The Carer Digital - Issue #193

Incoming Government Will Face Eight Tests for Adult Social Care

EDITOR'S VIEWPOINT

Welcome to the latest edition of The Carer Digital!

Editor Peter Adams

The Nuffield Trust has fired a shot across the bows of the next Government which is only a matter of months away in its critical briefing that outlines eight essential tests for any incoming government seeking to reform adult social care and rebuild public confidence in this vital sector

This briefing shed light on the precarious state of adult social care in the UK characterised by insecure funding uneven access heavy reliance on unpaid carers exorbitant costs for those in need, and persistently high staff turnover - all feedback we received at last month s Care show at London’s Excel

The call for reform is, as we know, not merely a suggestion; it is a pressing necessity The current system, as the briefing rightly points out, is deeply dysfunctional and as it states injecting more funds alone will not suffice to rectify its systemic shortcomings Reform must be comprehensive addressing multiple facets simultaneously to avoid unintended consequences

The Nuffield Trust's criteria for reforming adult social care demand urgent attention To start any incoming government must tackle the issue of funding stability

Securing long-term sustainable funding is crucial to provide certainty and stability for service providers and users alike Variable access to social care services must be addressed through a consistent national framework that ensures equitable provision across regions

Moreover, the heavy reliance on unpaid carers, who often face immense physical, emotional and financial strain, requires targeted support This can include enhanced respite care services, financial assistance, and better recognition of carers' contributions We here at THE CARER regularly receive we here at often hard hitting and distressing accounts regularly receive of the plight of unpaid carers who clearly save the country billions in fact this time last year we reported the value of unpaid care in England and Wales which is almost equivalent to a second NHS Unpaid carers save the government £162bn per year in the two nations research by charity Carers UK and the University of Sheffield revealed

Addressing the catastrophic costs associated with social care demands innovative solutions The current system often pushes individuals and families to financial breaking points Introducing a fairer funding model that provides protection against

catastrophic care costs is imperative

High staff turnover again a topic that was raised repeatedly when we spoke to operators and staff at The Care Show last month which has a severe impact on care quality is an additional pressing issue

Investing in the social care workforce by improving pay, training, and career development opportunities is vital to attract and retain skilled professionals

An incoming government must avoid piecemeal solutions that only address isolated issues within the system Instead a holistic approach is needed considering all interconnected aspects of adult social care This means designing policies that work in tandem to improve funding access support for carers cost management and workforce conditions simultaneously

And I have to say I have seen precious little evidence of that so far Here in Bournemouth in 2023 Lib Dem leader Ed Davey did make a pledge of a £5bn-a-year guarantee of free care packages for all in England but as at today I have yet to see what the other parties are offering I have put out alerts inviting parties to share with our readership what they have in mind for adult social care would they find themselves in office later this year, but so far nothing back, which at this stage is rather disappointing

Public trust in the adult social care system can only be restored through tangible and comprehensive reform The Nuffield Trust's briefing provides a clear roadmap for the incoming government to prioritise and implement necessary changes and we really do need to know that policies these mainstream parties have as we move toward the election

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Incoming Government Will Face Eight Tests for Adult Social Care

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

DECADES OF DELAY

The briefing goes on the say that both the NHS and social care in England are struggling A combination of the sudden shocks from the Covid-19 pandemic and high inflation and the longer-term pressures of poor workforce planning morale problems failure to deliver promised efficiency savings, and decades of delay to social care reform are all taking their toll and highlights that strain and dysfunction are deeply rooted and will not immediately improve and the public sees this clearly: satisfaction with both services is at historic lows Credible long-term plans to improve this situation are vital for any political leader who wants to gain the support of the British people, the Trust says

An ongoing series of general election briefings produced with funding from the Nuffield Foundation has examined a set of key issues where a government taking or returning to office in the next year must act in order to meaningfully improve health and care

This latest (second) in the series examines adult social care – a vital public service supporting people of all ages in England to live with dignity independence and wellbeing, which, the briefing says has been left to languish for decades and despite much excellent high-quality care being successfully delivered every day, hundreds of thousands of people who need support with their daily lives simply get none the Trust adds

DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM

Multiple different aspects of social care are not functioning well, and simply pouring more money into this dysfunctional system will not be enough, the briefing says, highlighting that attempting a partial fix to just one part of the system in isolation risks creating unintended consequences elsewhere

For example expanding eligibility for care without ensuring there are enough high-quality providers capable of meeting demand may raise expectations but leave many people unable to access the care they have been told they should be able to access Similarly trying to raise workforce pay without making sufficient funding available risks pushing care providers into bankruptcy, or resulting in no actual growth in total staff numbers

While comprehensive reform of the entire system in one go may be

financially unachievable, it is vital that the new government maps out an eventual end point and puts in place a clear route for getting there with set timescales and a clear understanding of how each change affects other parts of the sector Without this implementation map there is a risk that money is invested but improvements are not realised

REFORM OVERDUE

The Trust also expressed concerns that while both government and opposition leaders recognise that reform of this ailing system is overdue taking action will bring more blame than credit because of low awareness among voters and tight finances leading to an increase in public dissatisfaction

This briefing sets out the criteria needed to be met for a long-term social care reform which would support the sector as a vital pillar of social and economic infrastructure and a visible political success rather than a source of increasing public disapproval and is based in part on in-depth research into other countries such as Germany and Japan which have carried out comprehensive and politically successful reforms

TEST 1: SET OUT A PLAN FOR COHESIVE REFORM THAT OFFERS CLEAR BENEFITS AND GRANTS SOCIAL CARE POLICY PARITY WITH THE NHS

There is a need to tackle low awareness of social care by articulating the clear benefits of investing in the system and building a case for the future To date, reform has been piecemeal and limited To transform the system there needs to be a coherent plan that recognises the interconnectedness of different elements

TEST 2: INTRODUCE A CREDIBLE MECHANISM TO FUND ADULT SOCIAL CARE SUSTAINABLY

To ensure public support for contributions revenue should be raised through easily understood established taxation routes that are as fair as possible and pooled nationally to spread the risk of high costs across the whole population Any approach should put an end to the uncertain sporadic injections of money and boost overall funding

TEST 3: INTRODUCE GREATER CONSISTENCY IN, AND EXPAND, ACCESS TO PUBLICLY FUNDED CARE

Diminishing and inconsistent access to care and support, determined by where someone lives has been a feature of social care in recent years Expanding the offer and ensuring people have consistent access to services needs to underpin a clear eligibility process

TEST 4: ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO NEED SOCIAL CARE HAVE CHOICE AND CONTROL AND CAN ACCESS PERSONALISED SUPPORT

While consistency of eligibility criteria for public funding is crucial, this needs to be balanced with flexibility to design care and support to ensure that people who need social care have choice and control and can access personalised support The next government should not seek to define a national package of care for all and instead consider notional budgets to be used flexibly to suit an individual’s needs and preferences

TEST 5: SET OUT A CLEAR LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR THE SOCIAL CARE WORKFORCE THAT ENSURES STAFF ARE VALUED AND WANT TO STAY IN SOCIAL CARE

Rising vacancies and turnover have undermined continuity and quality and been challenging for providers A strategy would need to address issues of low pay poor terms and conditions and training and development It should consider all parts of the workforce including registered professions managers and personal assistants and consider skills needed for the long term

TEST 6: BRING STABILITY, GROWTH AND STEADY IMPROVEMENT TO THE ORGANISATIONS THAT DELIVER CARE

A strong market development strategy should include ensuring fair fees are paid to providers to enable investment; setting clear rules of financial behaviour for all providers; and supporting councils to commission innovatively and strategically

TEST 7: SET OUT PLANS FOR SUPPORTING ENGLAND’S UNPAID CARERS

Although the preceding reforms should create a system where there is less reliance on unpaid carers they will still be an important feature and should be both included in plans and given adequate tangible support to help them balance caring with their own wellbeing work and other activities

Test 8 Ensure social care reform works alongside other services in particular the NHS

Social care needs to be seen as an equal partner at integrated care system level and people interacting with both services should experience a seamless journey Where there are mutual benefits such as in workforce planning and investment in innovations, social care and the NHS should work collaboratively for the benefit of their local communities and to avoid undermining long-term planning in both services

The Importance of Nutrition and Hydration in a Care Home

For any of us maintaining a good balanced diet is key to maintaining health and general well-being However for the elderly in a care home setting, it s absolutely crucial Many residents will be reliant on carers to provide the right amount of nutrition and hydration as part of their holistic care What’s more some residents will also require assistance with eating and drinking skills, as well as the provision of meals

With that in mind it s essential that you re not only aware of the food and drink regulations in place, but how you can build on these to improve your offering and services within a care home environment

WHAT HAPPENS IF RESIDENTS DON’T RECEIVE THE RIGHT NUTRITION?

With age malnutrition can become more of a concern It s estimated that around 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 are either malnourished or at risk Changes that the elderly go through can lead to things like a diminished appetite or even a loss of interest in food not to mention health conditions or changing health needs that can also impact the amount of nutrition a person receives

It's important to remember that residents may be a healthy weight but could still not be getting the right nutrients they need Other signs of malnutrition might include things like muscle weakness feeling tired increased falls or even poor wound healing

What’s more, older people will find it more difficult to absorb vitamin D through sunlight, and so this must be considered in their diet

Similarly older adults can also be a higher risk of becoming dehydrated as they may not recognise the feeling of thirst the way they used to

FOOD AND DRINK REGULATIONS FOR CARE HOMES

The Health and Social Care Act of 2008 was brought in to ensure all care home settings registered with the Care Quality Commission and complied with its requirements It’s deemed to be one of the most significant reforms of social care in decades

In particular Regulation 14 states that the nutritional and hydration needs of residents must be met WHAT CARE HOMES CAN DO

With that in mind it’s important that care homes have the right measures in place to keep residents as healthy as possible when it comes to nutrition and hydration Here are some tips on how carers and kitchen staff can work together to further improve the system in place

Regular assessments: Every resident will have different needs, and so by carrying out frequent assessments you can determine more accurately whether residents are getting what they need from their current meals and drinks This also gives you the chance to identify issues or changes in requirements and address it accordingly

Personalised plans: Being able to offer personalised meal plans means that you’ll be better equipped to meet the residents dietary requirements Not only this but it also means that you can meet their needs in regards to allergies medical conditions and also flavour and texture preferences too This can be critical to ensure an enjoyable mealtime and offer a more encouraging environment for residents to eat and drink

Supervision at mealtimes: This can be particularly crucial if residents have trouble swallowing or eating as you ll need to support and supervise when necessary However it can be helpful even for those who don t experience this This is because you can observe and monitor how they are with using cutlery or holding a cup, and whether they have any additional needs that you could assist with

Ongoing education: It’s hugely important to carry out regular training and education so that carers can continue to recognise the signs of dehydration or malnourishment It also means they can be better placed to help residents improve their health and wellbeing

Emotional support and reassurance In some cases, residents may hold back on eating or drinking because of worries with incontinence It’s absolutely pivotal that carers can give the right emotional support and are able to reassure residents on this topic

Sail Of The Centur y For Salvation Army Care Home Residents

By Rob Henry, Head of Culinary Solutions and Compliance at EF- Group (www ef-

Skills For Care Is Supporting Providers To

#Keeptherightpeople Throughout May And June

Retention

There

Creating

is dedicated to your service, and continuing to grow and upskill with you means you can offer better care to the people you support

More information on the campaign and how to get involved can be found at https://www skillsforcare org uk/KeepingTheRightPeople

Eastham Care Home Celebrates Diversity with Staff Cultural Showcase

sought

By embracing the different cultural backgrounds of our staff and involving our residents in these celebrations, we aim to promote a culture of inclusivity and acceptance,” said Lesley Manager of Eastham Care Home

Residents and their families enthusiastically participated in the event expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about different cultures firsthand

One resident’s relative said, “It’s wonderful to see the staff sharing their culture with us It truly shows that Eastham Care Home values each member of its

Is Artificial Intelligence in Care Homes a Game Changer for Falls Prevention?

By Christina Molt Wengel, Chief Marketing Officer, Milestone Systems

In

the real-world implications of a technol-

AI could be a superpower offering the

ways of working to ultimately protect the safety of residents

ENHANCING HUMAN EFFORTS, NOT REPLACING THEM

With safety being a priority in care homes care teams do all they can to ensure that residents are well looked after, including mitigating the risk of falls However, the complexity of eldercare is time-consuming as everyone has unique needs And with a lack of one-on-one care possible in most cases, it is immensely difficult to ensure complete safety all the time THIS IS WHERE AI CAN PLAY A ROLE

Imagine a system that watches when human eyes cannot This isn’t about replacing the human touch; it s about bolstering it offering caregivers the chance to intervene before incidents happen not just respond after

Video systems are prevalent in many care home settings as a monitoring and security function so the addition of AI opens up exciting possibilities taking ordinary surveillance systems and making them a key part of resident safety and behavioural observation

REAL

CHALLENGES, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

This function can be used in lots of ways but one of the most relevant for care home managers is noticing when a resident slips trips or falls When falls occur in a private setting – such as in a bedroom or bathroom – prompt action requires a carer a resident or a third party to be present and able to call for help Without this significant delays can occur between someone falling and help arriving

But AI can become a valuable asset for care homes in these types of scenarios - to raise carers’ attention instantly upon a slip, trip or fall, triggering an immediate and potentially life-saving response

To respect the privacy of those being recorded, this type of software is created with personal privacy in mind For example - video images

are fitted with privacy-enhancing features such as automatic blurring functions which starts when a resident who is under observation needs privacy Residents can still be monitored and alarms triggered without images broadcast to a screen in the nurse’s station – so you reap all the benefits of the new technology without impeding on privacy

AI can be trained to aid falls management by triggering a process of intervention It can also be used to identify patterns of behaviour that can predict these types of events In the case of falls prevention this might be unsteadiness or loss of balance for example but it can also flag issues like a resident struggling to breathe or behaving aggressively Rather than acting like traditional video and simply documenting incidents AI can trigger a response before things escalate or become life threatening

The application of AI leverages anonymised video – patients privacy is completely secure and respected The technology can identify the sudden movements that accompany falls and similar incidents, raising a red flag to care home staff that urgent investigation is needed

Milestone Systems XProtect Hospital Assist is an AI-assisted video platform designed for healthcare settings helping hospitals clinics and care homes to safely monitor their patients and residents and help reduce incidents

A STEP TOWARDS SAFER FUTURES

As we integrate AI into our care strategies, we must do so thoughtfully ensuring it complements rather than complicates the caregiving process The potential is immense but the goal is simple to make our care homes safer not just smarter

Join Us at the Care & Occupational Therapy Show 2024

• Energy and utilities procurement

• Energy survey to identify savings

• ANTIMICROBIAL FABRIC TREATMENTS

• L AUNDR Y HYGIENE AND EFFICIENCY • ANTIMICROBIAL HARD SURFACE COATINGS

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Delay in Home Adaptations May Lead to Stays in Residential Care Charity Says

Older people at risk going into residential care due to massive delays in making adaptations to homes

Age UK has published a report which highlights the delays many older and disabled people face waiting for councils to install home aids and adaptations, making it more difficult for them to live independently at home

The report ‘A step change: improving delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant’ says that increasing the amount of age-friendly accessible housing and providing quicker access to appropriate aids and adaptations should be central to the UK’s vision for the future of older people s housing

Accessible housing, aids and adaptations, the report says, are key to this independence and give people the autonomy and confidence to live a full and active life They are also important in reducing pressure on the NHS and social care services Adaptations such as walk-in showers and stair-lifts help to reduce falls sustain better health lessen dependence on others for care and ease hospital discharge

However in 2021/22 the most recent year for which figures are obtainable, over two-thirds of local authorities took longer than the six months recommended by the Disabled Facilities Grant guidance issued by the Government, to install most adaptations through the grant The longest took more than 24 months These are average figures and so some individual cases will have taken even longer

Anecdotally, there have been further delays since, due to a backlog of cases post-COVID Sadly there is little sign of improvement

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said:

Our report highlights the horrific delays older people often face when trying to get the adaptations they need through this funding Better off people tend to give up and buy their own kit instead but if you are on a low income and don t have many savings this isn’t an option and you are condemned to wait for as long as it takes Sometimes the delay is so pronounced that by the time an older person finally has the opportunity to explain what they want the adaptation they requested is no longer relevant because their health has declined to the point that they can no longer make use of it In the meantime while older people endlessly wait they have to endure discomfort and inconvenience and they may be at increased risk of falls This is so frustrating when installing an adaptation could have made all the difference

We know that falls cost the NHS more than £2 3 billion per year, with 30% of people aged 65+ and 50% of people aged 80+ falling at least once each year so you can see how important home adaptations can be Something as simple as a grab rail or a walk-in shower can make the difference between someone being able to remain at home living independently, and having to move into a care home, at substantial cost to the taxpayer or to themselves if they have to pay their own fees ”

We also need to improve the accessibility of our new and existing housing stock so there is less need for expensive adaptations in the first place There is a massive shortage of accessible housing and we should be making better use of new build and renovation work to provide more homes that can easily flex to meet our changing needs as we age

“Where adaptations are required however, many people will need to continue to rely on the Disabled Facilities Grant It’s delivery would be transformed if each local authority made a conscious effort to speed up the process learning from the practice of the best Better communication within local authorities and between them and older applicants is also essential The frustration some older people experience

when applying for this funding adds insult to injury At Age UK we fully recognise that local authorities are underfunded and under enormous pressure, but that makes it all the more important that they make the best use of the money they do have

Staggering Cost of Losing Doctors from the NHS Revealed in BMA Report

The cost to taxpayers of losing doctors early from the NHS at the current rate is as high as £2 4bn a year – and could rise to as much as £5bn a year if more is not done to retain doctors in the UK – a BMA report warns today

Based on the 15 000 to 23 000 doctors estimated to have left the NHS prematurely in England between September 2022 and September 2023, the BMA estimates that the cost of replacing them and their expertise would be between £1 6bn and £2 4bn Moreover, with rising numbers of doctors indicating they are taking steps to leave the profession the BMA warns this figure could rise even further – underlining not just the huge loss of medical expertise in terms of NHS capacity and patient care but also the vast expense to the public purse if action is not taken

In “When a doctor leaves: tackling the cost of attrition in the UK’s health services”, the BMA outlines four key areas where urgent action is needed to retain doctors in the UK protect services and patients and save public money:

Pay and debt Reversing years of real-terms pay erosion is the first step in rebuilding good faith showing doctors they are valued and retaining them A failure to do so will mean that doctors will continue to leave for better paid jobs elsewhere Furthermore writing off student debt while doctors work within the NHS will provide added incentive to stay

• Working conditions Working conditions need to make doctors want to stay, not push them out of the door, but too frequently they are uncaring uncomfortable and unsafe Governments health systems and employers must act to reduce workload pressures, improve work-life balance, expand access to basic facilities and services and stamp out harassment and abuse

Diversity and inclusion The NHS is fortunate to have a workforce that has become more diverse over time To keep this diverse workforce action needs to be taken to end discrimination and support those with additional needs to contribute to their potential

• Development and support In the context of relentlessly pressured environments staff are afforded less and less time for learning and development To better retain staff employers need to ensure that doctors are able to practise in roles that make the most of their skills and experience, with the support to develop and

progress personally and professionally

Dr Latifa Patel BMA representative body chair and workforce lead said: “It’s no secret that the NHS does not have enough doctors to meet our patients’ needs and the ones that we do have are increasingly saying they do not want to stay The negative effects are there for all to see – near-record waiting lists for treatments, overwhelmed services consistently missing A&E and cancer targets, exhausted staff working themselves to the point of burnout just to plug the gaps If this has so far not been enough for the Government or policymakers to take the issue of retention seriously then we hope seeing the staggering sums of public money needed to replace doctors who leave early will make them sit up and listen

“In a year where strikes have already estimated to have cost £1 2bn, when you add the cost of losing more doctors the Government s argument that it is unaffordable to properly value and support doctors falls

Residents From Local Care Home Visit Local Theatre Show

Overcoming Recruitment Challenges In Residential Care

By Chris Harber, Head of Immigration, Boyes Turner (www boyesturner com)

From acute staff shortages and low retention rates through to resourcing from overseas and frankly, a perception problem, recruitment is a daily issue that residential care employers must navigate The reasons behind the care recruitment and retention crisis are well-documented including historic and extremely low pay compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, a lack of career development and training opportunities as well as poor staff morale, often matched by long hours and burn-out

So where do care home employers start when it comes to redressing their recruitment strategies?

TIGHTEN UP YOUR RECRUITMENT PROCESSES

It’s easy to say “recruit carefully and slowly” when you re not faced with a consistent staffing challenge impacting the quality of care and service you can offer But by tackling your recruitment strategy over the longer-term you will be able to remove immediate pressures on your talent pipeline

Taking the longer- term view and hiring the right person for your business – from culture and personality fit perspective – can save you time further down the line This can be as simple as ensuring you have a thorough background check system in place to guide your hiring decisions as well as increasing retention rates

LOOK AT YOUR VISA COMPLIANCE

CHECKS

It might seem obvious but – when recruiting overseas staff - right to work checks should be done before the individual starts work EU workers will need to show they have either pre-settled or settled status and those with a temporary right to work will need to have their visa status checked From April 2022 all visas must be checked digitally via https://www gov uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work

If you employ any staff on student visas, make sure they’re not exceeding their maximum permitted hours of 20hours / week during term times Any more than this is a breach of their visa conditions Overtime sleeping nights and on-call hours (if at the place of work or sufficiently restrictive) will count towards their total weekly hours We recommend requesting a copy of their university term dates at the start of each academic year to enable compliance

With modern slavery a very real and alarming feature of care homes today, ensure you have also implemented a watertight policy for this, including relevant identity checks as well as training of staff

BUILD YOUR EMPLOYER BRAND

Alongside the ethics of being a good employer, there’s a commercial advantage too – in a competitive marketplace care homes with strong employer brands will attract the best talent which means they can deliver the best care for their residents and their families All this fuels your reputation – in a market where reputation is a challenge

In an industry where staff are often treated as disposable developing a culture of appreciation is also vital: showing people they are valued supports engagement, productivity, and loyalty And this needs to be cascaded across all levels – from carers to catering and cleaning teams as much as management and leadership

CREATE A CULTURE WHERE YOUR PEOPLE THRIVE

Again a powerful way to recruit people is through culture a place where people can thrive at work

Make sure your employees take their full holiday allowance to both protect staff health wellbeing and work-life balance

Ensure staff get sufficient Breaks: they should comply with Working Time Regulation 1998 (WTR) requirements or, if this is not possible, offer sufficient compensatory rest instead Employers should check that staff who are working for other employers are still getting sufficient rest breaks between roles and not exceeding the maximum permitted amount of night working Remember sleeping nights and on-call shifts will count as working for WTR purposes (if at the place of work or sufficiently restrictive)!

In a market where training and career development are under-valued and hard to access prioritise professional development for your teams

An effective recruitment strategy in today’s care sector requires that employers ensure they prioritise the things that potential staff truly want – a positive workplace where people are valued can thrive and perform to the best of their ability – safely and fairly

Berkshire Care Association Celebrates Excellence

In Care At The BCA Care Awards 2024

also served as a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation within the Adult Social Care sector by awarding 8 care services with the Care Service Recognition Award

The Chair of the BCA Board Peter Lomax commented by recognising and honouring excellence, BCA aims to inspire and empower caregivers to continue to fulfil their roles

Important - Health and Safety Matters

New Mayor Of York Must Make Social Care a Priority Operators Say

The new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and all other newly-elected politicians must make use of their power to bring about reform of social care, campaigners said today

The care provider group, the Independent Care Group (ICG) has sent congratulations to David Skaith who was today elected as York and North Yorkshire’s first Mayor And it called on him to use his election as a way to influence the way older and vulnerable adults are

cared for in his region and across the country ICG Chair Mike Padgham said:

“Congratulations to David – the people of York and North Yorkshire have placed their trust in him to help deliver improvements to this region

We will now be looking to him to use that power and influence to bring about change in the way a very significant section of the community is cared for as we need to raise the pressure for change

“York and North Yorkshire has a significant proportion of older and vulnerable adults within its population and we will look to the new mayor to take a lead on improving the lives of these citizens as part of his role in bringing about much-needed regeneration for the region

“Many within our area are living without the care they need and we hope that Mr Skaith can use his position to change that

“We also look to all others who are celebrating election or re-election to posts to join in with us and to fight for social care reform

As we head – sadly quite slowly – towards a General Election we must all use whatever power we have to give those who do not have one a voice and to press for a better way of looking after a generation of people who gave us so much They deserve better

Friends Of The Elderly’s Dementia Champions Share Their Dementia Care Journeys

Recognising and marking this year’s Dementia Action Week, charity Friends of the Elderly s Dementia Champions are sharing their dementia care journeys and talking about how they support care and inspire residents who are living with dementia

The Charity s Dementia Champions focus on encouraging independence giving reassurance supporting and helping inspiring communication creativity interactions and providing high quality care with dignity that meets each individual’s needs – and all the Dementia Champions are totally committed to supporting residents living with dementia They spend time with every resident - or day care client –supporting caring for and getting to really know them finding out about their backgrounds likes dislikes interests and hobbies building trust and friendship Each Dementia Champion has a deep passion for caring and supporting those who are living with dementia and are consistently and continuously learning and developing thanks to the Charity s Dementia Training Programme

“Friends of the Elderly is committed to continuously developing its Dementia Education Programme which has the capacity to continue to evolve and grow rather than just being run of the mill annual dementia training ” said Mark Wilson the Charity s Chief Operating Officer

“To achieve our goal, we partnered with Worcester University s highly regarded Association for Dementia Studies and worked closely with the now retired Professor Dawn Brooker We now have 66 trained Dementia Champions throughout the Charity whose unwavering focus is to support residents and day care clients and to be there to help their families and friends The Programme is securely and well embedded and is also in place to support new members of the Friends of the Elderly team

with a further two shortly completing the course and another participating in our Dementia Leader Training Programme said Andy

“Friends of the Elderly’s Dementia Champion training has given me the understanding to be able to see things more clearly through the eyes of the residents who are living with dementia added Monika Ahmed the Activities Coordinator and a Dementia Champion at Bernard Sunley To see the look of happiness on someone s face bringing a person out of their shell and by being a friend that can understand and help them live a fuller happier life is so rewarding

“Being a Dementia Champion – first and foremost - is knowledge, understanding and skills which I share with my colleagues and residents’ families to promote positive changes to people living with dementia in our care home In addition being a Dementia Champion to me means that I have the duty to lead my colleagues by good example - being a role model by demonstrating quality and a person–centred approach to dementia care I am an advocate for the residents so they are heard and their needs and wishes are addressed and to promote their social physical emotional wellbeing

“Through the innovating programme, our entire charity, from our Chief Executive - right through to our frontline care teams - have attended the Dementia Education Programme This really does demonstrates our staff s commitment to supporting people living with dementia and of course their families

At Bernard Sunley, the Charity’s Woking-based residential, nursing and dementia care home there are five Dementia Champions including the Registered Care Home Manager Andy Cumper “At present, five members of the Bernard Sunley care team are Dementia Champions

At Redcot Friends of the Elderly’s Haslemere-based residential care home Anne Essam the care home s Dementia Champion said: “I’ve worked for Friends of the Elderly over 20 years and have been a Dementia Champion for five years One of the most rewarding parts of being a Dementia Champion is seeing the residents – who are living with dementia - smile when they achieve a task or are happy participating in one of our many group activities It is truly wonderful knowing that I have made a difference – even a small difference - to their day ”

Shirley Bradley Friends of the Elderly s Head of Day Care Services added: “I’m very proud of all the Day Care Team They all work so hard to give the clients a great day every day despite living with dementia Their commitment and ethos shines through as they know that what they do and achieve is about the person the individual and not dementia

They continuously think about new things to do each

day, themed and seasonal activities and topics of the day to support the clients in an inclusive engaging and enjoyable way so each one lives their life well whilst at our day care centres

“They are not just here for the day care clients but for their families too They are a friendly ear and comforting support If any of the team notices a difference in one of our clients they immediately tell their families so they can let doctors or medical professionals know keeping them currently up-to-date with a person’s wellbeing ”

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama Perform a Concert for Southgate Care Home

Residents and staff at Southgate Beaumont Care home in North London where treated to a splendid afternoon with a beautiful performance from the students attending the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Alice, Cathryn and Henry are all undergraduates at this prestigious school and kindly gave up their time to bring their classical

friend who played for the Salvation Army “He used to march up and down practicing his horn instrument in our house” she laughed

Our general manager Beatrice Godfrey remarked “We always enjoy having young talent here in our home and we are so very grateful for these students sharing their amazing talents with our home We would like to wish them all the luck for their final exams and exciting futures ahead”

Being a Dementia Champion has given me more awareness and comprehension of dementia and helps me – every day - to promote the wellbeing of the residents living with dementia and provide support to their loved ones ” said Emma Cranstone the Dementia Champion at The Lawn the Charity’s residential care home in Alton Hampshire I have been with Friends of the Elderly for over 13 years,” continued Adrian Tyrer the Dementia Champion at Davenham, the residential care home at Friends of the Elderly Malvern “I have always enjoyed looking after people and making sure they are healthy safe and that their wellbeing is well catered for I believe that through supporting each resident who is living with dementia I can help them to enjoy and live their lives in the best way they possibly can through providing an exceptional level of personalised care ” In closing Mark said: “We are proud of the approach we have taken to support residents and day care clients who are living with dementia Through our Dementia Education Programme our teams and Dementia Champions we are able to deliver tailored care that supports each person, focusing on their individual abilities that encourages and helps each person to continue living as independently as possible with fulfilled and happy lives

Residents at Austen House Celebrate Cinco De

delicious!

Palliative Care Sector Unites To Give Stark Warning To Next Government

Chief executives of the UK s palliative and end of life care charities have united during Dying Matters Awareness Week to urge party leaders to prioritise palliative and end of life care in their election manifestos and plans for government

In the letter chief executives from Hospice UK Marie Curie National Bereavement Alliance, Sue Ryder, and Together for Short Lives say if you do nothing to fix the problems that dying people currently experience hundreds of thousands will miss out on vital care and the trauma of seeing a loved one die without support will live in the minds of a generation People who are dying and their loved ones deserve better

end of their lives and we know that our ageing population means demand for care will continue to grow over the next decades Hospices are ready to meet this challenge but they need a new funding model and support from the next government to ensure they can continue to provide their brilliant care for everyone who needs it, whenever they need it

“We need the next Prime Minister to recognise the importance of palliative care and heed the recommendations of the joint manifesto, so everyone affected by dying, death and bereavement gets the best possible care and support

Up to 90% of adults who die would benefit from palliative and end of life care And due to the UK s ageing population around 32,000 more people would benefit from palliative care at the end of the next parliament (2029) compared to the start (2024)

Matthew Reed, the chief executive of the end of life charity, Marie Curie says:

“Dying people do not have time to wait the next government must prioritise fully funding end of life care Too many people are dying in avoidable pain frightened and without the dignity they deserve Families are left stressed, exhausted and traumatised Death and dying is inevitable but getting it wrong at the end isn’t If the next government fails to address the chaotic approach to end of life care that failure will affect us all

Toby Porter CEO of Hospice UK says:

“The next few years are critical for end of life care We know that many people do not get the palliative care they need at the

Children and young people in just a third of local NHS areas in England can access end of life care at home that meets National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) standards

Heidi Travis, Chief Executive of Sue Ryder, says It is clear no more time can be wasted; the government and healthcare system must act now

Our research shows that the demand for specialist palliative care services is expected to rise by 55% over the next decade The constant uncertainty of funding will continue to be a threat to service provision until a sustainable solution is reached

“Everyone should have a good death, and access to palliative and end-of-life care is integral to this The inconsistent provision across the UK continues to make this time more difficult for people at the end of life when their focus should be spending time with people they love and making memories ” Every year Dying Matters Awareness Week encourages people to talk about death dying and bereavement

Remarkable Life Stor y of Pauline Halliday (nee Chitty)

Meet Pauline aged 91 who happily lives at our Bay Tree Court care home in Prestbury Pauline s daughters Sarah and Jane shared their mother s Remarkable Lives story with us

Pauline’s story is one of resilience and survivorship Like so many in the ‘Lost Generation , the Second World War left its scars and it s important that their stories are not forgotten

Age 8

Age 5

Pauline was born on the 21ST January 1933 in Gotherington Cheltenham Her parents were Mary and Henry Chitty and her father was a local baker

Pictured is Pauline aged five in 1938 with brothers Robin and John It is the only photo of Pauline before she lost her arm The family lived in a house in Worcester Street, Cheltenham (just off the Tewksbury Road) Life was hard in those days, and they had little money and it was the Great Depression

Pauline lost her left arm in a tragic bomb disaster on Easter weekend of 1941 in Worcester Street, Cheltenham

A group of local children found an unexploded trench mortar bomb Not realising the danger it got brought back to their street and it exploded From the blast 6 children were killed – including Pauline’s brother Johnny Chitty age 7 and Pauline was injured

After the explosion, Pauline was taken to Cheltenham General Hospital in a dustcart which her mum flagged down the only vehicle available Not realising at this point her son Johnny had sadly been killed

A very skilled surgeon managed to save the top half of Pauline s left arm something she was always grateful for because her ‘stump’ was extremely useful She also suffered shrapnel injuries in her back

Pauline was in hospital for many months and was then sent away to convalesce in Weston Super Mare She returned to school and was a very independent child who just ‘got on with it’ despite her injuries

Life was extremely hard for all the family after the bomb

Pauline s parents had more children David Roger and Susan

Age 24

Pictured is Pauline s marriage to Dennis Halliday in 1957, and their wedding reception was in Cheltenham Town Hall They met as neighbours aged 8 in Whaddon Avenue where Pauline s family moved after the bomb

Pauline was fitted with a prosthetic arm and it wasn’t just for cosmetic purposes because it also helped her balance when she rode a bicycle (which she did for years)!

Pauline worked in Wards department store in Cheltenham where she had lots of friends and enjoyed her job

Pauline and Dennis have two daughters, Jane and then Sarah Age 91

Pauline lives at Bay Tree Court care home in Prestbury Cheltenham not far from her roots Pauline has settled in and calls it her home She enjoys the activities the range of food and especially loves the tea and cakes

Pauline’s daughters Jane and Sarah commented

“It’s remarkable that she managed to change nappies and feed her babies with only one hand! Like all things she just found ways around each problem and coped

Pauline continued to work right up until retirement age and then went on to give her time and skills by volunteering at local charities including Cruse Bereavement Care

Her daughters continued, “Despite such a traumatic beginning to her life, she managed to cope with life s challenges and proves that living a full life after losing a limb is possible”

Care Home Residents Set Up A Knitting Club Open For The Local Community

and abilities

Win A Gardening Bundle For Your Local Care Home Or Hospice With Westland

Westland Horticulture home to brands such as Big Tom, Boost, Resolva, Unwins, and Kent & Stowe, is excited to announce the New Horizon Fund that will support community garden projects across the UK and Ireland in 2024

Is your local care home s outdoor space in need of some love and care to help ensure its accessible to all?

At Westland we believe everyone deserves to get closer to nature, and a thriving garden has a vast array of physical and therapeutic benefits whatever your level of mobility From awakening the senses of touch sight and smell with an abundance of thriving plants and flowers to simply sitting in the fresh air surrounded by beauty and wildlife everyone deserves to enjoy an outdoor

New Horizon Fund aims to create a greener future for all, and will support community garden projects from schools allotments hospices and care homes across the UK and Ireland The funding will com-

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If

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Each prize bundle will be individually created based

Parley Place Takes Part In Dementia UK Walk 31 Miles Challenge

Dementia UK are a specialist dementia charity based in the uk and offers support to the whole family, the provide life changing support to anyone affected by dementia Every 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia – it s one of the biggest health challenges of our time Families often feel overwhelmed and don t know where to turn which

Bedhampton Court Care Home Celebrates Team Marriage

session for the residents where Christine and Alvin will share their wedding photos and recount the cherished moments from their trip to Kenya We are thrilled to welcome Christine and Alvin back to Bedhampton Court after their beautiful wedding celebration said Wendy Bennett Activities CoOrdinator at Bedhampton

Whole Home Approach In Action – Friday Wellness Walks At Goodwins Hall

Procurement:

sation,

Training Helps Dysphagia Sufferers Enjoy Mealtimes Even More At Care Home

A HEREFORD care home is going to extra lengths to ensure residents who suffer from a condition which makes mealtimes more difficult are still able to enjoy food which looks appetising and safe Science has proven that first impressions count when it comes to food but this can be challenging when the diner suffers from dysphagia a swallowing disorder estimated to affect one in twelve people in the UK This often means people need to eat pureed food

But at Brockington House Care Community in Hafod Road, Hereford the challenge of preparing food that looks appetising and is safe for people to eat is one which is taken seriously, and this has resulted in Head Chef Cihan Wiltshire and Chef Ashley Davies undergo training in IDDSI – the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative

And the pair are now passing on what they have learned to other staff at the home to ensure the mealtimes of the ladies and gentlemen who live in Brockington House and who have dysphagia are enjoyable and safe

IDDSI grades the texture and thickness of foods and liquids into a standard global classification of 8 levels By grading food in this way a person with dysphagia – or their carer – can be aware of whether something is safe to eat or drink

Cihan says: Some people might initially think the solution is simply to purée all food to a pulp making it look like baby food and often a horrible looking mush that does not look appetising at all

But want all our residents to enjoy their food and to have the same choices as everyone else and this training, which chefs and carers are undergoing will help us to do that safely ”

At Brockington every resident has a food passport which details their food likes and dislikes any allergies, dietary requirements and IDDSI classification

Using this, chefs can prepare a meal and adapt it so everyone can enjoy

The example Cihan uses to demonstrate to other staff is a chicken roast dinner, prepared at four different levels of the IDDSI scale It starts with a standard roast dinner then the same meal which falls away to bite size pieces

As part of a presentation to cascade learning to staff Ashley demonstrated using spaghetti and meatballs as an example The pasta was puréed and then piped into a spaghetti shape to look practically identical to a non- puréed meal

“Lower down the scale the food may have to be puréed but this can be done to each item individually and crafted so the carrot puree on the plate looks like a carrot perhaps with some green purée as a tuft of leaf ” Cihan explains

It can take an additional two hours to prepare food in this way but Cihan is in no doubt it is worth it

To be faced with a plate of what looks like mush can be de-humanising and we have residents who simply will not eat it,” he said “

But when care is taken in the presentation you can see their eyes light up it looks delicious and then tastes delicious

“It has actually enhanced the dining experience for all There are some Michelin starred restaurants where you pay a lot of money for velouté sauces and purées and we include them as a standard option

People with dysphagia can experience difficulty swallowing food or drinks – including medication – and this in turn can lead to serious conditions including chest infections malnutrition or dehydration

Someone with a secondary condition, such as dementia, may not appreciate they have difficulty swallowing and then choking can become a danger The severity of the condition and the thickness of the food someone can consume, can vary from person to person

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Functions For Care Customers

Lura Care Launches its Mobile Dental Care

Redcot Care Home Manager Shares

Her Midwifer y To Caring Journey

To celebrate this year’s International Day of the Midwife Jan Daly the Registered Care Home Manager at Redcot the residential care home in Haslemere, Surrey run by charity, Friends of the Elderly has been sharing her own Midwife to Carer journey

“From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work in the Care Sector either as a Nurse Midwife or Carer I just felt this deep need to help people ” said Jan “I grew up in a nursing environment as my Mum was a Nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London When I was about five-years-old I had my very own Nurses uniform and Doctor’s bag and I used to love listening to my Mum s stories about what she d been doing at the hospital each day “My choice of career path never left me After finishing school I went to Guildford College to begin my Nursing journey Jan continued “Then when I was able I decided to specialise in Midwifery and worked hard to become a Registered Midwife After qualifying I worked at The Royal Surrey county Hospital and happily worked there, delivering many beautiful, bouncing babies for many years After having my own family, I returned to work in care and nearly five years ago I joined Friends of the Elderly as the Registered Care Home Manager at Redcot During her career as a Midwife Jan delivered many healthy bouncing babies It s true what they say that

it’s a small world as it turns out that I delivered one of my Team’s sisters many years ago ” Jan added Friends of the Elderly has 12 Registered Nurses and Midwives working within its care homes and day care services, all of whom have a steadfast and untiring commitment and devotion to make a difference to older people s daily lives

“At Redcot, one of our Activities Coordinators – Ann Essam – was also a Midwife in her previous career,” continued Jan Ann worked as a Midwife for three years and then became the District Midwife a role she stayed in for 14 years Then due to family circumstances Ann moved to Liphook in Surrey and took a role as a Midwife at The Royal Surrey Hospital where she stayed for 20 years Ann tried retirement but that didn t last for long added Jan After working as a Midwife for so many years, Ann tells me that she just couldn t take to being retired, it was too boring So, after working at Bernard Sunley our Woking-based residential nursing and dementia care home as an Activities Coordinator for a number of years, we were very lucky and grateful that Ann

sure that they are happy safe engaged and motivated every day Our residents are wonderful and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with them, whether we are taking part in one of our

and

ities or simply sitting down with a cup of tea and having a chat Their life stories are fascinating and some of the tales they tell me are absolutely hilarious I wouldn’t change what I do for all the tea in China,” Jan concluded

Exemplar Health Care Launches

Transformative New Leadership Pathways

Nursing and care provider Exemplar Health Care has launched its transformative new Leadership Pathways part of The Exemplar Academy

Representing a major investment in the development of its people and their skills the Leadership Pathways seek to redefine leadership training in the healthcare sector by transforming the skills and career opportunities of participants

Offering a clearly defined career pathway that empowers individuals at every level of the organisation they span four distinct levels –aspire engage accelerate and inspire

Designed for colleagues in a wide range of roles at all stages of their career the programmes will equip learners with the skills and behaviours needed to excel in their roles and advance their careers, whether they are aspiring or experienced leaders

Rob Coxon Director of The Exemplar Health Care Academy the organisation’s learning and development body said: The launch of Exemplar Health Care s new Leadership Pathways marks an exciting milestone in our journey of continual improvement Our pathways aren t just about training; they re about transforming the career prospects of our colleagues by empowering them to become exceptional leaders who can drive positive change and deliver outstanding care for the people we support

“Following a period of rapid growth, it became imperative for us to create a bespoke training offer that embeds the Exemplar Way and enables ambitious and talented colleagues to progress their careers As

we continue growing we ll require more leaders at every level – the pathways seek to develop these leaders from our existing talented team supporting retention and giving colleagues the practical skills and career advancement opportunities that truly make caring at Exemplar Health Care a rewarding career choice

The Leadership Pathways offer a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond traditional training methods There are currently four learning programmes each of which consists of seven modules covering essential skills and knowledge for effective leadership Participants benefit from a blended learning approach including face-to-face sessions, coaching, peer-to-peer learning, and on-the-job training

Steve Melton, CEO of Exemplar Health Care, commented: Investing in our people has been central to our success to date and remains of paramount importance as we continue on our growth journey Our goal is to empower our colleagues by providing them with the tools confidence and opportunities they need to thrive in their careers

“We believe that by creating an environment in which everyone can develop their leadership skills we can ensure that our team is equipped to provide the best care and support to the individuals we support Our mission is to make every day better’ for everyone connected to Exemplar Health Care, and we're confident that our new Leadership Pathways will help us achieve that goal

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Praise For Nationwide Project Supporting Veterans In Care Homes

A new project is having a huge impact on the lives of ex-Armed Forces personnel living in care homes

The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) launched last year and aims to promote wellbeing and tackle loneliness by providing resources to care homes in England to better support their veterans

The managers of two care homes with VFF status – one which provides bespoke care for veterans and one that doesn t – have now spoken of the tangible impact it has had on ex-service people living in their homes

Helena Maher is the Home Manager at Surbiton St Mary’s Riverside in the East Riding of Yorkshire is run by Home Manager Laura Barnsley

Unlike Royal Star & Garter it is a non-military care home but currently has seven veterans in its care

Helena described the VFF as a priority while Laura said it allowed

her home to give recognition to the veterans we care for which they deserve

In a blog Helena said although Royal Star & Garter already cares for veterans the VFF is about understanding the military mindset and someone s previous military service” and “confirms we are achieving a high level of care She also highlighted how the VFF leads to improved “joined-up care” with external clinical services, and “raises awareness of our veterans and partners and the challenges they face when accessing care in the secondary healthcare arena ”

Speaking about the impact the VFF was having at St Mary’s Riverside Laura said the home is increasing its knowledge and expertise in how to support veterans,” and “improving the care we provide residents She said: We re connecting with them on a deeper level we have a deeper understanding of their past, which in turn improves their wellbeing and mental health I think with the VFF we ve improved their outcomes and their experiences living in our care home ” She also said the VFF had encouraged St Mary’s Riverside to connect

The VFF will deliver improved health

Local School and Teachers Create a Link with Elm Bank Care Home

ous It is great to have links with local schools and for them to come in and spend time with our residents is simply wonderful Not only is it beneficial for the residents it is also beneficial for the pupils to learn new skills and being with the older generation, the pupils are able to learn many things about the past, it really is so nice to see the pupils and the smiles that they have and the residents on their faces it just brings joy to our hearts”

World War II Captive Celebrates 100th Birthday At Argentum Lodge Care Home

George Durkal who was held captive in an internment camp in Germany during World War II marked his 100th Birthday with a celebration at Argentum Lodge Care Home in Nailsea near Bristol with his birthday card from King Charles and The Queen Consort in pride of place

Born in Poland in 1925 George was one of six siblings The outbreak of the Second World War and Germany s invasion of Poland in 1939 shattered his happy childhood and aged 15 he returned from school one day to find his house burnt to the ground surrounded by German soldiers

Living in occupied Poland was extremely tough and in 1945 the Gestapo demanded one member of his family was to go to work in Germany George who was only 21 at the time, volunteered and he was sent by cattle truck across the border to work as a carpenter fixing farmers carts Later he was sent to an internment camp where he was forced to labour building underground bunkers

Following the war George joined the Polish Army and was stationed in Italy for two years As Poland was now under Russian occupation George emigrated to England where he swiftly learnt English and used his carpentry skills to find work making furniture He later worked for British Cellophane in Bridgwater for many years

Commenting on reaching his 100th birthday George said I ve certainly led an

eventful life which is perhaps the secret to a long life I was blessed with a wonderful marriage of over 68 years to my soulmate Joyce, which brought me great joy I had a really lovely birthday and the staff at Argentum Lodge have gone out of their way to help me celebrate my century Jessica Hawker care home manager

Argentum Lodge said: “It has been a privilege for us to join George in marking this incredible milestone As the country marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings this year, the remarkable first-hand stories of people like George who lived through that terrible conflict become increasingly rare – and therefore all the more important to hear

“George is a much-loved member of our Argentum Lodge family and he still manages to take a full and active part in life at the home

Oakland Care’s ‘Gold-Standard’ Sustainability

Efforts Recognised At Global Awards

Caerphilly Care Home Brings Generations Together

To Celebrate Global Intergenerational Week

Huntingdon Care Home Resident Celebrates Milestone Birthday on Horseback

The Chase care home in the Connaught Care Collection, arranged a memorable day of horse riding for resident Diana Whelan at Northbrook Equestrian Centre in St Neots – where she used to volunteer

Diana who recently celebrated her 78th birthday at the home has a lifelong passion for horses which began when she received her first pony as a child Over the years she became an integral part of the Western Riding community; competing in British style riding, dressage events and offering horse therapy for people with disabilities

Diana s daughter Elizabeth who joined in the fun at Northbrook shares her delight at seeing her mother ride again:

My mother lights up whenever you talk about horses, and seeing her interact with them during activities arranged by The Chase has been wonderful When we set the goal of getting Mum back on a horse I wasn t sure it would be possible but it was and the sense of pride and achievement in that moment is something truly special”

This kind of therapeutic riding can play a significant role in boosting mental and physical health For many years Diana volunteered at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to offer one-to-one lessons for local people living with disabilities

This kind of equine-assisted therapy (EAP) can be a valuable therapeutic strategy for improving well-being and physical confidence

Sadly in recent years Diana has been unable to ride and looking after her own horses has become difficult However, with support from The Chase and Northbrook, she was able to relive some of her cherished memories as a rider

Nicola Orwin General Manager at The Chase says activities like this underscore the home’s commitment to offering a unique experience for every residents:

At The Chase we recognize that true care is never onesize-fits-all We strive to create meaningful memories for every resident based on their personal histories and passions I am therefore delighted the team could arrange such a perfect birthday for Di and we look forward to creating many more new memories for our residents”

Care Home Residents Test Out Their Cupcake Making Skills

The

Care Assistant Started Working In Care After Mums Illness

Celebrates 10-Year Work Anniversar y At Nottinghamshire Home

A Nottinghamshire woman who started working in social care following the illness of her mother has completed 10 years’ service at a Nottinghamshire home Susan Scaramuzza started working at MHA The Herons after discovering she wanted to support others following on from being a full-time carer for her mum

Prior to this Susan worked in the telecommunications industry but says she wanted to support others and their families and started working at MHA The Herons in 2014

Now 10 years later the 60-year-old hopes this will be her last job and can t see herself working anywhere else

The home provides residential care for our 39 residents and to mark the occasion Susan was presented with a certificate

Speaking afterwards she said: MHA The Herons is the first home I have wrecked in and I have really enjoyed the last 10 years

“It was an industry that I wasn't always interested in, but believe I found my true calling when I was looking after my mum “The staff and residents make it a very enjoyable place to work the residents especially as they have some interesting stories

The staff are always on hand to support one another and it s a great team

All the teams regardless of whether it s the kitchen laundry or care staff work together to make sure the residents needs are met

A lot has changed over time the needs of residents have evolved and we have been working through some tough times

There is a lot of progression available to those who wish to create a career for them in care and if you are prepared to do the hard work it s a very beneficial career

Sandstone Whips Up Excitement with New Regional Head

to their recipe for exceptional care, with the appointment of Rachelle White as our new Regional Head of Catering & Hospitality

Rachelle is here to sprinkle some magic across all nine Sandstone care homes from comforting classics to culinary adventures

Steven Hamblett Operations Director for Sandstone Care Group said: “The

Trip Out to the Harley Davidson Show Rooms: A Memorable Outing for the Gentlemen of Braywood Gardens

sised

of stability and routine in the lives of those who have lost full independence The availability of the minibus every Tuesday enables the residents to experience new adventures and maintain a sense of connection with the community The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of Runwood Homes minibus initiative which promises to continue enriching the lives of its residents through engaging outings and activities

As the Braywood Gardens community looks forward to more adventures and interactions with the wider community the success of the Harley Davidson showroom trip serves as a testament to the positive impact of such initiatives in fostering joy companionship, and a sense of belonging among its members

Parklands Care Homes To Acquire Huntly Care Home

The Partnership has managed the care home since April 2023 when the previous operator withdrew its registration Staff employed by the previous operator will automatically transfer to Parklands while short-term contract staff appointed by AHSCP have been offered the opportunity to apply to remain in role in line with Care Inspectorate requirements Parklands is also actively recruiting in the local area

The care home will be renamed Deveron House Ron Taylor, Managing Director of Parklands Care Homes, said: Parklands has been caring for older people in the north-east for over 30 years and we are delighted to take on the stewardship of this important community asset This is our first home in Aberdeenshire but Huntly is very close to our Moray heartland and we look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community

“I want to pay tribute to the team at AHSCP for their efforts over the past year, in sometimes challenging circumstances They have

and I am

that

to

Parklands plans to re-open a 15-bed wing at the home carry

extensive refurbishment and provide enhanced facilities for residents including a cinema and bar and upgrades to the courtyard garden Deveron House will be managed by Ruth Smith who has worked for the Parklands group for over 10 years, most recently at Wakefield House in Cullen where she was instrumental in driving up care standards

She said: “I am looking forward to working with the existing team at Deveron House and to welcoming new members to our care team We have a good foundation on which to build, thanks to the efforts of AHSCP AHSCP Partnership Manager for South Aberdeenshire, Janine Howie, said “This is a positive step to secure the future of the home for residents and families and we look forward to working with Ruth and the wider Parklands Care Homes team I would like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to all of the staff who work at the home or who have supported the home over the last year or so for their dedication and compassionate care for the

Liberty House Hosts Fashion Show, Taking Residents

On A Journey Through Time

Liberty House Care Home recently hosted an exceptional fashion extravaganza titled Fashion Through the Years on April 27th 2024

This event dedicated to enhancing the lives of its residents took attendees on a journey through iconic styles and moments from the 1940s to the 1990s

The event featured special appearances from legendary music icons such as Elvis Presley Elton John Tina Turner the Jackson 5 and the Spice Girls, adding an extra touch of magic to the proceedings

Karen a member of the housekeeping team shared her delight at witnessing the residents’ enjoyment highlighting the camaraderie among staff and residents Resident Maisie praised the efforts of everyone involved stating I think everyone involved did an excellent job; there was something for everyone It was very entertaining and funny ”

Jody and Kelley the passionate wellbeing leads at Liberty House spearheaded the event with a devoted team of staff members ensuring every detail was meticulously planned The highlight of the evening was Joyce, a beloved resident whose dream of experiencing a fashion show was realised as she graced the red carpet in a stunning dress captivating the audience with her elegance Jen the homes admin echoed these sentiments emphasising the event’s ability to bring everyone together and create lasting memories

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The Transformative Role of Music in Care Communities

By Paul Drury, Chief Operating Officer at The Eric Liddell Community (www.ericliddell.org)

In life where memories intertwine with the present there s a profound need for companionship, understanding, and support – especially for those navigating the complexities of dementia We know that Dementia isn't just a medical condition; it's a complicated journey for over 90 000 people in Scotland today marked by profound emotional upheaval and huge uncertainty As such we believe that approaches to this delicate type of care must transcend clinical protocols and embrace the little things when it comes to human experience For example, music!

When the rhythm of life slows to a gentle rhythm in the quiet corridors of care facilities, music can be a powerful force and breathe vibrancy and vitality into the lives of those who need it most What we have found is that for those navigating the complexities of dementia,

the role of music surpasses mere entertainment it becomes a lifeline A conduit for connection, and a source of comfort

In my time in my role I personally have witnessed first-hand the great impact of music in nurturing mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing among the 3 500 people benefiting from our Dementia Day Care Services every year We have all been exposed to music in some way in our lives – whether by listening to recordings playing an instrument attending concerts or dancing From lively sing-alongs to serene music therapy sessions, partaking in a symphony of experiences when living with dementia can awaken hidden memories stir dormant emotions, and reignite feelings of joy and camaraderie

In fact a study comparing standard care to regular singing or music listening sessions over 10 weeks in 89 people with dementia (type not specified) music sessions improved general cognition (MMSE score) attention and executive function compared to standard care Singing appeared to evoke personal remote memories by increasing recall of names of children friends and immediate short story recall

One of our flagship programmes, the Music Wellbeing Programme, stands as a testament to the power of communal music-making Led by talented musicians and dedicated staff members this dementiainclusive activity serves as a sanctuary where residents and caregivers alike gather to share stories create melodies and forge lasting connections Through familiar tunes we witness the emergence of radiant smiles the tapping of feet and the stirring of long-forgotten memories as residents reclaim moments of joy and belonging Music really does serve as a universal language for us all overcoming factors such as age, cognition, and physical ability

Could your centre or service partner with local entertainers or other community organisations to incorporate music within your care community? From lively dance performances to intimate acoustic sessions

these collaborative endeavours create an environment with an infectious energy lifting spirits and fostering a sense of collective celebration

The Eric Liddell Community stands as a centre of hope redefining the landscape of dementia care with innovation, compassion, and inclusivity Our namesake – a Scottish legend sports person and missionary – strived to create a world where no one felt isolated or alone Where every individual's journey is met with dignity and respect

Based on the substantial evidence that music offers numerous health benefits, we’d highly recommend that your establishment considers introducing music entertainment and community engagement Together we can all create moments of joy connection, and meaning for those who need it most

Scruffies - The Lawn’s Paw-Fect Dog Show - Returns For Its Second Year

s second community Dog Show – affectionately known as Scruffies

“Our 2023 event was such as success that we really had to host it again said Emma Last year our residents had a ‘paw-fect’ day enjoying the inaugural Dog Show and everyone was so keen and loved it so much, that they insisted that we hosted the event again this year The 2023 Scruffies saw a range of dogs of varying breeds take part in 10 award categories with all the canine entrants being cheered on by residents their families friends and the care team

“This year we have 11 award categories and have slightly changed a few of them to open up the competition continued Emma Our categories now include Best Junior Handler the Sausage Eating Raceand a rather cheeky Most Like Their Owner award ” The 2024 Scruffies will take place at The Lawn care home at 119 London Road Holybourne, Alton, GU34 4ER on Saturday 29th June, starting at 2 p m “We will be asking all dogs to make sure their owners get them to the event for 1:30 p m so there will be plenty of time get used to the grounds and their surroundings ” added Emma

“The Show Ring will be set-up on the lawn outside the care home’s dining area giving everyone a good view of the proceedings Emma continued This year our award categories will be Most Handsome Dog Prettiest Lady Dog, Best Rescue Dog, Best Junior Handler, The Waggiest Tail, The Best Behaved Dog, The

Unigloves Rebrands

Scruffiest Dog The Dog Most Like Its Owner The Winner of The Sausage Eating Race and finally, The Dog The Judges Would Like To Take Home added Emma, “With the final award going to Best in Show ” The Entry Fee will be £1 per dog per category The ‘fur-tunate’ top three winners in each category will be presented with beautiful handmade rosettes which will be lovingly made by The Lawn s residents However nobody will leave with empty paws, as every dog that enters will be given a doggie bag with tasty homemade dog treats, which the residents will also make for them All the money we raise from the 2024 Scruffies will go into the Resident’s Activity Fund said Alina Gutu the Registered Manager at The Lawn

“Our residents not only love dogs but all animals ” added Alina “They frequently reminisce and talk about pets they have loved and looked after during their lives – cats birds rabbits – between them it s quite a menagerie ” There will also be fur-bulous whining and dining for visitors and all the dogs humans to enjoy too as The Lawn will be offering tasty afternoon teas for only £5 per person Hot and cold beverages will also be available to purchase

If you would like to enter your dog into any - or all - of the 2024 Scruffies categories please email Emma on emma cranstone@fote org uk or give her a call on telephone number 01420 84162 “We look forward to welcoming as many dogs their owners and visitors as paw-sible to make our 2024 Scruffies bigger and better than last year – and really raise the woof,” concluded Emma

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Swift Response Ltd

Swift Response Ltd is leading the way in the heating industry across England and Wales offering bespoke care plans tailored to meet the needs of both commercial and domestic clients Central to Swift Response's ethos is providing a 'worry-free' maintenance experience marked by

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Blueleaf Care Launches the Integra-Mat Mattress to Alleviate and Prevent All Grades of Pressure Sores

Blueleaf

step-down mattress system the Integra-Mat can be used as a static mattress or it can be stepped-up to support the active prevention or treatment of painful pressure sores and ensure residents who do experience them remain as comfortable as possible Over 700 000 people in the UK suffer from pressure sores almost all of which (95%) are avoidable with the right care and equipment For residents requiring Grade 1 pressure care the air mattress fully inflates in static mode with the foam mattress on the top surface under the cover; for Grades 2, 3 and 4 the

Dignified Dining

cells or air pockets, fully inflate and deflate around the pressure sore in dynamic alternating mode This action mimics residents natural sleep movements to optimise the flow of blood and air to the affected area The integral foam mattress can be stowed underneath the cells if needed for Grades 3 and 4 to create a full mattress system with maximum therapeutic hyperaemia

Additional features include: Auto Weight which automatically weighs the patient and adjusts pressure accordingly removing the need for manual intervention; Auto Upright which automatically optimises pressure when the patient is sitting up; and Auto Firm which adjusts

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How To Maximise Sluice Room Performance And ROI

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Never A Cross-Word At New Copford Place

Care Home’s Residents Are Definitely Not Clue -Less When It Comes To Their Daily Puzzles

Recreo VR - Bringing a Change of Scener y to Care INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY

ories

Also

“Puzzles

Other benefits of puzzles include helping relaxation as by immersing yourself in a puzzle it can serve as an exercise in mindfulness and help to relieve stress For the elderly in particular the act of picking up puzzle pieces turning them over and fitting them together can sometimes but quite a challenge However puzzles are a great way to exercise the small muscles in fingers and eyes

“One of our residents told me that jigsaws can be traced back to the 18th Century when European map makers put their maps on to wood and cut them into small pieces They did this to create learning tools to teach geography – so really interactive puzzles

Can AI Ease Loneliness for Adults in Care?

By Jody O ’Neill, CEO and Founder of Curam (www curamcare com)

By 2030 one in six people in the world will be aged over 60 (including me!) The WHO now outlines loneliness as a key risk factor for the wellbeing of people in later life As a potential solution we’re increasingly seeing AI companions championed for being virtual friends who will listen and talk to individuals With loneliness and feelings of isolation rife amongst the elderly and vulnerable it begs the question: could AI chatbots be beneficial in care?

In short we would argue no Here s why

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY

Complex issues such as loneliness cannot be solved by technology alone AI chatbots may seem like a promising solution but they cannot replace the human element of companionship and care that is so essential especially for those who are vulnerable and have complex needs

Carers play a vital role in providing not only basic physical care but also emotional support and understanding This is especially important for individuals with disabilities who may feel isolated due to their condition or those with cognitive challenges and degenerative conditions such as Dementia

Chatbots are not suitable for everyone And in such cases human empathy is necessary to interpret the needs and communicate effectively with the patient Empower carers and patients through technologies

The use of technologies such as AI in care must be evaluated to ensure it complements and enhances human connection rather than replacing it This means there must be careful consideration when proposing how to fit technology into the roles of those who may be the people patients see and talk to most as well as how it can be used to make the care journey better for patients

Although chatbots cannot replace human carers a combined approach of AI and other technologies can help care providers and facilitators

For example currently a typical caring schedule often includes three in-person visits per day for each patient However, due to time constraints, caregivers may have to rush these visits In this case, we would argue, that

technology can be used to allow carers to perform a more thorough in-person visit and follow up with two video check-ins based on the patient's needs (these video care calls can even of course be instigated from overseas)

Remote intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics can also be used by carers to capture an accurate overall picture of a patient s well-being to design better care programmes in advance rather than spending too much time during an in-person appointment on data capture

As well as improving patient-centricity, AI has the potential to streamline services for care facilitators by taking on mundane tasks and freeing up the caregiver's time and talent for creativity and innovation For example the administrative work involved in the daily operation of care providers and facilitators AI can handle emails user inquiries and information requests enabling users to access information quickly so management can focus on solving more complex issues efficiently

DON’T IMPLEMENT TECH FOR THE SAKE OF IT

Ultimately the current care system is dealing with legacy and complex technology which has held back much-needed innovation While AI can be a potential solution many care providers see AI as a cost-cutting solution without first addressing the underlying issue of an inadequate care model

Digital transformation within the care sector should instead prioritise the needs of patients and carers rather than simply implementing technology for the sake of it Technology should add value to the care journey for example making it safer by vetting carers ID and training documents with banking-standard technology or reducing the time carers spend doing admin so they can focus on their vocation Similarly it should enable patients to access care easily and quickly so that they aren t stuck in the hospital and have better care outcomes

PATIENT-CENTRICITY FOR UNLOCKING AI’S POTENTIAL

The successful implementation of AI in the care sector requires careful consideration of how it can meet the needs of patients And for that reason it’s not an effective way of combatting the loneliness of people in care AI cannot replace the crucial interpersonal relationships between carers and patients that build trust safety and companionship

However it can help ensure carers have more time to put the needs of patients at the heart of their work The key to successful AI implementation in the care sector is putting the patient first

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LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

How to Manage the Threat of New Viruses

Early last year Norovirus cases among people over 65 in England reached the highest level in over a decade In the week ending on the 26th March the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified that there had been 665 cases within a two-week period

Norovirus is particularly horrible results in severe vomiting and can have serious consequences for older people It is particularly devastating for care homes, and if an outbreak occurs, it can easily be transmitted and may affect many residents It has also led many care homes to go into lockdown and restrict visiting admissions and community activities

During the Covid-19 pandemic care homes became very good at delivering infection control measures and ensuring that communicable diseases did not enter care homes because we were cognizant of the tragic impact Covid-19 could have on care home residents However now that the Covid-19 pandemic no longer constitutes a global health emergency , and we are seeing care homes opening and returning to a more ‘normal life’ this does create a danger that other infections such as Norovirus and flu may reassert themselves and enter care settings

The World Health Organisation has now ended the global emergency status for Covid-19, three years after its original declaration but despite the pandemic being officially over it is vitally important that care homes are aware of the continuing threat of other infections

During the Covid pandemic we saw a real focus on managing viruses and care home hygiene and infection control routines were prioritised as never before What also became apparent was the need for products that assured hygiene and infection control to residents their families and staff The sector understood the importance of getting this right and having the right products that were both reliable and easy to use

We are fortunate that P&G Professional have a suite of well-known and respected products across the sector and scientifically proven to give the best protection against many viruses Flash Professional Disinfecting Multi-surface Cleaner is proven to kill flu viruses and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid19) As well as being scientifically proven products developed by P&G Professional are easy-to-use so that housekeeping and care staff can quickly get the

Commercial Kitchen and Laundr y Solutions (CKLS)

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Powering the World of Care

PASS Becomes First and Only NHS Assured Solution to Achieve

Standards and Sets Industr

GP Connect for instant access to GP patient records, and ongoing enhancements to our best-in-class digital care planning software

For more details about PASS and its digital social care solutions, visit https://www everylifetechnologies com/

To get a deeper understanding of the NHS Digital Social Care Records Standards and their importance in care provision visit: https://nhse-dsic atlassian net/wiki/spaces/DSCR/overview?homepageId=11971330147

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Enabled Heaters to LST Range

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Behaviour Smart

It records not just the de-escalation techniques used, but also their effectiveness This data is exported to a welldesigned behaviour plan, or ‘Smart Plan Our customers have experienced significant reductions in behaviour incidents, with some reporting over an 80% reduction after using Behaviour Smart for just one year

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Pass Profile 2023

To

Cloud Doing Good: Award Winning Care Accounting Software for Care Homes

Like it or not, financial accounting is crucial to the operations of your care home Without accurate reports, you cannot make proper forecasts, build accurate budgets, get paid on time by multiple funders and keep bed occupancy at optimal levels

Unfortunately, many care homes don’t have the time or budget to invest in powerful, care home accounting software This results in a vicious cycle where financial teams are so busy running manual tasks that they cannot take the time to improve their accounting systems, only to find each year they are farther and farther behind the technology their care home will need in order to thrive in the long term

Cloud Doing Good, a licensed partner of Oracle NetSuite, is here to stop that vicious cycle We believe care homes should have access to enterprise-level software without ballooning their budgets, so we donate the base software with up to three users to qualifying non-profit care homes

Why Care Home Accounting is So Complex

You know better than anyone that care home management is complex, and we know better than anyone that care home accounting gets complicated fast Balancing income for each resident from Councils, private sources, and family members requires detailed billing practices Add on top of that multiple legal entities, multiple care homes, the need for timely occupancy tracking and your finance team quickly becomes bogged down in repetitive, manual, and frustrating work

To make it worse, most accounting software are designed for slick enterprises (and priced for slick enterprise budgets) That leaves too many care home finance teams battling spreadsheets and duplicate reports to accomplish basic care home accounting tasks

How Cloud Doing Good Makes It Simple

Cloud Doing Good partners with care homes to

implement Oracle NetSuite’s enterprise-grade accounting software at as low a price as possible Here’s how Cloud Doing Good simplifies your care home’s accounting:

Single Source of Truth

Pull all your financial data into a single platform Even with multiple legal entities, multiple care homes, complex billing structures, bed occupancy tracking, resident admissions and departures and additional unique needs, our system aggregates all the pieces of information into a single repository

Robust Reporting

Whether you need to get an overview of last year’s spending or forecast income, you can run the necessary reports in a matter of clicks This makes it simpler for your team to build forecasts, track spending, track bed occupancy and the financial implications in real time, and manage billing and collecting resident payments easily

Implemented By Experienced Accountants

When it comes to your financial systems, you need financial experts not call centre IT to set you up for success After all, with cloud software the IT should be pre-built and proven With pre-built base software, we

match our experienced system accountants with your project to make sure it reflects your accounts, your finances, and your people So you get not just powerful accounting software, but confident end users within as little as 15 chargeable days From the start of the project through your first month’s ends, you will have a team of system accountants on call to walk you through doing the day job on the new system

Donated to Qualifying Care Homes

Cloud Doing Good’s mission is to bring streamlined accounting management to organisations that deserve it, so we keep it simple For qualifying non-profit care homes, we donate the base Oracle NetSuite software, including up to 3 users and unlimited UK entities This way, you can upgrade to enterprise-level accounting management without ballooning your budget

Keeping Your Data and Care Home Secure with Oracle NetSuite

When you partner with Cloud Doing Good, you get access Oracle NetSuite’s award-winning accounting management software 25+ years of investment and trusted by over 1 million users, Oracle NetSuite safeguards your data in a cloud network with the latest security protocols and automatic updates to protect against breaches We’ll also integrate the platform into your existing data security structure for smooth, uninterrupted, and safe operations as needed This way, you can focus on your care and let us worry about cybersecurity Don’t risk your data and care home on a solution running small numbers of customers: Oracle NetSuite is powering 38,000+ organisations

Find Out If You Qualify

We stand ready to simplify your care home’s accounting. Reach out to discuss your needs: Iain Goldmann, Director iain@cloudoingood.com Mobile: 447404354865

LinkedIN: www linkedin com/in/iaingoldmann/

Curam Forges New Partnership with Doctify to Advance Patient-centric Feedback in the UK Care Market

Curam (www curamcare com) the largest care worker marketplace and home-care technology platform in the UK today announces a strategic partnership with Doctify (www doctify com/uk) the leading global platform for patient reviews of health and social care, to power enhanced trust and transparency in the UK care sector through patient verified reviews when choosing carers

The partnership will address the critical need to improve patient experiences where only 14% of households are satisfied with care services Providing more choice confidence and quality of care for patients and their families is therefore essential – and that

Patients

As

Separation of sponsor and service user responsibilities permits unlimited sponsor/service user relationships and as any number of charge codes may be defined this allows complete flexibility of service user/sponsor /charge code definition

one outstanding application package

FURNITURE AND FITTINGS

Encanto and Cuba – Fabrics for Well-designed Contract Interiors

meets IMO standards with the added benefit of the MED wheelmark, confirming suitability for marine/cruise-line interiors Available immediately with short lead-times for larger order quantities, Skopos are pleased to add this collection into their Accents range For a copy of our Encanto shade-card pls contact our customer service team: sales@skopos co uk or for free

New Qualification To Boost Care Sector

It

That

Policies and Procedures Within Social Care

Excellence Through Training: The Health & Safety Group’s Commitment to Exceptional Care

At The Health & Safety Group, we understand that the process of getting your care workers through their Care Certification can be pretty demanding So we ve made it our mission is to make the training process as flexible and accessible as possible without increasing your costs or sacrificing the quality of our courses

We recognise that some prefer traditional classroom learning for the benefits of immediate instructor feedback hands-on skills practice and connecting with likeminded professionals However if committing to fixed schedules and locations proves difficult staff may favour the unmatched flexibility of e-learning Our online courses allow caregivers to learn at

Our Care Certificate Training Course designed specifically for care workers healthcare assistants and social care support workers is just one of our high-impact training courses available both face-to-face and online through our e-learning platform Mapped to the ‘Skills for Care’ Care Certificate standards this course equips caregivers with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of their roles empowering them to deliver comprehensive

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