Uplifting cleaning and disinfection for your workplace
Our Disinfectant Mist for hard and soft surfaces, and grease and grime lifting Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner are here. Available in a range of beautiful, room-filling fragrances. USE ALL AROUND YOUR SPACE
FLOORS
Fill your workplace with beautiful fragrance from the ground up! Add 1 capful of concentrated Zofl ora for every 400ml of water in a bucket and mop over hard fl oors.
SINKS/SHOWERS
Spray and wipe down sinks, taps and shower heads regularly. To eliminate odours, pour a capful of Zofl ora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant down the plug hole after use.
RECEPTION / SURFACES
Use our Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner all around to leave spaces hygienically clean and beautifully fragrant.*
TOILETS
Eliminate germs and keep your toilet fragrant. Leave your toilet brush to soak in Zofl ora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant to keep it clean and fragrant.
DOORS, HANDLES & BUTTONS
Frequently touched areas can often harbour germs. Deliver a beautiful welcoming fragrance, with our Disinfectant Mist. Regularly spray surfaces to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2).
CHAIRS / CURTAINS
Freshen up your soft furnishings with our Disinfectant Mist. Not only will your surface be hygienically clean, but your area will be filled with beautiful fragrance too.* It’s also touch dry in 45 seconds!
Chief Editor
Jade Evans jade.evans@cimltd.co.uk
Editorial Assistant
Ailsa Newgreen ailsa@cimltd.co.uk
Publication Manager
James Davies jamesd@cimltd.co.uk
Tel: 01795 509 112
Account Manager
Jazmine Davis jazmine@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
Social Media Manager
Lily Lawson socials@cimltd.co.uk
Sales Director
Tom Woollin tom@cimltd.co.uk
Chief Executive
John Denning
Editor’s Letter November 2024
Welcome to this edition of Care Home Magazine, where we explore some of the most timely and impactful topics for care providers. As we head toward the holiday season, there’s a palpable shift in focus toward fostering wellbeing and creating spaces where both residents and their families feel truly at home. This November issue, we’re delighted to share insights into two key themes: the role of interior design in boosting occupancy and the importance of social connection during the festive period.
Interior design in care homes isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating environments that evoke a sense of safety, warmth, and belonging. With occupancy levels directly influenced by the emotional impact of a care home’s atmosphere, it is clear that design choices can make a lasting impression on prospective residents and their families. From light-filled communal areas to nature-inspired themes, we dive into the strategies that help transform care homes into spaces that residents want to live in and families feel confident choosing. Thoughtful design can also support accessibility, mental wellbeing, and social interaction, which are key components for both attracting new residents and enhancing quality of life.
As we approach Christmas, the importance of social connection takes on even greater significance. For many care home residents, the holidays can be a bittersweet time—a season of joy, but also one that may heighten feelings of loneliness or nostalgia. In this issue, we focus on how care providers can bridge this gap by fostering meaningful connections between residents, staff, and families. We explore the power of traditions, group activities, and community events that encourage interaction, helping residents feel included and valued during the festive period. Small efforts— like personalised decorations, carol singing, and video calls with loved ones—can make a tremendous difference in wellbeing.
As always, our unique features are accompanied by our regular features –we hope you enjoy the read.
Wishing you all a joyful and connected Christmas season!
Bringing you up to speed with this month’s latest news are our Industry Updates.
8 NCF Guest Column
This November, another insightful column comes from the National Care Forum’s Chief Executive Officer, Vic Rayner OBE.
12 Interior Design
In a piece that looks into designing for memory, we speak to experts to find out how personalisation can enhance comfort in care homes.
28 Christmas
As the festive season creeps up on us, we assess the importance of social connection during the holidays.
32 Activity of the Month
In line with the prominent focus of Christmas, we share details on the importance of social connection during the holidays.
34 Dishing Up
Bidfood take centre stage this month as they share a festive recipe, bound to make an impression amongst residents.
14 18 22 24 32
Industry update
Scottish Carers Win Top Awards after Bumper Year of Nominations
Top carers, nurses and support staff from one of Scotland’s leading providers of elderly and specialist care have been recognised for their outstanding dedication at an awards ceremony, following a record-breaking number of submissions.
Over 1,500 nominations were made for the 2024 Meallmore Colleague Awards - over a third more than in 2023 – for awards across 13 categories, including ‘Nurse of the Year’, ‘Emerging Talent and ‘Positive Impact’.
The event, now in its 13th year, returned to the Dunblane Hydro for the official ceremony with 200 people in attendance from Meallmore’s 26 care homes across Scotland.
Presented by singer and TV personality, Michelle McManus, the awards celebrate Meallmore colleagues who have made a
positive impact on improving the lives of colleagues, residents, and their family members over the past twelve months.
All 2,000 Meallmore colleagues were eligible for an award, with nominations coming from residents and their families, visiting professionals and other members of the team in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.
Cillian Hennessey, CEO of Meallmore, said: “We have an amazing team across Scotland. Our colleagues work tirelessly to deliver high standards of care across all our services, always going the extra mile for our residents and their families. I’m immensely proud of the care, professionalism and collaborative approach that is clear to see in each of our homes up and down the country.”
Category winners were presented with a certificate, trophy and choice of prize, which included an Apple
Care UK’s prestigious shortlisting at the LaingBuisson awards
Care UK has been announced as a finalist in the Care Home Group of the Year category at the 2024 LaingBuission Awards.
The LaingBuisson Awards recognise and celebrate industry excellence and innovation in social care, clinical services and associated advisory, property and financial roles.
The first thing that caught the eye of the judging panel was Care UK’s commitment to supporting homes through their Care Fit for VIPs accreditation – adapted from the University of Worcester’s framework - ensuring homes across the UK are providing gold-standard dementia care.
This is further supported by
the launch of The Big Dementia Conversation earlier this year, which showed that eight in ten adults believe dementia is still misunderstood, with 69% of the nation believing it’s a subject which is not talked about enough. Many people also admitted to finding the condition uncomfortable to discuss.
The judges were also impressed by Care UK’s matched funding scheme. This charitable initiative helps colleagues give back to their community by topping up their charitable donations. If colleagues are fundraising individually, they can apply for matched funding of up to £1,000. This year, Care UK has matched more than £24,000 for local and national charities, including Cancer Research,
Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Nintendo Switch, Ooni Pizza Oven, Ninja Dual Air Fryer or Fitbit Sense.
As one of Scotland’s most trusted health and social care providers, Meallmore is unwavering in its commitment to providing high quality care and support, investing in staff training, engagement and communication to ensure residents have access to the best possible care. The company provides a range of residential nursing, dementia and mental health care across Scotland.
For more information about Meallmore, please visit www.meallmore.co.uk
Dementia UK, and The Alzheimer’s Society.
The winners will be announced on Thursday 21st November 2024 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London.
If you’d like to take on a new challenge and join our awardwinning colleagues, you can view our current vacancies herewww.careuk.com/careers
Infection prevention & control Kill Bacteria & Viruses
AIRsteril is the only proven solution
Our customers benefit from fresh, odour free healthy air 24 hours a day. Airsteril eliminates all lingering odours, even when engrained. We work in harmony with the best cleaning practices to clear any stale odours whilst targeting harmful bacteria and viruses in the environment to reduce risks to all.
• Eliminate odours
Try a unit FREE for 30 days
• Continuously reduce airborne bacteria and viruses
• Reduce staff absence and associated costs from day one
extended due to popular demand
Driving Change
The Care Provider Alliance’s rapid review of the Single Assessment Framework.
In September, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) set out a programme of measures to improve its ways of working following the findings of the interim report by Dr Penny Dash published in July. That report laid bare the very significant performance and implementation issues facing the CQC and began to delve into the areas that needed urgent and immediate transformation. Dr Penny Dash’s full review was published in October 2024.
After the interim report by Dr Dash was published, the CQC commissioned Professor Sir Mike Richards to carry out a review of the Single Assessment Framework and its implementation. Phase 1 of that was completed in mid-October 2024 and included a series of recommendations. Alongside this work, the CQC engaged the Care Provider Alliance (CPA), of which I am the current Chair, to gather care providers’ views and operational perspectives of the Single Assessment Framework (SAF). This work has two phases, the first of which collected views via a survey, developed at speed with the support of the CPA steering group and promoted through multiple communications across the sector, including thousands of leaflets distributed at care shows and direct communication from CPA members and the CQC.
This survey garnered engagement from over 1,500 services resulting in over 1,200 qualifying responses. The analysis of these responses is providing rich and valuable data, both qualitative and quantitative which will be fed back to the CQC board building depth and detail of social care experience into any existing review work. In addition, the responses have been vital in
shaping the second stage of the work.
Second stage of the work
The second stage of the CPA’s work will be governed by the survey results and reported on in partnership with Professor Sir Mike Richards. Responses have given strong indications and recommendations on how the CQC should shape its vision of regulatory assessment, including:
• An understanding of what providers want from assessment, including learning from regulation elsewhere within the UK
• The changes required within the assessment framework to establish consistency in assessment in the different sectors, with our focus on the social care sector
• Clearer definitions of “what good regulatory assessment looks like” for each area of the assessment framework
• Clearer guidance on the assessment reporting process and content, including initial feedback, timing of reports, relationship with providers, press release and the reports
As the first stage of this work has now concluded I extend my
gratitude on behalf of the CPA to all providers who engaged with the survey and shared their views. Members of the CPA will continue to provide challenge to the CQC with a primary focus on getting regulatory assessment right for people receiving care and support. The work that we have done to date as part of this review, and our constant engagement with members reinforce our understanding of the very challenging experience for care providers on the ground, and the vital importance of moving forward to ensure that future approaches to assessment serves people drawing on care and support, providers and commissioners more effectively. Members of CPA remain committed to this work and would like to encourage as many providers as possible to have their voices heard at this critical juncture in the future of regulatory assessment.
Vic Rayner
Interior Design
Essential 5
Boosting occupancy in a care home through design involves creating spaces that appeal to both prospective residents and their families. Here are five ways care homes can enhance their appeal through thoughtful design.
2 1
Create a Home-Like Environment
People are more likely to choose care homes that feel familiar, comfortable and cosy rather than institutional. Look to implement warm materials, like wood and soft fabrics, and use calming colours such as pastels and natural tones. Personalisation of rooms is something that will help you stand out, so encourage residents to decorate with personal items. Having cosy, smaller living areas rather than large, impersonal spaces can also help create a homely atmosphere, which can help reduce the stress of moving into a care home, making the transition smoother.
Prioritise Accessibility and Comfort
Accessibility design elements are essential and create a safer and more comfortable experience, particularly for seniors with mobility challenges or sensory impairments. Wide corridors and step-free access throughout are what potential residents and their families will look for, along with ergonomically designed furniture and bathroom fittings. Enhanced lighting can also help reduce fall risks and help residents with visual impairment. Families are more likely to select a care home that promotes independence and safety for their loved ones.
Incorporate Nature and Outdoor Spaces
It’s a fact that access to nature improves physical and mental wellbeing, making it an essential component in care home design. Create gardens with accessible paths, sensory plants and shaded seating. Provide outdoor activity areas for light exercise, socialising and for when residents want fresh air, and use natural light through large windows and skylights inside to lessen feelings of depression. Indoor biophilic design with plants, water features and natural textures can also help to improve residents’ moods and wellbeing, appealing to families looking for a positive environment.
Design for Socialisation and Community
Social spaces encourage residents to engage with each other and participate in activities, boosting satisfaction and possibly word-of-mouth recommendations. Open-plan lounges and dining areas are great for interaction, and dedicated spaces for hobbies and events (e.g. arts & crafts, reading rooms) are essential to offer structure to residents. Introducing café-style spaces, where families and visitors can comfortably spend time, can help provide a strong sense of community and will help to attracts residents looking for meaningful engagement.
5 4 3
Incorporate Technology and Smart Design
Modern technology solutions can make the care home more efficient, safe and attractive to tech-savvy families. Now, more than ever, families and potential residents are considering technology when looking for care homes. Specifics which are often seen as a priority are emergency call systems integrated into rooms and wearables, as well as smart lighting that adjusts to the time of day, interactive displays for events, daily schedules or photo galleries and high-speed Wi-Fi access for residents to connect with family and stream entertainment. Smart solutions will help to attract modern families by offering convenience, safety and quality of life for residents.
Designing for Memory
With the help of experts, we look at how personalisation in line with interior design can enhance comfort in care homes.
In an era where individual preferences and comfort are paramount, the interior design of care homes plays a crucial role in enhancing residents’ wellbeing. This article explores how personalised design choices can transform care environments, making them not just functional spaces, but also nurturing homes. By integrating elements that reflect residents’ personalities and histories, care homes can foster a sense of belonging and comfort.
From colour schemes to furniture arrangements, we delve into
innovative design strategies that prioritise the needs and preferences of residents, ultimately enriching their quality of life.
Cinnamon Care Collection are a great example as they work with care home interior design specialist, Catalyst Interiors, to create luxurious, yet homely, environments that promote strong bonds between residents, staff and families. Cinnamon prides itself on ‘person centred care’ and, together with Catalyst Interiors, focuses on comfort-oriented design that recognises the emotional and
psychological needs of residents, including those of residents, with dementia.
Simon Toombs, Marketing Manager at Cinnamon Care Collection, said, “Design can positively impact the life and wellbeing of residents, from colour and spatial design to physical furniture and finishes; the resident and their needs are always at the centre of the design. In Cinnamon Care homes, ‘invisible design’ includes installing electric scent diffusers in dining rooms and bathrooms.
“Half an hour before mealtimes, the scent diffuser will start to diffuse smells of fresh baked goods, for example, to entice residents to the dining area, prompting hunger and thoughts of mealtimes. Scent diffusers are also used in the spa bathrooms, where the scent of essential oils is released into the air to create a calming atmosphere and to help relax residents.”
In terms of how personalisation of spaces can enhance the emotional wellbeing of residents in care homes – Simon sees that this can be achieved by using outcomebased design techniques to create an environment that fully supports residents living with age related health and mobility conditions, as well as dementia.
When designing a Cinnamon home, Catalyst Interiors use experiential design techniques – a concept that interior design is not just how a space looks visually, it is how the space smells, sounds, functions and, most importantly,
how the space makes a resident feel. The word ‘aesthetic’ is used to describe how something looks; however, it was derived from the Greek word “aisthomai” which means ‘I feel’.
“Instead of using generic landscapes or abstract art, a few of the pieces in each care home are designed to amuse residents, like the cow in a bathtub, or ‘on a roll’ artwork which are also wayfinding cues,” added Simon.
A care home is like any other residential home. When you move into a new house, it doesn’t truly feel like home until you’ve added personal touches, such as your own photos, décor and style. Such personalisation can occur once the resident has moved in to a care home. Speaking on this, Simon explained how residents and guests are welcomed into Cinnamon Care homes with a barrier free reception set alongside the Manager and Admin Office, he told us, “These areas are intentionally grouped
within the reception area to create a sense of home throughout the rest of the communal hub, removing any feeling of a commercial building. Corporate branding is kept to a minimum –this is first and foremost someone’s home and a business secondly. Instead, company branding is subtle, with a small emblem here and there.”
Simon continued, “Staff areas do not say ‘staff only’ – no barrier language is used – instead ‘team area’ is used to help create a sense of belonging. Signage is subtle, yet practical, featuring soft, complementary colours and positioned at a height suitable for those with ageing bodies, including those who may lean forward, while incorporating clear, non-childlike images to maintain a homely atmosphere and eliminate any association with a commercial building.”
We asked Simon if he could share any examples of successful
personalisation projects in care homes that have improved resident comfort or satisfaction, to which he said, “Most bedrooms (space permitting) benefit from a fitted ‘media’ unit combining shelving, wardrobe, storage, an integrated flat screen TV and desktop or dressing table space. The display shelves on the end of the unit are visible from the doorway, helping to promote wayfinding as residents are able to recognise their room from the personal photos and ornaments displayed on the shelves as they enter their bedroom. This also promotes a sense of home, belonging and happiness.”
Incorporating personal items, such as family photographs and personal furniture, into the design of care homes can significantly enhance the emotional wellbeing of residents. These familiar objects provide a sense of comfort and belonging, helping to evoke cherished memories and create a home-like atmosphere.
In terms of the most effective and safest way for residents to
personalise their environment, Simon sees that this is through the use of photographs and ornaments, as this avoids safety risks associated with non-fireretardant furniture and nonimpervious upholsteries. Simon said, “In communal spaces, features such as resident montages or display shelves maintain the overall aesthetic of the space, while still enabling personalisation. However, it is important to limit personalisation to designated areas in communal spaces, as one resident may love an item while another may dislike it.”
Emerging trends in care home design that focus on personalisation are constantly progressing, especially elements such as technology. Simon agrees with this and commented, “The integration of technology will become increasingly common in care homes as we progress; educating residents on how to use these tools, such as Alexa and other smart devices, can significantly enhance their lives.
“When designing for care, always consider if this would this be something you would have in your own home, because it is the resident’s home. Creating a successful care environment interior involves being able to drape functionality with beautiful elements to create a home where residents will be safe, happy and given a helping hand where needed.”
In care home design, even small details like door hardware matter. It might be easily overlooked, but it plays a significant role in creating a familiar, comfortable and homely environment for residents.
A thoughtful approach to architectural ironmongery can enhance not only the functionality, but also the aesthetics of care homes, helping residents feel more at ease in their new surroundings. Considerations towards inclusive design are becoming increasingly commonplace and are now supported by standards and guidance, such as PAS 6463:2022 ‘Design for the mind’ and The
Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work.
Andy Matthews, Head of Sales at HOPPE (UK), sees that for elderly residents, especially those with dementia, familiarity can help reduce anxiety. He commented, “Using traditional-style door handles, such as polished brass or antique designs, can evoke the feel of a past home.
“Incorporating heritage styles in door knockers or escutcheons adds a visual connection to familiar environments, bridging the gap between a clinical setting and a personal residence. A letterplate, such as the TS008:2022 tested ARRONE AR708HS, can also encourage the same effect as part of a matching suite.
“Placing all handles at the same height throughout the care home will also help a resident to recall their journey through the building.”
It goes without saying that softer tones like brushed nickel or bronze are more welcoming than harsh, polished finishes, and considering matching door hardware finishes
with other room elements, such as light fixtures, can create a cohesive design, avoiding a clinical feel.
“Using colour contrasting handles can help residents with cognitive impairments, including dementia, to identify doorways,” added Andy.
With promoting independence in mind, Andy explained, “Following BS 8300:2:2018 guidance, doorknobs and small thumb turns should be avoided as people with limited dexterity can find them difficult to use.”
Instead, ergonomic lever handles are easier for residents with arthritis or limited hand strength to operate, as they can be pressed down using the palm alone.
It’s important to strike the right balance between safety and accessibility. “Features such as adjustable door closers, push plates and thumb-turn locks make doors easier to navigate, whilst also encouraging residents to move freely without assistance,” Andy concluded.
The interior design of care homes plays a pivotal role in enhancing the
wellbeing of residents by prioritising their individuality and comfort. By implementing personalised design choices, such as tailored colour schemes and familiar decor, care environments can transform into nurturing spaces that foster a sense of belonging. The collaboration between Cinnamon Care Collection and Catalyst Interiors exemplifies how thoughtful design can address the emotional and psychological needs of residents, particularly those with dementia. Emphasising the importance of experiential design, this approach ensures that every aspect—sight, smell, sound, and functionality—contributes to a home-like atmosphere. As care home design continues to evolve, integrating elements of personalisation and technology will further enrich the lives of residents, promoting independence and enhancing their overall quality of life. Ultimately, the goal is to create a warm, inviting environment that feels like home, ensuring that residents feel safe, happy and valued in their new surroundings.
Care Home of the Month Fairfax Manor, Harrogate
Situated in the beautiful town of Harrogate, Fairfax Manor provides luxury living with exceptional residential and dementia care. With its mission to be recognised as a passionate and committed provider offering high-quality, person-centred care in a safe and comfortable “home from home” environment, Fairfax Manor enriches the lives of its residents through personalised support, spacious living, and impressive amenities. Offering 90 fully furnished spacious bedrooms, all with ensuite wet rooms and access to a best-in-class call bell system for peace of mind, the healthy lifestyle and overall wellbeing of residents is of paramount importance.
General Manager at Fairfax Manor Care Home, Lucy Gradwell, believes that Fairfax Manor stands out for its combination of luxury and homely comfort. “The immediate impact on people entering is that of a five-star hotel with the addition of meticulous person-centred care. With spacious ensuite bedrooms for both individuals and those who wish to reside as a couple, it
provides state-of-the-art facilities such as a cinema, a beauty salon, elegant dining rooms, an orangery café, and even its own pub.
“Every detail at Fairfax Manor is thoughtfully designed, from accessible corridors and mobility-friendly furniture to inviting communal spaces and beautifully landscaped gardens. Fairfax Manor stands out for its holistic, Dementia-friendly care,
fostering independence in a warm, welcoming environment with clear signage and memory aids to support residents where required.”
Fairfax Manor goes the extra mile with “Alfred”, named by the residents, a robot team member developed with Bear Robotics. Alfred is a state-of-the-art food service solution that enhances dining experiences by quickly delivering multiple orders and moving smoothly through communal areas, offering faster, high-quality service.
Fairfax Manor ensures high-quality care by creating personalised digital care plans with each resident, based on a comprehensive initial assessment and an understanding of their individual needs. Offering residential, dementia, and respite care, the highly trained, compassionate team utilises innovative systems like PersonCentred Software (PCS) digital care planning for tracking critical information and Atlas eMar for safe, barcode-based medication management - enhancing care with real-time updates and monitoring.
Detailing the facilities and amenities available to residents at Fairfax Manor, Lucy said, “Residents enjoy a fully stocked library, cosy lounges, a cinema, and a beauty salon. The home features elegant dining rooms with seasonal, chefprepared menus catering to all dietary requirements, and even private dining for residents to entertain family and friends. The outdoor spaces provide a tranquil environment, while the orangery café offers a delightful setting to enjoy refreshments. A full and varied activity and wellbeing programme that meets the needs of everyone that lives in the home is enjoyed daily.”
Fairfax Manor’s enriching daily activities programme includes a wide variety of events designed to engage residents physically, mentally, and socially. Residents can participate in supported sessions tailored to their interests and abilities, including arts and crafts, gardening, movie nights, singing, dancing, and fitness classes.
Lucy added, “There are regular celebrations, from birthdays to seasonal parties, as well as trips out into the local community using Fairfax Manor’s own transport.
“In addition, the Wellbeing & Activities Platform, Oomph, gives 24/7 access to content created by team members on various topics like mental health, Dementia, and nutrition, offering a range of
activities both for individuals and groups.”
The home prides itself on its commitment to person-centred care, ensuring that everyone feels part of the Fairfax Manor family, with staff and residents building strong, meaningful connections including intergenerational support.
Lucy believes the key to a successful home is down to the individuals who work there and commented, “Fairfax Manor has recruited a strong team that truly cares. They have been selected for their individual qualities, dedicated to ensuring the very best care and support is always delivered.”
As a new care home, Lucy
explained that Fairfax Manor has “surpassed expectations” in its first eight months and the team is excited to continue to establish itself as a leader in high-quality residential and dementia care in Harrogate. “Fairfax Manor is committed to staying at the forefront of elderly care by incorporating the latest best practices and innovations, such as the introduction of Alfred the Robot and other operational enhancements,” Lucy added.
Speaking on how the team stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in elderly care, Lucy said, “We do this through staff training, industry engagement, and innovative technology like Care Plan, Atlas eMar for medication management, a Wellbeing and Activities Platform, Silent Nurse Call technology, maintenance systems for planned and reactive maintenance, a digital reception and state of the art monitoring systems to ensure safety for all residents.”
The care home is committed to continuous improvement, regularly reviewing and incorporating innovative approaches to dementia care, person-centred planning, and overall wellbeing to ensure the highest quality of life for its residents.
lovettcare.co.uk/fairfax-manorcare-home
Listen Up
Over 80% reduction in UK care home resident falls thanks to innovative sound recognising AI from Earzz.
Did You Know?
• Care home residents are thrice more likely to fall than those living independently and 10 times more likely to sustain serious injury.
• 40% of hospital admissions from care homes follow a fall, costing the NHS over £2.3 billion annually.
• Falls also lead to litigation and negative publicity for care homes.
The Project
In June 2024, The Armscare Group fitted Earzz acoustic monitors in Terrington Lodge care home in Norfolk to tackle this challenge. This was part of a pilot project conducted under the oversight of a Director from the National Care Association and the Norfolk Care Association to independently evaluate Earzz for proactive fall management.
audio feeds and maximising their time for care.
• Proactive Fall Management: It also recognises, logs and alerts carers for sounds of restlessness and agitation amongst residents at night - like screaming and coughing, helping identify health decline, enabling proactive fall management and proactive care planning.
The Solution – Earzz AI Acoustic Monitoring
This pilot project involved installing Earzz wireless-AI-powered acoustic monitoring devices in residents’ rooms. Unlike existing fall detection systems, Earzz offers a proactive approach to fall prevention:
• AI-Powered Early Alerts: It recognises specific sounds like movement noise, providing early alerts to carers on their mobile devices to prevent falls, negating the need for carers to listen to
On top of that, the management dashboard offers in-built analytics helping managers to view consolidated insights about residents’ care, health and wellbeing trends and allowing them to track and improve staff efficiency and care quality - enabling proactive actions for fall prevention, all while respecting resident privacy.
The traditional approach is for care staff to check up on residents several times a night. This can disturb residents’ sleep and risks missing events of concern. While some solutions help, they are often reactive. Sensor mats beep and alert when residents step onto them, but residents may walk past the mat and it may already be too late. Fall detector systems/ camera-based solutions are also often reactive, not proactive.
Result – Improved Care for Residents
4 in 5 falls prevented
The results of the project show
that the rooms with Earzz installed experienced an 85% reduction in falls - with 2 falls over a span of 5 weeks (down from 13) in the rooms chosen, thanks to Earzz.
Up to 24x faster time to respond to sounds of concern:
Thanks to sound recognition AI powered early alerts, carers are able to assist as and when specific sounds of concern are heard, not just by rota. This has translated into response times of under 5 minutes on average. That is up to 24 times faster than before having Earzz installed.
Improved sleep for residents
Earzz also eliminates the need for unnecessary nightly surveillance rounds by over 80%, enabling carers to safely respond to alerts, minimising disturbance to residents’ sleep. On average, it was observed that the residents sleep had improved by 5-6 hours per night as a direct result.
Liberated Time For Carers
• Reduction of unnecessary check ins
• Eliminating unnecessary room checks, liberates the time for care staff to offer warm and personalised care.
Reducing falls - Average 6-7 hours saving/fall
Besides the nightly time saving, Terrington Lodge care home indicated that an average of six to seven hours is lost in administration and reporting when a resident falls. Reducing the number of falls enables further time and cost savings each month as a direct consequence.
Automated nighttime event records
Earzz also logs events at night automatically reducing the time a carer spends recording events, saving costs and times for care homes.
Higher satisfaction for staff
Earzz’s ability to prevent falls and reduce the workload for care workers frees up time. Earzz’s response time tracking also helps register room checks helping managers show appreciation for carers responding faster, boosting their morale and ultimately helping make a more significant impact.
Want to learn how Earzz can help in your care?
info@earzz.co.uk
+44(0)2038380090
It is our duty to encourage our service users to remain independently mobile, however, after a simple fall there is a definite decline in their abilities and confidence.
Using this technology has enabled us to be proactive and provides us with the capability to monitor without intrusion. The system is constantly learning and adapting to the needs of our service users and is keeping them safe from harm.
Trina Skevington, Group Operations Director,
Armscare
Demystifying Doors
An insight into fire safety doors for care home settings.
When it comes to fire safety in care homes, there is a lot to consider, and lots of regulations to adhere toand with a lot at risk, it can be an understandably daunting task! Chief Executive of Sentry Doorsthe UK leader in timber fire safety doorsets - Ty Aziz, shares some of the key considerations when it comes to putting fire doors in place.
Fire doors: the first line of defence
Under the Care Home Regulations Act (2001), care homes are legally obliged to create and maintain environments that are not only comfortable and efficient in delivering care, but that also ensure the safety, wellbeing and protection of residents. Adherence to fire safety regulations is an essential part of this and - as a crucial part of a building’s passive fire system - fire doors have a big role to play.
Fire doors help to slow down the spread of fire and smoke as well as creating “fire sterile’ areas, giving residents, staff and visitors the time and safe pathways to exit a building in an emergency - something which can be especially challenging in a care home environment due to potential dependency or mobility
impairments of residents.
So, if you are responsible for a building’s fire strategy, you will need to ensure that you have the right types of fire doors in the right places. And once a fire door is installed, you also need to make sure it is regularly checked and maintained, with any defects recorded and resolved.
What types of fire door are there?
Fire doors are classified by the amount of fire and smoke protection they offer - for example, an ‘FD60S’ would offer up to 60 minutes of fire and smoke protection. In a medical or care home environment, there may also be a requirement for other functional features such as holdopen hinges, observation vision panels, antibacterial finishes and staff override locks. We can work with your contractors to ensure the right specification door in each required location.
But it’s not just about choosing the doors. You also need to choose the right supplier so that you know your fire doors are compliant with the relevant regulations and really have been made to do what they say they will. At Sentry, we have a robust and industry-leading
certification portfolio so that you can be assured of compliance. Our doorsets hold BM TRADA Q-Mark and IFC certifications, demonstrating that they are manufactured to, and compliant with, all the latest fire legislation and tested to world-leading standards for fire protection and enhanced security. Our doors are also all datatagged to comply with the Building Safety Bill’s ‘Golden Thread’ digital information recording.
As well as the essential technical and safety compliance elements, we also know that care homes need to look and feel homely and welcoming. Our fire doors are available in a wide range of styles and colour finishes with various glazing, handle, hinge, lock and closer options and we can even match existing heritage styles to meet the most specific project requirements - so you can be sure of compliance without compromising on the look you want.
Ask the experts
Whether you need 20 fire doors or 200, we can help you plan and specify your fully compliant fire door project. Drop us an email at enquiries@sentrydoors.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
AMV-FE AQUAMATIC
WITH FIRE SPRINKLER MODE FOR COMBINED DOMESTIC WATER AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS TO BS9251:2021
u High flow rates of up to 35 m³/h per pump
u Automatic cascade control for all pumps
u WRAS approved product
u 304 stainless steel pipework
u 2 to 8 pump versions available
A Must-Attend Event
Why Care Roadshows are essential for care professionals.
Since its launch in 2009, the Care Roadshows have been a vital series of events for the care sector. Taking place in six key locations across the UK – Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Surrey, Cardiff and Leeds – the shows continue to inform and inspire care home owners, domiciliary care providers, care managers and healthcare professionals from all corners of the country.
As the year draws to a close, the Care Roadshows have offered a plethora of opportunities to individuals all over the country. Although you may have had your last chance in 2024 to benefit from free CPD, networking, and the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in the care sector, there will be plenty more in 2025!
If you’re looking to strengthen your care business and stay ahead of industry trends, next year’s events are not to be missed.
What to Expect
At each locations, attendees will have access to a broad range of exhibitors showcasing the latest in care products and services, from cutting-edge equipment to innovative care solutions. The hands-on experience will give you a chance to explore products that could help enhance and support the growth of your care business. Alongside this, a series of free CPD seminars – accredited by The CPD Group – will cover topics from new dementia care ideas to technology integration. Led by leading industry voices, the seminar programme offers companies the chance to provide staff with free, high-quality training and development opportunities.
Both The Care Quality
Commission (CQC) and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) will be in attendance, each running free sessions with the chance for a Q&A.
The Importance of Attending Regional Care Shows
There’s unique value in attending the Care Roadshows. While national events can sometimes feel overwhelming, these regional shows offer a more intimate setting, allowing you to connect with local suppliers and professionals who truly understand the challenges in your area. This allows for meaningful conversations on topics such as regional regulations and local services that can be quickly and efficiently implemented.
Now is the time to attend and take full advantage of the expert advice, innovative products, and networking opportunities available.
2025 Dates & Locations
• Scotland – Hampden Park
Stadium – 1st April 2025
• Northwest – Aintree
Racecourse – 13th May 2025
• Midlands – Villa Park Stadium –15th May 2025
• South - Epsom Downs
Racecourse – 14th October 2025
• Northeast – Elland Road
Stadium - 4th November 2025
• Wales - Cardiff City Stadium –18th November 2025
The Care Roadshows will be back in 2025 with six new dates across the UK.
You can visit www.careroadshows.co.uk to find out more about attending these events.
Nourishing Lives
Helen Ream has been a Dietitian for 30 years, working in the NHS for over 20 years and with Compass Group UK & Ireland since 2015. During her time at Compass, she has worked closely with care home teams to support and enhance the nutritional care provided through food services. In this insightful interview with Helen, we look at the importance of high-quality food service within care homes and how White Oaks prioritises wellbeing through their offering.
Can you provide an overview of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s involvement in the care home sector?
Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, White Oaks spans food and dining services across the senior living sector from care, extra care and retirement living. In each, the team creates a food service offer that is developed to meet the specific mealtime preferences and needs of residents and tenants, offering quality, choice and flexibility throughout the day.
What specific services does White Oaks offer to care homes?
Our collective purpose is to deliver a quality food service at the highest level, placing residents at the very heart of that service. By doing this, we can guarantee a professionally managed and innovative food and dining experience - supporting better living, a ‘home from home’ environment and sense of community that is important to our clients and residents alike.
How do you tailor your services to meet the unique needs of different care homes and their residents?
We work in partnership with care teams within our partner organisations. This enables us to understand a resident’s needs in terms of their individual preferences, as well as specific dietary requirements. That’s why we have created a ‘food passport’ system, which outlines the ‘food story’ for each resident and ensures that they are served meals that meet their needs.
Can you describe the process White Oaks uses to develop and plan nutritious menus for care home residents?
Our meals and menus are created by our expert chefs and dietitians, who work together to strike the balance between great taste and good nutrition. We offer a choice of meals and ensure that they are served in a way that encourages residents to eat well, in an environment that enhances a
relaxed, social atmosphere. Training and knowledge for our teams is key. Part of our training is to understand each resident’s requirements and to work alongside other professionals within the care home setting to ensure that residents receive, eat and enjoy a meal that is right for them and can of course help to meet their nutritional needs. This communication between our teams and the care team is imperative to meeting high standards of care.
What steps are taken to ensure that meals
are both balancednutritionally and appealing to
elderly residents?
We work with our partners and rely on feedback, to constantly evolve our menus. We understand that residents often love our classic, homestyle meals, but also encourage them to try new tastes and concepts. To support this we often host theme food events and ask our residents to join in baking and cooking as an interactive activity.
compass-healthcare.co.uk
Helen Ream
A Good Food Company for Better Living
With service at the heart of what we do, and great people at the heart of our service.
White Oaks offers a comprehensive culinary experience that goes beyond nutrition and hydration. White Oaks enhances the life experience of residents and homeowners by providing holistic care and giving back control. As care providers, they focus on overall wellbeing, not just food service.
Through in-depth industry experience and resident understanding White Oaks builds tailored menus. To ensure they provide stability in homes, White Oaks focuses on staff training, person-centred care, engagement activities, and long-term partnerships. Backed by Compass Group, they pass on the benefits of global business to their customers. White Oaks aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and positively change perceptions of the care, assisted and retirement living sectors, ensuring that every resident’s voice is heard.
Get in touch to find out more.
healthcaresales@compass-group.co.uk
www.compass-healthcare.co.uk
Connection is Key
As the festive period grows closer, experts reveal the importance of social connection during the holidays, and strategies to reduce feelings of isolation.
The holiday season can be a lonely time for residents in care homes. Families are often busy with their own lives and unable to visit loved ones in care homes as frequently as during the rest of the year. Sadly, it is also common for residents to have lost loved ones during festive seasons in the past, or to remember those they used to spend time with, with feelings of grief and longing surfacing.
Jo May, Social Care Professional and Curam Champion, explained how feelings may also be heightened if usual care home
staff are taking time off work and remaining staff have less time to spend with each resident. She added, “This is why effective holiday care cover plans are so essential.”
Although not all care home residents will celebrate Christmas, carers are bound to see a plethora of psychological and emotional impacts of isolation on elderly residents during the festive period. Some elderly people may feel excluded from their wider networks during the festive time, triggering feelings of abandonment. Jo said, “Those living with conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s may
especially struggle with this sense of loss, as they may have vague memories of the people closest to them. Stress can also be another day-to-day challenge for elderly care home residents. I’ve worked with elderly people who say they feel ‘invisible’ or ‘useless’ as they have to rely on others for their personal care. This can lead to them feeling sad, as they believe they no longer contribute to society.”
Feelings of isolation, low mood and de-motivation are very common, with Age UK reporting almost 1.5 million older people feel lonelier at Christmas than any other
time of the year. These negative mental states can also take a toll on physical wellbeing, so it is important to mitigate this as much as possible. “Group activities like crafts or carolling allow elderly people to feel part of a community, and this support can be instrumental in alleviating negative feelings,” added Jo.
Jo revealed that she sees emotional responses related to Christmas from care home residents increase during the winter holiday period as there is a strong emphasis on Christian traditions in the UK. Jo added, “However, residents who don’t celebrate it or celebrate other holidays during this time, like Hanukkah, for example, may feel isolated from their religious or cultural heritage, which can be extremely lonely. Care home management can help mitigate the impacts of this by promoting more culturally sensitive care. This may be by using specialist online platforms to find
staff whose cultural background matches residents, so they can feel connected to their communities, or ensuring staff are trained in cultural competency as required by the CQC.”
We asked Jo what strategies she’d advise care homes using to encourage family members to maintain contact during the holiday season, to which she said, “Care home management could consider implementing longer or more flexible visiting hours and allowing family members to participate in activities that are already planned for the residents.
“This helps residents engage with more people and feel involved in something, while encouraging families to spend time with them during the holiday season. While technology is not a like-for-like replacement for human contact, video calling is also a very simple way of connecting with loved ones. Care Professionals working in care homes can encourage families
to keep in touch by supporting residents who need help using technology, and discussing the best times to call with family members.”
Introducing pen pal programmes in care homes can help foster social connections between care home residents and the broader community during the holiday season, in order to reduce feelings of loneliness. Remember, though, that whilst these programmes can encourage social connection within broader communities, in-person interactions will always have more effect.
Jo said, “If pen pals can come into the care home to offer support, assistance, a cup of tea and a chat now and then, there can be really positive results in reducing feelings of loneliness. Activities such as exercise classes and reading groups can also help to increase connections with broader communities.”
Leanne Walsh, National Wellbeing and Activities Manager, Four
Seasons Health Care Group, agrees with Jo that maintaining social connection over the holiday season is crucial for care home residents.
Although the festive period is a time of joy for many, for some people, this time of year can be emotionally difficult. “Reminiscing about happy times spent with family can be a lovely trip down memory lane, but, as we get older, there’s often a yearning for how things used to be in our younger days,” explained Leanne.
It’s inevitable that established routines can change during the festive season with external clubs and social get-togethers pausing over the holiday. With this being said, Leanne believes it’s important to encourage residents to embrace the season by offering lots of different activities and opportunities to connect with people in their local communities.
She said, “If a resident has no immediate family or they live overseas, a care home can offer companionship and involvement
in the excitement of the holidays, which can help ease loneliness. The key, as always, is to get to know your residents and their life stories. What did they used to enjoy doing over the holiday season? Can we make their favourite traditions part of the celebrations at the care home? Or maybe they’d like to try something different and create a new holiday tradition. It’s all about delivering personalised moments and activities, as well as the festivities planned for residents to enjoy with their ‘care home family’.”
At Four Seasons care homes, they make a conscious effort to communicate the care home’s plans over the holiday season, and invite family members to join in with festive activities, day trips, concerts and parties at the home, as it’s a great way to encourage family members to join in the fun with their loved ones.
Leanne explained, “Our Magic Moments teams also arrange individual experiences, for example, accompanying a resident on a
shopping trip with a family member or organising a meal out with their local friends and being on hand if support is needed. Family members are always welcome to join their loved ones at the care home for meals, and arrangements can be made for private dining in residents’ own rooms or other areas. For family members who live a long way away, team members are always ready to support with phone and video calls. Our innovative ‘Magic Moments on Demand’ gives family members access to our activities portal, containing specially designed ecards that can easily be sent from relatives to residents and vice versa. Residents don’t need their own device to access these, and team members can help residents reply and send their own cards and photos. The portal also offers relatives conversation starters, memory spotlight activities and games, with the aim of making visits and conversations easier where it may be helpful.”
Also part of the Magic Moments Coordinators’ role at the Four Seasons homes is forging and maintaining relationships with local communities. Leanne believes it is essential to help residents feel connected to people in their local area whatever the time of year. She explained, “During the holiday season there are lots of community events taking place and we endeavour to involve our residents as much as possible and ask local people to join in with our activities. It may be inviting the local nursery children in to help decorate the tree and make sweet treats, asking a local group to join us for some carol singing or taking residents to watch a local panto or nativity. If we’ve arranged for Father Christmas and his reindeer to visit, we’ll ask our friends in the community to come along and join in.”
Championing Social Care offer a great opportunity to help residents feel connected to people during the festive period by holding their annual Christmas lunch. Ed
Maxfield, Director at Championing Social Care, explained that the Championing Social Care Christmas Lunch is about bringing people together to celebrate the charity’s achievements throughout the year.
Ed said, “Returning to our original home within the festive and beautiful Dorchester Hotel, this event promotes the importance of the work of Championing Social Care in raising the profile of those who work within the health and social care sector. We aim to shine a light on how vital their role is in caring for society’s most vulnerable people.
“While the festive period is typically known for family and friends coming together, it can also be a time when loneliness can feel particularly painful. This is where our work as Championing Social Care, along with the funds we raise throughout the year, becomes so important. Through our initiatives such as Care Home Open Week and the Care Sector’s Got Talent, we support care homes
and organisations in creating connections and partnerships with the local community, and promote care homes as places where new friendships can be easily made and cherished.”
The holiday season can be a challenging time for care home residents, with feelings of loneliness and isolation often heightened. This is particularly true for those who have lost loved ones or feel disconnected from their families or traditions. However, effective planning and community engagement can make a significant difference. Activities like group crafts, carolling, and inclusive events help foster a sense of belonging and connection. Initiatives such as flexible visiting hours, pen pal programs and cultural sensitivity training for staff are vital in promoting resident wellbeing. By focusing on personalised care and creating moments of joy, care homes can help residents feel valued and supported during the festive period.
Embracing Festive Magic
As the festive season creeps up on us, we discuss the importance of introducing a Christmas activity timetable in care homes this December and the benefits it can bring.
The festive season presents a unique opportunity to enhance wellbeing, build a sense of community, and enrich the lives of care home residents. Implementing Christmas workshops and a structured timetable as part of the activities offering in care homes is not just about celebration—it promotes mental, emotional, and social health. In this article, we explore the benefits of festive programs and why they should be prioritised in care homes this December.
Older adults, especially those in care homes, are at a heightened risk of loneliness. The festive season can intensify these feelings, especially for residents without regular visitors or close family ties.
A Christmas workshop filled with shared activities—such as cardmaking, cookie decorating, or group
caroling—creates opportunities for connection, ensuring that residents feel included and valued during the holiday season.
Group-based activities foster
a sense of belonging and offer residents an opportunity to bond with peers, staff, and visiting family members. These interactions become moments of joy that alleviate feelings of isolation, improving residents’ overall wellbeing.
Engaging in creative activities such as arts, crafts, and music has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce anxiety or depression. A Christmas workshop with varied activities—such as tree-decorating, making ornaments, and gift-wrapping—can stimulate memory recall, which is especially important for residents with dementia or cognitive impairments.
For many residents, Christmas traditions trigger fond memories of their younger years, bringing comfort and helping them reconnect with their personal
histories. Music sessions with traditional carols or classic Christmas songs can awaken emotions and even enhance brain function for those with memory difficulties. The sense of nostalgia that arises through these workshops offers emotional release and healing.
While some care home residents may have limited mobility, carefully designed festive workshops offer gentle opportunities to stay physically active. Activities like decorating the Christmas tree, creating wreaths, or setting up festive displays allow residents to engage their fine motor skills and stay physically engaged in a fun, purposeful way. Even simple tasks, such as passing ornaments during group tree decorating, can foster movement and involvement.
Structured programs also allow staff to adapt activities to each resident’s physical abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate regardless of mobility challenges. This helps promote a sense of accomplishment and autonomy, which are essential for mental wellbeing.
Festive activities are not only beneficial for residents but also improve the morale of care home staff. A well-organised timetable allows staff to plan around events and anticipate joyful moments that uplift the whole home. Decorations, themed events, and workshop participation shift the care home atmosphere from routine to celebratory, bringing seasonal cheer that is contagious among residents, staff, and visitors alike.
Hosting a festive workshop also encourages family involvement. Families are more likely to visit during these events, strengthening ties between residents and their loved ones. These moments become cherished memories for both residents and their families.
While the holiday season is exciting, some residents with cognitive impairments may experience distress if routines are disrupted. A well-planned Christmas timetable offers predictability, helping residents
remain oriented and comfortable with daily activities. This structured approach ensures that holiday celebrations do not become overwhelming, but rather unfold in manageable, enjoyable ways.
Care homes can use the timetable to plan theme days, such as “Christmas Jumper Day,” movie nights featuring classic holiday films, or special baking sessions. Timely scheduling also ensures that festive meals, activities, and relaxation times are evenly balanced, preventing overstimulation.
Introducing a Christmas workshop also provides a chance for care homes to connect with the wider community. Collaborative projects, such as making holiday cards or care packages for local charities, foster a sense of purpose among residents. Inviting school choirs, community volunteers, or entertainers to participate in the festivities bridges generations and reinforces community ties.
These outreach opportunities enhance residents’ sense of contribution, reminding them that they are still valued members of society with much to offer, even in later stages of life.
While implementing Christmas timetables can bring an array of benefits, it’s important to remember that this may not be celebrated by everyone. It’s essential to ensure that these workshops aren’t mandatory and don’t completely take over the home.
By simply offering these joyful, inclusive, and structured activities, care homes can ensure that residents who want to — regardless of mobility or cognitive challenges—experience the magic of the holidays. From building connections and stimulating memories to encouraging physical movement and creating cherished moments, the benefits of festive workshops extend far beyond December.
Dishing Up
With Christmas now just around the corner, residents will no doubt be looking forward to indulging. This December, we share a recipe from Bidfood for a mouth-watering chocolate orange fondant.
At Bidfood, our passion for great tasting food is something we share with all our customers. As one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, we strive to go above and beyond for our customers. For us, it’s not just about delivering boxes, it’s about adding value to our customers’ businesses so they can grow.
That’s why we have a host of experts from Chef Development, Technology, Nutrition and more, all on hand to share the latest industry knowledge, nutritional advice and guidance on food standards and legislation. Caring about our customers is the reason why we strive to deliver service excellence, and because of that, we’ve taken a forward-thinking approach to care home catering.
As December approaches, we encourage you to get into the festive spirit with our delightful chocolate orange fondant recipe. This rich, indulgent dessert combines the timeless flavours of zesty orange and smooth chocolate, making it the perfect
Ingredients:
• 170g Callebaut Dark Chocolate [30208]
• 170g Arla Professional Salted Butter [02426]
• 7 eggs [04285]
• 85g Tate & Lyle Caster Sugar Drum [80262]
• 50g Plain Flour [34079]
• 1 Orange [75224]
This recipe will serve 10 people
Time to prepare - 10 mins
Time to cook – 8 mins
sweet treat for residents to enjoy this Christmas. With easy-to-follow steps, this recipe ensures a warm, molten-centred fondant that adds a touch of holiday magic to any care home menu.
Method:
1. Separate 4 egg yolks and whites, keeping hold of the yolks. Then zest an orange.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter together over a bain marie.
3. Whisk together the whole 3 eggs, 4 egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy in a machine.
4. Fold the melted butter and chocolate into the whisked eggs, then folding through the sieved flour.
5. Allow to set in the fridge.
6. Once set, either pipe into the lined metal rings or oven proof dishes.
7. Bake in a pre-heated oven on 180° for approximately 8 minutes.
Better by Design
SFIncS r/3: Revolutionising fee income management for residential and nursing care homes.
Navigating the complexities of invoicing, billing, and income management can be a challenging task for care homes, where funding structures often vary and manual processes create risks for inaccuracies. Enter SFIncS r/3, Intracare’s innovative cloud-based fee income system, designed exclusively for residential and nursing care homes. Combining speed, simplicity, and flexibility, SFIncS r/3 is a game-changer in the sector, allowing operators to streamline financial tasks with ease and precision, so they can spend more time on what truly matters caring for residents.
Originally developed as an MS Access database more than 12 years ago, SFIncS evolved to a cloud-based platform in 2017, bringing 24/7 global accessibility to its users. This transition not only modernised the system but also allowed Intracare to continually innovate and add features tailored to the care industry. SFIncS r/3 is a bespoke solution born from collaboration between expert software developers and professionals within the care sector, resulting in a robust system that addresses the unique needs of care homes while minimizing the potential for errors or missed billing.
One of the system’s standout features is its handling of sponsor and service user relationships. Unlike generic accounting software, SFIncS r/3 allows unlimited relationships between sponsors, service users, and charge codes, offering maximum flexibility for facilities dealing with a mix of private and sponsored clients. Its continuous billing function
automates recurring charges— only requiring manual entry when changes arise so operators can set up ongoing charges without constantly updating or adjusting records. Additionally, an ad hoc charge function and a cashbox module are available for incidental expenses, allowing care homes to handle one-off fees or minor transactions seamlessly within the same system.
Consider Paula, the owner of Monkstone House Residential Home in Porthcawl. With 41 service users, each with unique and sometimes complex funding sources, she keeps her entire accounts and fee income up to date in just 30 to 40 minutes per week. Paula praises SFIncS r/3 as “incredibly powerful” and explains, “I never worry about underpaid or overpaid fees—everything is always accurate. Plus, the invoices
and statements make my financial documents look polished and professional.”
Using a balance-forward accounting principle, SFIncS r/3 eliminates the need for invoice matching, ensuring accuracy without additional effort. Receipts entry is reduced to just six clicks, making it fast and user-friendly. And since it integrates smoothly with any existing accounting package, SFIncS r/3 works for single-location care homes as well as multi-site operators, offering flexibility for any setup.
For more information, contact Ben Jones at benjones@intracare.co or visit intracare.co.
Better
by
Design:
A Fee Income System especially for Residential and Nursing Care Homes
We’ve analysed every aspect of fee income processing to the nth degree and developed a bespoke solution that delivers simplicity and ease of use coupled with speed, flexibility and accuracy – all in one outstanding application package.
SFIncS r/3 is the ultimate fee income management and control system.
• Unlimited sponsor and charge code assignments allow complete flexibility of service user billing profiles.
• Perfect for all types of care homes - Nursing, Residential, Mixed, Specialist.
• Unique continuous billing functionality provides the most efficient charge definition possible. Only charge start points need to be maintained and all sponsor charges for each service user (including historic) are shown on just one screen.
• Completely flexible invoicing. Invoice any sponsor at any time for any charges for any service user for any period of time.
• Super fast receipt entry including ‘Six clicks’ copy functionality.
• Balance forward accounting means you can forget laborious invoice matching.
• Ad hoc charges functionality.
• Cashbox module included.
• Works for multiple or single home operators.
• Integrates with any accounting system.
• Plus all the reports, views and graphs you’ll ever need.
• In use for over 12 years.
• Free training and help with system set up.
• Historic data loading option available (charges may apply).
• 30 day free trial.
For a demo, free trial or for further information please email benjones@intracare.co or visit https://intracare.co/get-started
Where technology meets efficiency
IMESA are a supplier of high-quality laundry machines to care home operators worldwide. Their Web Portal is an innovative software, created to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. In an exclusive for Care Home Magazine, IMESA’s National Business Manager Asa Cheetham, tells us more.
Tell us about IMESA and the partnership with Gillman’s…
Both companies were founded in the late sixties by families looking for a better way to do things. With IMESA it was to build a betterquality product than was available at the time, and with Gillman’s it was about a family creating a business to provide a better quality of service, supplying better quality products and, in both cases, names you could trust and rely on. IMESA now supply commercial laundry equipment globally, and Gillman’s have a large product range of machines all across the UK. Such an alignment of goals and quality between Gillman’s and IMESA make the partnership an ideal match.
The IMESA Web Portal is an technologicalexciting development that allows issues to be resolved remotely, can you explain how this works?
Every washing machine from IMESA is Wi-Fi enabled straight out of the box. This means that once it is connected to the Wi-Fi, it can be paired with the IMESA Web Portal which gives us visibility of all of the machines we supply. It allows us to check for faults and make adjustments to the machine remotely without the need of a visit. We can also amend dosing levels and programmes, and update the machine without care home
The Web Portal allows us to check for faults and make adjustments to the machine remotely without the need of a visit.
operators facing lengthy spells of downtime.
What does this mean for care home operators?
For an end user the benefits are numerous, but the key benefit is that if you have an issue with the machine it can be diagnosed online and often resolved straight away. We can adjust dosing levels to ensure wash quality is as it should be, and we can even add or amend programmes if necessary. The ability to do this remotely, massively minimizes downtime for the customer. Within the portal, if we add the costs of electricity, water and chemicals to the machine, we can tell them what the machines are costing to run by programme and by time expired. This not only gives you visibility over your costs, but will also highlight if you are using the right programmes for compliancy time-efficiency.
For care home operators, it is important that their laundry partner delivers on efficiency, reliability and quality. How do IMESA deliver on these 3 aspects?
Remotely from the portal, we can see things like fill or loading errors which allows us to resolve things before they become a problem, meaning maximum reliability for the end user. Over 80% of the machines’ components are manufactured in-house, guaranteeing consistency and minimizing downtime for replacement parts. I recently assisted someone getting replacement parts for an 18-yearold washing machine. The parts were in stock in Italy where the machines are made, and we had the parts delivered to the customers within 48 hours of their enquiry. www.imesa.uk
Reducing Risk
Mark Frudd, Managing Director at Bespoke Support Solutions talks about the hidden values of DSPT.
There may be some amongst us that look at the NHS DSPT submission as an annual chore to the business/organisation, but let’s look at the hidden value of continuous compliance which is not often explored. What can you really get from DSPT, not just by completing the submission, but adopting the underlying themes within it?
Help And Support For The Organisation, All Staff And Service Users
In order to address the issues such as care staff having limited time, the number of repetitive actions, and not being able to improve quality to service users, we need support from 3rd parties who can innovate and modernise. For this to happen organisations across the social care sector need to have identified the data that is important and utilise systems which fundamentally work the same way. DSPT helps with this and provides confidence for 3rd parties to invest. This reassurance reduces time in creating, managing and maintaining systems to help. DSPT remains constant so therefore provides a focal point in this area.
This opens the door to help across the sector from creative thinkers.
Problem Solving
Every organisation has problems and a lot of these are in the ‘too hard to resolve’ pile. If continuous compliance with the DSPT is adopted, and not just submitted once a year, it can provide a method of managing problems and risk. DSPT gives ideas of how to overcome problems, you just need an experienced eye to point you in the right direction. Problem solving using DSPT protocols will reduce costs, improve efficiency, and the
reward is more time with service users improving their wellbeing as well as that of care staff and care givers. How many times are you told ‘we have tried this’ and not solved the problem?
Reducing Risks Of Fines And Ultimately Loss Of Care GivingOrganisations
A serious breach of data protection / loss of patient data may result in a fine of up to 4% of annual turnover for organisations within the United Kingdom, on top of the cost of rectifying the issue that caused the loss. Profit margins are tight within the sector, could the organisation you work for stand to lose this money, along with the impact on your reputation? How often are we told there is no money available for help in certain areas or new staff. Imagine the impact of this happening.
Do not look at DSPT submission as a cyber security task, it’s so much more. Want to know more? Contact info@ bespokesupportsolutions.co.ukit’s worth reaching out.
“Do you or your organization struggle with understanding and completing the NHS DSPT compliance check?”
We help with understanding the why, what and when. Our DSPT service is there to provide a 365 view of compliance, reducing the risk of fines.
Explore our sector-specific solutions or get in touch with us today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
