Care workers love their profession, but endure poor pay & abuse
Report finds home care workers love their profession, but endure poor pay, abuse and fear the impact of Brexit and automation A new report on the state of the home care industry has found that home care workers are facing extremely difficult social, political and economic challenges in carrying out their roles. The report by leading home care reviews site, homecare.co.uk, surveyed 1,305 members of the home care workforce. The findings show that home care workers continue to be dedicated to their jobs – with 94% saying they enjoy the role and 81% not intending to leave the profession – but they are working in challenging conditions. Care workers are facing tough economic times with over one in four (26%) not being paid the real living wage. Moreover, 38% are not being paid travel time – a widely documented poor practice in the industry. Job security is also highlighted as an area of concern, with 65% of care workers working for agencies that use zero-hour contracts. Due to the nature of their work they face a higher risk of abuse in the workplace than in other industries. With 65% reporting verbal abuse and 34% having received physical abuse while carrying out their role. The workforce is also concerned with social and political changes happening in the industry and the impact it will have on their work. Short-term fears include 47% saying Brexit will have a detrimental impact on the provision of care workers. Whilst longer-term 48% are concerned that their jobs might be replaced with the increase in automation in the sector. The report also includes insight into what the workforce want to see happen to attract more people to work in care. The majority, 45%, would like to see an increase in pay, 16% think there needs to be better training and 38% want the prestige of care work to be raised. Sue Learner, editor of homecare.co.uk, said: “Our first homecare.co.uk survey throws a spotlight on the humanity of the home care workforce and it is testament to their compassion and altruism, that despite often low wages and poor job security, the majority of care workers say they enjoy their job and have no intention of leaving the profession. “While MPs are fighting over Brexit, care workers are our unsung heroes, quietly getting on with the job of caring for the vulnerable and elderly. “Eighty-four per cent of home care workers in the UK are women and they are bearing the brunt of the government’s inability to fix the social care funding crisis. “It is time for the government to properly value care workers and celebrate the work they do by giving them the pay and status they deserve.” Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive of the National Association of Care and Support Workers, said: “In the era of austerity, the ethics surrounding zero-hour contracts have made the headlines, as many cited reduced job security, whilst others argued they are a tool of flexibility. The use of these contracts is still hugely prevalent in the care sector, with 65% of respondents saying their agency uses them. Reflecting the debate on this issue, the homecare.co.uk survey shows the issue of zero-hours contracts is as divisive in the care work force, with 47% agreeing with these contracts as tools of flexible working, whilst 41% take the opposing view. “Different options of contracts should be offered to care workers. Zero-hours contracts work if both sides understand the need and allow for flexibility and work together. Zero-hours contracts are unacceptable when they are used by providers as a way of keeping more people on for the benefit of extra availability, but create anxiety in care workers who then do not know how much they are going to earn next week. “Additionally, it is unacceptable that some providers still do not pay travel time. Travel time is not an additional benefit but a legally required part of community care workers’ pay. The guidance and enforcement of this must become stronger.” Robert Stephenson-Padron, Managing Director of Penrose Care in London, said: “Unless the Home Office comes up with an extremely fast special visa regime, as in one day or less, for social care prior to Brexit, then Brexit is likely to have a severe negative impact on social care in light of an already existing labour shortage and the prospect of local workers retiring or exiting and not being replaced by local workers. Such visas are likely to be unattractive to prospective workers unless they provide a clear and guaranteed pathway to permanent residency.” Martin Jones, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care UK, said: “Technology has real potential to drive positive change in the care sector but we must draw a line to ensure that we don’t remove the ‘human’ side of caring. We believe that technology should be used to ‘enhance’ the care being delivered, but it will never replace it. “Combining high-tech with high-touch means that we can drive higher quality care which is even more bespoke to an individual but without removing the personal touch. It’s about ensuring technology is used as a catalyst for improved connectivity and empowerment. “Technology like care robots could well be used in future, but not in isolation – we believe the human touch will always be needed.”
British Healthcare In Crisis
Jonathan Bruce, Managing Director at Prestige Nursing + Care, discusses the need for politicians to focus on the future of social care. They say a week is a long time in politics, and the past few have seen the long-term future of British healthcare plunge deeper into uncertainty. The latest episode of this healthcare crisis was aired in May, with the news that the Social Care Green Paper was not to be published for at least another five months. It had been originally slated for Autumn 2017. What makes this issue and development particularly worrying is the supposed disagreement on how to fund the plans, between No10, the Treasury and the Department for Health, which has become so wide that there have been rumours that the Green Paper could be dropped permanently. This would be disastrous for all concerned in the care industry. The change in Prime Minister will only serve to continue the confusion and stagnation surrounding the long-term healthcare plans. Can the new PM really balance the task of getting the care industry out of this crisis while getting to grips with the most important job in the country over the coming months? Moreover, the next Prime Minister will have their own agenda, ambitions, as well as people in mind to fill Cabinet positions. It’s possible that Matt Hancock won’t remain as Health Secretary beyond this leadership election, as one of his competitors may have brought in someone that aligns more with their beliefs. We have little idea of what the next Health Secretary will do with these Green Paper plans, whether they’ll support them or rip them up and start again. All this means is that the Green Paper that could do so much good for the industry will fall further and further away from seeing the light, at a time when it is needed the most. See https://www.prestige-nursing.co.uk to learn more about the health and social care provided by the group.
Great Oaks invests in robotic technology
Great Oaks invests in robotic technology to boost residents’ health and wellbeing Residents from Great Oaks care home in Bournemouth have benefited from the addition of two new robotic animals as part of the home’s pet therapy sessions, Biscuit the robotic dog and Arthur the robotic cat. Great Oaks is already home to the residents’ pet budgie called Smuggler which often brings a smile to everyone’s face when he starts to sing. It has been recognised since Smuggler was introduced to the home, that he has encouraged social interaction and visibly reduced stress and anxiety in residents with dementia. Biscuit the robotic dog and Arthur the robotic cat are a welcome addition to the home’s dedicated pet therapy sessions. Biscuit responds to touch and speech, just like a real dog would, making him the perfect companion. Arthur mimics a cat’s typical behaviour by meowing, purring and lifting its paws in response to speech. Michele Blake, wellbeing manager at Great Oaks, explained: “Animals have always been part of our varied care programme at Great Oaks due to the positive impact they have on our residents’ wellbeing and overall health. However, the recent investment into the robotic pets means that our residents now have access to them throughout the day and can pet them for longer. “One of our residents had been quite unsettled one morning and soon after she interacted with the cat, she appeared much calmer while stroking it, and told everyone how lovely her new pet was. We always welcome new ways to grow and enhance the high standard of care which we provide and look to incorporate new technology into the home that is going to benefit our residents.” Great Oaks is managed by Encore Care Homes, with two other care homes in Christchurch and Fareham, and a fourth due to open in Poole later this year. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of 24-hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings. Please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk for more information or call 01202 476960.
Generous plumber inspires charity tradesmen
From plumber to internet sensation overnight. Generous plumber James Anderson from Burnley fixed a 91 year old’s – who is terminally-ill – boiler for free and when the news got out he was a hit online. ‘No charge for the lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24-hour to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.’ was written on the receipt for the work he had done and when the ladies daughter saw what he Mr Anderson has written, she took a picture of it and posted it online. Attention was later drawn to the post when it was commented on over 1,100 times and liked on twitter by more than 117,300 times. The father of five’s generous work has now inspired other tradesmen to pursue this with their trades and businesses too. However, this charitable work hasn’t always been plain sailing for Mr Anderson as it has seen him get into debts of up to £8,000. But this hasn’t stopped him and he has been continuing his work through donations and crowdfunding appeals in order for him to be able to help the sick and elderly across Lancashire. Since starting up his not-for-profit plumbing business in 2017 from home, it has been noted that he has been able to fix more than 2,000 peoples heating and plumbing either, for free or at a massively-reduced cost. the inspiration for his work began when he saw an elderly man being treated unfairly by another engineer and this spurred his not-for-profit work which is called Depher (Disabled and Elderly Plumping and Heating Repairs). Mr Anderson has hopes that Depher will be a nationwide enterprise but his work relies on donations from the public so he currently still does paid plumbing jobs on the side to help pay for the charitable work that he does. Recalling on the heart-breaking reality of another customer’s struggle to live at home alone without heat, Mr Anderson said: “This still makes me cry today. “I was at this lady’s and the boiler was knackered. She didn’t have any money, she had people dying in her family. She had come to the end of her tether and she had, when I walked in, a bowl on the table full of tablets. “And this woman was 82 years of age and she even said to me [when] I walked in, ‘If you can’t do the boiler I’m just going to take them because I’ve had enough and I’ll be better off’. “And I burst out crying then and I was going, ‘nah that’s not going to happen’. And I got in contact with the local Lord Mayor and I got in contact with Age Concern. “The three of us come together and we got her a boiler the next day. And, do you know the lady is still here. I still see her. She’s still smiling.”
ABB open API platform empowers elderly to lead independent and fulfilled lives with smart technology
In one of the first examples of its open API platform in practice, ABB has been working alongside the iHomeLab of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts to pioneer a personalized virtual assistant to improve quality of life for elderly residents through the use of smart technology. With increasing life expectancy, the number of seniors in the population will continue to grow. Consequently, solutions for Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) are becoming increasingly important to allow the elderly to live independently at home for longer. The ‘My Life, My Way’ project is the first project of its kind to use ABB’s new open API platform to provide an alternative means of holistic care and virtual support for key aspects of social and clinical care provision within assisted living environments. Designed to help large groups of residents live independently for longer, the project was implemented by iHomeLab and bonacasa Smart Living, together with a number of international partners. The project uses a virtual assistant, which supports assisted living in bonacasa apartments in Switzerland, implemented by the ABB-free@home® system. Called Anne, the virtual assistant interacts with residents through voice control or a tablet. The solution uses ABB-free@home® through its open API, MyBuilding portal and ABB Ability™ cloud-based platform to enable users to easily control all the functions of their smart apartment. At IFA 2019, ABB launched its open API platform to completely transform the smart home sector and create new possibilities for developers and partners to integrate hundreds of apps and solutions such as this unique virtual assistant. The ‘My Life My Way’ project is a powerful example of how ABB’s new open API platform enables greater third-party integration for the benefit of the end user. Through the API of ABB-free@home®, residents can ask the virtual assistant to access the Smart Home menu and easily control up to 15 functions in their apartment, from door automation to lights and video intercom. The trial comes at a critical time in healthcare provisioning, when global health care spending is projected to increase at an annual rate of 4.1% in 2017-2021, up from just 1.3% in 2012-2016 *. Many clinicians and worldwide healthcare providers are turning to smart technology as a positive route to provide innovative, cost-effective ways to help reduce and relieve the pressure on personnel and financial resources in health trusts. The key purpose of the trial with bonacasa Smart Living inhabitants in Switzerland was to check the acceptance of a virtual assistant with non-technically advanced people. User behavior was analyzed in detail and conclusions drawn, which were important for further development and commercialization of the project. The pilot also wanted to prove that the virtual assistant could really help residents to live in comfort and maintain daily routines in a healthy and supportive way. Oliver Iltisberger, Managing Director of ABB’s Smart Buildings business, said: “We are now living in a world where rising health care costs and our ageing population is causing unprecedented challenges to the health care sector. Smart technology offers new and pioneering ways in which certain aspects of care can be automated, but also help people live better, safer and more comfortably in their own homes to reduce the pressure on support resources.” “This trial is very exciting and demonstrates how easily smart technology can be adopted if it is integrated holistically into the living environment and can be personalized to the user through our open API platform.” ABB-free@home® allows for easy control of home automation applications from a mobile device or PC. In this trial, residents used a tablet with the on-screen avatar, in addition to panels on the wall, to control and manage certain functions within the home including lights and blinds, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) and the secure entry system. Smart technology packaged into sleek, user friendly controls and used across personal devices such as phones, computers or tablets are removing the stigma associated with supported living devices. The avatar offered an easy-to-use, natural way to interact with smart technology while helping residents to have more control over their day to day lives. Dr. Andrew Paice, Head of iHomeLab comments: “The aim of this pilot was to help elderly residents lead independent and fulfilled lives by blending people and technology. While the technology in the background is quite complex, for the end-users the virtual assistant is a friendly, human-looking avatar, which can be seen on the screen of their PC, TV, tablet or smart phone. Residents can speak to the virtual assistant using their native language. In a way, it’s like a modern version of a butler: someone that you can trust, who knows you very well, serves you as and acts in your interest when you need – either in the background or face to face.” With rising loneliness and isolation also affecting a growing number of the elderly, the avatar project is seen to be having a positive impact on helping families and friends connect more regularly through digital with video calls and instant messaging. Digital enablement in assisted living spaces ensure solutions can be easily integrated and combines smart home and healthcare technology into a single package of support and care. From managing medication control, helping with diet through to alarm setting and reminders, along with providing independent living, security, communication and social entertainment through digital enablement, the avatar is becoming widely accepted with two out of three residents asking to keep the tablet after the trial. Iltisberger from ABB continues: “We believe virtual assistants like this one can play a pivotal role in helping elderly residents and people with mobility issues, whether its programmed to support and maintain daily active lives or while in recovery.” “With the launch of our new API platform we welcome any new advancements in the medical field and anticipate a huge increase in smart technologies for assisted living programs. At ABB we continue to work with our partners to invest in the advancement of smart home and building technology to support
UK care home technology is advancing with Amazon Alexa
Numerous care homes in the UK have had their technology enhanced with the use of Amazon Alexa for their residents. Care homes such as Livability Brookside House stated that they believed it allows their residents to gain more independence, as with the help of Alexa, they are now able to control their television, play music and even control their lights. It is noted that some residents even use their gadgets to set reminders for them to take their medication, or have a drink of water. Staff at Hampton Care home on the outskirts of London, said that this kind of technology allows their time to be free’d up in order for them to give extra assistance to those who need it more than others. 89-year old resident ruth states that “I’d be bored stiff without her” and in the recent months when her eyesight has started to deteriorate, she has used her Amazon Alexa to listen to audio books, she explains that she uses her Alexa “on a daily basis”. A friend for life with new care home technology Loneliness is highlighted as one of the curses of the elderly, however, with an Alexa at hand, They will never be alone. Nursing staff have urged that an Alexa will never replace the involvement that they have with their residents, however, no matter the time of day, Alexa is a voice that can answer any questions – and that can be life changing for the elderly community. Balcombe Care Homes stated that “Industry experts are keen to exploit this aspect of the technology, and are creating programs designed to specifically help elderly users, including dementia sufferers, who could reap major benefits from this interactive speaker” An Amazon Alexa simply works from saying the word “Alexa” within territory of the device and it will respond, offering you a huge range of services and answers. It is explained on the Balcombe Care Homes website that an Alexa can “look up facts on the internet, organise shopping lists, playa your favourite music and, if your home network is set up appropriately, Alexa can even turn off your lights and set your heating thermostat on demand.” They also explained that by introducing an Amazon Alexa in an elderly person’s home, this may even possibly delay the need of a patient to move into a care home. Hampton Care Home state that the “pros outweigh the cons” when it comes to introducing devices like this into their care homes, as people have warned that it may have the “Black Mirror effect” and residents may be getting listened to, however, Digital Line boss and project architect George Vaughn states that “We shouldn’t be afraid of using AI in care. It forces residents top be more articulate and engage their brains”. And he emphasises that “People are still needed for when residents need to be washed, dressed or hoisted out of bed. The speakers simply allow residents to make decisions without needing to ask.” Care and Nursing Magazine previously covered ‘Smart Home Social Care’ click here to see how those changes that have been put in place, have worked and impacted the lives of residents
Health Care staff urged to get their Flu vaccination
Royal College of Nursing are urging health care staff to get their flu vaccination this winter. They have explained that it is a professional responsibility for all nursing staff to ensure that they are vaccinated in order to help protect vulnerable patients and clients that they will be working closely with. It is estimated that one in four health care staff are thought to be infected and affected by Influenza (flu), and as a result, put their patients at risk of developing severe drawbacks to their health as a result of contracting the flu. About the flu vaccination Influenza, also known as ‘the flu’ is a virus that infects the throat and nose and sometimes even the lungs. If developed, it can be mild to severe and some times, can lead to death. According to Royal College of Nursing’s #BeatTheFlu campaign, you can be in full health, yet still contract severe complications such as “bronchitis, secondary bacterial pneumonia, meningitis and encephalitis.” People that are at a higher risk than others are women who are pregnant, elderly people and those who suffer from other illnesses such as asthma, kidney disorders, diabetes and weakened immune system. Royal College or Nursing state that anyone who is in full contact – at work or home – with a person who is a high risk patient for the flu, should receive the vaccine. They recommend you do this, as it is one of the easiest and safest ways to safeguard your patients and yourself. According to the NHS, it is your employer’s responsibility to ensure there are arrangements for everyone at your workplace to have their flu vaccination. However, if your employer doesn’t offer a flu vaccination programme, you can also receive your flu jab from either your local GP surgery or pharmacy who offers the service. RCN state that “You will also help keep vital services operating in the winter months and instill best practice on the health care professionals of the future.”
Orchard Care Homes confirmed as finalist in industry awards
Orchard Care Homes, one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care, has been confirmed as a finalist in this year’s LaingBuisson Awards, in the Residential Care (larger organisations) category. The LaingBuisson Awards are the Oscars of Health and Social Care. Now in their 14th year of recognising excellence, they are judged independently and objectively and focus on the people providing care as well as advisors. The judging rounds will take place from 2nd September until 27th September to allow the panel of judges’ time to scrutinise every finalist nomination carefully for each category, with the Awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday 13th November 2019 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. A spokesperson from LaingBuisson said: “This year has seen a record-breaking number of nominations for every single category, with over 400 entries in total. The competition was extremely tough, and decisions were very hard, but we are thrilled to announce the finalists and look forward to the Awards evening.” Tom Brookes, CEO at Orchard Care Homes, was delighted to receive the news, saying: “I am delighted for Orchard Care Homes to be shortlisted as one of the finalists. Over the past 12 months, we have invested heavily in providing a range of meaningful activities for our residents, in a warm and homely environment. In addition, we have provided training and career pathways for staff and introduced new technologies to ensure we provide the very best quality of care across all our homes. Our quality objectives for 2019/20 are designed to develop and promote the highest quality of care, which we believe is at the heart of everything we do.” For more information please visit https://orchardcarehomes.com
Timperley resident urges others to unite against dementia
Maddy Haren, from Manchester, who lives in Timperley, is calling on others to join her and unite against dementia at the Cheshire Memory Walk, which will be held at Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA on Saturday 12 October 2019. Maddy, whose mum has dementia, is urging people to register for the event to help the charity raise money to improve the lives of people affected by the condition. Maddy’s mum Mary, who is 81-years-old, has vascular dementia and no longer knows who Maddy is. She was diagnosed a few years ago but Maddy believes the dementia started a long time before that. Maddy is also in remission from triple negative breast cancer and decided to hide her illness from her mother Mary so as not to upset and confuse her when she was diagnosed with the cancer last year. Despite only just finishing her chemotherapy weeks before, Maddy also took part in the Cheshire Memory Walk at Arley Hall last October, and loved every moment of it. Maddy says: “I was still a little poorly when I signed up for the Memory Walk last year. I hadn’t even finished my chemo treatment but it was something I really wanted to do for mum and also for myself as a challenge. It’s such a great day and atmosphere, even in the rain! I really would recommend other people signing up for one of Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walks by going to memorywalk.org.uk or join me at Arley Hall in Cheshire and do your bit to raise awareness for a really important cause.” Steve Green, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager for Cheshire, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes – yet dementia research still trails far behind other health conditions, after decades of underfunding. We are calling on family, friends – and furry four-legged supporters – to unite against dementia this autumn. Dementia devastates lives. Walk with us at Memory Walk and dementia won’t win. Every pound raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by dementia.” “Unite against dementia and register now at memorywalk.org.uk” Alzheimer’s Society has pledged to invest £150 million in the next decade to search for better treatments and work towards a cure for dementia. Every penny raised through Memory Walk will help Alzheimer’s Society find a cure, improve care and support people affected by dementia – register now at https://www.memorywalk.org.uk.
