The Companion July 2016 (Home Instead newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter

companion THE

July 2016

Our star in her reasonably priced car Pat, our CAREGiver, shows her brilliant sense of humour with her little Smart Car and personalised registration plate – we think it’s great, and we are sure her clients do as well!

Carers Go Free at the National Trust If you are visiting a National Trust property with your client you will be able to enter with them free of charge. If your client is a member, both entrance fees will be free. If your client is not a member, they would need to pay for their entrance but your entrance will be free of charge. All you need to do is ask at the entrance ticket office of the property you are visiting. To find out more, have a look at the National Trust’s website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk which also has details of the access and the facilities available at each of their properties.

Portals reminder

By now you should have received your unique portal log-in details from Andy. The portal allows you to look at your schedule live. It’s easy to use and accessible through your smart phones, tablets and computers. If you haven’t received your log-in details, contact the office and speak to Andy.

A place to relax and unwind in the heart of the city

York Museum Gardens Set in the stunning surroundings of the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, York Museum Gardens is a great space to meet friends and family and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the gardens have to offer.

There is so much to see and do including a chance to see inside Yorkshire’s oldest working observatory, wander round the gardens and see the vast botanical collection, spot some of the 40 species of birds within the gardens and visit the award winning Yorkshire Museum, which showcases some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils, in exciting new displays. There’s also a Squirrel Trail with 10 fascinating facts and an on line quiz you can look at afterwards.

The gardens are open daily and are free to all visitors.

Opening times from March to October are 7.30am – 8.00pm. www.yorkmuseumgardens.org.uk

Eat whole grains for a healthier life Eating whole grains – such as brown rice, oats and Weetabix – could prevent an early death, research backed by Oxford University suggests. Experts at Harvard in the United States found just one 16g serving per day of whole grains cuts the risk of dying from any cause, heart disease or cancer. And, they argued, the more whole grains people eat, the bigger the benefits.

When three servings of whole grains (48g) was eaten daily, people had a 20% lower chance of dying from any cause, a 25% reduced risk of a cardiovascular death and a 14% reduced chance of dying from cancer.

A slice of whole grain bread acts as one serving, while two Weetabix (37.5g) is just over two servings. Half a cup of cooked brown rice or 100% whole grain pasta also count as one serving.

Experts agree that people do not eat enough whole grain foods and fibre.

The recent Eatwell Guide published by Public Health England (PHE) says people should consume 30g of fibre per day from fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods

Raising money with cupcakes The 16th June was the Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day and Karen, our recruiter, baked lovely cupcakes to raise donations from the office staff. As you can tell they didn’t last long and very yummy they were too.

As we were eating them in a good cause we decided that the calories didn’t count!

Helping to protect vulnerable senior people Nationally Home Instead has part­nered with the National Trading Standards Scams Team to help protect senior people who can be particularly vulnerable to this type of crime. Locally Karen and Roisheen have been rolling out presentations on Scams and Fraud to elderly communities across York.

They have been able to distribute Home Instead’s new Senior Fraud Protection Toolkit and the Think Jessica charity’s booklet called ‘Watch out for Scams’. If you

know a group who would be interested in having a presentation or you would like a copy of the Home Instead Senior Fraud Protection Toolkit, then give Karen a ring on 01904 690884.

Karen

PEAQ Thanks to all of you who came into the office during PEAQ week to complete your staff survey last month. We look forward to bringing you those results later on in the year.

Of those who came in we held our own staff prize draw, the 3 lucky winners were: Margaret (£50 Amazon Voucher) Ruth (£20 Debenhams Voucher) Lorna (£10 Costa Voucher)

Margaret

Lorna

CAREGivers awarded City & Guilds Congratulations to all those CAREGivers who have completed their City & Guilds Accredited Training in Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias. Some of the team called in to the office to collect their certificates over the course of last month, be sure to do the same if you haven’t already.

Gill Lucja

Castle Howards Animal Adventures 27th July to 4th September This summer there will be a host of daily outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy at Castle Howard.

Set off into the woods on their woodland trail. Follow the footprints and take brass rubbings along the way to find the lost baby

animals hiding in the undergrowth.

Head to the lakeside for fun on the adventure playground, traditional fairground rides and boat rides on the Great Lake.

There’s lots of additional activities including Rusticus outdoor adventures, fun

wildlife photography, meet birds of prey, enjoy face-painting and kayaking.

You can download their activity calendar to see what’s on at a glance at www.castlehoward.co.uk. Visit the ‘What’s On’ listings on their web page to find out more.

When it’s HOT, HOT, HOT! Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long there can be health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know.

The very young, the elderly and the seriously ill are the groups who are particularly at risk of health problems, in particular, very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse.

Knowing how to keep cool during long periods of hot weather can help save

lives and it’s mostly common sense.

The main risks posed by a heatwave are dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

To keep cool here are some useful tips: • Shut windows and close curtains when it is hotter outside than in. You can open them for ventilation when it’s cooler.

• Stay out of the sun particularly between 11am and 3pm.

• Keep rooms cool and have cool baths

and showers or splash with cool water.

• Drink cold drinks regularly but avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.

• Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat if you go outdoors.

If someone does feel unwell, get them somewhere cool to rest. Give them plenty of fluids to drink and seek medical help if symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps get worse or don’t go away.

There’s lots more advice on the NHS Choices web site www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Heatwave.aspx

Burnby Hall ‘a jewel in Yorkshire’s crown’ If you’re thinking about a day out, have a look at Burnby Hall Gardens situated in Pocklington, on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. These unique Yorkshire Gardens have been described as “a jewel in Yorkshire’s crown” and have been awarded the prestigious Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Award for six consecutive years (2010-2015).

The Upper and Lower Lakes are home to a National Collection of over 100 varieties of hardy Water Lilies, and offer a wonderful array of changing vistas. The Gardens also include a Rockery, Stumpery, a Victorian Garden, Secret Garden, formal beds and natural shrubbery.

Burnby Hall Gardens are often referred

Home Instead Senior Care 10 Clifton Moor Business Village James Nicolson Link, Clifton Moor York YO30 4XG Telephone: 01904 690884 Email: info@hiscyork.co.uk Web: www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

to as “a haven of beauty and tranquillity” and were the inspiration of Major Percy Marlborough Stewart. He was an amazing man who made eight round the world tours between 1906 and 1926. The Stewart Museum within the Gardens is dedicated to his extraordinary life and contains the fascinating artefacts he brought back to Pocklington.

The Lilypad Cafe offers a wide range of refreshments and there is a beautiful gift shop.

To find out more about events visit www.burnbyhallgardens.com Telephone: 01759 307125.

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