Mental Health and Dementia Facilities Forum 2019
Taking place on 14-15 November at Whittlebury Park, Northampton, the Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Forum is the ideal platform to hear from experts, explore suppliers, network with your fellow healthcare professionals. It has been specifically developed to help you to fund, deliver and manage the estates and facilities in this vital and diverse sector. The provision of mental health and dementia facilities is set to undergo one of the biggest transformations in recent history with the Government’s pledge to invest £3.9bn to accelerate the NHS estate. This injection of funds will result in around 2 million more people who suffer from anxiety, depression or other problems receiving much-needed help. Building the right facilities is essential to help in the treatment and wellbeing of the many challenges that dementia, mental health, and other related medical conditions provide. “Why design matters – getting it right both inside and out” is the theme for this year’s seminars and we will hear from the following speakers as they share best practice: • Matthew Balaam, Partner, Oxford Architects – Broadmoor Hospital’s redevelopment • Dr Anke Jakob, Research Fellow, Design School, Kingston University – Research findings on positive impact of multi-sensory environments • Phil Ross, Director, DIMHN – Better product decisions for those designing and building mental health facilities • Katharine Lazenby, Mental Health Trainer, Peabody Housing Association – Healing environments: a service user perspective on the factors that truly support recovery • Jeremy Parker, Director, Fira Landscapes – The value of the external environment towards good mental health • Andrew Kingston, Recovery Service Manager, Camden & Islington NHS FT – Landscapes for dementia The format is one-and-a-half days packed with seminars, tailored one to one business meetings, networking and an extensive social programme. A format that has proven to create communities that share knowledge, extend networks and do business better. Feedback Quotes from past delegates: Would certainly recommend attending this amazing event – thoroughly enjoyable and excellent networking opportunities. Will be attending next year. Northwest Boroughs Healthcare NHS FT A well organised and informative event. The venue was ideal, the meetings were very high quality and excellent speakers’ sessions. I cam back with many good products and an excellent network Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Excellent networking opportunities and a great forum to learn about the latest innovation and leading-edge products available in the ever-changing health sector. Our industry is all about people and mhdf is all about people. Summers Inman See mhdf-forum.co.uk for more information.
Garden Project for Dementia Clients
Anastasia Barnes, a senior occupational therapist at the Emerald Centre in Colchester, was the proud winner of the Cosyfeet OT Award 2018. The £1000 award helped to fund the creation of a sensory garden where dementia clients and their families spend quality time, gardening and relaxing together. Here she reports on the project. We recently celebrated the official opening of a very special garden at the Emerald Centre. Clients and their families, supported by staff, worked very hard to create the sensory garden, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Colchester. The Emerald Centre is part of the Essex Partnership University Trust. The centre houses services for people with a diagnosis of dementia. These services include initial memory assessments, consultant reviews, medication monitoring, crisis intervention assessments, home treatment, occupational therapy, psychological assessment / treatments and a 24-hour helpline. The centre also houses group therapies and activities, including cognitive stimulation therapy and a vascular wellbeing group. An individual suffering from dementia, whether the cause be from Alzheimer’s disease, vascular problems or any other brain injury, have in common a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities, including thinking, memory, language, understanding and judgement. Although the most common is Alzheimer’s disease and is generally diagnosed in people over 70, there are individuals who have a diagnosis before the age of 65. This is referred to as early-onset dementia and can have a profound effect on the individual, their family and friends. It is important that whatever age a person is diagnosed with any form of dementia, they continue to feel worthwhile, useful and understood. With this in mind, when the opportunity arose, we decided to create a garden where people could enjoy being together in a creative way, using and maintaining the skills and creativity they might have, giving them a sense of purpose and pride. The Garden At the Emerald Centre there is an enclosed garden area that was little used and only maintained by Trust gardeners to prevent overgrowth. The project was started when a volunteer offered to decorate the four very large clay pots in the garden with mosaic tiles to add some colour. We decided to expand on this and invited our clients and carers to become involved in creating a sensory garden which would be a therapeutic space they could enjoy. The garden project for our client group was designed to encourage and promote the following: A sense of achievement / building confidence / self esteem To boost energy levels and help with sleep difficulties Working with others to promote social interaction / reduce isolation To create a sense of purpose /meaningful activity Exercise to promote physical health and wellbeing / help to maintain mobility and flexibility To help maintain skills / encourage memories Enjoyment / pleasure / reminiscence A place to share experiences and create new memories with their family and friends It is well documented that gardening is beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. Studies have found that the mental health benefits of gardening are extensive, reducing problems such as anxiety and depression. It can also reduce stress, help combat high blood pressure and help improve overall physical fitness. According to Ulrich (1999)* being involved in garden activities can help improve memory and assist with maintaining rational thinking and cognitive function. The activities in the garden help to arouse the five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Garden activities can also promote a feeling of calmness and reduce problems associated with dementia such as boredom, depression, aggression, agitation and increased stress. It was a huge undertaking and hard work to begin with. We were fortunate to have the help of a group of volunteers from the university and an enthusiastic group of Girl Guides to clear the space and ready the garden for our clients to begin their project. Fliers were sent out to our clients and their families or carers informing of a start date for the group and requesting donations of old unused garden equipment or any spare plants. We applied to the Trust for funding to enable us to purchase gardening tools and entered the Cosyfeet OT Award programme. We were overjoyed to win, and the £1000 award enabled us to purchase, paint, plants, arbours and seating. The client group was divided into two, with the clients who wanted to work outside in the garden busy designing areas, painting benches, planting, weeding and generally creating the garden. The ‘inside’ group were busy creating artwork for the garden that included making bird boxes, painting pots and using household items to create various sculptures. The project has grown since the opening and we now have a very well attended group who are enthusiastic, creative and motivated to continue developing ‘their’ space. The project has proved to be an enormous success. We have observed the benefits first hand with our clients forming relationships, talking, laughing, being physically more active and best of all inviting their families and friends to enjoy the garden with them. Case Study A – Maria Hinch, aged 63 Maria was diagnosed with vascular dementia six years ago. She also has a diagnosis of depression and arthritis /spondylitis, which causes Maria chronic pain. Maria lives with her husband Norman, who is supportive, but Maria likes to remain as independent as possible and continues to cook and bake. When the garden project started, Maria joined and it quickly became apparent that Maria’s skills in art and craft would be a huge benefit to the group, as this is an area that Maria excels in. In the past, Maria has found it difficult to be in groups but now she reports she enjoys the interaction in the group. “For me it’s a source of social interaction and an outlet for my creativity. I also paint and do art and crafts at home, but I love seeing my work on display in the garden. It makes me feel proud”, says Maria. “The garden group has
Dementia friends gather at Teesside care home
DEMENTIA friends gathered at Teesside care home for training to support those with the condition. Dementia champion and crime prevention officer at Cleveland Police, Peter Ridley facilitated the session at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton on Tees. There were more than a dozen attendees, including staff from the home, family of residents, members of the Carlton WI and others from the community. WI member Ann Swinbank said: “I wanted to learn more as a family member has been showing dementia-like symptoms and I felt it would help if I knew how to assist them going forward.” The Beeches Care Home manager, Jess Brown, met session facilitator Pete during their dementia friends training at the Dementia Hub in Thornaby. Pete has since helped ensure Cleveland Police is completely dementia friendly, with all new cohorts receiving dementia friends training. He said: “I was delighted to be asked to present the dementia friends session at The Beeches. “I became a dementia champion to help build awareness in the community of the challenges that people who live with dementia face. “If we can create awareness, it will help people be more understanding when they interact with a person who has dementia.” Jess said: “We had a great turnout with 14 for our dementia friends session. “As a care home looking after those with dementia, we wanted to do our bit to help others understand the condition better, so they can support their friends and loved ones. “These sessions are aimed at raising awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live the way they want. “We’re planning to run sessions at local schools to give children an understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and how to help those who have it. “We’re also organising further sessions at the home and we’ll make the dates available to those wishing to know more as soon as possible.” The Beeches Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Forest Nursery Helps People with Dementia Remember Their Roots
An innovative forest school and nursery based in South East Northumberland is branching out with a new partnership involving North East charity MIND Active, so that people with dementia can join in with the children’s memory-building exercises. Footprints on the Moon was established in 2015 by Annie Blight from Cramlington. As a child, she frequently cycled to Plessey Woods to play in the peaceful woodland surroundings while enjoying exciting adventures beneath the trees. It became Annie’s mission to help children enjoy nature and learn from the forest, as she had done herself as a child. After running a range of activities at various outdoor locations in Northumberland, Annie’s dream came true last year when she set up Footprints on the Moon’s permanent base at Plessey Woods Country Park. Annie says, “I chose the name ‘Footprints on the Moon’ as I believe that there are no limits to what our children can achieve. Using their imagination and creativity, they can reach the moon and beyond.” The forest school runs activities for all age groups and the nursery caters for two to five-year-olds and is open five days a week. Lessons are based on the great outdoors and nature. With today’s urban lifestyles, some children don’t see much of the countryside and often only visit their local park or seaside on rare family days out. The school uniquely uses a giant parachute as a shelter and campfires encourage the children to bond whilst learning basic outdoor cooking skills. Children are able to construct adventure dens, listen to stories in specially constructed areas and relax in hammocks conveniently strung between the trees. In essence, the children are taught to connect with the natural world and create educational memories that will last a lifetime. Like any traditional nursery, the children enjoy rhymes, songs and story-telling, an experience which is now helping people with dementia to rekindle their own childhood memories, improve their focus and soak up the relaxing atmosphere under the ancient trees. MIND Active is a registered charity that supports local volunteers who help improve the lives of elderly people in the area. Angela Clark, Project Co-ordinator says, “We’re very excited about working with Footprints on the Moon. Visiting the nursery school and taking part in their activities is the kind of experience that is really beneficial for someone with dementia. Very often, just being around young children can help people with dementia remember details about their own past. Dementia can be a very frustrating condition. Spending time in the tranquil woodland helps relieve that frustration and promotes relaxation. By helping the children with their memory tasks, dementia sufferers are finding that their own minds are positively stimulated. It’s also something fun to do which is outside the sometimes-mundane routine of daily life. We’re thrilled to be working with Footprints on the Moon and we’re confident that this is the start of a long and successful joint venture.” Annie agreed: “Helping our youngsters with the words of nursery rhymes and songs is great therapy for those with memory difficulties. It helps to ignite childhood reminiscences and the older people love spending time with the kids and the children love having them around.” Footprints on the Moon currently has 4 members of staff and is helped by a small team of volunteers, including students from Newcastle University. The team, including the children’s parents, are passionate about letting children make the most out of spending time in a natural environment. Local businesses have also supported the venture with funding provided by the Postcode Lottery and Bedlington Town Council.
RCH Care Homes makes dementia commitment
RCH Care Homes makes dementia commitment as part of Dementia Action Week To mark Dementia Action Week (DAW), which ran from 20 to 26 May 2019, RCH Care Homes committed to creating 900 new Dementia Friends! As part of RCH’s ongoing partnership with the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS), and to complement our dementia strategy, By Your Side; all 900 employees across our 10 care homes and support services will become ‘Dementia Friends’ over the coming months. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme aims to change the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition so supporting the initiative seemed a fitting action to commit to during DAW. RCH’s By Your Side strategy and the partnership with the world-renowned dementia research and education centre ADS, were launched earlier this year. The strategy, which is founded on four key pillars; training, environment, activities and hospitality, is being rolled out and embedded in the business’ ten care homes across the east and south east of England during 2019, alongside specialist ADS training for our ten care home managers and 24 dementia specialists. RCH Care Home’s Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Rees, said: “We are delighted to support Dementia Friends as part of Dementia Action Week as it complements our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia. Creating 900 new Dementia Friends within our homes will further support our drive to ensure all of our residents wake up in the morning looking forward to the day ahead, and go to bed at night feeling happy, loved and contented, having had a great day.” You can find more information about our dementia care at www.rchcarehomes.co.uk or by emailing care@rchcarehomes.co.uk.
Pupils learn about dementia from care home staff
SCHOOL children have been learning about dementia from visiting care home staff who look after those with the condition every day. Ingleby Care Home activities coordinator Kirsty Walsh and unit manager Cassie McCloskey visited St Thérèse of Lisieux R C Primary School to talk to pupils. Both the care home and school are based on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, near Middlesbrough, and have taken part in joint activities previously. The school’s year five and six teachers contacted the home to ask if anyone could visit to explain the types of dementia and how it can affect people in different ways. There was also an opportunity for the children to ask questions, which included “does everyone get dementia”, “is it only old people that develop it” and “can they still remember things”. After the session at the school, pupils made a special visit to Ingleby Care Home, where they played ball games, read and sang with residents. One resident, Shirley Naylor, even danced with the school pupils in the home’s specialist dementia suite. Kirsty said: “We were delighted to be asked to talk to the pupils about dementia. They were very attentive and curious. They had some excellent questions. “With an aging population, there are more and more people being diagnosed with dementia, so it’s important to understand the difficulties and challenges it can present so we can better support those with the condition. “It was fantastic to then welcome the pupils’ to the home. They brought so much energy and enthusiasm. The residents thoroughly enjoy their company and loved every minute playing games, reading, singing and dancing. “We all look forward to further activities with the school in future.” Ingleby Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Light projection game makes all the difference to those living with dementia
Staff at MHA Langholme care home in Falmouth were left in awe after seeing first-hand the transformative effect that a motion-activated sensory projection had on residents living with dementia in the home. With the goal of stimulating, engaging and relaxing the mind, this projection technology, which is manufactured in the UK, comes equipped with quizzes, music and themes that have been designed to prompt conversation, spark nostalgia and maintain memory. Its use of therapeutic scenes and sounds which derive from nature have been known to instantly improve a dementia resident’s sense of calm. Through this OM Interactive motion-activated technology, residents can reach out to pop a bubble, grow a flower simply by touching it, and even dip their toes in the water as the tide rolls in – all without leaving the sense of security that their own room provides. This is made possible by the equipment’s portable and height-adjustable properties which are able to project coloured streams of light onto any table, bed or floor. For many mid-to-late stage dementia residents, the ability to speak or recognise loved ones can be a struggle. But with this new activity that all generations can enjoy, including children and their grandparents alike, staff at MHA Langholme care home have ensured that families can connect in a new way. It is one of the few care homes in the South West to offer this technology. Maria Brown, Home Manager at MHA Langholme care home said: “I first noticed the effect one of these projection games could have when a company came to demonstrate it at our Summer Fair last year, after seeing one of our dementia residents, who was visibly distressed at the number of people around her, immediately become immersed in the interactive game. “After that, I remember telling our team that we simply had to have one, whatever it takes.” Administration Manager, Kate Bateson adds “Here at MHA Langholme, we understand the benefits that social interaction has on the day-to-day lives of our residents. The effect this technology has isn’t like anything I have ever seen before – its ability to soothe and engage residents is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye.”
What to consider when extending care home services
James Thomas, QFP, Commercial Manager at d&t business planning, discusses the need for careful planning when extending care home services. The expansion of care home services requires the mitigation of risk through analysis and proper planning both to protect the business and those it cares for long term. Extending an existing facility by nature often requires significant investment and therefore, commercial backing. Securing appropriate funding will be a key part of the successful expansion of services. Here, a balance needs to be struck between the need for borrowing and the income likely to be generated from providing care services. An independent funding sourcing organisation that has relationships with all the main banks, satellite lenders and funding circles will be able to secure the best deal possible. A funding sourcing organisation will initially undertake a viability check prior to approaching any lenders, in order to assess the likelihood of securing borrowing. They will look at an individual’s or company’s background, assets and liabilities and the business idea. Because they understand the criteria for lending from numerous financial organisations, they can help set expectations. Here it is important to provide accurate information to ensure a realistic evaluation and assessment. Armed with this information, they can select the most appropriate lender to potentially back the project. To secure any business borrowing it will be necessary to provide a detailed business plan. This is a document setting out goals for the future and the strategy to reach those objectives. It will need to include information on cash flow, budgets and projections, but also an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Business plans should be realistic and achievable using existing financial records to help with forecasting. They should also detail milestones and set out a roadmap indicating thresholds when, for example, additional staff can be taken on, or when the business can afford to expand further. The starting point with any business expansion plan is analysis of existing figures. So, step one of the process of expansion is to ensure accounts are fully up to date. Getting to grips with the technology to enable regular reporting online will be something everyone needs to get used to and we recommend getting in the habit of keeping your information up to date so you are ready to complete the quarterly submissions when they are required. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are also an essential part of business planning. Monthly Turnover, Cost of Sales and Gross Profit will always be the most important key performance indicators, as at a glance, you get a good idea of how a business is performing at a high level. There will, of course, be some more specific metrics that are tracked behind these, which might include for example: variable and fixed costs such as staffing, training, recruitment, heating, cleaning, marketing, etc… Tracking back KPIs helps with planning. Consider a target of increasing residents in a care home by 30%. Work back and isolate what can directly affect the goal and monitor these metrics. • 30% growth = 10 more residents = 5 more staff, 10 more beds, 5 more items of equipment etc The same logic can be applied to marketing. How many leaflets and adverts are needed to create xx number of enquiries which ultimately become xx number of residents? So, whether you’re starting out, looking to grow, or an existing business, raising finance requires a workable and detailed plan tailored to your goals. This will help you source funding from the most suitable lender, and using an independent funding expert will help you shop around and secure the best deal for carefully managed expansion. For further information on independent funding and business planning when extending care home services please see: team-dt.com
Why is animal therapy in care homes so popular?
Damon Culbert from Wild Science, provider of animal therapy in care homes across the UK, talks about the difference between short visits from animals and dedicated Animal Assisted Therapy. Animals in care homes are a growing phenomenon attempting to improve the wellbeing of the elderly in long-term care. Many residential care providers have sung the praises of therapy dogs, cats, horses and even lizards in their ability to animate residents and stimulate social interaction. But what are the recorded benefits of animal therapy and should every care home invite animals in? Not every encounter that seniors have with animals will qualify as animal therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy is defined as targeted therapy interventions which make use of an animal to achieve set goals. Examples in care homes might include having a resident walk a dog regularly in order to improve or maintain mobility functions long-term or games between animals and residents to encourage social interaction between residents experiencing heightened feelings of loneliness. Animal Assisted Activities, on the other hand, are less focused interactions with animals used to entertain, educate and engage. These can include one-off visits from exotic animals where residents are encouraged to hold, play with and stroke different kinds of animals. Live-in care home animals may also provide many of the benefits which can be achieved during animal therapy but might not fit the definition of therapy as activities are not so structured. This article on animal therapy in care homes will look at the ways care home residents can benefit from the company of animals in both AAT and AAA. Improved motor skills Animal interaction can be hugely beneficial for the physical wellbeing of residents of all abilities, whether that is through stroking, brushing, walking or playing. Many non-mobile residents enjoy the presence of animals and look forward to their visits. Allowing animals like dogs, cats and horses to be stroked and brushed by residents of limited mobility provides vital tactile stimulation. This stimulation is not only beneficial for the maintenance of fine motor skills but also provides other health benefits. Stroking animals increases levels of ‘happiness’ hormone oxytocin and reduces levels of stress hormone cortisol, helping reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and fear which can be common in care home residents. Residents who are more mobile may also experience physical benefits from interaction with animals. Walking dogs regularly is a great way of improving or maintaining motor functions long-term, helping residents maintain independence for longer. Regular exercise is vital for the elderly, especially those in long-term care and research shows that dog walking helps reduce blood pressure, can be beneficial for recovery after major events like strokes and helps maintain general heart health. Increased social interaction For many residents, having to leave their own homes and support networks can be a very isolating experience and many can find it difficult to build new relationships. This is a particular problem for those with conditions like dementia. One of the main benefits of regular animal interaction for came home residents is the animals’ ability to stimulate social interaction. Animal therapy practitioners notice that residents are far more likely to interact with them and the other residents in the presence of animals. Animals often trigger memories of other animals such as past pets which allows residents to enjoy memories of their past while sharing them as part of a group. Additionally, taking on the responsibility of care is beneficial for the elderly as they form routines that not only structure their day but encourage them to interact with staff and other residents to complete tasks based around the animals. This could include walking dogs, feeding pets and, in some care homes, means collecting chicken eggs. This study identified touch as a significant and undervalued part of social interaction which is beneficial to elderly residents struggling to involve themselves socially. Residents who interacted with animals were much more likely to touch the animals but also to interact with their peers in the same way. The importance of touch in social interaction is similar to its importance in physical development and can help reduce feelings of isolation. Reduced loneliness and depression Having resident pets in care homes or organising regular visits from the same animals can help the elderly form attachments which in turn can reduce feelings of loneliness. Animal therapy programs can also use the structure of forming bonds with animals to then encourage residents to form closer bonds together, further improving social interaction and residents’ mental wellbeing. The hormonal response to pets is also one of animal therapy’s greatest attractions. Animal therapist Cynthia Chandler believes that oxytocin is one of the most powerful social hormones we produce and the ability of animals to naturally promote its production is why animal therapy is becoming ever more popular. Things to consider While animal activity and animal therapy in care homes can provide fantastic benefits for those in long-term residential care, it’s important to note that their benefit won’t be felt by everyone. Some things to consider before introducing animal therapy in care homes include residents who don’t like or are afraid of animals and those who suffer from allergies. Rather than keep a dog or cat at the care home at all times, it might be more successful to bring the animal in regularly for short period to interact with small groups so that nobody is subjected to an experience they don’t want. Animal therapy in care homes is causing a huge stir and, due to its ability to bring enrichment and positivity to residents’ lives, it’s likely to stay. However, introducing animals to the elderly must be done with careful consideration for every resident’s wellbeing. For more information on animal therapy in care homes, see wildsci.co.uk
