Runwood Homes – Yellow Ribbon scheme
At Runwood Homes, we believe that it is of utmost importance that we treat our residents with dignity and respect in life and after passing. We have introduced the yellow ribbon as a sign of respect and remembrance. If a resident sadly passes away, a yellow ribbon will be present on their bedroom door handle so that all residents, staff and visitors are aware. We believe this is a comfort for families and friends and can help with the grieving process and for everyone to fondly remember them. At the end of life, a Comfort Wicker Basket will be placed in a resident’s room containing some important, personal belongings so that a special item may be picked out by a loved one to keep. The chosen item will be something that provides comfort at an emotional time. A meeting will be held with residents and families to decide what items they’d like included in their basket. Please speak to any staff member to discuss the Yellow Ribbon. www.runwoodhomes.co.uk
Carers seek to overcome loneliness on World Friendship Day
Carers seek to overcome loneliness on World Friendship Day Manorcourt Homecare, a provider of home-based care services in Hornchurch and the surrounding areas, is urging the local community to consider the importance of extending a hand of friendship to those who may be lonely, as part of World Friendship Day. Statistics show that there are around 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK, and half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all*. This number will be significantly higher across all age groups. The homecare provider is using the national day, used to celebrate the wonderful positives of friendship, to remind the community of its new Branch Out scheme that offers informal support to people of all ages and abilities in the local area. The Branch Out service offers people in and around Hornchurch with a ‘Branch Out Buddy’ to help with everything from accompanying them on outings, such as to the shops, concerts, sporting events or the hairdressers, through to helping with daily chores and meal preparation. Alternatively, it can be as simple as sharing a coffee and conversation together to help combat loneliness. Via the service, a Buddy can visit at any time of the day to suit individual needs and any number of visits can be booked. Manager of the Hornchurch branch, Lisa McDonald said, “World Friendship Day is an ideal time for us to remind the community about our Branch Out service. There will be people in the local community who may know someone who could do with a friend and could benefit from our service so that they don’t have to feel alone. “The Branch Out Buddy provides something completely different to our standard ‘care’ packages and are available to any age group or ability. “It’s a completely flexible, informal visiting service that can be as simple as popping round for a chat and a game of cards, preparing a meal together, or even taking someone out to their favourite pastime, such as to a quiz night, karaoke, football match or bingo! “We know that having a visitor from time to time can make all the difference to someone living alone. The aim of our Branch Out service is to give someone something to look forward to or to simply make their lives that little bit easier.” The Hornchurch branch is also actively recruiting more buddies to fulfil the Branch Out service. It offers a fabulous opportunity for those looking for flexible work to select sociable hours to suit, whether it’s around children’s school times for parents or for semi-retired or retired people who may be looking for additional income during the mornings, afternoons or early evenings. Manorcourt Homecare is part of the Healthcare Homes Group and is based on Station Lane in Hornchurch. For more information on the Branch Out service and the other services available, call 01708 472911 or visit www.manorcourtcare.co.uk
Log my Care launches new Photos and Zones features
New feature releases are a testament to the responsiveness of the software provider and how committed they are to being designed by carers for carers. Log my Care prides themselves on listening to their community when it comes to releasing new features and updates to their award-winning free care management system. They firmly stand by their commitment to being “designed by Carers for Carers” and are proud to announce the latest update contains two of our most hotly requested features. Evidence outstanding care like never before with the addition of photos. Carers using our Carer App can now add photos when they are making logs. This is great for evidencing outstanding care delivery during CQC inspections and because the photos are taken directly within the App they are super secure and no image is left on the devices themselves. They have also launched Zones. A new and simple way to batch up your service-users and residents into sensible groups such as floors, wings, rooms, beds etc. to easily segment up which care tasks are shown to the corresponding Carers from within the app. Sam Hussain, Founder of Log my Care explains further, “Our latest release shows how much hard work and effort we are putting into both listening to our community and actively adapting the care system to their requirements. Not only am I extremely proud of this latest release, but the speed, in which the team are releasing updates is a testament to our agility as a software provider.” If you’re interested in electronic care management, then there has never been a better time to ditch the paper, save your care service tonnes of time and ease the administrative burden on your care team. Visit www.logmycare.co.uk and create your free account today.
MP praises “brilliant” team after visit to ‘outstanding’ local care home
The Member of Parliament for Morley and Outwood, Andrea Jenkyns, praised an ‘outstanding’ care home after she took part in its 20th birthday celebrations. Andrea Jenkyns MP said it was “fantastic to visit Dolphin Lane”, a care home that is rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the health and social care watchdog. The local MP praised the “brilliant team for all they do”. She also described the residents’ art exhibition as “amazing”. The MP met residents and the care team at Dolphin Lane, which supports people with autism and learning disabilities. In the CQC’s most recent report of Dolphin Lane, inspectors said, “People and their relatives were universally positive about staff’s care and compassion”. The CQC described staff as “kind, attentive and patient”. Residents from another home managed by Dolphin Lane’s provider, Daisy Vale House, also attended the birthday celebrations. Both Dolphin Lane and Daisy Vale House are located in Thorpe, near Wakefield, and support adults with autism and learning disabilities. They are managedby Priory Adult Care, a division within the renowned Priory Group, the mental healthcare specialists. Adele Taylor, Registered Manager at Dolphin Lane, said: “It was a real privilege to meet Andrea Jenkyns MP and introduce her to the residents and staff team. We all had a great time celebrating the home’s 20thanniversary and our residents’ successes.” Rebekah Cresswell, Chief Operating Officer at Priory Adult Care, said: “I enjoyed the celebrations because it was a really good opportunity to reflect on the great work taking place at Dolphin Lane and Daisy Vale House. I am grateful that Andrea Jenkyns MP came along to meet staff and residents. It was a pleasure talking to her about the excellent support we give to residents at both homes.”
Wright Care Solutions Ltd
Wright Care Solutions Ltd. an award winning Advisory Team, originally established in 2006, moving to a Limited Company in 2012. Our services include: supporting homes to reach compliance with CQC, CCG and Local Authority Quality Monitoring Teams. We achieve this by visiting your care environment to review the services that are offered. The visit can be informal or if required the visit can be in the form of an external audits or a mock inspection. We also provide Regulation 17 visits and can support with increasing occupancy, marketing of the home and we have experience of commissioning new builds. During the last 3 years there has been an increase in homes engaging us to support with reaching compliance following receipt of an adverse CQC inspection. We have a “hands on” approach and provide advice, support, action plans and reports, but where needed, roll up our sleeves and support to put things right. This may include undertaking competency checks with staff, providing audit tools or other documentation required. Julie Wright, Lead Advisor, is a qualified nurse with an in-date PIN number and 40 years’ experience in the sector. Her particular areas of expertise are in the fields of Mental Health, Dementia Care and Environment and Learning Disabilities. Recent contracts include: www.wright-care.co.uk
Orchard Care Homes give activities some Oomph!
Orchard Care Homes, one of the UK’s leading care providers for the elderly, is pulling out all the stops to create fun, engaging and inclusive activities for its residents. The organisation has partnered with Oomph!, a company that aims to enhance mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of people through innovative exercise and activities, in an activities programme for all of its 40 homes across the country. Tom Brookes, CEO at Orchard Care Homes, says the company will continue to deliver the very highest standard of care to every resident. He commented: “My commitment to the residents across all of our care homes is to have hope and optimism for their future and to enjoy life to the full. Activities in our homes are tailored to the wishes, needs, life stories and interests of our residents and our partnership with Oomph! enables us to provide activities that create a genuine connection between the past and present.” Taking a whole-home approach to activities, staff have undergone training on Oomph!’s Wellbeing Leadership programme, designed to give them the skills to create and sustain a person-centred plan of varied exercise and activities for residents to enjoy. The programme includes a series of skills workshops, including Oomph! Nature, which has been designed in partnership with Kew Gardens. Homes have already completed a vast range of skills workshops, including one which focused on music therapy and one which focused on mindfulness and relaxation. These workshops aim to encourage residents to try something new – or rediscover lost passions. Through Oomph! Nature, residents will be encouraged to get outdoors and appreciate nature more – or have the opportunity to bring the outside in, through adaptations to fit their needs and abilities. The new content will ensure that the wellbeing programmes at the homes are continually fresh and exciting. Additionally, engaging days out to a range of destinations will be run, with trip experiences created through partnerships with the National Trust and HQ Theatres. The trips aim to connect residents to the people and places that matter most to them and have previously included unexpected locations, such as gin distilleries, monkey sanctuaries and racing tracks. Getting out and about is an essential part of both mental and physical wellbeing, and these trips will provide stimulating and fun experiences for both residents and staff alike. Jackie Murray, Regional Director for Orchard Care Homes, says; “Oomph! Out and About is an amazing programme that has impacted massively on residents’ health and wellbeing throughout our homes in the North East. The feedback from residents, families, managers and staff is always so positive and uplifting.” Ben Allen, Oomph!’s CEO and Founder, said: “Oomph! is delighted to be working with the Orchard Care Homes’ team. It’s a privilege to be an integral part of the organisation’s activity provision. We share the same values and drive for innovation and are delighted to be adding additional fun and engagement to resident activities!”
Safe Heating Transforms Meallmore Care
Safe surface temperature specialists, Contour, have provided a comprehensive, multi-phase LST package to a significant Scottish care organisation. Due to tighter regulations around patient safety and wellbeing Meallmore were looking for a product that would be good looking, well designed and a long lasting solution. They were also mindful of the view to having a hygienic solution to help combat the rise of superbugs in the care environments. Meallmore Care is one of the foremost providers of innovative and ethical health and social care, with premises located through Scotland and boasting the ISO 9001 International Accreditation for quality assurance each year for the past 8 years. Contour’s range of innovative and aesthetic LST radiator guards are backed-up by a unique service package, including free site surveys, split deliveries, exclusive patented features, a dedicated technical support department and a supply & fit service. The recommended surface temperature for radiators and pipework in care homes is 43°C. Above this the risk of burns and scalds increases, and residents are put in danger of potentially life-changing injuries if they are exposed to hot surfaces. The result of these injuries, however, is not only catastrophic for the resident; it can also be damaging both financially and legally for care home managers. Contour were chosen to supply almost one hundred of their pioneering DeepClean LST radiator guards to the latest addition in the Meallmore group, Glencairn Lodge in Fraserburgh. The guards were supplied over four phases, with deliveries staggered over a five-month time period. Contour’s DeepClean LST radiator guard was specified because of the synergy between its features and the needs of care home clients.The guard incorporates a unique, patented, full-access front door which can be lowered down to floor level by one cleaning operative – without assistance from estates. This facilitates access to every internal surface for cleaning and maintenance, improving hygiene standards, raising efficiencies and reducing operating overheads. Every radiator cover incorporates BioCote® anti-microbial technology as standard. The additives in the powder coating have been proven to reduce the bacteria on the surface of the radiator by 99.5% in two hours and is 99.99% effective against resistant bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli. Microbes such as H1N1 influenza virus, Salmonella and Streptococcus faecalis can be found on many surfaces, including radiators. BioCote® inhibits the growth of these bacteria for the lifespan of the LST radiator, reducing the risk of cross-contamination creating more hygienic spaces and proving a safer and healthier environment for service users and staff alike. With a one-piece construction and all cut-outs programmed into manufacture, it means that no assembly is required, dramatically reducing disruption, mess and installation time. Safety grilles are radiused to eliminate unhygienic dirt traps and are small enough to prevent fingers being trapped and stop small items from being dropped inside. Contour also offers a range of anti-ligature features for application in secure environments. To arrange your free site survey and consultation, contact Contour on 01952 290498, email sales@contourheating.co.uk or visit www.contourheating.co.uk Contour Heating Products Ltd The Mansions, 43 Broadway, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8BB
Tonbridge home care provider urges older people to stay hydrated this summer
Following the high temperatures this weekend, local home care provider Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells has issued a warning to older people across the borough to stay hydrated this summer. The company has launched its ‘Summer Hydration’ campaign to help educate vulnerable elderly people about the harmful effects of heat and sun exposure. “High temperatures and hot weather can be incredibly dangerous, particularly for elderly people,” says Clare Mortlock, Operations Manager at Bluebird Care Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. “During the summer heatwave last year, Office of National Statistics figures show that there were nearly 995 more deaths than the average for the same months during the 2012-2017 period. Thousands of people end up in hospital each year due to heat and allergies brought on by the hot weather. “Dehydration reduces the body’s ability to sweat and maintain a normal temperature, so we are encouraging people across Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells to seriously consider their hydration this summer and to take positive steps to increase their fluid intake during hot weather. High temperatures and sun exposure are extremely serious and potentially life threatening.” Ensuring adequate intake of fluids is essential to avoiding heat-related conditions including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. Government recommendations suggest everyone should have around six to eight glasses a day, which can be water or sugar-free drinks. Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England, said: “It’s really important to take simple precautions like drinking plenty of water, using high-factor sunscreen and remembering to take allergy medication if you need it – as is making sure to check in on neighbours and loved ones who can suffer the most from heat and pollen.” As part of the campaign, Bluebird Care’s team will ensure that elderly people are properly advised on the best way to stay hydrated during scheduled home care visits. Bluebird Care has put together the following tips to help people avoid heat related illness and ensure everyone is prepared for the hot weather: * Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing to allow your body to cool properly. * Protect against sunburn with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. * Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help your body sweat to maintain a normal body temperature. * Take extra precautions with certain medications. Be on the lookout for heat-related problems if you take medications that can affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and dissipate heat. * Don’t sit in a parked car, as temperatures in a car can rise by up to 10°C in 15 minutes. * Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day and try to schedule exercise or physical labor for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. * Be cautious if you’re at increased risk. If you have a history of previous heat illness, avoid the heat and act quickly if you notice symptoms of overheating.
Using technology to advantage in health, aged, social services and home care
The CQC fundamental standards highlight the need to support people to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their home care, treatment and support. Organisations need to show that staff routinely involve people who use their services, in planning and making decisions about their care and treatment. The era of health professionals deciding care and goals is over. Technology can support residents, clients, staff and managers alike, achieve these aims if the right type of technology / software is used. Staff are responsible for ensuring a person’s clinical, medical and care needs, preferences and lifestyle choices are professionally assessed, and that a care plan is created that describes all these. If the resident is to be involved as possible in the process, technology needs to enable them to contribute to these assessments and plans. Does your technology support a resident’s contribution to care planning? Technology also has to aid staff reduce the documentation burden but what is the aim of documentation? Documentation has to capture e.g. cultural, social and religious needs and determine how these relate to care. Staff must take this information into account when delivering services. Technology should not just collect ‘staff actions taken’data. Staff need to know which meals to provide, how to support activities of daily living, but also residents’ emotional functional/ physical support needs, continence needs and the pain management strategies to utilise all day. We work in aged care because we care what happens to older persons or those requiring support, hence the data we collect has to be meaningful. Technology solutions must record a holistic assessment of all aspects of a person’s life for staff to address each day – not just the tasks undertaken by staff – and automatically make care plans from the assessment data captured. How can technology do this? Apps designed to gather preferences, choices and clinical information for residents and staff, that interface dynamically with a full clinical, social, medication and operations’ management software system, from any tablet or phone, are now available by quality software providers. Technology can also auto-alert health and care professionals re key information held by these products. For example, beacon technology can be used to push critical client or resident information to a device as staff walk past a beacon disc on a door or house. Apps can also aid residents feel part of the community. They can present information on a resident’s tablet or phone screen, including streetscapes of favourite places that can be watched as the person exercises, or images uploaded by staff or family on the resident’s home page, that represents a person’s timeline, supporting reminiscence and emotional calm. Technology can also aid manager’s critical decision making processes. Residents want managers to know that an infection resolves in 7 days with x antibiotic and interventions but 2 weeks with other interventions. They want management to analyse all the falls in the bathrooms vs the corridor this month, and know at what time of the day they occurred to establish if staff ratios are appropriate at those times. They want staff to know how many pillows/blankets they prefer, their overnight continence aid, the book or magazine to keep with them in the lounge or the movie or sport they want to watch. Not all software companies are the same and not all technology achieves what is really needed. As healthcare environments and services are ever changing, software systems need to provide full content configuration, forms and reports builders, that reflect instantly in the linked Apps that are used by staff and residents. Apps need to be auto-modified through changes made in the software so every organisation can become their own, at no extra cost, development company. Choosing the right technology not only helps you save money – but can also aid you to future proof your organisation. Author: Dr Caroline Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer Company: Leecare Solutions UK Limited, Leecare Solutions Pty Ltd, Leecare Health Pte Ltd UK GM: Temby Nyemba RGN, BSc, MA Telephone: UK: +44 7456 050032 Head office: +61 3 9339 6888 Web Address: www.leecare.co.uk www.leecare.irish
