Music study investigates communication in people living with dementia
Chelsea Court Place, a residential home for individuals living with dementia, is working with the University of Roehampton in a research project entitled Beyond Words, which uses ‘micro-songs’ to recapture and sustain functional language in people with advanced dementia. The study aims to investigate the power of music, enabling people living with dementia to retain their speech and help communicate their wishes and needs for a longer period than would be normally be the case in the natural deterioration caused by the disease. Researchers, Professor Adam Ockelford, Dr Fiona Costa, Catlin Shanghnessya PhD student and ‘savant’ pianist Derek Paravacini are leading this innovative project with residents from Chelsea Court Place. The weekly, 45 minute sessions include a repertoire of familiar songs (requested by the audience) and proceed into a series of micro- songs; short rhythmic melodies associated with key functional language. Such micro-songs have been successfully used with children and young people with complex needs to scaffold or substitute language but no research has been conducted to understand the extent to which this happens. The project launched in October 2017 and is proving to be extremely popular with the residents. Key finding from this period through to July 2018 have so far included: The key findings were as follows: • Almost all the participants were able to learn the new songs and sing them following demonstrations by the research team. • The songs were recalled initially over a period of a week, a month, and then three months (with no exposure between times). • The songs were motivating, providing participants with information that could be interesting and helpful: for example, introducing the name of the person sitting next to them (and in some cases their own name); the day of the week. Other songs encouraged movement and reinforced laterality. Some afforded the opportunity to express how they were feeling, which engendered some tactile responses. Some allowed participants to indicate their wants and needs. For example: • Contrary to the initial concerns of the research team, they were not interpreted as patronising, but engaging and fun. It appeared that, once they were familiar, the participants did not distinguish between the songs they had known for many years and the new ones. Background There are increasing numbers of people with dementia in the UK. Current estimates by the Alzheimer’s Society suggest that there are as many as 850,000. This number is expected to rise to over one million by 2025 and to two million by 2051. A cure for dementia is still a long way off. It is therefore imperative to find ways of improving the quality of life of those with the disease. To this end, several health bodies have recommended the development of non-pharmacological approaches to care. One such approach is the use of music. Various research studies have shown that participatory music programmes can regulate symptoms of anxiety and depression, reduce agitation and aggression, facilitate social interaction, retain memory and improve general wellbeing. One of the most debilitating symptoms of dementia is a decline in the capacity to speak. This leads to social isolation, a loss of a sense of time and place, and a reduced capacity to make choices. However, it appears that many musical abilities and memories remain intact during the course of the disease. This raises the possibility that music can be used to rekindle and sustain verbal communication – an idea that was the main focus of the ‘MIND: Phase 2’ study. For 10 months, the research team led weekly music sessions with two groups of people with moderate to severe dementia, all in residential care. Each session was preceded with 45 minutes of singing, using preferred music from the participants’ teens and twenties. This was in itself a positive experience. Almost all joined in the singing and were invariably able to recall at least some of the lyrics, thereby accessing language that was normally unavailable to them. Following the large-group session, further, smaller groups were engaged in singing for a further 45 minutes, using, within the preferred pieces, specially composed ‘micro-songs’. These set everyday words and phrases to simple tunes as shown below. Conclusion and next steps These songs, each very simple in content, were relevant to the participant’s lives, and a way for them to navigate their social environments. Taking part raised their confidence in their ability to sing and in their memory, often accessing language that was no longer part of their day-to-day vocabulary. The wider effects, such as improved social interaction with other residents and increased self-awareness were, even if short-term, of benefit to them. It is hoped to initiate a further project that will embed the materials in the daily lives of participants, enabling them to express their feelings and communicate their wishes and needs for a longer period than would normally be the case in the course of the disease. Professor Adam Ockelford comments: “Beyond Words hopes to see successful results showing an improvement in sustained use of language for participants and ultimately offering them an improved quality of life. Evidence has so far suggested that music has a powerful role to play in communication with individuals who have complex needs and we are very proud to be working with the Chelsea Court Place team and residents to investigate and hopefully prove the theory.” Christine Valentine-Bunce, Head of Commissioning and Operations at Chelsea Court Place adds: “Music is very powerful and evocative and the sheer joy experienced by our residents in the Beyond Words sessions is remarkable. We have been very impressed with the way in which our residents have embraced the weekly sessions and are very excited about seeing the results.” About Derek Paravacini Derek Paravacini is a world-renowned ‘savant’ pianist who is working with the University of Roehampton on a ground-breaking research project “Beyond Words” at Chelsea Court Place. Derek first shot to fame when he was just nine years old, playing jazz with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra at the Barbican Centre in London. Numerous television
Society’s social care training benefits residents and staff alike
Anne Kasey, Home Manager and Clinical Lead for maritime charity, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, discusses the importance of investing in training in the social care sector and how it benefits residents… It doesn’t matter which sector one operates in – having the right staff for the job is paramount to the success of any business. In the social care industry, this is more important than anywhere as staff are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of residents and have a duty of care to fulfil. The social care sector is currently facing difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified staff – in fact 15% of vacancies across the entire UK economy are in the health and social work sectors according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). To combat this, up-skilling employees is part of a solution that contributes to the smooth running of a care home. Here at the Royal Alfred we have an in -house trainer, allowing our staff to have consistent one-on-one training on site. This helps to ensure all staff are working to the same standard and addresses any gaps in knowledge, it also demonstrates to employees that they are part of a supportive workplace. Having staff that are equipped with the necessary qualifications, skills and training not only increases job efficiency, but can drastically improve morale and enables staff members to feel empowered and valued in their roles. All of this helps to achieve a better experience for residents as well as complying with Care Quality Commission standards. As a charity serving former seafarers, we understand our residents’ individual needs and recognise the people who call Royal Alfred home are deserving of the best standard of care. Earlier this year we commenced specialist training with our pioneering Maritime Acquaint Training programme to provide staff with a knowledge of the maritime industry. Funded by a close supporter of the Society, our staff took part in a training day hosted on a P&O cross channel ferry from Dover to Calais. This now annual programme was created by our CEO, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, to help staff better understand residents’ physical and psychological needs and the care required for each individual. This training session allowed our staff to fully immerse themselves in how life would have been like at sea, and the understanding of how large vessels operate at sea, often in treacherous weather conditions and across long journeys. This is key for us to help employees understand our residents’ past experiences and is what makes our residents’ stay truly unique. Benefits of such in-depth training within the care sector are not just experienced by residents. At Royal Alfred, we provide not just a job, but a career. We think training improves staff morale, which is key to the smooth running of any care home and boosts staff retention. Recently we commended five members of staff with long service awards for dedicating ten years of their working life to the home to make them feel valued and supported in their roles – just one example of a success story at Royal Alfred. We have many long-serving staff and I myself having been with Royal Alfred for over 30 years and Margaret Brazier (Executive Assistant to CEO Brian for over 50 years). It shows that people really do invest their careers with us due to good training, career progression and opportunity. For the Royal Alfred, training creates better experiences for our residents that depend on the expertise of staff for their day-to-day care, while staff develop their careers at the same time. At a time when social care recruitment is proving difficult, the time has come to consider training to help plug the gap and we urge any care home to consider investment now for sustained success. For more information on the social care which Royal Alfred offers, see royalalfredseafarers.co.uk
EA Dribble
Regard Partnership Group, one of Britain’s largest care providers, have completed the acquisition of Learning Difficulties Group Solar Care Homes, Cornwall for an undisclosed sum. The sale was negotiated by veteran Agent Eddie Dribble who has been active in the Private Care Home industry for over 45 years. Emanual A Dribble, better known in the Business Transfer market as Eddie Dribble, has been in the Care Home transfer agency business for around 40 years. His extensive knowledge and expertise is second to none in negotiating a satisfactory conclusion for many long standing clients In 1972 he founded and subsequently developed the care home division, of then the National Transfer Agents, Luxton and Lowe Limited. Since that time he has personally travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles inspecting and evaluating every type of care home. No matter what size and what cost he has negotiated sales to a range of buyers, which include large companies and single private individuals. He has established a reputation throughout the industry which provides a truly personal service, always remaining fully confidential. Luxton and Lowe Limited were taken over in 1991 by a large London property agent. At this time to keep the personal service and confidentiality, which was also his strict code of practice, Eddie Dribble decided he needed to form his own private transfer agency to continue to provide a high quality individualistic service. Since this time he has continued to serve the industry with his own brand of personal and confidential negotiations and keep his commission rates at a competitive level. To this day care homes of every size and description and in every location are continuously required for a list of carefully vetted applicants. www.eadcarehomes.com
Great Oaks is a home from home
Making the decision to move into a care home, or to help a loved one move in, can be a hugely upsetting and challenging time so making the right choice is important. Vi spoke about her experience of choosing Great Oaks, managed by Encore Care Homes, for her partner Derek and how it feels like a home from home for both of them. Sadly, my partner Derek can no longer do anything for himself as he has Alzheimer’s disease and chronic kidney disease, so we needed to choose a care home that would be able to cater for all of his care needs. Great Oaks is situated just a few minutes away from our home in Wallisdown so we made the decision to view it and were not disappointed. The rooms and facilities on offer are outstanding and finished to such a high standard, which confirmed this was the right place for Derek to live and call his home. It was an incredibly hard choice to move Derek into a care home, but the whole process has been made so much easier by the caring friendly nature of the team at Great Oaks. The staff are all so kind and welcoming every time I come in, and I’ve got to know those that are looking after Derek and trust them 100 per cent – I know they genuinely have his best interests at heart. Three carers in particular, Alison, Katie and Karen show Derek a great amount of care and attention. I have also built up a great rapport and relationship with them, which has helped to make my visits even more enjoyable. There is a real family vibe at Great Oaks, and a homely feel, not just for the residents but for their spouses and families too. I visit every day, and I’m always actively encouraged to use the communal areas as well as the facilities, which I really enjoy doing with Derek. Particularly taking part in the home activities. I’m always made to feel so relaxed. Recently, Derek’s condition has deteriorated. His concentration has gone, which makes it hard for him to focus on activities. Thankfully there are lovely gardens at Great Oaks which Derek will happily take a stroll in during the warmer weather. He does also like to spend time with another resident, Terry, as he is encouraged to socialise by the care team. I can honestly say that we have been made to feel part of the family at Great Oaks, which has made the whole transition process so much easier. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease and it’s heart-breaking to watch a loved one with this terrible illness. But when I see Derek smile, it really lifts my spirits. I’m glad he is living somewhere comfortable, homely and surrounded by such compassionate and friendly nurses and carers. The care Derek receives is exceptional, and I couldn’t really ask for more. Great Oaks is the latest addition of an established family of care homes managed by Encore Care Homes, with two other care homes in Dorset and Hampshire. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, which are designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of 24 hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings. For more information please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk or call 01202 087444 to speak to a member of the team.
Three new Parklands care homes planned in £16million Highlands investment
The latest phase of a multi-million pound investment by independent care provider Parklands Group has been given the green light. Plans for a £6.5 million care hub for older people in Inverness, one of three new Highland care homes planned or already under construction, have been approved by the Highland Council. The largest single investment by Parklands, the Inverness facility will be built in two phases, the first consisting of a two-storey care home featuring 48 bedrooms, a café, hairdresser and eight day rooms. The second phase will offer 16 assisted living suites, with three day rooms, and will be linked to the care wing on both ground and first floor levels. The site will include landscaped gardens, 42 parking spaces and sheltered cycle racks. The development will occupy a prominent gap site next to Milton of Leys Primary School. Work on phase one is expected to begin next spring. Parklands currently operates seven care homes in Moray and the Highlands but has recently embarked on a significant programme of expansion. Last year, the company expanded its existing care homes in Muir of Ord and Tain at a cost of £1 million, adding a further six bedrooms in each home. Meanwhile, construction of its latest £4.5 million care home in Grantown is nearing completion and work is expected to start soon on a £4 million facility in Fortrose. By 2020, the company will have invested £16 million over three years on new and extended care homes, creating around new 200 jobs and making it one of the largest private sector employers in the north. The company currently has a workforce of around 500. Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands, said: “We are delighted that our plans to build and operate a new care hub for Inverness have been approved. This will be our largest ever investment and arguably one of our most innovative, combining the traditional care model with assisted living support. It is a fantastic site overlooking the Moray Firth and in the heart of the fast growing Milton of Leys area. It will be a facility for the entire community and will be closely integrated with local health facilities, schools and community groups. “Inverness will be our flagship development, creating 100 new jobs, but we are committed to continuing to invest in smaller towns and communities across the Highlands. Our eighth care home is nearing completion in Grantown and work will begin soon on our ninth in Fortrose. Together, these investments will create a further 100 jobs for the region. By 2020, Parklands will be one of the largest private sector employers in the north, a testament to the quality of our care and our workforce.” Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing said: “I welcome this further investment in the Highlands by Parklands. This will provide care home facilities for many at a local level which will enable people to stay near their families.” Ian McNamara, Chair of Highland Senior Citizens Network, added: “The Highland Senior Citizens Network welcomes this imaginative development at a time that is particularly challenging for independent providers of residential care. The number of older people who will need this level of care, in spite of the best efforts to support them in their own homes, is going to increase steadily over the coming years.” For more information on the Highlands care facilities by Parklands, click here. Related articles: RECRUITMENT DRIVE STARTS FOR NEW CARE HOME: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/content/recruitment-drive-starts-new-care-home Balhousie Care Group raises over £34,800 for Alzheimer Scotland: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/news/balhousie-alzheimer-scotland Scottish dance visits Sees care home: https://www.careandnursing-magazine.co.uk/blog/Scottish-dance
Tania Plahay on her book: Yoga for Dementia
Care homes are embracing yoga as a method of promoting mindfulness through meditation, as well as improving cardiovascular fitness and reducing depression. Tania Plahay runs a pilot therapeutic yoga programme for people with dementia in care homes and her book Yoga For Dementia is based on the findings from that programme. Tania has a dedicated page to Yoga for Dementia on her website yogafordementia.com. Here, she tells Care & Nursing Essentials editor Victoria Galligan about her book and the benefits of yoga for residents, families and staff… How does yoga help people living with dementia? Yoga, guided meditations and mindfulness can help people living with dementia on many levels: On a physical level yoga asana (physical) sequences can help people work towards recommended exercise targets and improve cardiovascular fitness Many people living with dementia also have depression: yoga and meditation have been seen to be effective in helping reduce this Yoga exercises can help people release anger, reduce agitation and promote calm. Breathing exercises help improve how people breath. This has many benefits, including promoting the production of positive feel-good hormones. Physical postures help people to locate themselves in space, promoting better orientation and balance. How and where are Yoga for Dementia sessions run? Yoga sessions can be run in care homes and private homes by carers, activities coordinators, or yoga teachers. It is best to run the physical sessions before mealtimes. I recommend starting with short sessions, maybe lasting 10 – 15 minutes and increasing the length of these as groups get familiar with the activities. There are also very nice calming yoga-based activates that can be done before bed. Can carers and family members practice yoga with dementia patients? Yes! I would encourage carers and family members to practice alongside those living with dementia. The majority of activities within ‘Yoga for Dementia’ work very well if practised together. Carers and family members will benefit immensely from the postures and breathing exercises. For example, people living with dementia may have poor posture with tight shoulders and necks, and many carers carry stress and tension in their shoulders. Therefore, doing something very simple like the shoulder sequences together can help both carers and clients feel better together. What does your website Yoga for Dementia offer for carers? My website offers more information about how yoga can help those living with dementia. It includes links to up-to-date research and studies on yoga and dementia including the results of the 18-month trial I ran. It also includes some video of short practices carers can do with their clients. How can your book Yoga for Dementia help carers who want to run sessions? As well as providing a comprehensive background to what yoga is, and how yoga works to counter the effects of ageing and dementia, my book contains a whole chapter on how to run yoga sessions for those living with dementia. This chapter provides everything you need to know, including what you’ll need before you start, tips on when you should practice and how you should begin, as well as important principles to remember. The information within the chapter is tried and tested with carers and activities coordinators providing a go to guide to those wishing to start a yoga programme in their home. For more information see: yoga4dementia.com Yoga for Dementia: A Guide for People with Dementia, Their Families and Caregivers is available to purchase via Amazon. Or if you buy via Jessica Kingsley Publishers, you can use code Y18 at the checkout for a 10% discount.
New partnership offers care homes flexible way to enjoy top-quality nursing beds and furniture
A new partnership between a leading UK business finance provider and top furniture manufacturer is set to offer care homes more flexible ways to enjoy high-end beds and furniture. Henry Howard Finance (HHF), has launched an exclusive national partnership with German medical and nursing home bed and furniture manufacturer, Wissner-Bosserhoff, part of the Linet Group. This exclusive funding partnership will allow Wissner-Bosserhoff to offer straightforward and flexible finance solutions to UK customers wishing to purchase its high-end nursing home and hospital beds. Wissner-Bosserhoff uses a combination of leading technology, high-quality design and a customer-driven focus to deliver tailored nursing solutions to retirement homes, residential care establishments and hospitals across the world. As part of the wider LINET Group SE – based in the Netherlands – the company has over twenty years’ experience in the nursing sector, and has operated in the UK for over fifteen years. Gareth Williams, account manager at Henry Howard Vendor Finance, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Wissner-Bosserhoff, helping the company to develop its presence within the UK market and to continue delivering first-class products to clients. The UK’s ageing population and the growing focus on quality of care is creating huge market potential for Wissner-Bosserhoff and we look forward to providing a steady funding line to support the firm in its future endeavours.” Rob Marsden, UK sales and marketing lead at Wissner-Bosserhoff, said: “As a leading supplier of both functional and elegant nursing products, we provide bespoke nursing beds and mattresses for healthcare providers across the UK market, including care homes, hospitals, trusts and charities. “As the healthcare sector faces increasing acute financial resourcing pressures, we also appreciate that the availability of finance to providers is an essential element in service delivery. As such, we are delighted to team up with a national leasing partner who can offer flexible finance solutions for our customers.” Mark Crook, group chief executive officer of Henry Howard Finance, added: “This is an exciting time for HHF as we continue to expand our multi-faceted finance offering to medical and healthcare providers across the UK.” Henry Howard Finance is one of the UK’s leading business finance providers for SMEs, supporting more than 20,000 UK businesses across a variety of sectors.
