Care Home Magazine November 2023

November 2023 carehomemagazine.co.uk

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Chief Editor

Jade Evans jade.evans@cimltd.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Brooke Tremain bt@cimltd.co.uk

Publication Manager James Davies jamesd@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 112

Account Manager Hannah Moody hannah@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 112

Administration Manager Natalie Murray admin@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 103

Credit Facilities Manager

Gwen Lee creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 103

Design and Production James Taylor james@cimltd.co.uk Grant Waters grant@cimltd.co.uk

Marketing Manager Lucas Payne lucas@cimltd.co.uk

Sales Director Tom Woollin tom@cimltd.co.uk

Chief Executive John Denning

Editor’s Letter November 2023

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s the end of the year is in sight, we can confirm that the demand for sustainability is showing no signs of slowing down, meaning it’s bound to continue with a vengeance in 2024. In order for any kind of sustainability initiative to be effective, suitable education is required. In our extensive and insightful eco-friendly led edit, we look at the importance of educating your staff on sustainable practices and how you can efficiently encourage their involvement in sustainability strategies. Our Essential 5 piece works in line with the wider focus too, as we share five ways to make your care home more eco-friendly, reminding you all that it’s never too late to begin your journey.

Therapy Animals takes centre stage later in the issue as we delve into factors to consider when introducing these comforting furry friends to your home and how to navigate around them in order to get the most out of this introduction. Commentary from a plethora of industry experts highlights details on through-provoking elements including allergies and health concerns as well as liability and insurance; head to page 26 for more.

Back again with some of your favourites, our Dishing Up feature this month comes from Bidfood and our Activity of the Month showcases the benefits of guided meditation for residents.

As ever, we hope you enjoy the read and don’t forget to get in touch if there’s something in particular you’d like to see in an upcoming issue.

Jade Evans, Chief Editor © 2023 TGM Publishing Limited, 1st Floor, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

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Table of

Contents

6 Industry Update

The best spot to find out about the care sector’s latest industry events, news and advances.

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11 Sustainability

With a focus on education around eco-friendly practices, we look at how to educate staff on sustainable practices whilst encouraging their involvement in sustainability initiatives.

22 Care Home of the Month

We step inside York’s Stoneleigh Home to find out about what makes them stand out from the crowd in our Care Home of the Month.

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26 Therapy Animals

In an insightful piece with expert commentary, we delve into factors to consider when introducing therapy animals to care home.

30 Activity of the Month It’s guided meditation which features as our Activity of the Month in November. Looking at how to introduce the task effectively and the benefits it can offer, this isn’t one to be missed.

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32 Dishing Up

Providing yet another instalment of delicious inspiration, we share our Dishing Up feature which shares a recipe from one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, Bidfood.

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Industry update Care UK shortlisted for 11 Caring UK Awards

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are UK has been shortlisted in eleven categories at the Caring UK Awards, including in categories for Care Home Group and Care Employer of the Year.

The Caring UK Awards celebrate outstanding people in the care sector, highlighting excellence and rewarding those who work tirelessly to provide consistently outstanding care.

Care UK has been shortlisted in the Care Home Group category for its consistently high-quality ratings, with 91% of Care UK homes rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. This summer, Care UK recorded its highest ever customer satisfaction levels, with 96% of residents saying that they felt their home ‘was a safe place to live’ and praise being given to colleagues for treating them with

‘kindness, dignity and respect’.

In the Care Employer category, Care UK is recognised as being sector-leading in the training and development programmes available to colleagues, ranging from its successful apprenticeship scheme to the unique Chef Academy. As a result, Care UK continues to attract and retain an incredible calibre of talent at all levels within the organisation.

Care UK homes are finalists in nine other categories: • Activities Team of the Year - Field Lodge • Dementia Care Team of the Year Field Lodge

• Quality in Housekeeping - Norfolk House • Catering Team of the Year – Metchley Manor • Best Outdoor Environment Award - Glastonbury Court • North Care Home of the Year Hollins Park and Halecroft Grange • South Care Home of the Year The Burroughs • Midlands & Wales Care Home of the Year - Perry Manor • Scotland Care Home of the Year - Caledonian Court and Lauder Lodge The winners of the Caring UK Awards will be announced on 7th December in Leicester.

Rugby-loving Barnstaple care home resident scrummed up for the first home game of the season

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alcolm, a rugby-loving resident at Care South’s Fremington Manor care home in Barnstaple, Devon, was delighted to attend Barnstaple Rugby Club (BRFC) for the first home game of the 2023/2024 season to watch the Barnstaple Chiefs vs Weston.

Fremington Manor have close ties with the local community and were invited to attend the game and there was no better fit than resident, Malcolm to attend.

Malcolm used to play rugby at school when he lived in Kent for a local team. His sons weren’t interested in rugby, so going to watch games was not a thing the family did but he passed his love of rugby onto his grandsons who both

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played before going to university.

Whilst Malcolm has a passion for rugby and enjoys watching all games on the television, his main interest was the Scouts. He was part of the organisation for the duration of his life holding the position of district commander for Devon and received a 65-year membership. Malcolm stopped delivering the sessions when he was about 65 years old but continued to organise events and raise money.

Malcom, Resident at Fremington Manor, said: “What an honour it was to be invited to the BRFC to watch the rugby match. It bought back some fantastic memories from when I used to play. Thank you to the club for the invite and to all the

lovely staff at Fremington Manor who helped make this trip happen.”

The BRFC hosted a reception in the hours before the first home game which took place in the President’s Lounge. Members of the Club’s Commercial Committee were on hand to welcome Malcolm and staff members from Fremington Manor. The invitation gained free access to the ground and a free drink from the bar in the President’s Lounge.

Industry update Macclesfield care home shortlisted for North Care Home of the Year

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care home in Macclesfield is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national

award.

The team at Care UK’s Hollins Park, on Victoria Road, is in the running for ‘North Care Home of the Year’ at this year’s Caring UK Awards.

The Caring UK Awards celebrate excellence and achievement by highlighting the outstanding contributions made by care home teams across the care sector in the UK. Hollins Park has been praised for their person-centred care through the home’s use of holistic therapy, which provides oneto-one activities for residents including Namaste sessions which involve music therapy and sensory experiences.

Namaste care is designed specially to support people living with advanced dementia and seeks to engage people via their senses and emotions, and especially through the power of touch.

New residents receive a holistic assessment which helps to pair them up with team members who have similar interests and personalities to ensure they settle into the home with ease. Judges praised the home’s ‘Connecting with the Senses’ project which saw residents help team members to transform the garden. This project has had exceptional benefits for residents’ wellbeing and encouraged more time outdoors.

The team also empowers residents to be as independent as possible, giving them opportunities to get involved with daily tasks at the home, should they wish to – from holding food taster sessions for residents to choose their favourite dishes to go onto the menu, to helping choose the colour of paint used within the home.

Tracy Norbury, Home Manager

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at Hollins Park, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for ‘North Care Home of the Year’.

Being nominated for this award showcases every team member’s commitment and all the hard work they put in every day to make Hollins Park a great place to live and work in.

“Here at Hollins Park, we work hard to ensure residents receive the highest quality of person-centred care, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives. Every single team member goes the extra mile for residents every day, and their determination

to provide the highest possible standards of care never wavers.

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the awards ceremony later this year, and hope we come away as the winners!”

The Caring UK Awards ceremony will take place on 7th December at the Athena, in Leicester.

Hollins Park has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.

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Sustainability

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SUSTAINABILITY

Essential 5 Making a care home more eco-friendly is not only beneficial for the environment but can also lead to cost saving and a healthier, more comfortable living environment for residents. Here are five ways to make your care home more eco-friendly.

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Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Try replacing traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. Installing smart thermostats can work to regulate heating and cooling systems more efficiently, reducing energy waste. Finally, improve insulation in walls, ceilings, and windows to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

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Renewable Energy Sources

Invest in solar panels to harness clean and renewable energy from the sun for your care home. Solar power has become increasingly popular over the past five years, and this is due to the fact that it can significantly reduce electricity bills and carbon emissions. Secondly, wind turbines can be particularly useful. If feasible, consider installing small-scale wind turbines to generate wind energy on-site.

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Water Conservation

Consider low-flow fixtures: install low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads to reduce water usage and lower utility costs. An alternative solution for water conservation is rainwater harvesting. This can be done by collecting rainwater for irrigation, reducing the need for potable water for landscaping.

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Waste Reduction and Recycling

Recycling programs are essential for long-lasting sustainable solutions. These are a simple but effective way to make a difference, so try, (if you haven’t already) implementing comprehensive recycling programs for paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and other recyclables. Composting systems can work hand in hand with these programmes. Set them up so that food waste and yard clippings go to a compost heap, reducing landfill waste and enriching soil for landscaping.

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Sustainable Practices

Bear in mind sustainable purchasing. Choosing eco-friendly and energy-efficient appliances, furniture, and materials when making purchasing decisions can have a huge knock-on effect, and will help to boost the reputation of your home at the same time. Also remember to use environmentally friendly cleaning products to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning routines.

By implementing these eco-friendly initiatives, your care home can reduce its carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and create a healthier, more sustainable living environment for residents. Additionally, being environmentally conscious can be a selling point for prospective residents and their families who value sustainable practices and green living.

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SUSTAINABILITY

A Green Team Effort

Educating care staff on sustainable practices and how to successfully encourage their involvement in sustainability initiatives.

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he rise of sustainability across many sectors in the UK is a significant and ongoing trend driven by a combination of factors, including environmental concerns, regulatory changes, consumer demand, and corporate responsibility.

Educating care home staff on sustainable practices and encouraging their involvement in green initiatives is essential for promoting eco-friendly and responsible operations within the healthcare sector. Sustainability in care homes not only reduces environmental impact but can also lead to cost savings and improved resident well-being.

Knowing where to start in terms of your sustainability journey can be daunting, so we advise beginning by conducting an environmental assessment of the care home to identify areas for improvement. This could include energy use, waste generation, water consumption, and procurement practices.

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Develop a sustainability plan outlining specific goals and targets for reducing the facility’s environmental impact.

Appointing a sustainability coordinator or team to lead and oversee the sustainability initiatives can have a huge knock-on effect to the overall success of your care home.

It’s worth mentioning too, that you must ensure the support and commitment of senior management and ownership to prioritise sustainability in order to act as an example for the rest of the team.

Once there is someone leading by example regarding the strategies which have been implemented, it is then essential to organise training sessions and workshops for staff to raise awareness about sustainability issues, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and eco-friendly procurement. Provide resources and materials to help staff understand the importance of sustainability in the care home context.

Ensure that whatever sustainability goals you set, they are clear. Work to define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) sustainability goals. For example, reduce energy consumption by 15% in the next year or decrease singleuse plastic waste by 20%.

To remind your team how serious sustainability is, inspire them to incorporate it into daily operations.

Encourage staff to adopt ecofriendly practices in their daily routines, such as turning off lights when not in use, reducing water waste, and segregating waste for recycling. Provide clear guidelines on how to implement sustainable practices in different roles within the care home.

To ensure the success of your inhome sustainable initiatives, foster a culture of sustainability by involving staff in decision-making and encouraging them to share their ideas for improving sustainability.

Work to recognise and reward staff for their sustainability efforts,

SUSTAINABILITY whether through incentives or public recognition.

It’s important to remember that sustainability goes deeper than what meets the eye… think about eco-friendly procurement.

Practice purchasing products and supplies with sustainability in mind.

Choose eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products and source local, organic food when possible.

Consider implementing a green procurement policy that prioritises environmentally responsible suppliers and be sure to inform residents and potential residents of the lengths your home goes to as it can have a knock-on effect to your all-important reputation.

Continuously monitor your home’s progress towards sustainability goals and regularly report the results to staff and stakeholders. Leading on from this, use data and feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements to sustainable initiatives.

As well as in-home sustainable initiatives, community engagement plays a huge role in the overall ecological label of a care home.

Connect with the local community to raise awareness on what you’re doing, how you can work together and involve residents’ families and the broader community in sustainability initiatives.

James Rycroft, Executive Director at The Outstanding Society and Managing Director of Vida Healthcare, an ‘Outstanding’ rated care provider, recognises how in recent years our responsibilities

towards the environment as individuals, businesses, and operators have become increasingly more visible, apparent, and important.

James said: “This responsibility is now becoming recognised not only as ‘the right thing to do’ but something we’ll be held accountable for by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), financial providers and the general public to name a few.”

A survey earlier this year suggested that more than 50% of care providers don’t have a strategy to address environmental sustainability or a plan to cut carbon emissions.

“For me this isn’t surprising due to the recent challenges our sector has gone through in terms of the pandemic, recruitment and retention of staff, and declining occupancy for many residential homes. However, as we emerge from these challenges we need to

make environmental strategies a priority.

“Aside from the fundamental and obvious reasons for focusing on sustainability to help our planet, there are other reasons to prioritise sustainability too,” added James.

As momentum increases and public perception demands more action, a care home’s operational reputation comes under the spotlight.

James explained that sustainable changes must start from the top of organisations and become embedded in the culture and values: “The CQC will focus on this in terms of measuring if a service is ’well led’.”

Embed sustainability and its benefits into the heart of your organisation. This is the foundation to your strategy and will determine its success.

The UK government’s commitment to achieving netzero emissions by 2050 and various policy initiatives, including the Green Finance Strategy and the Environment Bill, are driving sustainability across sectors. Additionally, consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their choices, which is pushing businesses to adopt sustainable practices and products.

Overall, the rise of sustainability in the UK reflects a global trend toward addressing environmental challenges and transitioning to a more sustainable and responsible way of living and doing business.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Safe Landing

Transforming elderly care homes with advanced fall detection systems.

The key features of the solution included: Advanced Fall Detectors

State-of-the-art fall detectors were installed in residents’ rooms. These devices utilized advanced sensor technology to monitor the entire room, ensuring that any fall within the room’s boundaries would be promptly detected.

Intelligent Algorithms

The Problem

Elderly care homes play a crucial role in providing a safe and comfortable environment for senior citizens who require assistance with daily living. However, these care facilities have encountered significant challenges in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their residents, particularly when it comes to fall detection and monitoring.

The primary issue identified in care homes is the reliance on outdated technology for fall detection. Care homes have often depended on pressure mats or pressure pads, which are only effective within the limited confines of small rooms, typically no larger than 3ft by 4ft. When an elderly resident falls within the coverage area of these mats, a caregiver is alerted. However, this approach has several limitations. It fails to address the safety concerns of residents

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in larger rooms and common areas, leaving them vulnerable to undetected falls.

A secondary issue revolves around the movement sensors used in residents’ rooms. These sensors trigger alerts every time someone walks past them, treating every instance as an emergency. As a result, caregivers are frequently summoned to attend to nonemergency situations, such as residents going to the restroom or shifting in their beds. This constant influx of alerts disrupts the caregiving process and prevents caregivers from focusing on more vulnerable residents who may genuinely require immediate attention.

The Solution

To address the problems, I was contracted for this project and brought in as Project manager for the implementation of the new 130

The fall detection systems incorporated intelligent algorithms that could distinguish between actual falls and routine movements, such as walking or repositioning in bed. This reduced the number of false alarms, allowing caregivers to respond to genuine emergencies more effectively.

Timely Reporting

When a fall was detected, the system immediately reported it to the care home’s staff.

Caregivers received timely alerts, allowing them to provide swift assistance to residents in need.

Enhanced Monitoring

The system also provided continuous monitoring, which enabled caregivers to keep track of residents’ movements and wellbeing without unnecessary disruptions. This meant that caregivers could better prioritize their tasks and focus on residents who required their attention the most.

HEALTH & SAFETY fall detection devices. My team implemented the roll-out which enhanced the safety and wellbeing of the elderly residents in the care home. The systems were designed to scan the entire room, providing comprehensive coverage and reliable fall detection.

How Did The Solution Positively Affect The End-User?

The implementation of advanced fall detection systems in the care home setting had a profound and positive impact on the end-users, the elderly residents:

Enhanced Safety

With comprehensive room coverage and accurate fall detection, residents felt safer knowing that any fall, regardless of where it occurred in their room, would be quickly identified.

Reduced Anxiety

The reduction in false alarms from movement sensors reduced unnecessary disruptions and anxiety among residents. They no longer experienced frequent caregiver interventions for nonemergencies.

Improved Quality of Care

Caregivers were able to provide a higher quality of care. With fewer false alarms and better prioritization

of tasks, they could focus on residents who needed immediate attention, resulting in improved care outcomes.

Greater Independence The advanced fall detection systems allowed residents to

maintain a sense of independence and dignity while still benefiting from enhanced safety measures.

Peace of Mind for Families

Families of residents also experienced peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones were in an environment equipped with advanced technology to ensure their safety.

In conclusion, the implementation of advanced fall detection systems in elderly care homes effectively addressed the identified problems, resulting in improved safety, reduced disruptions, and an overall enhancement of the quality of care provided to elderly residents.

This case study highlights the significance of investing in modern technology to better meet the needs of vulnerable populations in care settings. www.smarterhometechnology. co.uk

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DINING

Elevating Experiences

Arc UK showcases its tableware offering, and sustainability credentials, at the launch of their new London showroom.

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rc UK, the leading manufacturer of premium glass and tableware products, has officially opened the doors to its brand new industry focused London showroom, situated at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Based at one of the capital’s most popular conference and exhibition venues, the stunning space marks the first time Arc has offered anything on this scale to its UK customers, providing them with a space to explore its select range of tableware products in-person.

The showroom showcases Arc’s wide collection of bespoke glassware, including wine, gin and cocktail glasses, tumblers, decanters and jugs; as well as tableware including bowls, plates, dinnerware sets and accessories. It is also set to be the hub for Arc UK to discuss the Group’s sustainability credentials and their response to the ever-increasing legal changes facing the industry, which include new laws for single use tableware, the closed loop dynamic and the

push for re-use rather than re-cycle.

Adam Devey, Managing Director at Arc UK, said: “Arc UK is committed to crafting functional and aesthetically pleasing tableware that elevates dining experiences. We’re thrilled to have opened a new showroom in the heart of London, and to be bringing our products closer to our customers and giving them the

chance to view these in a stylish, attractive setting. It also comes at an exciting time, as we will be launching over 200 new products to the trade during the last quarter of 2023 and in to 2024 and the Group’s latest Sustainability press release.

“The showroom launch marks a significant milestone for the UK division of Arc, being the first time, we are able to offer a viewing experience to our UK customers at this scale in such a central position, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and showcasing our wide product ranges.”

Arc UK’s team of experts will be on hand to provide customers with guidance on purchases to meet their requirements, for both domestic and commercial use.

To discover Arc UK’s complete range of tableware, visit: www.arctableware.com, to book a showroom visit please contact us via the Contact Us page at www.arctableware.com or call 01386 552 551.

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BUSINESS

Showing Support

Care South supports the local community via its Chairman’s 2020 Fund.

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are South, a not-forprofit leading provider of residential and care at home services across the south of England, has selected Dementia UK, The Grove PreSchool, The Friends of Dolphin, Margaret Green Animal Rescue, BIGLITTLE Theatre School, Ringwood and Bransgore Dementia Action Group and Linking Hearts Therapy Horses as its latest beneficiaries of its Chairman’s Fund, providing a total grant of £9,250.

Dementia UK charity provides specialist dementia nurses to those affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Care South’s Talbot View care home team, based near Ensbury Park, unanimously nominated the charity to be a beneficiary thanks to its wonderful work. Team members and residents from the care home are walking one million steps which started on 1st June through to 15th September to raise money and awareness for the charity.

Team members and residents from Care South’s Maiden Castle House care home in Dorchester have re-established its community relationship with The Grove PreSchool Playgroup, with the children regularly visiting the home and participating in activities with residents. Each week, several children visit Maiden Castle House with their teachers and engage in a range of activities with the residents including arts and crafts, food, fun, exercise and games.

The Friends of Dolphin, a Charitable Trust, which is run by unpaid volunteers provide free boat trips to disabled people of all ages and disabilities around Poole Harbour from May to September every year. Residents from Care South’s Dorset House and

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Alexandra House based in Poole benefit from regular trips out which are thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue take in pets that become homeless due to a change in circumstances or that have been neglected, mistreated or abandoned. Some of Care South’s care homes visit the centre at Church Knowle and enjoy many calming cuddles with the furry friends.

BIGLITTLE Theatre School, based in Bournemouth, is a not-for-profit organisation who provide training and professional development in the performing arts to dedicated children and young people from reception through to 19 years. The charity will be putting on live shows for one of Care South’s local homes.

Ringwood and Bransgore Dementia Action Group are a volunteer group committed to developing Ringwood, Bransgore and the surrounding area as a Dementia Friendly Community.

The group regularly invite the local community to attend a one-hour information session to become a Dementia Friend, raising awareness and understanding throughout

the community. Businesses, services, organisations, churches, clubs, schools and charities can participate in tailored interactive sessions on the premises to understand how it feels to live with dementia which are the first steps to becoming a dementia friendly community.

Linking Hearts Therapy Horses have two miniature horses which Sharon and her daughter, Megan, train through lots of desensitising activities, which enables them to enter facilities calmly without causing them any distress. They are committed to providing a visiting service to those who benefit from animal therapy. Mr Kellogg’s, one of their miniature horses, recently visited St Ives House, a Care South care home, and brought so much joy to every resident and residents were able to pet him.

The Chairman’s 2020 Fund was set up as a way for Care South to show its support and appreciation to not-for-profit individuals and groups who are important to and provide a benefit to Care South’s care homes, residents, care at home clients and staff.

BUSINESS

onth M e h t f o e Care Hom Home, l ia t n e id s Re Stoneleigh per-Mare Weston-Su

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stablished in 1989 by the now Director and Home Manager’s mother, Rosamond, and stepfather, John Smith, ‘Stoneleigh Home’ was registered to care for ten people of old age, later becoming fourteen, male and female. The home is family owned and managed by Dale Greenaway and his team of carers.

Stoneleigh Home sits in the small village of Bielby, which is shadowed by the Yorkshire Wolds and only a five-minute drive from the small market town of Pocklington, East Yorkshire. Offering a real ‘family feel’, Dale, in fact, refers to the residents as ‘extended family’, all of which are fully accommodated on the ground floor of the home in luxurious, yet homely, surroundings and have four acres of landscaped

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garden and fields to call their home.

When setting up Stoneleigh, Dale explained how it was his mother and stepfather’s aim to create a homely environment, which would provide a ‘home from home’ for people who could no longer look after themselves and live independently.

“Family is always at the forefront of everything we do, and the aims and objectives were simple: and they were to offer love, care and attention to individual needs. This meant treating our residents with dignity, respect and offering care that focused on the individual, such as we would want for our own families.

“Our philosophy is ‘youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind’, and we encourage our residents to live the best life possible from the first

BUSINESS minute they walk through our front door,” added Dale.

Working to ensure they provide a genuine and high standard of care, Dale revealed that the team learn from their residents all the time, valuing their experience, helping them reach their potential in later life, while providing care for their spiritual and physical needs: it is these qualities that Dale believes make Stoneleigh House become Stoneleigh Home.

Promoting independence amongst residents is of optimum importance to Dale and the team, to ensure they remain enthusiastic and excited about this new chapter of their life, whilst not feeling isolated.

“We ensure that our residents are part of our community, which we contribute to continuously, holding events for the village such as the Produce Show and Bielby Music Festival.

“We pride ourselves on offering a ‘home from home’, which is reflected throughout our care team, who have all been a part of our family for several years. We feel this gives us an advantage over larger concerns when caring for our residents, as consistency, continuity and person-centred care is imperative in reaching the best

outcome for our residents. Big is not always better, as our residents would testify,” Dale added.

Although hard flooring is a necessity in some areas of the home for hygiene purposes, the home is generally domestic in its appearance, with soft furnishings, carpets throughout and the smell of home baking to greet you as you walk through the front door. Dale explained how a huge table with seating for all residents dominates the dining room: this was originally situated in his grandparents’ farmhouse before finding its place at Stoneleigh.

With another table to seat relatives and staff, Dale revealed how Christmas at Stoneleigh is very much a family affair where all are invited for Christmas lunch: “Residents from the village who are spending Christmas alone are also invited to join us for the day.”

When people visit Stoneleigh with the prospect of becoming a resident, Dale explained how preconceived ideas of a care home are instantly quashed when they witness a small group of people living life to the full.

“The wellbeing of our residents has always been everything we stand for: this is reflected in the reputation we have built up over the thirty-five years, and also in the ‘Outstanding’ rating which was awarded by the Care Quality Commission in 2019.

“Achieving this rating was a team effort from management,

carers, residents, their families and friends. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and do not want to rest on our laurels, but to improve our service to maintain our reputation as the leading home in the area. One element we are all extremely passionate about is our advanced care planning and end of life care, as dying well is as important as living well.”

As part of a plan to improve, the team embarked on the Gold Standard Framework for providing end of life care. Dale explained that the process has been “lengthy” and has included the entire team, from management, care and domestic staff to residents, families, nurses and GP’s.

Dale commented: “Our end-oflife champions, Amy and Rachael, attended training and webinars, and subsequently cascaded their knowledge to all other staff.

After marking our portfolio and completing an on-site assessment to see how we have embedded this into our home, we attended an awards ceremony in Manchester where we received our award. This was an extremely proud moment for everyone connected with Stoneleigh, and the aim now is to maintain our high standards of endof-life care and, when we go for reaccreditation in three years, to be put forward for the Care Home of the Year Award.”

The home’s ethos of care is reflected in their slogan which is “Your Home: Not A Home”.

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RESIDENT WELLBEING

Enriching Care

As an advocate for Famileo, we share an interesting interview with Katherine Arnold Hall, Commercial Manager at Shaw healthcare, which reveals how partnering with Famileo across a series of Shaw’s homes has helped to elevate their care offering.

What made you want to use Famileo across a selection of your homes?

We’re using it now across about 20 of our homes. I met the Famileo team at the Care Show a couple of years ago and was instantly struck by the product. Immediately as I saw it, I thought, what a fantastic opportunity to engage young people and really maximise the opportunity for older people living in our care homes to stay in touch with their families. I think for me, most importantly, I understand that the care home environment can be quite challenging for young people, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I could see that Famileo would be a great opportunity to re-engage people with their family members without anybody feeling uncomfortable.

What has Famileo added to your care offering?

This really was an opportunity for older people to understand what their families were doing, to appreciate how their relatives were growing and how their families were expanding. But more than that, it gave us a huge opportunity as a care home provider to really understand the background of our residents. I mean, obviously it’s a growing story, so you meet somebody in their initial weeks and months with you and you start to understand them and their story.

What Famileo was giving us is a whole new avenue to engage with our residents, do a lot more reminiscent work around their background, their history, their life before dementia or before they

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RESIDENT WELLBEING came to us. We’ve got so much more to work on but it gives us such a better understanding and huge opportunity to design activity programs and make changes to the home and our approach to the care that we deliver to each individual because we are more informed. We know how to motivate them, how to engage them, and to drive them.

It’s been huge for us.

I know that some people can be put off when launching new and technical additions into their homes, how have you found the introduction process?

We’ve had lots of help from the Famileo team. I’m sure they face the reluctance and fear from people surrounding the use of another piece of technology, but the software is really easy to use because of data protection and GDPR, we only had to share specific details with the immediate next of kin. We’ve highlighted this as an opportunity for the wider family members to share more information and have a better experience with their relatives living with us. We’ve done a lot of the work in terms of the setup with the family and team and then we deliver training to the family members and the extended family.

Again, we’ve been supported by Famileo’s Kelly and Anne-Sophie in delivering that training who are always on hand and really supportive to make sure that we get the best out of the app.

What about the staff at the care homes, how would you say that Famileo has impacted them?

They were excited about it from the beginning, primarily because they’re always looking to better the service that we offer and they appreciate that to do that, it’s important to know about the background of the person you’re supporting. The more information that we were getting in from the family members to create the gazette, the greater

conversations our caregivers are able to have, enriching the wellbeing of the residents.

Have you found that using Famileo has attracted more residents?

Definitely. We have a Famileo stand in our entranceway which was provided by the company as a means of marketing collateral along with example gazettes and posters. People see the stand and are intrigued (including potential residents and their families) and we enclose more information on the brand in our welcome packs. So, when people first come to us, they know about Famileo straight away and it is a huge unique selling point which offers a lot of comfort. We find that the families of potential residents are reassured knowing that they can always be in touch in a really fun and engaging way.

Famileo can also share photos of the residents embracing home-life and getting involved

in activities as well as details on events which are coming up – the technology prioritises streamlined communication, making it easy to share information. Famileo also allows us to assure people that we’re not closed home.

What about the kind of feedback that you’ve received from the CQC around Famileo?

The CQC have seen it and were very, very impressed, particularly in one of our homes - Lancum House which has actually just won the UK Home of the Year from the Famileo team. They’ve got 100% of their families signed up, so 100% of their residents receive the gazettes. The CQC were impressed with the face that it demonstrated innovation and motivation by going the extra mile to make sure that we’re engaging the extended family members and we’re supporting that multi-generational relationship, which is so important. famileo.com

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THERAPY ANIMALS

The Power of Animals

With help from experts, we look at factors to consider when introducing therapy animals to a care home, and how to navigate around them in order to get the most out of this introduction.

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ith wellbeing at the centre of care home environments, therapy animals play a valuable role in care homes and similar healthcare settings, offering a range of physical, emotional and psychological benefits to residents or patients. These animals, often dogs, cats, or sometimes smaller animals like rabbits, can provide comfort and support to those in need.

As the Director of Customer Experience and Wellbeing at Avery Healthcare, Hannah Mulholland’s

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primary commitment is to the happiness and quality of life for residents in all Avery services.

Hannah explained that one initiative that has gathered significant attention in recent years is the introduction of visiting therapy animals, which aim to enhance the resident’s wellbeing. There are, however, several considerations which must be kept in mind, ensuring it is right for the residents in individual homes.

First and foremost, we must acknowledge that some residents may suffer from allergies. In line

with their dedication to ensuring an inclusive environment for all, Hannah revealed how her team encourage staff to create alternative activities for residents with allergies during therapy animal visits: “These include crafting sessions, book clubs and themed film screenings, ensuring that we have provided enjoyable alternatives for everyone.

Respecting the individual preferences and boundaries of our residents is paramount.”

Therapy animal visits should always be optional, allowing

THERAPY ANIMALS

residents to opt out if they choose to do so.

Maintaining proper hygiene and safety measures is essential for the wellbeing of care home residents, staff and therapy animals. Hannah explained how, at Avery, this involves a strict handwashing routine for residents and staff, a designated space for therapy animal visits, and vigilant supervision during interactions to prevent accidents and ensure safety: “Before introducing therapy animals, we ensure we have a detailed understanding of each resident’s health and specific needs.

This deep understanding allows us to tailor the therapy animal program for maximum benefits while minimising risks.”

Utilising insured external providers of therapy animals is Hannah’s preferred approach.

These providers ensure that therapy animals are welltrained and certified for therapy work. Collaboration with these professionals makes it easier to achieve seamless integration of therapy animals into homes, as they

are experienced in a wide variety of settings and are fully in control for the duration of the activity.

Hannah commented: “While therapy animals are generally well-trained and exhibit calm temperaments, unforeseen accidents can occur.

Adequate insurance coverage provides protection for all.”

All wellbeing programmes are tailored to each home’s preferences, so regular feedback from residents and their families, in addition to staff observations, can help identify the effectiveness at each session, and allows teams to adapt to ensure residents are provided with a weekly activities calendar.

“By following these considerations, we can introduce therapy animals in a manner that enhances the lives of our residents and fosters a positive, enriching environment, ensuring safety, inclusivity and respect for individual preferences,” Hannah finished.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has become an easily accessible therapeutic intervention. This type of therapy is commonly used on mental health wards, supported

living settings, and with dementia patients. With 900,000 individuals living with dementia - a figure projected to rise - it is even more important to consider therapeutic activity that helps people to live and age well.

Animals are proven to have a calming effect on humans, with many health benefits including reduced blood pressure and heart rates. The interaction we have with animals also promotes the release of serotonin, a feel-good chemical; it lifts the mood and can provide a welcome distraction to many older individuals.

At Weald Hall Care Home in Epping, they have their very own live-in therapy cat, Sooty. Danielle Barham, Home Manager of Weald Hall Care Home, owned by Premium Care Group said: “Knowing that pets rely on us for quality of life makes us feel special, which significantly boosts our residents’ wellbeing. He helps them to connect to those feelings of love and friendship and is a much-loved addition to our home.”

Danielle made a point of noting

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THERAPY ANIMALS

that, if having a full-time pet isn’t feasible in your care home, there are still plenty of options, with a number of external organisations offering therapy visits.

Yet, while animal therapy may offer up a number of health benefits and improve the quality of life for certain residents, Danielle echoed Hannah’s views on how it’s important to also consider those who might not be able to engage with animals because of allergies, and others who might just simply not want to connect with them at all. This should all be considered as part of an individuals’ care plan.

Danielle recognised how, for those with allergies who would still like that interaction, there are ways to ensure inclusivity: “The resident may only be allergic to one type of animal, for example a cat or dog. As well as 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog or cat breeds, such as the poodle, birds, alpacas and even kid goats are becoming increasingly popular visitors to homes, offering up another alternative.

“And what about AI? Robotic pets are artificially intelligent machines that resemble actual

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pets - a good alternative when the presence of a live animal might be inappropriate, or perhaps when a resident wants that attachment, but is not able to interact with a real animal safely.”

Danielle explained how many of her residents enjoy animal videos, so virtual animal encounters could also provide benefits to residents.

There are many apps where pets can be looked after virtually, or you could simply sit down with a resident and take a moment to admire the cuteness of a kitten or puppy on-screen.

One of the benefits of using an external organisation is that these animals will be fully trained and experienced in connecting with older people. They will also have the necessary health checks.

Providing residents with the opportunity to interact with animals as part of person-centred care can have a wealth of benefits.

However, it is important to monitor and assess the impact of therapy animals on residents’ wellbeing, to ensure that the programme remains beneficial and safe to each individual.

Care managers should consider the following before introducing any animal into their homes: • The control and temperament of the animal/s • Health and safety reviews • Compliance with Public Health England and NICE guidance • Routes of entry, exit and passage for the pet in the home

• Areas that pets are not allowed, i.e. food storage, preparation, cooking or serving areas • Public liability insurance for both owners and handlers • Hygiene considerations of both staff and residents after handling animals

GET IN TOUCH We’d love to hear from you on how your business is progressing in 2023. Specifically, any new ideas you’ve implemented, any ways you are making additional revenue, your sustainability initiatives and your plans for the rest of the year – we know that a lot of you are doing inspiring things every day in your businesses and we want to give you the opportunity to shout about it.

Please reach out to jamesd@cimltd.co.uk for the opportunity to be featured in Care Home Magazine.

www.carehomemagazine.co.uk

ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH

Practicing Mindfulness In this instalment of Activity of the Month, we share details on how centring your activity offering around wellbeing can positively impact your home, as we delve into guided meditation.

W

ith wellness continuing to be important to every generation, the elderly are no exception. Mental and physical wellbeing has remained in the spotlight since we battled the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning it has been prioritised by many.

Introducing guided meditation can be a valuable activity in your care home, as it offers numerous benefits for residents, including relaxation, stress reduction, improved mental clarity, and a sense of connection with others.

When looking to introduce meditation to your home, you should start by assessing the needs and preferences of the

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To elevate the meditation experience you could incorporate sensory elements. residents. Some may be more familiar with meditation and prefer longer sessions, while others may be beginners and require shorter, simpler guided meditations.

If possible, it is advised to bring in a trained meditation instructor to lead the sessions. They can ensure that the meditations are

appropriate and effective but where this is not possible, alternatively, you can have staff members trained to lead sessions.

To ensure the sessions are beneficial, providing a quiet and comfortable space is essential. Creating a comfortable environment for meditation might involve using a quiet room with soft lighting and comfortable seating or bedding.

When it comes to working on residents’ mindfulness, consistency is key. It’s important to schedule regular meditation sessions, perhaps once or twice a week, at a time that works for the majority of residents.

Be sure to select guided meditations that are suitable for the

ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH

residents and focus on themes like relaxation, gratitude, mindfulness, or stress reduction. Ensure the meditation leader’s voice is soothing and easy to understand for all involved.

To ensure that everyone has the best experience possible, you must consider the mobility and comfort of the residents. Some residents may have physical limitations, so make sure they can participate comfortably and, of course, offer chairs or cushions with back support for those who may have

trouble sitting on the floor.

To elevate the meditation experience you could incorporate sensory elements. To engage all the senses, consider using soothing music, aromatherapy, or soft lighting to enhance the meditative experience.

Try to avoid putting pressure on residents and encourage them to participate at their own pace.

It’s okay if some choose not to meditate; they can simply sit quietly and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

To start the session, begin with

guided mindful breathing exercises - these are accessible for most residents and are a great way to introduce meditation to beginners.

Offering a mix of group and individual meditation sessions can ensure that you’re catering to different preferences and comfort levels.

As the sessions go on, we advise collecting feedback from residents and staff to continually improve the meditation programme, and then the content and format can be adjusted based on their input.

Along with welcoming feedback, you should keep records of resident participation and keep an eye on any changes in their wellbeing or behaviour that may be linked to the meditation programme.

Consider recording the guided meditation sessions so residents can listen to them at their convenience too. This can be especially useful for those who cannot attend group sessions.

Guided meditation can have a positive impact on the overall wellbeing of residents in your homes. It offers a way to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and foster a sense of community and connection. Tailoring the programme to the specific needs and preferences of the residents will help ensure its success.

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FOOD AND NUTRITION

Dishing Up

At Bidfood they share their customers’ passion for great food. In fact, as one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers and experts within the care sector, it’s of paramount importance to the team to ensure that this passion filters through not just to our customers, but to care home residents too. In line with this, Bidfood share their delicious recipe for a cauliflower and smoked haddock soup to spark inspiration in your home.

A

t Bidfood we share our customers’ passion for great food. In fact, as one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, and experts within the care sector, it’s of paramount importance to ensure that this passion filters through not just to our customers, but to care home residents too. Helping our care customers stay ahead of the curve by proving industry knowledge, nutritional advice and guidance on food standards and legislation is all part of our mission, to provide service excellence and help our customers grow.

With years of experience and a wide-range of knowledge between them, our dedicated care team provide operators with support on hydration, dementia and diabetes, as well keeping up to date with the latest trends in care. Our chef team have even developed a whopping 500+ recipes providing plenty of inspiration to ensure residents have something tasty on offer to them at all times.

Keeping residents hydrated 24 hours a day is an essential factor for their wellbeing. In fact, The Food Standards Agency recommends at least 6-8 glasses of fluids every day, with evidence suggesting that good hydration can help to prevent falls, constipation, pressure sores, blood pressure problems and headaches.

However, ensuring that these 6-8 glasses are drunk each day isn’t always as straight forward as it sounds. Sometimes residents are reluctant to drink or simply forget, meaning care operators need to

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Ingredients

01093 75ml Summer Country Soft Spread 75585 100g Brown Onions 75442 100g Celery 75426 100g Leeks 75468 1 Cauliflower 34079 40g Plain Flour 04183 50g Chicken Flavour GF Bouillon Mix 86662 4 Haddock Fillets 40551 250ml Double Cream 11496 1g Table Salt 70407 2g Ground White Pepper 2000ml water

Method find other ways to increase fluid intake.

Getting the drinking vessel right can also help to stay on top of hydration, as well as impact the residents overall dining experience.

Providing a clear, see-through cup can be useful for monitoring the volume of liquid being consumed and choosing a cup that is the right width and doesn’t force the head to tilt back can make drinking easier and reduce the likeliness of choking. If necessary, special cups with handles and straws can be used.

Providing foods with a high water content such as fruit, soups and jelly can be a great way of boosting fluid intake. In addition, having set times to rehydrate, as well as running a drinks trolley throughout the home and giving residents their own personal water bottle, can all help in increasing frequency.

Our cauliflower and smoked

1. Melt the butter in a pan and then add the onion, leek and celery and cook until tender.

2. Then add the cauliflower and mix well.

3. Add the flour and combine with all ingredients until well coated.

4. Gradually add the chicken stock then bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Add the haddock and cook for a further 5 minutes add the cream and season to taste.

6. Place in a blender and blitz until smooth then pass through a sieve before serving.

7. For level 4 add thickening agent until correct texture is achieved.

haddock soup is a fantastic hydrating dish as well as a tasty winter warmer, perfect for your residents. www.bidfood.co.uk

For wellbeing, reminiscence, activities & joy ...

My Life TV is a dementia-friendly streaming service which supports health and wellbeing. It has a breadth of on demand content designed to improve mood, provide stimulation and create meaningful moments of connection.

Subscribe for just £299.99 a year, per care setting, for access on up to 30 devices • • •

Cited in CQC reporting as supporting outstanding care Simple to install and use Watch via TVs, laptops, tablets & mobiles, 24/7

To subscribe, please visit tv.mylifefilms.org, or for more information, email the team at: hello@mylifefilms.org, or call us on 020 8154 6220

REMINISCENCE, HOBBIES & INTERESTS, ACTIVITIES, QUIZZES, ENTERTAINMENT & SLOW TV My Life TV is run by My Life Films, registered charity No: 1157198. Terms & conditions apply.

TECHNOLOGY

Communicating Change

What your care home needs to know about the BT Switch off, as told by CareDocs – The UK’s leading person centred software provider for care and nursing homes.

T

echnology is being introduced more and more as the government pushes for care professionals to embrace the digital transformation of social care. This typically involves moving over to care management software to support the aim of 80% of care providers having a digital care record by March 2024.

What many care home owners and operators may not know is that the technology that allows us to communicate is also changing.

British Telecoms (BT) will be turning off the IDSN (Integrated Service Digital Network) and PTSN (Public Switch Telephone Network) and switching to new digital lines by 2025.

Why is the BT Switch off happening?

Over the past couple of years, more emphasis has been placed on our communications taking place over the internet, through FaceTime, Skype and Zoom, which has put significant strain on our networks.

The copper currently used for our telecoms simply can’t keep up with the faster and slicker alternatives we are using today.

From 2025, phone calls will be made through IP (Internet Protocol) and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) technology, which is much faster, clearer and advanced.

What does this mean for your care home?

Many care homes are still using traditional copper networks for their telephone and internet connections

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but by 2025 this will no longer be possible. When BT switch over from the traditional copper network to the new digital network, phone lines, alarm systems, lift alarms and other points of contact in an emergency that run on the PTSN, will be inoperable.

If your home hasn’t made the switch to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution before the switch off, you could find yourself without a method of communication, which is vital to provide care. A VoIP system is essential in ensuring the safety of service users so it’s imperative that you consider making the switch sooner rather than later.

Why make the switch?

Whilst you technically don’t need to make the switch until 2025, the quicker you do, the sooner you can begin making savings on costs.

Moving to VoIP calling brings your telephone and internet connections together, resulting in one charge instead of two. It also provides much improved accessibility and high-quality video conferencing.

Some of the hardware you currently use may not be suitable come 2025 which means your home will need to invest in upgrading its devices and other hardware before the deadline.

This could include things like new handsets, retiring outdated equipment and ensure IT personnel are familiar with the new phone service dashboard.

Get expert support with your homes digital care transformation from CareDocs Whilst CareDocs can’t support in the VoIP transition, they can support you with making the move to digital person centred care software. Even if you are already using some type of digital care management software or you are still using traditional paper-based systems for care, we can help you take the next step in your care management journey.

To learn more about our software, get in touch on 0330 056 333 or email hello@caredocs.co.uk.

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06/03/2023 08:52

RESIDENT WELLBEING

TV Enriching Lives

We recently introduced you to My Life TV - the specialist streaming service designed to meet the needs of the elderly, particularly people living with dementia, inspiring engagement, connection and conversation. Here, we show you how it supports person-centred care and share some of the fantastic feedback the service has received.

M

y Life TV was developed by My Life Films, an award-winning charity which uses film and TV to improve the wellbeing of people affected by dementia.

The charity recognised that people with cognitive impairments were excluded from the benefits of mainstream TV, which is not designed to meet their particular needs. The speed and drama of content, adverts, or the insensitive tone, pace and style of camerawork, meant a different approach was required to engage, stimulate and entertain this audience.

My Life TV was designed to offer a trusted, tailored, accessible service, with specially chosen content aligned to not only meet cognitive needs, but with positive, life affirming viewing, chosen to enable engagement and improve the quality of life of the audience.

The service supports and inspires hobbies and interests, improves wellbeing, connection and conversation, whilst providing a source of vital support and respite for carers. The charity works with high quality partners including BBC Archive, Alzheimer’s Society, The Royal Parks, NAPA, BFI and British Pathé, to deliver the service.

Here, some of My Life TV’s subscribers tell us about how the service has supported their work.

My Life TV benefitting care settings

Terri Eakins, Group Activities Lead from the Forest Care group and a NAPA Activity Associate, said: “I absolutely love everything about

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My Life TV. The app allows me to engage individually and in groups with the residents. It is so versatile and has a huge variety of ways to stimulate, reminisce and enhance wellbeing, whilst supporting person-centred engagement.”

And Fran Tagg, another Activity Provider from Connaught Court, York, added: “It’s a brilliant resource to use and the things that we watch on My Life TV can really spark off conversation.”

Another fan, is Joanna Warren, Manager of St Mary’s Care Home in Hampton, one of My Life TV’s early subscribers since the service launched two years ago: “It’s a complete game changer for our residents. Putting on some of the films instantly changes their mood. They are happy, laughing,

interacting with other residents. We don’t necessarily have to sit with them, we could be doing other things in the room and then they even want to watch it over and over again.”

Supporting reminiscence with My Life TV

Reminiscence is so important in dementia and elderly care, taking individuals back to memories of days gone by, sometimes more familiar times. My Life TV has a range of historical shows; muchloved classics like Delia Smith and Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game from the BBC Archive; memory provoking shows like ‘Reminiscence with Jan’ created with The Daily Sparkle; and gentle old films, fun

RESIDENT WELLBEING quizzes and toe-tapping music, to prompt memories and provide a sense of comfort.

Kerry-Ann Lees, a Dementia Day Services Manager from The Kimbrose Club, Gloucester told us: “We have found My Life TV has been great for reminiscing too. We had a group of men who were all RAF and ex-military, who having watched some of the military films together then discussed their personal experiences. On another occasion we watched ‘It Happened in 1966’, a programme about England’s victory in the World Cup. A club member who has very little verbal communication, became extremely animated telling us he was there. He was indeed at the game and had seen England lift the trophy. As a keen football fan this was a real highlight in his life and we were delighted to be able to share this memory with him. This wouldn’t have happened without My Life TV inspiring this and the many other conversations that followed.”

TV to calm and engage

As well as entertaining viewers, inspiring activities and bringing to life themed days, My Life TV also contains content to help with specific dementia related issues like agitation, sun downing and promoting nutrition, as highlighted

by Fiona Sadaat, Manager of

C&C Care Homes in Kew: “It has helped staff to deliver routine care, enabling them to manage behaviour that challenges and make residents more compliant with eating and taking medication.

I would highly recommend it to all care homes.”

Tracey Ward, Day Service Manager of Broxbourne and Ware Road Day Services in Hertford, said: “My Life TV is a fantastic resource - it’s like having an extra member of staff to provide activities which promote engagement, conversation and reminiscence. As a result of watching the draw-a-long art series

‘Draw with Rob’, the individuals that attend our centre are now having an art session every day, where they collaborate to create a jungle collage.”

And below is the finished result, created by Ware Road Day Service users, combining their collective talents to originate this colourful, beautiful collage.

Why not consider subscribing to My Life TV and see how it can support you and your teams care delivery. You can start a 7 day free trial by visiting tv.mylifefilms. org, or visit www.mylifefilms.org to find out more.

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