprivation. For example, much of the technology we take for granted today was developed in the 2nd world war and has helped shape the world today and the invention of pressurised cabins to protect health has enabled safer flying, growth of worldwide economies and travel experiences for mankind. We have the next worldwide conflict on the horizon the pandemic which there is no vaccine for ‘Climate Change’ and an opportunity to create a better place and to slow down considerably its impact on the world and its future. It is all our responsibility to act now to prevent the catastrophic impact climate change will have on our future generation’s lives. As well as to address the inequalities and devastating impact of poor housing on today’s society. So, let’s be bold and ambitious like we had to be in the 1st and 2nd world wars and invest in innovative solutions for infrastructure, products and services which hit zero-carbon transitional targets and decentralise services. Localised solutions maximise positive outcomes for community wellbeing. Creating opportunity for effective collaboration bringing together the best ideas, best skills and best production of zero carbon accessible and affordable lifelong solutions, is a challenge we can all embrace if we work together. I am proud to work for ENGIE in a position where I can influence and be part of solutions for a better place and I am excited by the potential of what we can achieve with the support of our customers and partners. Sir Captain Tom Moore is spot on! ‘Tomorrow will be a better day’ if we want it to be and is an example of what good can come out of the simplest idea… Paula Broadbent – Retirement Solutions Director Places & Communities ENGIE UK & Ireland For similar articles please visit our features section.
Mexican Partido day for Tividale care home residents
HC-One’s Warrens Hall care home in Tividale, West Midlands, put on a rather exciting Mexican themed day in both the Clent and Malvern Lounges. And there were smiles all round! Colleagues had decorated the loungers with Mexican decorations, flags & buntings. Then there were all sorts of exciting things for the Residents to do such as trying on sombreros, listening to Mexican music and having photos taken in the Mexican frame. Of course, this was followed by drinking Tequila Sunrise cocktails and eating nachos and salsa dips. The residents, including Betty, Doris, Vera, June, Mary, Linda and May enjoyed playing the ‘Hoopla Toss Game’ and beating the traditional Pinata as they could receiving delicious sweets and treats once the Donkey had been broken! Residents enjoyed listening to ‘Senora Suzi’ (a colleague at Warrens Hall) sing for them and also having a dance to the music. One of the residents said with a beaming smile on her face, “This has been one of the best days here yet, everyone has had a wonderful day”Home Manager, Kalmit Jagpal, commented, “This party has been fun, I really enjoy the theme days we have, it would be good if we could celebrate another countries culture.” Founded in 2011, HC-One is ‘The Kind Care Company’ who work with colleagues, Residents and relatives as they strive to provide the kindest care. They promote positive wellbeing, creating individual plans for Residents that support the mind, body and soul. HC-One’s Warrens Hall is a purpose-built home offering nursing and care, in the town of Oldbury. For more information, or to view the home, visit www.hc-one.co.uk or call 0333 321 4752
Digitally enabled
UK adults are now spending 4 hours a day online – this is the highest on record according to Ofcom’s annual Online Nation report. COVID-19 has significantly changed the way we communicate and people are now looking for new ways to keep connected, informed, entertained and well – both physically and mentally – in the pandemic. However, in an increasingly digital world, anyone not engaging with the internet is at risk of being left behind. The latest UK Consumer Digital Index 2020 report states that an estimated 7% of the UK population are still offline and 9 million people struggle to get online by themselves. Age and vulnerability are significant factors with the data showing that 77% of over 70s have very low digital engagement and 44% of those offline are under the age of 60. Furthermore, the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, or people with an impairment, are also less likely to have the skills they need to access the internet or use digital devices to get themselves online. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic members of the National Care Forum (NCF), the leading representative body for not for profit social care providers throughout the UK, have seen inspiring and creative ways professional care teams have found to keep those receiving care and support connected to their loved ones and to life. Care providers are using more digital forms of connectivity to create vibrant and stimulating activities to enable residents to stay in contact with friends and family beyond the doors of the care home. Care providers have highlighted the increasing importance of their staff being digitally enabled and digitally confident, and the current COVID-19 crisis has made this even more vital. Essential digital skills can be a lifeline for people and turn isolation from lack of connectivity into inclusion. The NCF has responded to this challenge by developing a series of simple practical resources (15 Crib sheets) to help care providers – big and small – make the best use of digital technology for their staff and residents in a COVID-19 world. The Crib sheets are designed to equip both staff and residents, or anyone using care and support services, with the basic skills they need to get online and to enjoy the experience of using technology. The Crib sheets are simple to use, bright and written in plain English to ensure the guidelines are straightforward to understand and accessible to all. The Crib sheets can be printed and laminated and are useful to help anyone in a care setting, in their own homes, or carers, families and friends benefit from learning new digital skills. The Crib sheets are grouped into three key themes, starting with basic skills on how to get started and connected to the internet, to providing helpful tips on using search engines to look for information, finding a website, using social networks, video calling and messaging. Vic Rayner, Executive Director at the NCF said: “Digital skills are becoming increasingly important, but as research shows, many older people and people with impairment and vulnerabilities are not always confident to get online by themselves. The changing demands as a result of the pandemic means that digital skills now play an important part in connecting people with others, helping people access important information and services, and maintain their health and wellbeing. It is absolutely essential that people are not excluded from the benefits that the internet and digital technologies can have in their lives, simply because they lack the skills to get online by themselves. This is the reason why we’ve developed the Crib sheets, to help care providers support their staff and residents with essential digital skills, to make sure that everyone who wants to has the opportunity to be connected, included and supported in using technology.” The Crib sheets can be downloaded and printed from the NCF website at www.nationalcareforum.org.uk
New report published on impact of asbestos-related cancer on healthcare professionals
Mesothelioma Asbestos Guidance Study (MAGS) and recommendations produced by Mesothelioma UK and University of Sheffield A study into the impact of asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma on healthcare professionals has been completed and a report outlining the results and recommendations is now available. The MAGS study was carried out by researchers at the University of Sheffield and funded by national charity, Mesothelioma UK, alongside donations from the family and friends of the late Dr Mags Portman, a pioneer in the fight to prevent and control HIV, who died of mesothelioma in 2019. MAGS report cover.png Mesothelioma is a cancer related to exposure to asbestos and predominantly affects the lining of the lungs. The UK has the highest incidence of the disease in the world with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year. With many NHS hospital buildings containing some asbestos, the study aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare workers in the UK with mesothelioma and to develop recommendations for increasing awareness of the risk to healthcare workers. Recommendations from the study include the need to get a more accurate picture of the extent of mesothelioma amongst healthcare staff, that awareness of asbestos risk should be added to the mandatory training for new members of NHS staff, and that special consideration should be given to the communication of the diagnosis. Through patient interviews, literature reviews, and data analysis researchers examined the experiences of presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and care of healthcare staff with mesothelioma. Participants included both clinical staff, such as doctors and nurses, and non-clinical staff, such as medical secretaries, cleaners, porters, and maintenance staff. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is now available at www.mesothelioma.uk.com/magsDr Peter Allmark, the lead researcher for MAGS at the University of Sheffield said: “The healthcare workers I interviewed were people who’d worked many years caring for others. That they had either certainly, or probably been exposed to asbestos at work and become seriously ill as a result was deeply upsetting. Their wish is that this project will help healthcare workers avoid this in future.” Professor Angela Tod, Division of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield comments:“MAGS provides valuable insight into the nature of asbestos exposure for people working in healthcare environments. It also indicates we are currently under-estimating the numbers of people who have developed mesothelioma after working in a range of health-related occupations. We hope MAGS will inform future action to reduce risk of asbestos exposure and improve the care of healthcare workers who develop mesothelioma.” Liz Darlison, Head of Services for Mesothelioma UK added: “We’re learning that mesothelioma doesn’t just affect people who worked in areas typically associated with asbestos exposure such as the construction or shipping industries. People are exposed to asbestos in many of our public buildings such as hospitals and schools. “Mesothelioma UK will ensure that this research raises awareness of the risk of exposure to healthcare staff and hopefully, improve the treatment and care given to them by medical teams and support agencies. Dr Mags Portman was a huge inspiration and I would like to say a personal thank you to her family friends who supported this study.”
CPA responds to the Adult Social Care Winter Plan
The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) welcomes the government’s promise of extra funding as part of the Infection Control Fund and the announcement of the new Adult Social Care Winter Plan. Kathy Roberts, Chair of the CPA said: “The Care Provider Alliance has been working closely with the Minster of State (Minister for Care) Helen Whately, MP and senior policy officials at the Department of Health and Social Care on the core elements of the Winter Plan. As an Alliance we have played an important role in calling on government to provide essential PPE for free to care providers and for the continuation of the zero-rate VAT on PPE supplies after the current deadline of 31st October 2020. Our work with members has resulted in, on average, 99% of all care home providers reporting on the Capacity Tracker data capture initiative. We believe visibility of the dashboard reporting mechanism should be extended to the wider care sector to make sure people using care and support services and staff are safely supported through the winter. “We are also delighted by the announcement of a new Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. During the height of the pandemic, many of our members told us of the essential need for expert clinical advice and input. Our expectation is that this role further strengthens our ability to provide more community-based longer term condition management and palliative care. We look forward to working closely with the Chief Nurse when appointed.
Help to those having difficulties with mental health
As we navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increasing concern about the country’s mental health. Families who have been separated for months, bereavement suffered without normal means of support; and children not attending school. All have had an impact. For those in or connected to the care industry, things have been particularly difficult. With a restriction on visitors, families had to adapt how they connected, with our older generation learning new technologies to keep in touch. There have been many videos and photos shared on social media of children at windows visiting their elderly relatives. Carers have stayed away from their own families in order to keep their residents safe. For everyone involved it has been extraordinary. Staff and their families worried about spreading the virus, whilst relatives of care residents have been unable to visit. As adults, we can understand, even if we find it difficult to reconcile. However, younger children may really struggle. They may really struggle for some time to come. With a desire to help, Clare Shaw, an author of therapeutic stories for primary aged children, has partnered with a national mental health charity, Kaleidoscope Group Plus. Clare writes picture books to help younger children understand certain situations. The current focus is on two of her books, Love Will Never Die; Helping children through bereavement and At Times I Get These Feelings; Helping children with emotions. Love Will Never Die has been used by schools and funeral directors across the country since it was first published. It explains death in an incredibly honest and direct, child-friendly way. There are many areas where the child can write or draw their own emotions, while the text gently guides the child through their grief. Children can find it difficult to identify and deal with their emotions. At Times I Get These Feelings covers twelve emotions explaining how each can make the child feel and offering hints and tips to help them with that feeling. There are many activities in the book that are widely used by teachers and ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) within schools and it has been hailed a “must have” for all children! Established in 1973, Kaleidoscope Group Plus offer a wide range of services for people experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing. Their services include: ‘community outreach initiatives to provide opportunities to people who want to improve their wellbeing, counselling for young people and adults, corporate mental health training, national telephone support line, national crisis text line, as well as residential care homes and supported houses for the most vulnerable in society.’ Together we hope to be able to help those who need it across the country. We are working to get free copies of Love Will Never Die and At Times I Get These Feelings into primary schools across the UK through fundraising and corporate sponsorship. We have set up discount code KPG40 at www.cskidsbooks.com offering people 40% off rrp on these two titles; with every book sale on the website a percentage goes back into the charity to help fund the much needed and superb work that they carry out. For more information about the charity please visit https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/index.php For more information about the books and to place an order please visit https://cskidsbooks.com/ Kaleidoscope Plus Group have just launched a brand-new service – Talk2Us – free to use for anyone in the UK. You can contact them through the following: Phone: Call 0800 059 0123 Monday-Friday between 9am & 8pm, Saturday-Sunday between 5pm-8pm. Messenger: Chat to us online through our website, or directly through Facebook and a member of our team will be with you as soon as possible to talk. https://www.facebook.com/TheKaleidoscopePlusGroup/
Empowering our older generation to create their own future
Comment by Paula Broadbent, retirement solutions director at ENGIE. “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – Abraham Lincoln I have always found this quote inspirational, and it has particularly influenced my personal ambition to provide better choices for older people in the UK. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which launched in 2018, is a result of this ambition. It allows customers to have more control over their environment and their own futures in later life. To empower people, is to engage with them – so at LIFEstyle we have invested heavily in research and development through two-way communication. Our best advisors and advocates are our customers, and we have given people over 55, a voice right from the start of the LIFEstyle vision. We aim to ensure we understand what people aspire to in later life, and what the challenges are that they face – this is essential to creating a future that meets expectation, as well as need. When Spring of 2020 brought unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a major impact was felt across the world; creating fear, dismay and devastation for many, especially the older generation. Our LIFEstyle customers have not been immune to the ravaging effects, however, the sense of community, safe environment and individualised support available on our development has made the world of difference. This along with carefully designed lifelong homes offering indoor and outdoor independent space has helped people to remain safe and independent. I am very proud of our business model, LIFEstyle is weathering the pandemic – a storm no one could predict. We’re lucky to be working with a model that has proved successful in some of the toughest conditions the UK has faced for generations. However, we are not sitting on our laurels as we review the lessons learnt by scientists in relation to the spread of the virus. We’re constantly looking to identify preventative measures that we can build into our products and services in readiness for a spike or repeat of such a pandemic. The demand for our first LIFEstyle development in Walton Wakefield has increased two-fold since the lockdown eased and customer comments give a clear indication the approach at LIFEstyle by ENGIE is the right way forward. This is only strengthened by our commitment to delivering zero carbon communities. Climate change is the pandemic we will not be able to develop a vaccine for, but we can slow it down and prevent it. The implications of doing nothing are far reaching and the devastation will not discriminate. My ambition is to build on the success of LIFEstyle, to create community based zero carbon solutions that decarbonise the environment and decentralise services. The impact of us doing something about climate change will be massive for future generations and can empower us all to create our own future. As a senior leader within ENGIE, I make no apologies for being ambitious in my drive to deliver a business model that will change the horizon for future generations of older people in the UK. I aim to drive a way forward for a healthy future, for an environment that allows older generations to have aspirations in later life and a vision to support people to age well and live well, whilst protecting our planet. We will connect communities, health, housing and social care across all tenure groups. I am proud to work for a business with a clear mission, to place the planet and its population at the heart of its thinking when it comes to creating place, shaping and delivering infrastructure and services, to meet the need for a sustainable future. And I remain determined, to give the older generation a voice through education and engagement with younger creators, to ensure they are rightfully empowered to create their own futures. LIFEstyle by ENGIE is not simply about building suitable, lifelong homes to address short term aspirational needs of people over 55 or about providing a lovely home in a great location. LIFEstyle by ENGIE made a commitment to customers to provide long term sustainability and enable customers to influence, shape and control their own future; a future focused on remaining independent and well for longer. LIFEstyle by ENGIE, allows people to future proof their lives and not just their home – promoting better long-term outcomes in later life. A home is not simply about an energy efficient building in the right location, it’s the support network of friends, family and interaction within the community that all contribute towards creating the perfect lifelong home. We understand this, and are committed to creating communities that focus on essential infrastructure like; location, accessibility to essential services, efficient green energy infrastructure, digital network and community facilities. We want to enable people to engage with others in meaningful activities, bringing all generations closer together. The community hub is a key feature of all our LIFEstyle developments, along with cost effective pay as you go services and property adaptations when people need them. We ensure affordability of services and facilities which support wellbeing and make this all available on the doorstep. We are also working on innovations to compliment LIFEstyle by ENGIE, which we hope to launch later this year including; Electric Car share, ENGIE Digital Assistant and Modular Lifelong homes. Ultimately, when it comes to happiness at any age, there are three homes we must take care of. Our body, our mind and our planet. At LIFEstyle we ensure our flexible and dynamic offering takes care of all three without compromise. For similar articles please visit our features section
