Increasing confidence in using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
Minutes count when a person collapses in sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)and AED machines have been described as the ‘single most important development in the treatment of SCA’ (Resuscitation Council UK). You may have seen the green boxes appearing in various public spaces, i.e. shopping centres, petrol stations and they are continuing to be rolled out because along with CPR, using an AED can dramatically increase the chance of survival. Due to the increase in awareness of defibrillation, we want to ensure that anyone who attends our first aid courses has the chance to practice using an AED. You don’t need any training to be able to use onebut we want to help improve confidence and reduce the hesitance towards using them in an emergency situation. We asked one of our primary first aid trainers, Clare Khan, who delivers the course at least once a month for us, about how delegates have been getting on with using the defibrillators. Clare said: “AEDs are easy to use, compact, portable and very effective and knowing how and when to use a defibrillator, along with basic CPR, is a useful life skill for all. I’ve been using a Training AED for some time now and delegates are initially concerned as they believe that it’s complicated. However following training, delegates are surprised at the ease of using an AED, particularly the visual and verbal prompts that they feel are easy to understand and will prevent them from getting it wrong. After taking it in turns to practice, they say that they feel very confident and would now have no hesitation using one. The delegates are also surprised to learn that by being able to use an AED within the first 3 minutes of a SCA, the chance of survival increases to 80%. I believe passionately that everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency and using an AED is one of those vital skills.” Other vital skills covered in our first aid courses include performing CPR on manikins, learning the Heimlich manoeuvre using choking vests and putting a willing volunteer in the recovery position. More of our trainers will be completing their first aid trainer training at the end of November and we will soon be able to provide courses in more areas across the country. Our contact details are below if you would like any more information. 0114 2472772, info@aspect-training.co.uk Aspect Training Ltd – www.aspect-training.co.uk
Working with the Public Sector for more than 40 years
Fraser and Fraser have been working with the Public Sector for more than 40 years. We support Local Government department who need to identify and locate people, often next-of-kin of a deceased person and the reason for this can be vast and varied. Such departments would include: Our approach is to use specialist research skills to locate the deceased’s next-of-kin. There are many different ways our research services support Local Authority clients. They include: Public Health Funerals Some of our clients spend much of their time and the Councils money arranging funerals under 5.46 Public Health Act 1984 (Control of Disease). Our role is simply to support our client by identifying and locating the family of the deceased, so that they can arrange the funeral, saving the cost to the Council. In cases whereby the family are unable to take on the funeral costs themselves, they have the option to attend the funeral arranged by our Local Authority client and pay their respects. Empty Homes Empty homes can result in quite a challenge for Local Authorities. Left unoccupied for more than a few months, they can become dilapidated, attract vermin, vandalism and possibly even squatters. Sometimes, correspondence to the owners does not get answered, which may be due to the simple fact that they have moved out. ‘Gone-a-ways’ like these are easy to deal with where we can simply provide you with the new address. Our involvement leads to fewer homes being empty, more families being housed and improved Council Tax cash flow to the Local Authority. Appointee and Deputyships Where our Local Authority client is appointed as a Deputy by the Court of Protection, our client will sometimes need to apply to the Court for a Statutory Will. Our role is to support the application by identifying and locating the next-of-kin who are to be joined to the application. We may also recommend that our Local Authority client asks us to carry out a Will search in order to ensure there is no valid Will that need not be superseded, already in place. For more information or to talk to a Fraser and Fraser member of our team please contact us on 020 7832 1400 today.
Party for resident’s ruby wedding anniversary
AN “UNFORGETTABLE” party was held at a Rotherham care home to celebrate a resident’s ruby wedding anniversary. Broadacres Care Home, on Naylor Street, Parkgate, invited family, friends and fellow residents to join Michael and Pauline Crowley in celebrating 40 years of marriage. Staff at the home put on a buffet and served bucks fizz to toast the happy couple. Michael, who has lived at Broadacres Care Home since December 2017, said: “It was a day to remember. I love Pauline just as much as I did on our wedding day.” Pauline said: “It was an unforgettable and emotional day. Everyone at Broadacres did us proud.” Michael and Pauline married at Rotherham registry office in October 1978. They have one daughter together, Sharon, and two grandchildren, Jamie, 18, and Harry, 14. Jo MacGregor, activities coordinator at Broadacres Care Home, said: “We wish Michael and Pauline a very happy anniversary and many more happy years to come.” Broadacres Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Borough Care Hosts Employee Awards
Borough Care, the largest not for profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, recently held its Employee Awards 2018. The annual event celebrates the hard work and dedication of people working for Borough Care. Borough Care staff were nominated for awards in ten categories. The winner of the ‘Above & Beyond’ category was Amanda Harrison who works at Bamford Close in Cale Green. Amanda is always thinking of ways to improve the environment and to make day to day life brighter for residents. The ‘Aspiration Award’ was won by Robin Bowden, from Lisburne Court. Robin joined Borough Care in 2017 and since then she has shown great enthusiasm for learning and developing herself. Meadway Court’s Judith Burgess won the ‘Best Newcomer’ award. Judith joined Borough Care in August and is already well settled into her role. The ‘Best Team’ accolade went to the laundry team at Reinbek, who work together to ensure that not only is the laundry done efficiently but they engage with residents as they go about their daily tasks. Jessica Hallworth from Cawood House in Brinnington took the honours in the ‘Engaged’ category. Jessica is always a team player. She likes to involve residents in every way she can and ensures they have smiles on their faces. Denise Lyons from Marbury House is this year’s ‘Unsung Hero’. Denise has been fantastic at supporting the catering team since Borough Care transferred its meal service back in-house earlier this year. Denise has built great relationships with all the chefs and has helped develop new starters who join the team. The winner of the ‘Inspiring Leader’ category was Nerys Carpenter from Shepley House. Nerys’ vision has had a positive impact on Shepley House. Since moving to the home she has made a huge difference and created a lovely home for residents to live in and a great place for staff to work. Mei Lloyd, who also works at Shepley House, scooped the ‘Thinking Differently’ award. Mei carries out her role as an Activity Lifestyle Facilitator with great enthusiasm. Imaginative and creative, Mei is always thinking of new ways to engage with residents, making sure there is a variety of different activities on offer. A number of staff were recognised for ’Making a Difference’. Those picking up this accolade were Georgia Dawson from Bamford Close, Linda Hamnett from Bruce Lodge, Michelle Gallimore from Bryn Haven, Caroline Hegarty from Cawood House, Donna Allwood from Lisburne Court, Maxine Haughton from Marbury House, Meadway Court’s Carol Stavordale and Sarah Robinson, Lisa Jewsbury from Reinbek, Judy Knowles from Shepley House, Lindsay Hadfield from Silverdale and Wellcroft’s Kelly Bramley. During the awards evening, Borough Care staff who have completed thirty years’ service received a long service award. These included Christine Millett at Wellcroft, Sandra Sutherland and Pat Nugent from Silverdale and Meadway Court’s Julie Carter. Dr Mark Ward, CEO at Borough Care, says: “Our annual awards are a great opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by people in all areas of our business. We are fortunate to have such committed people, who are dedicated to making the lives of Borough Care residents both comfortable and enjoyable. We are continually improving the service we offer residents and everyone involved with Borough Care has a critical part to play in this.” Find out more here
Surprise party for golden couple Mary and Jimmy
A SURPRISE party was thrown by Tyneside care home staff in celebration of a resident’s golden wedding anniversary. Banners, balloons and a cake were brought out at Willowdene Care Home, in Hebburn, to commemorate Mary Collins’ 50 years of marriage to husband Jimmy. Mary, who has lived at the care home since 2016, was surprised by staff after seeing anniversary decorations in the lounge. Cards and a specially made cake were presented to the couple to congratulate them on their milestone. Mary said: “We were both so happy and pleased with the party. We absolutely loved everything.” Mary, 75, and Jimmy, 77, married on 26thOctober 1968 and lived together in Jarrow. Mary worked as a nurse, enjoying bingo in her spare time, and Jimmy was a fitter and then engineer at sea. He also played football, managed teams for both children and adults, and was Chairman of St Bedes AFC. They have two children, Maureen and Michael, and one grandchild, Sarah. Michael Beaney, home manager at Willowdene Care Home, on Victoria Road West, said: “Mary and Jimmy are such a lovely couple. “The staff wanted to surprise them with a party on their golden wedding anniversary. “They were absolutely amazed by the effort the staff went to and thoroughly enjoyed their day together. “We all wish them the very best and many more happy times to come.” Willowdene Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Call For Action To Stop Next-Of-Kin Being Exploited
Next-of-kin are losing out on inheritances or having to pay excessive charges to claim them as a result of increasing numbers of local authorities disregarding Government guidelines for identifying rightful heirs where people die with unknown relatives and without leaving a will. A comprehensive research report by an international genealogy firm, Anglia Research, shows that there was an increase of 90% between 2016 and 2017 in the number of local authorities ignoring Government procedure for dealing with the legacies of people dying intestate. If a deceased person has no known relatives or friends, local authorities take responsibility for their funeral, commonly known as a pauper’s funeral. Government guidelines dictate that the death should be listed publicly, enabling relatives and specialist firms to try and trace next-of-kin. Specialist firms can then offer their services, with fees only paid when a successful claim for inheritance is made by next-of-kin. Instead many councils are now giving cases to ‘heir hunter’ firms on an exclusive basis. This means that there is no competition, enabling firms to charge higher fees to next-of-kin knowing that they won’t be undercut. In most cases consumers don’t know they have a choice and end up paying these exploitative rates, sometimes losing out on tens of thousands of pounds. In some cases next-of-kin have missed out completely on their rightful inheritance due to a lack of competition and transparency leading to mistakes being made and legacies being given to those not entitled to them. Anglia Research’s Chief Executive, Peter Turvey, says: “Where heir hunting firms are given cases exclusively by local authorities they are charging at least 15%-25% in fees, compared to cases on the open market where competition drives fees down to around 2%-5%. “This practice is exploiting next-of-kin who don’t know they have any other option than to pay these extortionate rates. “We are calling on all local authorities to end exclusive arrangements and follow the Government guidance which is designed to protect next-of-kin.”
Poppy gown created by care home in tribute to veterans
A POPPY gown has been created by a Sandiacre care home residents to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The elaborate frock has been covered in handmade poppies of different sizes and is adorned with the phrase: “Lest we forget”. Residents at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, on Longmoor Lane, came up with the idea after informing care home staff they wanted to do something special for the centenary. Treetops Hospice charity shop, on Derby Road, loaned a manikin to the care home for the project. Residents then painted paper plates and cut them into poppy shapes before attaching them to the gown. The final design has been on show in the care home lounge in the week running up to Remembrance Day. Julie Mulvany, home manager at Longmoor Lodge Care Home, said: “The residents, staff and visitors have all loved seeing the dress and we’ve had some lovely comments. “Everyone enjoyed taking part in making it. The dress is our tribute to the service men and women who have given so much for our country.” Alongside related activities in the home, residents were taken to the Stapleford Remembrance Day service to pay their respects. One resident in particular, Ray Winfield, enjoyed chatting with police officers on duty and calling into the pub on the way back to the home. Longmoor Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home’s remembrance ceremony for former resident Jill
Loving husband Peter Stapleton donated a bench to a Chesterfield care home in memory of his wife. Jill Stapleton lived at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, Holmewood, for over four years, until February 2018. A remembrance ceremony was held at the home with Peter, Jill’s friends, fellow residents, family members and care home staff. After donating the bench, Peter said: “I wanted the home to have something to remember her by.” Those at the ceremony were invited to write messages to loved ones lost, which were attached to balloons and let off in the home’s garden. Joanne Clark, home manager at Barnfield Care Home, said: “Jill was loved by everyone at Barnfield Care Home. “We held a beautiful remembrance ceremony in the garden with her husband, Peter, whose kind donation is very gratefully received.” Barnfield Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Care home residents remember at Thornaby War Memorial
TEESSIDE care home residents, Mandale House Care Home, were among those to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Thornaby War Memorial. Residents and staff from Mandale House Care Home were joined by army, navy and police cadets, civic officials and pupils from schools across the town. Among the care home residents were Second World War Merchant Navy veteran Leonard Harnden, alongside Billy James and Peter Wilson. Peter said: “It was a lovely ceremony. My dad lost his leg in the war.” Jane Ewart, carer at Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, said: “We like to bring the residents to the ceremony as they all appreciate it. Plus, the pleasure gardens are just near Mandale House, so it’s an easy stroll for them.” Julie Walker, customer relations officer at the Hill Care Group, which operates Mandale House Care Home, also attended the service in Thornaby. She said: “It’s so important to remember the sacrifices of our young men who marched off to war. And also the people who returned but continued to suffer from their experiences in the trenches of Belgium and France. My grandfather, John Godwin, and his best friend, Freddy Mennell, were conscripted in 1916. Through a great deal of luck, they both survived the war, but they could never speak of the horrors they had seen. We owe all to the people of those times a great debt. Not just the members of the armed forces but also the women who worked in the munitions factories and stepped into traditional men’s roles to keep the country going.” Mandale House Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
