WW1 centenary marked by Ripon care home residents
RIPON care home residents, Sycamore Hall Care Home, have been creating poppy displays to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. Residents at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road, have also taken a trip to Ripon Cathedral to see The Remembrance Day exhibits. The activities brought back memories for many of the residents, who had relatives and friends who fought and died in the war. Doreen Ainsley and Ellen Knowles were among those painting poppies for displays in the care home. Doreen said: “It is a time to remember the people we have lost during the war.” Ellen added: “I think we all lost someone in the war and the poppy displays make you remember things.” As part of the First World War centenary, the home’s staff arranged a visit to Ripon Cathedral, where displays of poppies have been laid out for visitors. For one resident, Sylvia Nelson, the trip was a walk down memory lane. She said: “Mum and dad were married in the cathedral. I was christened in the cathedral and married there. Both my children were christened in the cathedral and I went to the cathedral school.” Chrissie Medway Steele, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “To commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War the residents wanted to do something special. The centenary brings back a lot of memories for many of the residents and they were all very enthusiastic about making poppies for displays around the home. The trip to Ripon Cathedral was also fantastic and everyone really enjoyed it.” Sycamore Hall Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
You should pay for your own old age care if you can afford it
Conservative voters say, you should pay for your own care in old age if you can afford it. A Censuswide survey, commissioned by Ridouts Solicitors, a leading specialist law firm in the health and social care sector, shows there is widespread support for individuals to save for the cost of their care in later life. 57% of Conservative supporters surveyed thought it would be fair to ask those with the means to do so, to make provisions to pay for their care in old age. Only 13% disagreed. Ridouts has today published a report on the future of social care, ‘Achieving a Health and Social Care System Fit For Purpose’, which sets out their expert vision of how to solve the current challenges facing the social care sector. The law firm is calling for greater personal responsibility when it comes to funding social care. The survey’s findings show that the majority of Conservative voters would support such a policy, paving the way for the Government to reform the social care payment system in this way. In 2017, the Government’s general election manifesto suggested reforms that would have meant increasing numbers of people using more of their own assets to pay for their care in later life. This comes ahead of the publication of the Government’s highly-anticipated Green Paper on the future of social care provision. Founder and MD of Ridouts, Paul Ridout, says: “The results of this survey support the Government putting a new focus on fairness in the funding of social care. People who can afford to pay for their care should pay for it, backed with a support system for those who can’t. We need to see greater self-responsibility when it comes to funding social care. “Our Green Paper, which is the result of more than 75 years’ combined experience in the health and social care sector, also recommends filling empty places in care homes, improving training, promoting a career in care as a valued profession, and distinguishing between the roles of care commissioner and care regulator. We believe our recommendations will improve the quality of care for everyone who needs it in our society.” The survey also revealed that more than half of Conservative supporters (55%) also agreed politicians should not allow people to avoid paying for their relatives’ care, or their own care, if they can afford to pay for it, rather than making the taxpayer pick up the bill. The idea of using public money to train care staff is supported in the polling by 54% of all respondents, with Conservative supporters again most likely to agree (65%). This chimes with a recommendation from Ridouts’ policy report that care providers who offer high-quality staff training programmes should receive match-funding from Government. The Government’s Social Care Green Paper is expected this autumn. Care Minister Caroline Dinenage MP is expected to speak at the Care England National Conference on Wednesday, 14 November 2018.
Willowbeck proud to announce specialist neurologic music therapy programme
Specialist care home Willowbeck has partnered up with a unique music therapy organisation, Chroma to deliver music therapy workshops with care home residents. The partnership will see the organisations working with residents to support neurological development, physical rehabilitation and general well-being. The nurse-led home will play host to the music therapy which is a form of neurological and psychological rehabilitation process which uses music, sound, instruments, and music technology to support people. It is a regulated healthcare profession and one of the Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Chroma’s experienced therapist Sally Watson will work with residents one day a week across a eight-week period to encourage them to get involved in playing a range of musical instruments, singing and song-writing. There will be eight individuals involved in the pilot scheme, receiving one-to-one sessions which will focus on their specific needs. In some cases, this will include improving functional movement and mobility through music therapy. In addition to the one-to-one sessions with the selected eight residents, there will be open sessions where any of the care home’s residents can participate in the music therapy sessions. The group environment will further encourage development of residents social and communication skills. Sally said: “I am looking forward to working at Willowbeck and with the home’s residents to support progression in their skills and development. I will be working with people who live with a wide variety of needs and conditions and due to this we’ll be developing their own individual goals and objectives.” The residents involved in the scheme have a variety of complex conditions and the sessions will be tailored to their needs – music instruments will be used to support functional, neurological and psychological rehabilitation while singing and song writing and singing sessions will be tailored for residents with communication and social needs. Sally is a qualified music therapist and neurologic music therapist, working in a variety of settings with people of all ages, including schools, hospitals and prisons. She currently specialises in working with adults and children with a range of complex needs. She added: “Music therapy is proven to increase self-expression, confidence and communication as well as improving social skills, co-ordination and concentration. I will be working with residents to assess their current skills and at the end of the eight weeks I will carry out the same assessment to monitor developments and positive changes.” Helen Baxendale, Clinical Director at Exemplar, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Sally in to our home and seeing the development in our residents. Many of our service users enjoy arts and crafts so I’m sure that they will enjoy and make the most of the music therapy sessions. I look forward to seeing positive developments at the end of the eight weeks.” Daniel Thomas, joint Managing Director of Chroma, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Exemplar with this pilot programme. It is fantastic to work alongside other care professionals who understand the opportunities music therapy offers to enhance the provision of care for residents.” For further information about Willowbeck and Exemplar’s recent announcements, please visit exemplarhc.com
Edyn.Care launches personalised home care in London
Edyn.Care has launched its personalised home care services in London, empowering seniors to stay at home, happily and safely knowing that 24-hour support is on hand. The CQC regulated company combines the human touch with tech-enabled solutions to provide high-quality and proactive care tailored to its clients’ needs, helping to build long-term harmonious relationships to ensure peace of mind. The UK population is ageing. By 2040 one in seven are projected to be aged over 75, according to government report, the “Future of an ageing population”. The need for quality home care services will increase substantially in the coming years, forcing the sector to modernise processes to meet demand. Edyn Care sees the potential for 15.9M elderly clients and their families to eliminate paperwork and simplify the process using tech-enabled solutions. Edyn Care started in 2017 after Co-Founders Jonny Bottomley and Oliver Ross experienced having to arrange care for a loved one and recognised that the sector was ripe for an overhaul. The offerings available were expensive, had no continuity and just provided poor service. While Jonny’s family struggled to find the right home care for his Grandmother, the lack of personalisation in the care for Oliver’s Grandma rendered her experience cold and monotonous. Jonny Bottomley, Co-Founder & CEO at Edyn Care, said: “Mental and physical deterioration increases rapidly when people are put into care homes. Not only that, but the whole process puts a strain on the family as the quality of service currently available is poor. My family found it very difficult to find a reliable company to care for my Grandmother. Her Doctor struggled to recommend the right care and it took a long time to get all the information we needed to feel at ease in trusting someone else to look after her. With Edyn Care we want to change this by providing not only great home care but also speeding up the whole process of finding a great carer. All of this while having the possibility of monitoring the care on a day to day basis with the help of smart tech. We do more than just match the very best carers with our clients. We want Edyn Care and our carers to become a consistent figure in our clients’ lives, providing all they may need whilst in the comfort of their home.” The carers employed by the company go through a comprehensive screening process and background checks. The stringent vetting process includes meeting the team in London. Using behavioural and skill-based interviews, only the top 5 percent are selected to then complete a two and a half-day introduction with an in-house trainer. Edyn Care’s bespoke plans are holistic in nature and capture more than just care requirements. Information about personality traits, interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes are also collected in the registration process. Using this information an algorithm quickly matches a client with the carer that fits them. The company then builds dedicated home care teams who work together to ensure each client receives the right care, and offer medical (diagnosed diseases) and non-medical (daily tasks) services. On each visit the carer updates and records the information collected via an application and provide wellness scores across six criteria – mood, sleep quality, diet, bowel movement, comfort and mobility. Family members are updated in real-time and all the information is stored in a Care Hub available to access anywhere, anytime. The data collected can help foresee health issues to proactively seek treatment. It is led by a team of six and backed by an advisory board of leading figures in the UK care industry such as Lord Prior, Ex-Chairman of Care Quality Commission; Tim Weller, Chairman of Incisive media and Trustpilot; Ian Smith, Ex-Chairman of Four Seasons Care Group; and Jayne Almond, Founder of Stonehaven Equity Release. Operating in South London with plans of expanding in the upcoming months, the company offers packages that go from £18 per hour, in the Daytime Carer service, to £850 per week for the Live In service, giving 24 hours of care, 7 days a week. Care can be arranged within 12 hours. For more information, go to edyn.care
Baby yoga classes held at Teesside care home
BABIES and elderly care home residents are taking part in yoga sessions together at a Stockton-on-Tees care home. The Kalma Baby sessions are held at Ingleby Care Home, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, with residents and visitors with young children all invited to participate. Staff, residents’ families and members of the community with babies and toddlers have all been taking part. Bringing the two generations together provides benefits for both groups, explained Jessica Jolly, who runs the sessions. Jessica, who works as a mental health nurse, said: “The session at Ingleby Care Home went down really well. “I was so impressed at how the residents reacted to it and there are so many benefits for the babies and parents.” Resident Moira Hall, 78, said: “I really enjoy the children coming in. Especially at this age, as it takes me back to when my son, Grant, was that small.” Resident Margaret Salmon, 92, added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to go to baby yoga but as soon as I saw all the little babies my heart melted. I absolutely loved it.” Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Jessica contacted us as she was looking for a space to run the Kalma Baby sessions and thought our residents would be interested in taking part. “We regularly have nursery groups and school children visit the residents and they always light up when they see the young ones. It brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the home. “So we jumped at the chance to host the baby yoga sessions and the first was a huge success. Everyone is really looking forward to the next one.” The next Kalma Baby session takes place at 11am, Thursday, 6th December, at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessica Jolly on 07453171709 or email jessica@stockton.kalmababy.co.uk. Kalma Baby provides yoga classes primarily across the North East for parents and children aged from six weeks to 18 years. The sessions help with babies’ digestive system, promotes body awareness and confidence, helps build muscle strength, promotes healthier, deeper sleeping patterns, improves coordination and motor skills, and promotes bonding between parent and infant, according to the Kalma Baby website.
Brain Injury service recognised for end of life care excellence
Two neurological rehabilitation specialist units in Northampton have completed Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for its end of life care. Christchurch View and Loyd House were awarded the Quality Hallmark certificate by GSF for demonstrating excellence in care standards and showcasing evidence based best practice in end of life care. The certification process includes assessment against 20 clear standards of best practice; reviewing the care of residents using the After-Death Analysis Audit Tool and Quality Assessment Visit and reviewing the integration of the processes into everyday practice. Gillian Jeffers, Registered Manager for Christchurch View and Loyd House, said: “I am extremely proud of the teams for achieving this certification. It clearly shows their commitment to a holistic approach to the care and support our service users receive. We have now commenced the full accreditation programme to improve our service delivery even more. “Putting our heart and soul into our care is paramount to what we do at Christchurch View and Loyd House and we are thrilled that the GSF have recognised this.” The National GSF Centre in End of Life Care is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise Community Interest Company providing training and support to enable frontline staff to provide the highest standards of care. GSF improves the quality, coordination and organisation of care, leading to better patient outcomes in line with their needs and preferences. Christchurch View and Loyd House are owned and operated by Christchurch Group, which was established in 1998 to provide high quality brain injury rehabilitation within a community setting. The organisation has since grown into a leading provider of specialist neurological rehabilitation that offers a range of specialist services across eight centres in York, Lincoln, Birmingham, Northampton, Bedford and Harwell in Oxfordshire.
WW1 centenary marked with 100 poppies at care home
100 POPPIES were created by Barnsley care home residents to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Marion Batty, Joan White and Annie Oakley, all living at Deangate Care Home, on Towngate, Mapplewell, created the memorial. They made poppy wreaths and a canvas of finger-painted poppies surrounding a silhouette of a First World War soldier and the words “We Remember”. Nicola Smith, activities coordinator at Deangate Care Home, said: “As it has been 100 years since the First World War ended, we thought it would be nice to make a memorial. “The activity was to remember all the people who fought for us and to talk about what the war meant to our residents. “We made 100 poppies and these have been placed all around the home.” Deangate Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Disorientating effect of décor on dementia patients not understood by many
Most people are unaware that interior décor can confuse those with dementia. Certain décor such as patterned and coloured carpets can cause dementia sufferers to become disorientated and unsettled. A recent survey conducted by United Carpets and Beds asked the public how they would adapt a home to suit somebody who was suffering with dementia. The results showed that almost a third of the public have no idea how to do this (30%), while a similar number would only think to address obvious hazards such as sharp corners and clutter (30.9%). Other findings included rearranging rooms and buying specialist furniture. Only 7.5% said they would consider changing the interior décor of the home. Richard Sim, Digital Manager at United Carpets and Beds, said: “It is a shock to a lot of people that flooring can affect people with dementia so much. Whilst people may be aware of some hazards such as wood flooring being slippery and therefore dangerous, there are many other aspects which can negatively affect them, make choosing the right carpet really important.” Carpet is often recommended for both care homes and the homes of patient over wood flooring as it can prevent and cushion falls. However, the style and pattern must also be chosen carefully, as certain shapes and colours can confuse people with dementia. It is known that patterns and flecks on a carpet can be perceived by some dementia sufferers as objects on the floor. Issues arise when patients attempt to pick them up, risking falls and general confusion. Dark areas on a carpet can also be mistaken for holes by people with certain degrees of dementia. Gilly Craft, Director of Koubou interiors, added: “Obvious patterns that create a ‘barrier’ or ‘hole’ should be avoided. As long as the LRV (Light Reflective Value) between the colour of the wall and floor is correct, then the colour itself is not so important, although certain colours are preferred.” Further considerations for flooring include using plain matte flooring and ensuring the floor colour contrasts with the walls. The survey revealed that when faced with looking after someone with dementia, around one in eight would consider relocating to a care home in order to ensure the correct level of care. Other tips on how to adapt interior décor to improve living conditions for dementia patients include good lighting, safety equipment, contrasting colours and using clear signage for reminders. Read the full article here: www.unitedcarpetsandbeds.com/advice/research/wrong-carpet-harm-dementia-patients
Making Mobility Easy
Just like the family that runs it, AHM Installations is a business that won’t falter under pressure. Set up 18 years ago by Julie and Simon Symcox, the business began selling quality mobility scooters and stairlifts to those in need. When enquires about mobility bathrooms began to flood in, they decided to implement these into their business, until the demand grew so much that it became their focal selling point. Specialising in bathroom adaptations for the elderly and disabled, AHM Installations can provide wet rooms, walk in showers, walk in baths, automatic toilets, high raised toilets, grab rails and shower stools. With everything you could possibly need, designing your perfectly usable and accessible bathroom just became easier. Every customer receives a free bathroom survey and a no obligation quote, as well as free advice on available government grants. Those that choose AHM Installations can also rely on trustworthy tradesmen who will share their vast knowledge and expertise of bathroom and wetroom installations every step of the way. The business has showrooms in Lincoln, Kent, Stratford upon Avon and Somerset. To find out more about AHM Installations, visit their website at https://www.ahminstallations.co.uk/ or call them on 0800 7316495.
