The Carer Digital - Issue #130

Welcome to the first edition of The Carer Digital of 2023!

Firstly

New Year!

I am hoping the current turmoil we see in healthcare is short-lived I’m old enough to remember the damage strikes had on the country during the 1970s

Without wishing to get involved in the “politics” of it all it is impossible not see the damage particularly due to the strikes in the NHS

This time of the year is traditionally a very difficult time for the NHS especially with viral and respiratory conditions

at this time of year I suspect into care environments

Peter Adams

A newspaper investigation only 8 weeks ago revealed that as many as one in three hospital beds in parts of England are occupied by patients who are well enough to be discharged with a chronic lack of social care meaning many do not have suitable places to go

I suspect that might have slightly increased given the current issues the NHS is facing A report last October by the Nuffield Trust revealed that NHS hospitals are at capacity Ambulances were unable to handover patients to emergency departments, and tens of thousands of patients are waiting over 12 hours to be admitted to hospital because there are not enough beds or staff

Due in large part to an increasing proportion of patients facing delays leaving hospital because they are waiting for support to become available from health and social care services outside of hospital

Reports this week of revealed that the 12 hours waiting time referred to above has now increased, in some cases to three times that

Further analysis by the Trust also revealed that delayed discharges increased by 57% in the 12 months between April 2021 and April 2022 from 8,039 to 12,589, leading to estimates that in April this year one in six patients (15%) were in hospital due to delayed discharge

I seem to remember former Health and Social Care Secretary Theresa Coffey vowing to end the bed blocking scandal which I understand costs taxpayers approximately £2billion-a-year

Ms Coffey pledged £500million in funding aimed to speed up discharges However charities say that the funds have yet to be dispersed, and it is concerning to see a problem that has dogged sector for such a long time is getting worse instead of better Commentators are now calling the current crisis a “national scandal” However there will always be an element of concern discharging patients particularly

Government policy at the very beginning of the pandemic exposed thousands of vulnerable elderly people within care environments in England to Covid and as we know this has since been deemed by two senior court judges, as irrational in failing to advise that asymptomatic patients sent to care homes to free up hospital beds should have been isolated for 14 days

That said two years down the line we are far more knowledgeable and prepared with respect to PPE and testing and Ms Coffey’s proposals to pay care homes in England to look after patients who are medically fit to leave hospital but cannot be discharged because of a lack of social care may prove to be a sensible solution if suitable precautions are taken

On another note, thank you kindly for all your Christmas stories and response to our Christmas hamper competition Once again we are delighted to say we were overwhelmed with the wonderful nominations! We have picked a winner and a luxury Scottish hamper of delightful goodies will be on its way later this week so please do watch out for next week’s issue when we will officially announce the winner!

And please do continue to share your stories of awards and any other birthday celebrations fundraising sports events singing and dancing - you name it we are receiving them at the moment, all feelgood stories which highlight the dedication, commitment and devotion staff display in every day improving the well-being of the residents!

I can always be contacted at editor@thecareruk com

Once again we here at THE CARER will take this opportunity to thank you all readers contributors, sector organisations, and our valued advertisers who without their support what we do would not be possible a big thank you and a very happy New Year to you all!

Editor

NHS Rolls Out New 2023 Dementia Diagnosis Drive

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

During the pandemic the number of people diagnosed with dementia was inevitably impacted and experts say this trial will help increase the number of diagnoses

In the new local dementia drives GPs will share a list of care home residents without a dementia diagnosis

RESIDENTS OFFERED FACE-TO-FACE ASSESSMENTS

Staff involved in the pilot will then check with the care home to see if those listed have memory problems and residents will be offered be a full face-to-face assessment

The clinician will review a person’s use of medication as well as speaking to the care home resident’s family and friends to determine whether they have dementia NHS England is investing £900 000 to launch two pilots in each of England s seven regions

A dementia diagnosis helps NHS and care home staff manage people s condition better and ensures they are not prescribed unnecessary medication

The fourteen pilots spread across the country will be launched from January following a successful trial in Norfolk

More than 100 care home residents were given a face-to-face assessment in Norfolk with 95 people receiving a dementia diagnosis

The family of one of the residents received a diagnosis thanks to the trial said it gave her peace of mind PANDEMIC IMPACTED ON DIAGNOSIS

Professor Alistair Burns, NHS England’s national clinical director for dementia, said: “The pandemic has naturally had an impact on the number of people diagnosed with dementia with elderly people seeing fewer people to protect themselves from Covid-19

The NHS is determined to ensure those who developed dementia during the pandemic are given a diagnosis as it will open up doors to further support for people and their families who suffer from this heartbreaking disease

“There are many things we can do in the NHS to care for and support people if they do get a diagnosis and importantly there is support for their families and carers too “So, if you have noticed over the festive period that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment – the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can support them

The NHS Long Term Plan committed to offering better support for people with dementia through more support in the community through enhanced community multidisciplinary teams and greater personalised care

DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS UP 2.8% ON 2021

The latest NHS figures show that 451 992 people in England have a dementia diagnosis up 2 8 per cent on last year

Referrals to memory services have returned to pre-pandemic levels with 301 218 in 2021/22

Something as simple as forgetting to put the oven on for the Christmas turkey may be a warning that a loved one is experiencing the early stages of dementia Other things to look out for are: Confusion in a new environment – someone may become disorientated or confused when in a new place A family holiday in a hotel can be a time when a person can become confused any may include trying to get into the wrong bedroom

• Forgetting the names of loved ones to the extent that it causes embarrassment Being at a relative’s house where the lay out is unusual could put a person’s memory and orientation to the test

Forgetting someone’s present – it might not be a very close relative but sometimes a niece or a nephew’s present can be forgotten as it slips from memory Complex tasks such as cooking a big Christmas dinner for a large number of people The sign could be

something as obvious as forgetting to switch the oven on forgetting to put the sprouts on or cooking things in the wrong order CASE STUDY

Mental health nurse Laura Hudson, 45, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, got her mother Pam, a former nurse, 80, diagnosed with dementia thanks to the pilot She said: “She was a general nurse for 20 years but people who knew her then wouldn’t recognise her now

She wouldn t eat if you didn t make her eat She wouldn t drink unless you made her

“I m so relieved and pleased that she has the dementia diagnosis because it has meant that people realise that they have to dig a little deeper with her If you ask her if she s OK she will say she s fine but sometimes you have to ask a little more than that to get to the bottom of things

“She s getting good care where she is, but the diagnosis gives me peace of mind that if she has to go into hospital she will be treated appropriately there

“Allows Care Homes to Tailor Support”

Kumar Ponnusamy Dementia Nurse Consultant for Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust said: “We are very proud of this important initiative which is making a huge difference to the quality of life of this patient group by making sure they can get the support they need

A diagnosis opens the door to all sorts of information advice support and treatment and is also incredibly useful for families as it helps them to understand their loved one s behaviour

“In addition, it allows care homes to tailor the support they provide to better meet the individual’s needs, as well as informing future care planning

“The assessment can also help to identify other treatable conditions such as depression as well as giving our team the chance to review any medication the patient has been prescribed or signpost them to other services – such as the falls team – where appropriate

Mark MacDonald, Associate Director of Advocacy and System Change at Alzheimer’s Society, said: Diagnosing dementia is crucial to unlocking the right care and support so we re pleased NHS England is prioritising the diagnosis of people in care homes through this initiative Knowing someone has dementia can transform their care, ensuring they receive the right kind of support, and that families and carers get the information and guidance they also need after a diagnosis We know the vast majority of those who have received a dementia diagnosis see it as a positive step albeit one which can often be life-changing If successful we want to see this pilot rolled out as soon as possible across England as well as a focus on improving dementia diagnosis for everyone both in and out of care homes

The new pilot sites will be run by the following trusts:

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

• East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)

Central North West London Trust (CNWLT)

• Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust (Bsol MHT)

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust (H&W H&CT)

Humber FT

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust – North Community Locality Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust (CWP) in collaboration with Age UK Wirral (CWPT)

• Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust (MC FT)

Oxford Health Foundation Trust

Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT)

• NHS Cornwall and Isle of Scilly Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Navigating the Cost of Living Crisis Without a Cost to Care Standards

Sadly we are all too familiar with hearing that our care sector is under pressure and that we are facing a challenging time as predictions point towards a recession At a time when we have 165,000 unfilled vacancies across social care, and staff retention is as much of a focus as recruitment we are also facing higher costs for energy and essentials that aid us in delivering the care that residents need Now more than ever we need solutions that can save both time and money, reducing the admin workload of stretched staff and helping budgets go a little bit further

As in many other areas of our modern lives, technology has a big part to play in helping to navigate the cost of living crisis without compromising standards of care Care home administration software has the ability and potential to benefit care providers at all levels of the organisation but especially care home managers and carers Where the needs of residents are paramount solutions to saving time and costs need to be found elsewhere in the care home environment, and one area where few would argue would be in reducing the administrative burden The adage time is money can feel overused but it still rings as true now as when it was coined While we all find ways to make budgets go that little bit further saving time can be a highly effective way to achieve this Utilising software capabilities to streamline the workload frees up staff to focus on the delivery of care instead of time-consuming admin Automation within software can also make normally time intensive tasks such as filling gaps in the rota much quicker [FH2] It’s easy to underestimate how much time can be saved as each individual saving seems so small but taken together shortening these repetitive tasks can have big implications Direct messaging of staff from the rota, for example, is saving CoolCare customers about 11 hours per month alone – that s nearly 1 5 admin days per month per care home Identifying these gaps earlier also prevents the need for emergency staffing from agencies which can come at a premium – stressing

already tight budgets

by Fiona Hale, Managing Director of CoolCare (www.coolcare.co.uk)

From a business perspective ensuring that care providers' time aren’t monopolised by admin makes a lot of sense Staffing is one of the biggest investments and costs for any business so having technology in place that helps them to perform their role more effectively is a wise investment on its own Where care home management software can automate and reduce admin, carers have more time to spend with residents, helping to deliver compliant staffing requirements If a member of the team needs to spend hours in an office on admin tasks, then additional team members are needed to ensure compliance, adding extra cost to a shift which could otherwise be used to help with energy and food costs

The cost of living crisis is not only affecting care home staff at work Where home financial pressures are mounting the stress can make it hard to focus fully on work no matter how hard an employee tries Capabilities and integrations within care home administration software to enable earned wage access give staff the ability to use their pay in a flexible way which works for them and their own financial situation Having access to forward rotas and vacant shifts also allows them to pick up additional work and money when needed Supporting staff through the crisis is also of benefit to staff retention encouraging them to stay with the business and ensure standards of care are maintained for residents long-term and avoiding the need for recruitment in the midst of a staffing crisis Technology has a key role to play in helping the care sector navigate the current financial climate Whether that s through reducing the admin burden streamlining roles or offering greater staff flexibility and benefits However it’s just as important to tackle the challenges together, enabling staff to feel supported in their roles so that we weather the storm together and continue to deliver exceptional care

Fiona Hale is the Managing Director of CoolCare Centred on admin made easy, its services are aimed at making operating care homes easier more efficient and more profitable Following three decades of care home administration software development, CoolCare knows what good looks like – and it seeks to help care homes love their admin by making it simple Its intuitive design drives higher staff confidence and increases the impact of digital adoption while CoolCare s user-friendliness is legendary making it the software of choice for some of the UK’s leading care home operators

World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday on Christmas Day

Amidst the Christmas festivities Ron’s family threw a special party in honour of him reaching his century They decorated the private bistro area at Vale View Heights and invited family, friends and staff at the home to join in the celebrations The birthday card Ron received from King Charles III and The Queen Consort was in pride of place Ron was born on 25 December 1922 in Taunton Somerset Only 17 when the Second World War broke out Ron joined the RAF and trained to be a navigator and wireless operator in Canada before entering active service Initially stationed in Scotland Ron was part of a squadron that flew Bristol Beaufighters on anti-shipping strikes along the north German and Dutch coasts Anti-shipping missions were extremely dangerous and sustained heavy casualties At one stage of the war the chances of crewmen surviving a tour was only 25 per cent with just three per cent expected to survive two tours

On 11 April 1945 Ron was in a flight of 35 Mosquito bombers targeting shipping routes off the south-east coast of Norway when he was shot down He

Commenting on reaching his 100th birthday Ron said: “I’m sure the secret to a long life is happiness I was blessed with a wonderful marriage of 70 years had two fantastic daughters and good health What more can you ask for?

I ve had a really lovely day and the staff at Vale View have gone out of their way to help me celebrate my century ”

Paul Courtney care home manager Vale View Heights said: It has been a privilege for us to join Ron in marking this incredible milestone He has led a fascinating life as part of the unique generation that fought so bravely and successfully for our country in World War II Ron still manages to take an active part in life at the home and is a regular

of Vale View Height s Veterans Club

Funding for West Midlands SMEs to Drive

Digital Innovation in the Health and Care Sector

Applications for funding for West Midlands based SMEs developing digital solutions to meet health and care challenges is now open

The SME Innovation Fund is provided/managed by Mercia Asset Management (MAM), a leading investment business, and West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN) the innovation arm of the NHS that supports the spread and adoption of innovation to transform health and social care

The funding is available to businesses that are looking to grow and move from the research to implementation stage Successful applicants will become part of a network made up of NHS providers the investment and academic community – with the aim of leading the adoption of new digital innovation across the NHS to drive efficiencies improve patient outcomes and support economic growth

Peter Dines Chief Operating Officer at Mercia Asset Management said:

“We have a track record of financially supporting and building life science businesses across the UK all of which provide a scalable and innovative way of streamlining services, improving patient safety and releasing the burden of cost on the NHS ”

Tammy Holmes Head of Delivery Innovation and Commercial at West Midlands Academic Health Science Network, said

The life sciences sector can provide answers to some of the biggest health and care challenges of our

era Our network along with regional talent and funding for innovation is strengthening the West Midlands as a central hub for innovation in the UK This fund is an opportunity to build on the success we have already achieved We are pleased to be able to play our part in bringing economic growth to the region and improving the health of our communities ”

SMEs applying for the funding should aim to meet regional and national health and care strategic priorities:

• Mental health resilience

Medicines optimisation and management

Cardiovascular disease prevention and management

Patient safety and improvement

Driving digital transformation

Successful applicants will receive:

Convertible loans from £50 000 – £100 000

• Unparalleled access to future investment capital

Regular mentor workshops from industry experts including experienced life sciences entrepreneurs

• Key contacts in the NHS and healthcare sectors

To find out more about the fund and how to apply visit the Meridian Health Innovation Gateway visit

https://meridian wazoku com/challenge/338b9bd80d0643f086b66513df44be6d

Ron Day, a distinguished World War II veteran, enjoyed a double celebration as he marked his 100th birthday on Christmas Day at the Vale View Heights Care Home in Sidmouth East Devon

and his pilot Sqn Ldr Phil

Davenport, miraculously survived and were taken prisoner by the Germans and kept under armed guard in hospital in Oslo until the end of the war

After VE Day Ron married Clarice Griffin who he had met during the war and had two daughters Jane and Sally The family lived in Taunton and Ron worked for an agricultural equipment firm serving the South West

and popular member

NHS Confederation Responds to Januar y’s Strikes Dates

Responding to the confirmation of new strike dates that have been announced for January Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

Health leaders will breathe a sigh of relief on behalf of their staff and patients that next week s ambulance strikes have been called off but with four days to prepare for in January they know that trouble awaits

No health leader wants to be in this situation and the new strikes announced for January could have been avoided had the government attempted to find more common ground with the unions pay The government cannot just sit back and let these strikes happen when patient care is on the line and the unions must honour their commitment to protect life and limb

“It’s clear this is becoming critical and the worry is that NHS will be held hostage to this position of stalemate between both sides This benefits no one and the government must act and reach a compromise with trade unions now ”

IMPACT ON SERVICES

Commenting on the impact strakes have has so far Mr Taylor said: “No NHS leader wanted to be in this situation in the first place and are very aware of the disruption that the strikes have caused already with 25,000 rescheduled procedures and much longer response times for ambulance calls The strikes haven’t caused these cancellations and delays but they are making them worse and that s why the government and

trade unions cannot afford to let this situation drift We need talks to resume and a swift solution reached

“The full effects of the strikes won’t be known for many days and weeks but we are now starting to see the ramifications We are seeing an increase in ‘walk-ins’ to emergency departments and a slow-down in patients being discharged from hospital Both will serve to clog up local services and lead to greater delays over the Christmas period

Many NHS leaders are concerned about the impact on services as we head into the holiday period Some are already more than 90% full to capacity with little or no slack for new patients that need a bed

“But this isn’t just about hospitals as existing pressures combined with the knock-on impact of the strikes are piling even more pressure on community services mental health and GPs In primary care we are being told by some of our members that some patients are presenting to primary care very unwell often requiring oxygen There is a general increase in calls and demand, including more requests to assess falls in care homes In many ways, the extra demands on our primary care services are hidden from view but they are no less critical “It’s clear that the NHS is very fragile at the moment and it doesn’t take much to push it off kilter That’s why we continue our plea to the Prime Minister and trade unions to resume talks in order to avert planned and future strikes Without a swift national resolution patients will continue to suffer and that can t be allowed to happen ”

Birthday Card Plea Delights 100-Year-Old Jo

More than 250 messages of congratulations greeted a ‘wonderful’ lady on her centenary after her Winchester dementia care home issued an appeal for people to send in birthday cards

Great great grandmother Jo Gough described as full of character was astonished with her birthday maildrop at Colten Care’s St Catherines View

The home s Companionship Team Leader Laura Sheldrake called for as many cards as possible to be sent in to help Jo celebrate her landmark day As well as local and UK well-wishers people responded to the Facebook plea from across the world including Thailand Budapest Connecticut in the USA Moscow Guernsey and Jersey

Children and staff at Winchester s Harestock Primary School and the team at Happy Day’s Childcare in South Wonston were among nearby respondents

In the run-up to Jo’s big day, a total of 258 cards were delivered to St Catherines View all carefully stored out of sight ready for the presentation

Laura said: “Jo is such a wonderful person and full of character and we wanted to show her how much we all care for her I explained in the appeal that she loves the colour turquoise the garden and music and indeed many of the cards reflected those themes I also wanted to get cards from lots of countries as Jo travelled extensively in her younger years

“Jo has been with us for three years Because of the pandemic there have been tough periods for her and fellow residents Jo was very active before going on regular walks with her daughter, but like everyone else, she had to live through restrictions on visiting which was very hard for her

“I knew that if she had lots of cards, she would love reading them at her own pace and enjoy the congratulations from strangers In the appeal I said reaching 100 is an achievement in itself and it would mean the world to her her family and the staff here if we could show her how much she deserves this attention

“On the day Jo was over the moon with her birthday cards and could not believe they were all for her She also can t believe she is 100 and we could not agree more ”

When asked what her secret of longevity is Jo replied My family they ve always kept me on my toes” She has five children, plus grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren

As well as cards from the birthday appeal Jo received the traditional royal greeting card reserved for centenarians now sent on behalf of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla

it looked

Laura added: Jo spent a long time just reading the card over and commenting on how lovely

with the gold cord running down the middle ”

Predictions 2023: Ever ything’s Changed, Now Nothing Will Change

By Chris Grimes, Sales Director, Matrix (https://teammatrix com/)

After two years of disruption namely the fallout from Brexit and the global pandemic the recruitment market has been fighting for stability And now, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and a black cloud of recession looming it s unlikely we ll see much movement in the care sector in 2023 – but it s not necessarily a bad thing The country can’t cope with too much more change – and 2023 will be the year of stability as we settle into what has become the ‘new norm’ Don’t get me wrong we’ve seen some positive changes this year The focus for many businesses in 2022 has firmly been on building back better as part of the wider Covid recovery efforts From a recruitment perspective we ve seen the wider acceptance of flexible hybrid ways of working in the care sector, which was a significant pivot for many but has quickly proven that it can work and has now become the norm

And because of that shift we ve seen the implementation of better smarter technologies to support this new way of working speeding up decision-making and paving the way for flexible recruitment technology to make the hiring process much more seamless

An underlying theme in response has been wage increases and pay inflation to try and attract workers into those roles Research conducted by Matrix earlier this year hinted that bringing people back into the care sector may be the solution to the staff shortage crisis In the last year alone the number of over 55 s

placed in temporary work declined from 25 8% in Q2 2021 to 21 67% in Q2 2022 Older people are leaving the sector and whilst there are younger people coming into care there’s an urgent requirement to entice young people into roles

Moving into 2023 there s much chatter around what impact the recession might have on the care sector job market and we ll be following closely to see how this sector will lean in and face those unforeseen challenges Political instability (local and global) coupled with inflation and a desire to focus on upskilling and reskilling will be among the top priorities in 2023

We ve already seen a shift within local authorities towards trialling a four-day working week so it will be interesting to see the impact this might have on agency usage

For talent acquisition leaders the focus will be on demand planning optimisation ensuring buy-in for investment providing consistency in their offer and focusing on the employer brand proposition

And for the candidates themselves LinkedIn data shows that they ll be expecting excellent compensation and benefits (top priority) followed by organisational support to balance their work and personal lives flexible working arrangements and opportunities to learn new highly desired skills – this list of highly valued priorities surfacing as a result of the pandemic

After two years of uncertainty it s difficult for anyone to predict what might come next Let s hope that 2023 brings the care sector the stability it has been seeking But in case it doesn t local authorities and the private sector should use this time to assess the technologies and processes they have in place to work smarter and be prepared for further change if it comes

Selfless Southampton Woman Braves the Shave and Raises over £1,800 for Macmillan Cancer Support

herself says she isn t usually one for charity that was until her mum began receiving support from Macmillan Cancer Support, who rely on donations from the public to support people living with cancer With a target of £300 to reach Helen set her sights on raising as much money as possible There has been cake sales lots of promotion online and via social media and in just two months Helen has trumped her target and raised over £1,800! Helens incredible effort will help people living with cancer to access specialist nurses financial grants, or to speak to a Macmillan Buddy for emotional support during a time where they need it most

First up in the fundraising was the cake sale, a cake sale like no other Taking place at their brand-new office the Southampton care branch invited local businesses and encouraged carers to pop in on breaks to purchase cakes cookies home-made and shop brought; it was all you would expect from your typical

I have never felt prouder to be a part of such fantastic fundraising!’

A Tik Tok of the cake sale was created and shared with the rest of the team who couldn t be there to witness the craziness in person

Prior to the shave, which was live streamed on Facebook Helen wanted to say thank you to her colleagues friends and family and her partner for their support and donations, but wished to say a special thank you, ‘To my darling mum, who I love dearly and who I m doing this for You are going through a rough patch but doing so with grace and dignity and such strength I love you so much ’ , said Helen

Helen is already planning what adventurous do to wear next with talks of blue hair and much more!

Visit Helens fundraising page at https://bravetheshave macmillan org uk/shavers/helen-johnston

For further information and tickets visit www alzheimersshow co uk At the show - NEW for 2023

Now in its 10th year The Alzheimer s Dementia & Care Show is the UK’s leading event for care providers healthcare professionals, families and carers This is an unmissable event for those wanting to learn from leading experts, find practical advice and support resources help and information develop a better understanding of dementia and further professional skills

The show features a fully accredited CPD conference programme with talks from leading experts, family carers and people living with dementia alongside professional advice clinics, dementia and care exhibitors and unique individual training opportunities you won t find at any other event Held at The Business Design Centre London on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th March, the doors open at 9 30am each day and close at 5 00pm on Friday and 4 00pm on Saturday One-day tickets are from £18 00 online £23 on the door

Full Dementia Interpreters Course–Training2Care: Free taster sessions are offered to visitors who will have their ability to speak see hear and move impaired to begin to recognise the many forms communication may take for a person living with dementia Only at this event Training2Care are offering individuals the full 1-hour workshop to allow you to experience the complete experiential practical session

Full Virtual Dementia Tour & Training

Experience – Training2Care: As well as free taster sessions this is the only event where visitors can book the complete training as an individual – an 8 minute immersive experience followed by 75 minute de-brief – a must do’ experience for anyone involved in caring for people with dementia

Dementia and Care Matters Theatre: The main theatre hosts keynote speakers on range of topics as well as chaired daily

Question Time panels

Talks Hub: A range of practical talks covering dementia and care topics from professionals and exhibitors

CPD Accreditation: Certificates available to professional attendees

Admiral Nurses & Alzheimer’s Society Advice

One selfless Southampton Home Care Worker braved the shave recently to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and show the greatest admiration for her mum

Apex Prime Care Southampton Branch Administrator Helen Johnston

foodie fundraiser until the cake smashing began It’s not every day you get to smash a cake in not one but three of your bosses faces and when it s raising money for such an amazing cause it tastes even sweeter! Apex Prime Care Chief Operations Officer Ben Patrick said ‘The whole Apex team is in awe of how both Helen and her mum have dealt with such adversity Whilst it the first and hopefully last time, I’ve had a cake smashed in my face

Caring Goes to the Heart of What is Human’ says the Archbishop of Canterbur y in His New Year Message

In his New Year Message the Archbishop of Canterbury focused on what he believes to be one of the most pressing challenges we face in the UK: social care In his broadcast he will challenge all of us to fix the existing system

In his message aired on BBC 1 on New Year s Day said We know our care system is broken: but it doesn t have to be We can rise to the challenge of fixing it That means action from all of us; you me families communities and government ”

“Jesus reminds us of the value of every single person young or old He challenges me to love everyone as I know he loves me “Caring goes to the heart of what it means to be human It’s hard but it can also be the most life-giving thing we ever do It comes back to that essential lesson: we need each other ”

In the broadcast Archbishop Justin Welby reflected on our relationship to each other and the importance of caring for others, especially those who are old or unwell He will talk about the pressures on carers and how they need support too

His message will refer to the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and how millions came together to pay their respects It will also mention the Archbishop s own mother Lady Jane Williams He said: Like many I rejoice that elderly relatives like my mother are still around Their memories, their presence, their independence is precious Caring for them loving them is a privilege after what we have received from them ”

Archbishop Justin visited MHA Bradbury Grange for his New Year Message It is a residential care home in Whitstable, in his own

Canterbury diocese

The Archbishop’s New Year Message ties in with a report to be published on 24th January called Care and Support Reimagined It has been commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and offers a new vision for social care in which everyone can flourish regardless of age or ability

Dr Anna Dixon MBE, Chair of the Archbishops Commission said: “I am delighted that Archbishop Justin has used his New Year Message to emphasise the need for action on social care Our report will seek to

address some of the long-standing challenges affecting social care and set out a hopeful vision of what care and support could and should be like

“We cannot simply tinker around the edges of the existing social care system We need a new settlement that gives choice and control to people who draw on care and support equips and empowers communities and offers far greater support and recognition to unpaid carers ”

The Co-Chair of the Commission the Rt Revd James Newcome Bishop of Carlisle said: At the heart of our work is a belief that all human beings are gifts in the eyes of God

We are making the case rooted deeply in our Christian convictions and values, that our whole understanding of social care should reflect the aspirations of people who draw on care and support paid and unpaid carers, and wider society

Faith communities have a huge role to play in ensuring that people are able to participate in worship and community life regardless of their age or ability and are supported to live well

Sam Monaghan Chief Executive of Methodist Homes (MHA) said: “We were so happy to welcome Archbishop Justin to MHA Bradbury Grange and to share a typical day with him Our residents loved having the opportunity to meet and talk with him And he also spent time talking to our care team including Ann Campbell who s worked there 42 years Staff shared with him how they support everyone living at the home and what it involves to provide good quality care The visit meant so much to us ”

Local Care Home Donates to Two Charities

Reigate Beaumont care home in Reigate recently donated to two charities in Reigate, namely Stripey Stork and Loveworks Collections were received from residents families and staff to support these worthwhile causes and make Christmas extra special for those in need

Stripey Stork are a Surrey baby bank who collect donations for clothes toys and essential items for babies and children and have helped over 9 400 families this year

Loveworks aim to improve the lives of the local community through food They run local food banks and distribute

these to those less fortunate in the community

Reigate Beaumont has built up excellent reputations within its local community regularly holding events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours

Pramojil Kurian General Manager at Reigate Beaumont care home said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to local charities Supporting these two charities was important to all of us here at the home Thank you to everyone that donated”

De-Institutionalising Dementia Care

ulate and care for those we support with compassion dignity and respect

By de-institutionalising dementia care we are ensuring that people living with dementia can remain as independent as possible in their own homes keeping families together and communities intergenerational, while giving carers time to care for themselves, maintain jobs and have essential respite even on weekends

There are massive issues around carers experiencing breakdowns and mental health issues have certainly increased However we offer a 24 hour advice line and we’re open seven days a week from 6am to 6pm

In turn we want to provide a joyful work environment for the staff at Me2U Working on the front line of mental health nursing for more than twenty years I’ve experienced environments where staff are burnt out turning on one another retention is low sickness is high staff feel like a number not a person and they just don't feel valued

of caring for those who care for us

Our initiatives and practices have contributed to really good staff retention low sick rates and effective communication We ve created a personal culture that we re proud of and we now feel that our values and foundations are strong and sound enough to expand to a second location in the north west so we re currently fundraising to make this a reality - to broaden accessibility to our flexible day support service and enhance the quality of life and well-being of our clients

It will be a space to give more people the specialist care they need and promote participation from all aspects of community life by facilitating visits from young people hosting social events and spreading awareness of dementia, its causes, prevention, and its challenges

Carers will be able to take advantage of holistic therapy sessions and carer support groups as well as receive expert advice on dementia care and diagnoses In addition as a CQC-registered facility, we will be able to provide domiciliary care to those above and below 65 years

Caring for a loved one can be a particularly challenging and stressful experience caregivers find themselves overwhelmed trying to keep up with their daily lives while caring for a loved one, and respite for caregivers offers the chance to take a rest from caring for a loved one, while they remain in a safe and supportive environment ”

This break has many benefits for both the caregiver and the individual in need of care ”

“We here at The Carer caught up with Rosie Whittington, (pictured above) founder and director at the Me2U dementia daycare centre in Kirkby, Liverpool (our editor’s home city) to get an insight of respite care for those living with dementia and the value and support to caregivers, Rosie explains:

At the Me2u Centre we strive to alleviate the pressures on carers by offering a joyful home from home for their loved ones living with dementia using creativity and innovation at our daycare facility to stim-

If care workers feel undervalued and underappreciated, then this is going to have a big impact on the care they give as the job itself can be both physically and emotionally draining So if you re not rewarded both financially and spiritually then it’s going to cause low morale resentment and ultimately people are going to leave the industry

At the Me2u Centre we empower staff with the tools to be transparent speak their truth and to process things as a team with an opendoor policy - it s an intimate job, which requires a personal culture

We provide mental health first aid training and the opportunity to train in yoga meditation reiki and mindfulness for our 35-strong team of volunteers, apprentices, university placements, part-time and fulltime staff members

Every four months one staff member and a plus one is awarded a free holiday and one staff member gets a free place on a Me2U mindfulness retreat, which offers a three day escape for members of the public - such as nurses doctors lab workers school teachers - by way

Prevention is a massive part of what we do We have close links with primary schools and we’re part of the health and social curriculum in local high schools to educate young people about healthy brains lifestyle choices substance mis-use and diet exposing them and carers to an alternative and a better way of living to prevent the inevitable

We invite these young people into the Me2u Centre to be dementia buddies and to be part of our intergenerational choir To watch the exchange the energy the emotion between the older and younger generations who are both so innocent in different ways is magical and so beautiful

At the Me2U Centre we follow the Green Care Farm model prioritising exposure to the outdoors fresh air eating organic healthy food and even encouraging people to grow their own produce

It s ultimately about us being proactive as well as reactive and targeting young people through education

Signature at Parklands Manor Collaborates with Hythe Community Primar y School for Festive Celebrations

parison!

Robyn Sheppard Client Liaison Manager at Parklands Manor said:

Local pupils from all years designed and crafted personalised bookmarks and cards which they then hand delivered to residents at the luxury care home in Chertsey

The seasonal goodwill did not stop there as children put on a carol concert and also performed We Wish You A Merry Christmas with accompanying sign language for the residents

This intergenerational celebration provided an opportunity for residents to share their memories of childhood Christmases, and to hear about the children s own Christmas plans Margaret Hughes 92 heard how 10-year-old Harley Sheppard was hoping for a Nintendo Switch for Christmas

Although Margaret recounted how a doll that could walk and say mama was the most exciting Christmas present of her childhood she admitted that a Nintendo Switch is a bit more high-tech in com-

Greg

Actor producer and Strictly Come Dancing star Greg Wise led the performance from a choir, coinciding with the hospice’s first Christmas lunch since pre-pandemic two years ago

With a personal connection to Marie Curie after the charity supported him and his sister when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer the exStrictly star was delighted to perform to the team at the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead, in addition to serving lunch alongside senior management

The special visit included a host of carols and festive hits sung by The Big Gospel choir including Jingle Bells Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, thanking nurses and staff for their hard work throughout the year

As well as nurses and staff the choir also performed to patients including Gerry Finn 56 from London Gerry said: I’ve always loved a choir; I like the homely vibe

“We were delighted to welcome the children of Hythe Community Primary School and were so impressed by their creative and musical skills Our residents had a wonderful time meeting the children and reading their cards which have now taken pride of place in our lounge We are looking forwards to welcoming the children back to Parklands Manor in the New Year to return their kindness!”

Margaret Hughes a resident at Signature at Parklands Manor said The children s cards and performance were the most delightful surprise and a wonderful way to kick off our Christmas festivities It was a real joy to meet these young children and to hear all about their hopes for Christmas I am sure my fellow residents will join me in wishing the pupils a Happy Christmas and hoping that Santa Claus delivers everything they have asked for!”

at Marie Curie Hospice

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for those who are terminally ill and their loved ones with Marie Curie providing crucial support for individuals and families

Greg Wise Actor and Marie Curie Ambassador said: It s always a pleasure to visit the Marie Curie hospice and spend time with their incredible staff Marie Curie provides a community for people and especially at this time of year that’s something that is truly invaluable I am forever grateful for the support they gave me when I was looking after my sister To be able to come to the Hampstead hospice alongside the fabulous choir and help bring some joy to the extraordinary nurses and staff who work so tirelessly throughout the year was wonderful

Debbie Ripley, Associate Director of Services in London at Marie Curie said: Our nurses and staff have gone above and beyond in providing care and support to people living with a terminal illness this year so it was lovely to surprise them It also meant a lot to provide a special moment for our patients and hopefully create a lasting memory for their loved ones Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are at the end of life caring for someone who is terminally ill or coping with a bereavement

UK end of life charity Marie Curie spread festive cheer with an emotional choir performance at one of its hospices for patients nurses and staff

Actor Greg W se jo ned The Big Gospel Choir for a singalong at Mar e Cur e s Hosp ce in Hampstead (Image: Courtesy of Mar e Curie)

Christmas was marked by residents of Signature at Parklands Manor as they received homemade cards and gifts from the children of Hythe Community Primary School

It is important to stress that the Homecare Association believes care workers should be paid much more than the legal minimum to recognise the skill and responsibility of their roles and to improve retention and recruitment of staff Also reported are calculated fee rates required to enable payment of the Real Living Wage (£10 90 per hour) a wage equivalent to NHS Band 3 with 2+ years experience (£11 85 per hour) the London Living Wage (£11 95 per hour) and a competitive labour market wage rate (£13 64 per hour) of between £26 79 and £31 55 per hour Many providers are already paying above the national minimum wage some as high as £15-17 per hour but this is only possible with hourly fee rates to match Homecare Association’s CEO, Dr Jane Townson said Too many local authorities and the NHS continue to commission homecare at fee rates far below the true cost of delivering care Persistently underestimating providers’ costs risks diminishing the availability of services the experience of the workforce and providers ability to comply with the legal requirements placed on

Home Instead’s Martin Jones Made MBE

them

Low fee rates from councils and the NHS lead directly to homecare workers receiving poor pay and terms and conditions of employment It’s hardly surprising there is a shortage of homecare workers, as fuel prices remain high and many are struggling to pay their household bills

Without adequate investment in homecare by central and local government providers will be unable to maintain and grow the workforce to meet rising demand Over half a million older and disabled people are already sitting on council waiting lists unable to access the support and care they need At least 13 500 people are stuck in hospital ready for discharge of which 1 in 4 are waiting for homecare Delays in discharging people back home are contributing to lengthening ambulance response times and waiting lists for NHS treatment of over 7 million, which affects all who need medical help

Whilst the significant investment in social care made in the Autumn Statement was welcome it falls short of what is needed to develop strong sustainable homecare services fit to meet current and future needs “We call on the government to recognise the value of homecare and the vital role it plays in enabling people to live well at home With adequate funds for home-based and community support we could help to extend healthy life expectancy, reduce inequalities, take pressure off the NHS and reduce costs for the health and care system

the sector Martin

Since

Martin Jones, Home Instead s CEO UK and International has been awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to older people Martin’s introduction to the care sector was through his father who needed support due to frailty in old age Through this experience Martin came to understand the importance of home care and the positive impact it could have on families like his

joining

has been a keen advocate of home care and its role within the health and social care ecosystem which allows older people to remain in their own homes for longer than would otherwise be possible He has also championed the role of care workers, helping to attract more people to consider a career in care Speaking about the award Martin said “I am proud and humbled to receive this award particu-

larly as it is for services to older people He is currently Chair of the Homecare Association; Chair of The Care Workers’ Charity; member of the Age UK Board He is also Chair of Home Instead Charities UK part of Home Instead s charitable endeavours

Telecare Pilot Leads to 75%

Reduction in Ambulance Requests

AN INTENSIVE proactive telecare trial by one of Scotland s top housing and care providers has revealed astonishing results about the impact of proactive intervention for older adults

Bield Housing and Care’s digital alarm monitoring team, Bield Response 24 (BR24) revealed a 75% decrease in ambulance calls and a 68% reduction in A&E visits as a direct result of early intervention and preventative support methods These took the form of regular outgoing calls to individuals’ homes to maintain or improve their health and wellbeing and anticipate and prevent crises – known as proactive telecare

Customers in the Renfrewshire area were screened to take part in the Inspire Phase 2’ project and split into two groups – those who were new to technology enabled care and those who were recent hospital discharges From those groups 45 individuals opted for interventions via proactive telecare in the form of weekly calls (the intervention group) and 20 did not The latter created a monitored control group – allowing for a direct measurement of the intervention impact

The trial established that regular communication with customers in the intervention group resulted in a decrease in action required across the board Key stats included: a 72% decrease in alarm use a 57% decrease in physical response required a 90 9% reduction in family response required and a 60% reduction in funder response required Gary Baillie BR24 Service Manager said: “The project has shown a clear need for earlier intervention to improve the lives of older adults and help them live safely in their own homes for longer “The figures have highlighted that intervention support whether that is through calls monitoring trends or helping to create connections within the local community has worked incredibly well and is vital to help

reduce the pressures on public services

“One customer taking part in the trial went from being completely house-bound to a regular gym-goer in a matter of months thanks to regular catch-up calls from the Inspire Phase 2 team to support her ”

The monitored control group who were eligible for the weekly telephone calls but opted against them saw a 26% increase in reactive calls to BR24 a 32% increase in physical assistance required and a 43% increase in responder call outs In addition there was a 32% increase in ambulance calls and a 66% increase in A&E visits

Working closely with TEC Scotland and Renfrewshire Council the Inspire Phase 2 project team analysed the intervention group and their alarm activity before, during and after the trial and compared the data collected with that of the control group over the same time period

Gary added: “Proactive telecare plays a vital role in empowering individuals to ensure they have the correct support in place to live the life they want without constraints or a heavy dependence on social work or public services

Proactive telecare can ultimately improve physical mental and social wellbeing and is an adaptable service that can be altered to suit each individual’s needs

The outcomes from this trial are astonishing yet there is still so much to build on – and at Bield we re committed to doing this ”

Inspire Phase 2 follows on from Phase 1 which saw 50 customers using the BR24 service in both Midlothian and Inverclyde called every week for up to 45 minutes to proactively identify issues before they became emergencies

Experienced Social Care Professional Promoted To Director Role At Salutem

Salutem Care and Education has promoted a dedicated professional with more than 25 years’ worth of experience, to director of its children’s services division

Karen Jackson joined Salutem, a leading residential and social care provider with 130 services nationwide as a regional director in adult services

After a successful spell as interim divisional director, Karen earned the permanent promotion to divisional director overseeing the development of children’s services at Salutem

Within this division Salutem Care and Education provides both children and young people with residential and educational support

Karen leads the team ensuring that staff children and young people are properly supported to achieve their goals and aspirations

Her promotion follows Salutem reconfiguring its business framework into four categories – adult, children, supported living, and education

Karen said: “Since being a divisional director, everyone at Salutem has been very supportive in helping me smoothly transition into my new role

“It’s nice to work with people from a different division and meet other hard-working members of staff who are committed to working with children and young people

“We have a very committed and passionate group who are very supportive of the children and young people and I m looking forward to seeing this division grow

John Godden MBE CEO at Salutem said: In her short time as interim director Karen has shown leadership and dedication which combined with her experience makes her the perfect fit to take on the permanent role as director in children s services

‘There is Hope’ – Lilian Faithfull Care

Share Experiences of Finding Care

As families came together over the festive period it can often prompt conversations about their loved ones care needs Lilian Faithfull Care have brought together the experiences of three families who offer advice to others that might be facing similar situations Virginia shares her experience of finding day care for her mum at one of Lilian Faithfull Care s Day Hubs Brenda talks about her recent respite stay and Kate shares her family s experience having both parents cared for at the charity’s residential and nursing homes

Lilian Faithfull Care is a charity with 76 years’ experience of providing care support and a home for life for people in Gloucestershire Proudly caring for over 250 remarkable residents across five care homes and two adult day hubs in Cheltenham and Stroud

FINDING ADULT DAY CARE; “WHAT A RELIEF AND WHAT A JOY”

In the past day care for adults has often had a dreary reputation so there can often be considerable barriers to encouraging those who would benefit that times have changed The Secret Garden Hub in Cheltenham and Uplands Hub in Stroud are warm, welcoming family-sized day care, where guests enjoy companionship home cooked food and a range of activities Virginia first introduced her mum Gaynor to the Secret Garden Hub in the summer;

It was a gargantuan effort to get Mum to even consider attending [it was] such a wobbly start behind the scenes When mum realised that I wasn t stopping for lunch during her first visit she suddenly wanted to cancel, anxiety clearly taking over I felt like an over-bearing an insensitive daughter How terribly guilty I felt and how anxious I was when dropping her off but oh how relieved and delighted I was that it has paid off “Following her first two visits to hear the words ‘there is really nothing I can fault I have thoroughly enjoyed myself everyone is absolutely lovely and nothing is too much trouble ’ has been music to my ears Further positive comments relate to the quality of the food the cleanliness of the building and all the facilities What a relief and what a joy!”

Mum continues to speak incredibly positively and enthusiastically about life at The Secret Garden after every single visit From a mental health and wellbeing perspective, I always notice how animated and engaged Mum is following her visits I truly believe that the companionship and stimulation of the day makes a huge positive impact Long may the positivity and happiness continue ”

A

RESPITE STAY; “IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO COME BACK”

Respite stays can give the opportunity to recuperate or rehabilitate after illness, give a holiday from the daily routine and offer a break to carers Brenda shared her experiences at the end of a four week respite stay at Faithfull House residential care home in Cheltenham

I came here because I needed somewhere where I could rest In the last year I had a bad time getting over a stroke It has had its odd repercussions in the last few months I live alone and I got [to the point] that I was actually finding it a job just to cope I am nearly blind so it doesn t help I was getting fed up with

Move over Selfridge’s there s a new window display getting noticed this Christmas!

Halcyon House, a residential care home in Formby have given their windows a makeover to reflect the spirit of the festive season with a touching story about a woman who recently lost her husband

The house s windows were painted by Liam Brown Liam started working for Halcyon House as a carer to help fund his university studies and then assumed an administrative role during the COVID-19 pandemic He is studied illustration at university and now likes to take on freelance jobs to help build his portfolio whilst continuing to work for

looking after myself at home I think I just I said to my boys I need looking after so we sat and thought about it, they said ‘what you need mum is a place for some respite They themselves did some investigating a bit of asking around and we settled on this place We came to have a look at it one afternoon was very impressed with the whole place and certainly with all the staff and just how helpful everyone is ”

“I am an independent person and that is very important to me I thought it was going to be That s it she s gone now – she s gone to a rest home and we won’t see her again’ but it doesn’t make me feel like that at all

“The staff are all amazing They are all so obliging, they re friendly and they re tolerant I couldn t praise them enough to be quite honest

“It’s been an enjoyable stay for me it’s been a new experience I’ve never been into a respite place before I think it would be very easy to come back if I want to even for the short term for two or three weeks if I need another break It will be easy for me to stick up my hand and they’ll be pleased to see me

RESIDENTIAL AND NURSING CARE; ‘IF WE’D KNOWN THESE PLACES EXISTED WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER’

Over the last three years Kate and her brothers have had to find care for their Dad and Mum, who were both initially very against any help

In 2019 dad broke his hip and was in hospital over Christmas and needed nursing care As a family it was a huge relief when he came to St Faith’s Dad settled in straight away The way they treat him is so lovely I feel so reassured that he is there I know when he is happy and he is happy there

“Mum was then at home on her own and her dementia got worse We were struggling as a family to care for her It was getting worse and the worry was huge Mum is naturally a happy person but we would find her crying and it got to the point when she had stopped caring for herself too ”

We looked around a couple of care homes and decided it wasn t appropriate for mum but as soon as we walked into Faithfull House we knew this was the place The relief was huge Our troubles had gone ”

Mum came in for respite initially She is a very proud lady and doesn t want to be helped – she has spent her whole life helping other people But at Faithfull House they encourage her to help She doesn t feel like she is in a care home The staff have all adapted to mum and they are so flexible She has a wonderful room and a beautiful view over to the hills

“It is wonderful to see her happy again and having a joke She is always dressed beautifully, hair and nails done and this has always been important to her She gets involved in the activities and we take her each week to see Dad at St Faith’s, our dog and tortoise visit too!”

Kate s advice for those families going through a similar situation; Go and look around [care homes] because there is hope – there really is If I’d known these places existed we would have done it sooner ”

Halcyon House

Halcyon

Liam explains We hold regular staff team meetings every week and we often reflect on what we feel are the most important things about Abbeyfield – our warmth, our compassion, and a place where people

can find companionship in later life

The story of the illustration is of a grandmother who has recently lost her husband She is sad and lonely but her young grandson comes up with a plan to cheer her up –he builds a snowman that looks just like his grandfather The woman is so happy with what her little grandson had done for her and it cheers her up in time for Christmas

Liam painted across the windows of Halcyon House s dining room where residents spend their mealtimes together with each window telling part of the story The windows can be seen by passers-by making their way to and from the playing fields close to the house and they soon attracted quite a crowd of onlookers who stopped to watch Liam at work and to follow his story

Abbeyfield houses and homes have been encouraged to decorate their windows and doorways for the festive season, in order to provide ‘A Window into Abbeyfield at Christmas’ for the local neighbourhood, and Abbeyfield is sharing the photos across its social media channels using the hashtag #WindowIntoAbbeyfield – which can also be seen on one of Liam’s windows

Word of Liam’s talent has spread far and wide and he has had offers of further work The manager of a nursey as far afield as Laurencekirk Aberdeenshire asked if he would create something similar for the nursery to inspire the children – what a compliment!

House is part of The Abbeyfield Society which leads the worldwide Abbeyfield Family of over 370 care homes sheltered housing schemes and independent living complexes that are home to more than 8,000 older people The Society’s mission is to alleviate loneliness that many older people experience Their unique model of retirement living provides the opportunity for new friendships to develop through the provision of communal living spaces shared mealtimes and a varied schedule of social activities while residents are encouraged to maintain their connections with their local community

‘Stand Together and Fight for Social Care’ - Says Care Campaigner

A CAMPAIGNER has issued a stand together and fight for social care message for the New Year

Mike Padgham says social care providers must unite and demand a meeting with the Prime Minister to tackle the funding crisis and address care workers pay

He was speaking as care providers prepared to begin 2023 with 1 6m unable to get care 165 000 staff vacancies and a 59% jump in provider failures

Mr Padgham Chair of the care provider organisation The Independent Care Group (ICG) said: We will start the new year in a desperate situation and it cannot go on any longer

This has to be the year when all differences are set aside and everyone –Government, commissioners and care providers, get together to find a solution to the crisis in social care

“We are now in a winter where the number of people who can’t get care is more than 1 6m where 13 000 NHS beds are occupied by people who cannot go home because of a lack of social care packages and ambulances are queuing outside where there are 165,000 staff vacancies and where residential care home insolvencies are up by 59% In crippling times like this organisations retreat into their own corners and protect themselves If we are

going to solve the crisis in social care we can no longer do that we have to work together

“It will only work if we have a united voice an appreciation that the social care market needs everyone –large small medium-sized providers profit-making and not-for-profit None of us can meet current and future care demand alone There has to be a mixed market and all must make a profit – or a surplus – however you term it, to invest and grow their organisations

“Nor can we find solutions if we are at loggerheads with the Government and with our commissioners

“Social care staff deserve better pay as shown in a recent report which highlighted an £8,000 pay discrepancy between them and their NHS counterparts Some are reportedly turning to food banks to help make ends meet

“The NHS and social care sector both need to be funded properly so that staff are recognised and rewarded adequately and with parity

“Confrontation and retreating to our own protected silos has not worked – it merely allows the Government to divide and conquer As a sector we must speak with a unified voice and must sit down with our commissioners with local authorities the NHS and the Government and thrash out sensible practical and sustainable solutions

Between us we have to find a way to make social care work again to get more money to the sector and better pay and recognition to our front-line staff giving them parity with their NHS counterparts and tackling the crippling staff shortages Then we can free up hospital beds and get people the care they need

Gibraltar Nursing Home Receive Heartwarming Christmas Cards from Children

The children at Kymin View Primary School and Llandogo Primary School put pen paint and glitter to paper to create heart-warming Christmas cards for all residents who are fondly referred to as family members, at Gibraltar Nursing Home in Monmouth Their sweet and thoughtful messages inside brought smiles to a lot of happy faces The cards were created as part of a community campaign to help prevent loneliness at Christmas time Some people don’t have relatives to send them cards and so a few kind words can really help to alleviate alienation It reminds them people care and that they matter

A teaching assistant at Kymin View commented “The children enjoyed making the cards for the family members at Gibraltar We really hope they enjoyed receiving them and that they all have a Merry Christmas ”

Gibraltar Nursing Home is a based in Monmouthshire South Wales and is a part of Evolve Care Group It s approach to life recognises the identity of each of the family members who live within the home Creating an environment full of the things each family member connects with allows us to create a true continuation of life for the people living there

The Mental Health Pandemic in Carers

The mental health awareness campaigns, days and initiatives don't seem to help many depressed stressed and burnt-out carers Currently there s a mental health pandemic among those who care for our loved ones Long days nights and weeks seem to blend into a never-ending loop

The Mental Health Foundation stated that 71% of carers have poor physical or mental health" The figure may come as a shock, but if you were to speak to a carer they would assume the percentage would be higher

Care agencies and care homes need to do more to look after the workforce that enables us to keep functioning Who would look after our grandparents parents siblings aunts uncles and old friends without the carers work? We couldn t continue working if they weren t there to do their job

A1 Care (www a1care co uk) claims that one of the critical reasons carers are struggling right now is due to the lack of staff within the industry For many years now and especially since the pandemic fewer individuals have chosen to become a carer

The current turnover rate in social care is approximately 31% and rising which is more than double the UK cross-industry average of 15% 60% of those who leave their job leave care altogether In the past few years 50 000 carers have left the industry leaving over 165 000 jobsfigures released by Skills for Care

If the industry were inundated with carers they would thrive and there would be less overtime more time off and a more manageable workload Despite the benefits of being a carer such as good pay flexibility opportunities to build long-lasting relationships and being in a fulfilling role many are choosing a 9-5 which they can do from home So what can they do?

As most care agencies and care homes struggle to gain applications

from within the UK, we suggest having a programme to hire from overseas Offer visa sponsorship and go the extra mile to attract suitable candidates by providing a relocation package

What your relocation package should include:

Support with relocation for the carers families

• Paid plane ticket and airport pick up

Temporary housing until they can find a permanent residence

• On-call assistance for any issues or support they may need An introduction to the area they will be living in and a warm welcome into the community

By providing an attractive and valuable offer care agencies and care homes will be able to recruit the excellent carers they need

More carers mean a more manageable workload and more time to focus on quality

Which then will begin to tackle the current carers physical and mental wellbeing They will be able to work more reasonable hours have time for themselves and their family, and, most importantly, rest

55%

For all of the carer employers reading this, there are many warning signs you can look out for among your carers Spotting these signs will lead to immediate support, as opposed to a carer being afraid to talk out and further burdened

Signs you can look for:

• Being down

Less talkative and unenthusiastic

• Significant tiredness

Poor concentration or mistakes in their day-to-day work

Withdrawing from people

Constantly worried Frantic and stressed

Lack of confidence

We know hiring overseas is a lengthy process, so we suggest doing these 5 things to support in the meantime:

Appoint a mental health representative within the workforce

• Introduce a scheme where they can talk to a wellbeing counsellor at the company s expense if needed

• Offer paid mental health days where they can take the day off

Remind them of their fantastic work and reassure them their workload will get easier

Encourage them to participate in wellness activities such as walking yoga and meditating

Right now carer employers need to lead the way with the change in the industry Too many have let their workers struggle

Small steps every day can lead to change

Eventually with these turnarounds we won't need to resort to drastic measures yet focus on the upkeep

Let s stand together to take care of our carers

Barchester Care Home Residents Follow the

to Gingerbread House

as entry for Barchester Healthcare s Gingerbread House Competition

Influenced by a live virtual cookery demonstration hosted by Vegetarian for Life, the leading authority on diet and healthy living advice for older vegans and vegetarians the care home crafted two gingerbread house structures ready for titivating with candies and chocolates

“We opted for a mini winter wonderland village as our competition entry showcasing not one, but two beautifully decorated houses set within a snowy landscape! commented Karen Grant Activity Coordinator at Upton Bay

“Our residents were so inspired by the live demonstration we borrowed techniques from Chef Alex such as proper sugar icing adhesive and installing lights to really bring the scene to life

Inspiring their imaginations ladies and gentlemen at Upton Bay Care Home in Poole delved into a colourful array of tongue tingling treats to decorate their scrumptious gingerbread houses

“My favourite aspect of our creation is Rudolph sat proudly on top of hid abode! said David resident at Upton Bay

of carers reported to The Mental Health Foundation (www mentalhealth org uk) that they suffered from depression due to their caring role Care agencies and care homes need to implement these hiring measures to decrease this number and significantly save many carers from burnout

Article supplied by A1 Care (www a1care co uk)

How Care Homes Can Become Outstanding Rated by the CQC

Communication is key and it’s important that staff are kept informed of policy changes, best practice and training opportunities to develop their career This can also present staff with opportunities to celebrate together and recognise the wonderful impact that they make on a daily basis to the people they support which can improve morale and care provision

Vida

The CQCs key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) prompts and sources evidence to enable inspectors to establish the rating that a care home should be given There are a number of key considerations for care home operators if they are to meet the KLOEs and receive an Outstanding rating

The CQC looks for evidence of innovation and outside-the-box thinking that will help residents to remain independent and have a voice, enable families to remain connected to their loved ones no matter where they are and create a community where all staff can unite as one and play a crucial role in shaping the service that is being provided PUTTING THIS

INTO PRACTICE

As care homes develop and grow an operator might want to consider implementing clear and engaging communication channels to keep staff and family members informed and up-to-date This will ensure that the staff and services are organised and can meet residents’ needs

At Vida we developed our unique app Vida Team Talk to create a community space for staff to interact communicate and collaborate Not only has this supported us in our aim to provide high quality and consistent care that achieves good outcomes but it also provides an additional lifeline to families looking to connect with their loved ones when they’re unable to visit

For more information please visit www vidahealthcare co uk

Second Generation Takes the Reins at Meallmore

Scottish care provider Meallmore Ltd has announced its new senior team as Cillian Hennessey takes over as managing director

Cillian takes over the top job from Gerry Hennessey who has retired from his role after 35 years Gerry and his brother Aidan were founding directors when Meallmore was established in 1987 The company has grown steadily and has successfully retained its original family business values Gerry will remain as chairman for Meallmore while Cillian takes over the running of operations

Cillian joined the family business in 2010 as area manager after working as an investment surveyor He became the company s commercial director in 2017 where he was involved in determining the company’s growth and helping guide its operations and future development

Cillian will be supported by the existing executive team and directors group Rachel Gothard has been appointed to the newly created role of People & Culture Director and Hazel O’Rourke was promoted to Quality Director Together they will continue to support Meallmore s Operations Director Mary Preston; Regional Director Carol-Anne Foote; Property Director Michael Gillespie; and Finance Director Gavin MacKenzie

Outgoing managing director of Meallmore Gerry Hennessey comments: It was always my hope that the business would be passed onto the next generation so for Cillian to be taking the baton is an extremely proud moment for me The business is a very different one to the one I started running in 1987 with my brother, as we’ve gone from operating one care home to 26 The transition from one generation to the next has been well considered and I m confident that Cillian will do an excellent job in his new role

Cillian Hennessey says: “Since being founded over 35 years ago by my father and uncle, Meallmore has secured the reputation of being one of Scotland’s leading care providers and I’m proud to be part of such a reputable company which offers a great place to live for our residents and a great place to work for our colleagues

I ve spent the last 12 years working in the family-run business and I m ready to take Meallmore into the next generation and put my stamp on it which is a really exciting prospect That being said nothing will change in terms of Meallmore’s ambitions or principles, which is to provide excellent personalised care and support, delivered by trained and professional caring teams in quality and safe environments ”

James Rycroft, Managing Director at CQC Outstanding rated Vida Healthcare in Harrogate, and a Board Member of The Outstanding Society, shares his tips on how more care homes can secure an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Care Quality Commission ensures that health and social care services provide people with safe effective compassionate high-quality care

Healthcare designs develops and operates specialist care homes for people living with dementia Since being founded in 2013 Vida has completed three bespoke buildings two of which have been rated Outstanding by the CQC employing almost 500 staff and providing specialist care to nearly 300 residents CQC FEEDBACK

Dementia Care: Communicating with People Living with Dementia Who are Struggling to Express Their Needs

By Dr Rachel Daly, Practice Development Admiral Nurse Consultant at Dementia UK (www.dementiauk.org)

communicate is one of the greatest gifts to give them Remember that all behaviour is communication and it is our job as professional carers to TRY HARD to understand and help them If you have a question on helping someone living with dementia you can always contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk org

T Take a moment Look around what might be wrong? What might that person want or need? Give them your time

R Reactions - is the person reacting to you another resident the temperature, a noise or something else in the environment?

Y Yearning - is the person yearning for something? Are they hungry or thirsty? Are they bored? Do they miss their family? Do they need a hug?

H How can you find out their needs and emotions?Are they sad stressed anxious fearful confused happy or in pain?

Don’t: be too loud, too fast, or use too many words Don’t argue and remember that it is not important to correct them if they believe something to be true(like they need to go home to their mum) Distraction techniques can work well Ask them to tell you about their mum look at pictures or have a cup of tea together give a hand massage or play some music and dance with them if they are able

Some people living with dementia may have problems communicating and expressing their needs which can leave them feeling very frustrated

For anyone providing support to a person living with dementia thinking about ways to help the person communicate with you could be beneficial Are there picture cards to hand to help the person recognise a picture of what they need (for example the toilet) and point to it even if they cannot say the words? This helps them to express their needs and wants to their carer

Some people can write fluently long after their speech has gone Others may communicate through touch facial expressions or body language Taking the time to be with a person who is struggling to

A Activities and meaningful occupation - how can you engage the person in a way that gives them some sense of choice control or fun? What did they like doing when they were younger? Would they like to plant some bulbs, go for a walk, or visit other residents? If the person is walking consider why -are they looking for something or someone? Maybe they have a sore bottom from sitting too long

R Repetition - restate and use their words Reassurance - take the time to calm them down and remember they might feel frightened

D Dos, Don’ts and Distractions - Do: Smile be kind and get on their level Use more non-verbal communication like touch gestures pictures, smells, and show objects (like the juice box) to enhance understanding

Music can be a wonderful therapy for people living with dementia and for it to be most effective it needs to be tailored to the individual Find out as much as you can about the person through ‘Life Story Work’ which helps to ensure that our care always honours the person as an individual For example what job did they do? Did they have children? Do they have a religion? What are their hobbies? This is often called Person-Centred Care or Person-Centred Practice Ask the person (if they can communicate) ask their family check their records and note it in the care plan so you can share it with all your colleagues

Think about how the music you like might differ from your friends, your partner or your family How can it affect your mood? That will be the same for your residents Some might like jazz or classical music whilst others might prefer music related to their religion If you find a favourite or something that calms them then make a note and use it in situations that they might find stressful If you find a tune that distresses them, make a note of that too to help your colleagues to remember not to play it when they are around Music can be used passively (to listen to) or actively (for singing and dancing) – try it out always remembering to keep it personal to the individual

After

“Lesley and I

various options carefully,”

thought of something to do

world-famous

It’s well known that peregrine falcons have nested on the top of the spire in the past few years so the idea of a falcon seemed right especially for a sculpture that was to be sited outdoors and among nature

After some research and with the agreement of the home Charles and Lesley commissioned Lymington-based metal artist Michael Turner to design and produce the work Michael is an internationally recognised sculptor who makes robust, handcrafted garden artwork inspired by nature using recycled materials

The result of his commission from Braemar Lodge is a stainless-steel falcon, just over life size, mount-

Residents, many of whom fondly recall Tim, immediately voiced their approval of what is the first garden sculpture at the home Marigold Routh said “It s very beautiful, stunning The way it is poised on the wood you feel its eyes are focused on you I love its curved talons I knew Tim very well and used to see his wife Sarah who was assiduous in visiting him regularly Tim loved anything to do with the Cathedral and I m sure he would have loved this sculpture ”

Tim was the author of a book on the history of Salisbury Cathedral, The Man Who Moved a Cathedral He also published an autobiography Tock Tock Birds charting his military career including spells with the Indian Army and Gurkha Rifles

In his years as a guide he mentored dozens of junior colleagues and especially enjoyed acting as an interpreter for foreign visitors

He stepped down in 2013 and made his final return to the Cathedral on a visit with fellow Braemar Lodge residents when he was 93 in October 2018

Resident and bird lover Helen Scott, who has often helped to feed birds who come into the garden said: I think the sculpture is magnificent It will go very well here as long as it doesn t frighten away the other birds!”

An author historian and Salisbury Cathedral stalwart has had a unique sculpture unveiled in his honour at the city care home where he spent his final years

his death aged 94 on New Year s Day 2020 the family of Tim Hatton OBE made a generous donation so that Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge could choose and commission a garden artwork for fellow residents to enjoy

Members of the home s gardening team knew that Tim was a recognised expert on the Cathedral and had spent nearly 20 years there as a volunteer guide

Colten Care s Head Gardener Charles Hubberstey discussed ideas for a suitable piece of art with Lesley King, Braemar Lodge Gardener

considered

said Charles We

with Salisbury Cathedral and its

spire

ed on a six-foot oak branch Charles unveiled the falcon to a gathering of residents in the lounge before setting it on a plinth in the garden Its simple inscription reads: Thank You Tim Hatton

People With Dementia Face ‘Perfect Storm’ as Rising Costs Mean One in Ten is Cutting Care and Support

People living with dementia are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of rising care and living costs that will leave many stranded in their own homes over Christmas, warns Alzheimer’s Society

The charity reports that amongst those struggling with cost of living pressures, nearly one in seven is cutting down on vital social activities, and one in ten is cutting down or stopping

While the cost of living crisis impacts almost everyone people with dementia face additional pressures as many have to pay for their own care unlike those with other conditions that are treated by the NHS A new Alzheimer’s Society survey of 1,166 people affected dementia from across the UK reveals that fees have risen on average £1 200 a year for residential care, home care and day care, and that people with dementia spend a lot of time at home an average of 22 hours a day In a bid to reduce costs one in four who are struggling with the rising cost of living are retreating into one room to save on energy bills leaving them at risk of devastating isolation which could see their condition worsen

said:

‘The rising cost of living has left people with dementia facing a perfect storm of rising care costs leading many to reduce their crucial care services and social activities while also struggling to heat their homes ’

For people with dementia cold and isolation can have a devastating impact on their condition, leaving them at real risk of crisis this winter ’

Christmas for most of us is a time of joy and togetherness but for far too many people living with dementia it will be desperately lonely this year, with many isolated in their own homes

No-one should have to choose between heating their home or getting the care they need, but as people with dementia face rising care costs almost one in seven are choosing to reduce or even stop vital social activities and one in ten have reduced or stopped using social care ’

One in four people who are struggling with the rising cost of living are retreating into one room to save on energy bills

We were disappointed that Government has delayed the care cap for two years, which would have set an £86,000 limit on what people contribute to their own care This was a first step towards tackling crippling care costs at a time when people with dementia are facing even bigger bills ’

We appreciate the additional investment for social care announced recently by the Chancellor but as we approach the difficult winter ahead we need a long-term solution to fix our broken care system and deliver the quality, affordable care people with dementia deserve ’

The findings also reveal many people with dementia will spend most of their time indoors over the festive season meaning they will need to use more heating and lighting to stay safe and well

More than half (53%) of those surveyed who live in their own home said they either don’t leave home at all or go out for less than an hour a

day

45% of people living with dementia who live alone said they never go out

Spiralling care fees are also forcing many to cut back on other essentials Living fees have risen by an average of £23 20 per week (£1 206 40 a year) for people with dementia in sheltered housing supported living a residential care home or nursing home with more than one in ten (12%) facing a weekly rise of more than £40 (more than £2 000 a year)

Meanwhile, fees for support services such as private home care services support groups and day care for people with dementia have increased by an average of £22 91 per week (£1,191 32 a year), with one in seven (13%) facing a weekly rise of more than £40

The survey also revealed:

• Two in five households with someone living with dementia said they have struggled to pay at least one bill in the last month

One in four say they have struggled to pay their utility bills

One in five have struggled to pay for food and drink

Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life, ahead of cancer cardiovascular disease and stroke

Two-thirds of care costs are currently being paid by people with dementia and their families either in unpaid care or in paying for private social care This is because unlike the NHS social care of which people with dementia are the biggest users is means-tested

Care Home Offers Unique Opportunity with a Virtual Dementia Tour

Kate Lee Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer s Society

Cherry Hinton Care Home, based in Cambridge, will be hosting an Open Day on Saturday 21st January from 11am-4pm with a unique opportunity to experience the virtual dementia tour allowing you to understand how a person living with dementia can feel The virtual dementia tour is the only scientifically proven method of giving a person an experience of what dementia might be like

Amber Christou, Business Development Manager at Cherry Hinton Care

Home said It is fantastic that we have the virtual dementia tour visiting our home for our Open Day We always highlight the outstanding care we provide to all our residents, but this experience will take it to another level, you will get to have an insight and step into the shoes of someone with dementia It’s an opportunity you don t want to miss! The open day will also allow visitors to find out more about the homes care and wide range of activities, meet the team and take a tour of the care home

How To Set Boundaries For People Who Work In Care

are

By

Psychologists

WHY IS SETTING BOUNDARIES DIFFICULT?

Setting personal boundaries can be a challenge Partly because they are invisible and intangible and partly because they require assertiveness to maintain them All of this is even more challenging for people who work in care One reason for this is that those you care for have a high level of need and are dependent on you It can feel like part of your duty is to put your own needs aside A second reason is that many of the kind of people who are attracted to caring professions also readily sacrifice themselves

HOW CARERS’ BOUNDARIES GET BROKEN

There are many ways that carers’ boundaries can be broken: working beyond your paid hours; feeling responsible for the family and friends of those in your care; feeling responsible for your colleagues or manager; experiencing rudeness or abuse at work; being exploited by the organisation you work for Perhaps you can think of others if you reflect on the challenges of your own situation

SIGNS

THAT YOUR BOUNDARIES ARE BEING BROKEN

you expect anyone else to know that they have been breached

HOW TO IDENTIFY BOUNDARIES IN ADVANCE

Choose your helping boundaries

Are you going beyond the call of duty? If as well as a caring job you’re also volunteering, looking after dependent relatives, or trying to help everyone you meet then you don t have any boundaries to your helping It’s essential to consciously decide when, who and how you help For example you might decide to limit most of your helping to your professional role

Know your limits

As well as listening out for your boundaries alarm system there are other signs that you’ve reached your limits and need to reset your boundaries Typically signs are if you are feeling exhausted resentful or exploited

Agree your boundaries

WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES?

Imagine a house with a white picket fence all around the perimeter Any onlooker will see where that boundary is and they will know not to cross it

Personal boundaries help to define how we see ourselves and how others perceive us Think of them as guidelines for how we behave in any given situation or relationship They also help others predict what they can expect from us, and how we expect them to treat us Boundaries protect you; they keep you safe They are important for your integrity and emotional wellbeing They keep the good in and the bad out

Often people don’t identify their boundaries in advance; they only discover them when their internal alarm system goes off You experience a sense of unease exposure or wrongness You don t like someone else s behaviour towards you You feel compromised And when that happens it’s essential to take action to protect your boundaries COMMUNICATING YOUR BOUNDARIES

If your boundaries alarm system is going off you have to learn to speak up about that To communicate clearly To say how you feel while acknowledging how others might feel too That takes courage and assertiveness If you don t communicate your boundaries how can

You don’t have to do all of this on your own Talk to the people you work with and discover what you can expect from them and what they can expect from you That’s especially important when you start a new job or join a new team Agreeing your boundaries in this way could make it easier to support each other to maintain your boundaries

Know the impor tance of looking after yourself too

If the focus of your attention is entirely on other people most of the consequences for you are negative - you are the one who ends up suffering It might help you to remember one thing: as well as your responsibilities towards those in your care and to your employer, your ultimate responsibility is to yourself to looking after your own needs protecting your own boundaries and asserting your human rights Because if you aren t doing these things who is going to?

A Surprise Visit from America Makes Blanche’s 102nd Birthday Extra Special

At Friends of the Elderly s Little Bramingham Farm care home in Luton Bedfordshire, the care team left nothing to chance in celebrating Blanche

Fromenton s landmark 102nd Birthday Along with gifts balloons and cards the Birthday Girl got a marvellous treat with a surprise visit from her Granddaughter Holly who flew in from St Louis Missouri in America to share in her Gran’s birthday celebrations

Londoner Blanche has been a resident at Little Bramingham Farm for over two years and is a well-loved member of the care home family For her extra special day, the care team ensured Blanche had a birthday to remember They decorated the care home in an array of beautiful congratulatory decorations and presented Blanche with a delicious 102nd birthday cake which she shared with her family and care home friends – and of course everyone sung Happy Birthday To You to the birthday girl

However, the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’ and best part of Blanche s day was seeing her Granddaughter Holly who secretly flew all the way from St Louis Missouri in America to surprise her Gran

When I saw Holly I couldn t believe it I thought for a second I must be dreaming,” Blanche said “It was an absolutely wonderful surprise, it not only made my day but it made my whole year

A resident at a care home in Stroud was thrilled when her wish to become the belle of the ball was made a reality

70-year-old May Wells who lives at Care UK s Scarlet House on Westward Road was given the VIP treatment to make her wish to become a theatre star a reality

May who has learning difficulties has been a resident at Scarlet House for six months and has always had dreams of fame – with her goals being to become either a movie star or to perform on the stage When the lifestyle team learned of May’s wish they set about making her wish a reality – fairy godmother style

Reaching out to The Sub Rooms a local community arts centre the team organised for May to watch a performance of the pantomime before heading on

Emma Lawrance the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham

said: We all wanted to make sure Blanche had a wonderful and memorable 102nd Birthday and with the top secret surprise visit from Holly she certainly did “Blanche is such a lovely lady and has a great sense of humour and she always has a smile and a kind word for everyone She constantly amazes us too as she is so independent and always up for getting involved in our daily activities

Blanche added: “I’m particularly fond of the exercise classes, quizzes, joining in with the visiting singers and Musical Bingo There s always something different going on here to get involved with ”

Karen Charity Little Bramingham Farm s Activities Coordinator said: Blanche is a real joy to be around and reaching the grand age of 102 is something to be honoured respected and celebrated Having her family care home friends and the care home team here to share her special day with her was wonderful

Blanche concluded: “I have had a really wonderful 102nd birthday, it s been joyous Having my family and friends celebrating with me was magical It s a day I ll never forget

I m often asked what advice I d give to my younger self It s easy really Make sure you always get a good night’s sleep; you’ll wake up with a spring in your step ready to take on the day It s always worked for me

stage herself for a taste of fame and to meet the cast of Cinderella in person

After a shopping trip to choose her outfit local hairdressers arrived at the home bright and early to give May a makeover for her special day before a chauffeur driven car arrived at the home to whisk her and her Scarlet House friends off to the theatre

Speaking of her experience May said: “I felt like a princess – a real superstar I have loved every second and have a Cinderella wand as a souvenir too!”

The occasion was part of Scarlet House s Wishing Tree Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper no wish is too big or small

Jess Baker and Rod Vincent

Chartered

and the authors of The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People (Flint Books, available in hardback £18.99 and ebook) www.jessbaker.co.uk/shsbookclub

Farm

New Online Community Launched To Support Health Tech Professionals

But every week we were receiving the same queries relating to the same issues such as getting started on NHS Digital APIs accessing our path to live environments and onboarding

“By answering these questions in an open forum we realised more people would be able to see the solutions to these problems

“We want to support our developers by ensuring they have a positive experience and encourage them to use our APIs to develop cost-effective digital services designed around the needs of our health and care professionals, patients, and the public ”

applications Most are NHS Digital-owned but some are owned by third parties The platform provides a consistent experience for API consumers and producers, helping to make integration easier

The idea for the developer community came after a survey carried out by NHS Digital showed 76% of existing users consisting of chief technology officers project managers business analysts and developers were in favour of a well-supported official NHS forum to provide them with the help and support they need NHS Digital business analyst Ernest Kissiedu whose role involves supporting API Management said: We realised we could improve the way we do things by providing an open forum to create a sense of community among our API developers

“We were offering developer support to API Product teams using email, MS Teams, and Slack channels

The developer community is open for anyone to browse or search for answers to queries Those who set up developer hub accounts will also be able to post and respond to other threads featured on the forum Feedback can also be left to help contribute to the pilot Shan Rahulan, Director of Platforms for Core Services at NHS Digital, added “I'm really keen to work in the open so that we can bring all the expertise and experience we have across the health and care service together There are a lot of people outside NHS Digital whose expertise we can harness

“We want all our users to get involved and for new ones to sign up too to help shape the future of the developer community by providing feedback on NHS products and services

“The long-term vision for the community is to make it easier for the health and care system to access support insight and knowledge By creating an open environment we hope people in the community will come together to help each other and share their experiences ”

Hastings Care Home Hosts Array of Festive Visits from the Local Community

Residents at a Hastings care home have been treated to a host of Christmas activities put on by the local community

Mountside Care Home organised a full schedule of festive entertainment for its residents and families courtesy of local community groups

Firstly residents were treated to children from Blacklands Academy attending to put on a small concert of festive songs that some residents recognised and could sing along to

The local Rainbows Brownies and Girl Guides groups also paid a visit to the Laton Road home to sing more Christmas songs for the residents A brave four-year-old girl sang Twinkle Twinkle a duet from the Brownies sang In The Bleak Midwinter whilst the whole group joined in for a rendition of Rocking Around the Christmas Tree With an action packed few weeks leading up to the big day one resident said: “It’s been great having so many visitors especially as I can’t get out and about to attend festive events myself so I m grateful they were willing to come to us ”

To help fund such activities the home has hosted a Christmas Fayre a raffle and has a collection box for donations to help raise money for its ‘Residents’ Fund’

Internal activities have also helped to get residents into the festive spirit as they offered their hand at making mince pies decorating the home and creating Christmas cards

Shelagh Hazleton Activities Coordinator at Mountside said: “It’s been lovely to welcome so many of the local community into our home and to help bring the Christmas spirit to our residents We extend our thanks to all our visitors throughout the past few weeks we have thoroughly enjoyed the time you ve spent with us

It s also been great to see the residents share some of these festive activities with their loved ones Unfortunately, not all residents get to see their families on Christmas Day, so we ensure there are still plenty of opportunities to create festive memories this year ”

Noroviruses: Outbreak Management and Disinfectant Choice

Also returning after a successful debut in 2021, the Cleaning & Support Services Association will once again host the CSSA Innovation Showcase The dedicated pavilion is designed to highlight and celebrate the industry’s most innovative cleaning products services and initiatives Among the big trends anticipated to take the spotlight the theme of sustainability will return to help operators minimise their impact on the planet Cobotics and the evolution of robotic technology to support the cleaning process and tackle the ongoing resources challenge will also play a key role alongside healthy buildings where the Internet of Things (IoT)

A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Alongside

of speakers and topics will be announced in the coming weeks

GOJO experts in skin health and surface hygiene were recently exhibiting at the 14th annual Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference, where healthcare professionals were invited to join GOJO THE INVENTORS OF PURELL - and the hand sanitiser category itself on stand 37!

The team of GOJO Healthcare Support Managers offered support and advice on their total solution approach to infection prevention in healthcare facilities highlighting the company s ability to help hygiene standards across all areas and situations within hospitals and healthcare facilities

GOJO showcased its role as a specialist partner in healthcare hygiene by focussing on three areas with specific need:

• SURGICAL WARDS

Meeting key hygiene norms is of the utmost importance in these environments but the harsh products used to do so can really take their toll on hands In contrast, using

PURELL Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub offers a gentler way to meet EN 12791 standard

•

ACUTE AND GENERAL WARDS

GOJO provides a straight ‘out of the box’ solution for hand hygiene incorporating dispensers products accessories and signage as well as training and on-boarding support It also manages installations thereby reduc-

ing the staffing impact of changing suppliers

• COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES:

These environments often have radically different needs from what are traditionally catered for in healthcare packages GOJO takes these specificities into consideration and offers specially adapted products – for example locked dispenser units and foam sanitiser, so they can only be opened by trained personnel in demanding environments

Its train the trainer programme allows all staff to be trained on product use whatever shift they work Personal formats can also be supplied so healthcare professionals always have products on hand when they are needed – even if their work is off-site

Chris Wakefield Managing Director UK & Ireland, GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd comments: ‘We know the key to increasing hand

hygiene compliance is to ensure that the right products are available in the right places at the right time We are constantly innovating to keep people and places healthy This means formulating products that are not only effective at killing germs but that won t irritate hands that must be repeatedly cleaned throughout a shift

‘Ensuring that the products are available when and where they are needed – be that personal bottles of hygienic hand rub or dispensers positioned in optimal locations And last but not least, developing solutions with the environment in mind

For example from 2023 we plan to move to RPT refills; all collapsible refills will be made from recycled materials, as well as being recyclable

Widely used in the NHS PURELL® is a trusted brand in healthcare facilities around the world Our solutions encompass fastactive effective formulas that care for skin state of the art dispensers and specialist support such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) accredited training making us the ideal healthcare partner

For a tailored effective total solution for your setting or for more information on the benefits of partnering with GOJO please call +44 (0)1908 588444 email

By James Derham (BSc (hons)), Liam Grimshaw (MSc by research, BSc (hons))

The Cleaning Show 2023 returns to ExCeL, London from 14-16 March 2023 to demonstrate the very latest advancements in cleaning technologies and provide unmissable learning and sourcing opportunities for the cleaning and hygiene sector which together with the waste industry is one of the biggest sectors in the UK worth nearly £59bn and employing 1 47m people

The show organised by the British Cleaning Council and Quartz Business Media is set to attract more than 100 cleaning suppliers with the likes of Jangro Numatic Makita UK Karcher UK Nilfisk and SC Johnson Professional among those confirmed to exhibit And with more than 7 000 senior cleaning professionals set to attend from across the contract cleaning facilities management (FM) healthcare hospitality retail and public services sectors it is no surprise that the event has become the largest and longest running exhibition in the UK dedicated to cleaning hygiene and facilities management

a growing list of Europe s leading cleaning suppliers confirmed to showcase their latest technologies and innovations on the show floor The Cleaning Show Conference will also return Welcoming the industry s leading experts the conference will offer a place to discuss and debate the big issues affecting the sector A full programme

enabled dynamic resource applications will transform operations With a focus on creating the Future of Cleaning businesses and organisations operating throughout the industry can enter their innovations via the CSSA website by 30 November 2022 Prior to The Cleaning Show the CSSA will hold an Innovator s Pitch with a panel of leading industry experts who will review and interview all entrants and select those to be exhibited at the Innovation Showcase itself For further information on submitting an entry, visit https://www cssa-uk co uk/

Registration for The Cleaning Show 2023 will open on 1st November 2022 To register your interest to attend

CLEANING, HYGIENE & INFECTION CONTROL

known as BESA This means that after we ve completed your TR19® Grease compliant clean we can provide certification to demonstrate that you have done everything required of you to protect the users of your premises

There

In the event of a fire, certification will help to demonstrate that you have not been negligent If there should be a fire, and particularly if residents are harmed or negligence is proved, the Responsible Person can face legal proceedings and even if convicted a custodial sentence If you cannot demonstrate TR19 Grease® compliance your buildings insurance provider may also refuse to pay out following a fire

And don t worry about disturbing your residents

ll work with you to establish a time frame to perform your TR19® Grease clean when your kitchen is not being used and your residents are safe elsewhere

CATERING FOR CARE

Supporting People to Eat and Drink Safely

There are a growing number of residents who have Dysphagia a medical condition which relates to difficulty in swallowing solids or liquids The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists describe Dysphagia as: a serious issue and swallowing difficulties have potentially life-threatening consequences It can result in choking, pneumonia, chest infections, dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss It can also make taking medication more difficult Swallowing difficulties can result in avoidable hospital admission and in some cases death It can also lead to a poorer quality of life for the individual and their family This may be due to embarrassment and lack of enjoyment of food which can have profound social consequences Care homes and care agencies need to ensure they understand the risk and the solutions, with clear policies, training and diligence to underpin safe care There has been much progress in recent years in this area not least of which is expecting the same standard of choice and food provided to them as for any other dietary need Consideration for malnutrition risk also goes hand in hand with those who have swallowing problems if food tastes change or consumption reduces for nutrient dense foods

IDDSI which stands for International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative was a safety framework introduced in 2018 and required to be implemented from April 2019 to help ensure safe food textures It consists of 8 Levels from thin fluid to regular food IDDSI org remains the primary source of information to enable sites to train and audit against this framework For safe textures to be provided care teams need to know what good looks like

and how to assess and support residents safely and to enable catering teams to produce food and drink which meets the IDDSI Levels If a care team member is supporting a person in their own homes they may also need training in food modification or at the very least understand what safe is and how to test safe texture Some care homes or agencies choose to procure or recommend ready modified foods whilst others produce their own food and some chose a hybrid of both Either way food needs testing for safe texture

Supporting people to eat and drink safely is a wider issue affecting all aspects of care from identification of dysphagia through to assessment and support It encompasses the safety of the food and drink describes in the IDDSI framework This entire area requires an understanding of the standards available to meet this as stipulated in the Eating Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (EDSCF) which provides 6 levels of training and competency from basic awareness for non-hands on care or catering teams through to nurse level assessment and support for residents Care homes need to select training and learning opportunities that meets both the EDSCF and IDDSI and as there is no accredited training (although some very good providers) organisations need to identify the best way of training the teams and demonstrating competence and impact which in itself can be hard to judge without specialist help and support from key individuals

Support organisations such as the NACC (National Association for Care Catering) can help care homes and agencies to achieve this area and simple solutions such as the IDDSI app on phones provide a free resource that can help

Anglia Crown – Adding Warmth to the Colder Months

Anglia Crown offer a wide range of hot and cold desserts that are ideal for a well-balanced nutritional diet including choices that do not contain gluten Our Crown Choice and Advantage ranges include some fifty-eight dishes, including our new, autumnal warming Ginger Chocolate Chip Sponge and delicious, comforting custard that goes with almost any hot dessert Our Crown Choice cold dessert includes the perennial favourites such as Chocolate Cake whilst our Crown Advantage range also offer reduced sugar desserts All individual Crown Advantage desserts come in packs of eighteen whilst the Crown Choice desserts come in packs of 3 and 6 allowing accurate portioning and cutting down on any potential waste Many of the Anglia Crown dishes can be teamed up with fresh fruit allow-

Our hot desserts are high in energy our hot portions of 170kcal and above provide energy and protein dense options and when served with custard provide over 250 kcal per serving Our cold desserts of 250 kcal and above also meet the energy guidelines in the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Nutrition and Hydration Digest (2017) requirements VEGAN

SUITABLE CHOICES

At Anglia Crown we pride ourselves with the array of vegetarian and gluten free dishes that we offer including an impressive range of desserts This was recognised with us being named at the Vegetarian Wholesaler of the Year 2022 at the VfL Awards for Excellence in Veg n Care Catering All the Anglia Crown hot desserts are suitable for vegetarians Most of the Anglia Crown vegan products have been registered with the Vegan Society including some thirteen of the dessert dishes ”

Anglia Crown are here to help take the strain out of your menus throughout the year Visit www angliacrown co uk for further details

The autumn and winter months are a busy time for anyone in the care sector and it is important that all residents have a chance to enjoy warming nutritious food at every mealtime

Mary Wedge Business Development Manager at Anglia Crown comments: “In our experience many of the residents look forward to the desserts They often represent familiar comfort foods and even if they cannot face the main course, will often go straight for the pudding

ing for additional choice Items such as our Carrot Cake or Vanilla Cheesecake can be accompanied by whipped cream garnished with seasonal fresh fruit

Sophie Murray specialises in Nutrition and Hydration in her role as Quality Improvement and Regulatory Partner for Signature Senior Lifestyle

For The Cuppas That Comfort

At Tetley we re here here to support your staff and residents to feel cosy with a comforting cuppa As the UK s No 1 tea brand in the foodservice industry 2 we are dedicated to going beyond simply providing delicious tea solutions we aim to support all our customers with useful tools tips and resources to help with your day-today operations

CUPPAS THAT COUNT

Current research shows that 20% of care home residents

3 and

becoming a leading cause of hospitalisation Therefore understand just how important it is

keep residents healthy and hydrated while also making the experience enjoyable and the challenge this can face for care providers

We ve been serving quality cuppas to the Nation for the past 185 years

Operating globally we source buy and blend the finest tea leaves, so you can promise residents perfection with every

At

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels for Drug-Free Natural Pain Relief

bination of natural ingredients including ethanol menthol eucalyptus peppermint and MSM Reported benefits of BIOFROST® Relief include lasting pain relief, improved joint movements comfort during sleep fewer cramps calmed nerve pain reduced joint and muscle discomfort and faster post-activity recoveries

Yeoman Shield Fire Door Ser vices Taking the Guess Work out of Fire Doors

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are natural drugfree topical cold therapy gels for muscular and joint pain chronic arthritic pain, post-activity muscle tension general aches and overuse disorders Easy to use and fast acting, BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels relieve pain reduce inflammation and swelling without drugs and drug-related side-effects

BIOFROST® Gels: BIOFROST® Relief Cold Gel for pain relieving cold therapy

• BIOFROST®

BIOFROST®

Care facilities typically exhibit significant but varied hot water and heating usage patterns which contributes to the current 40% tally of UK greenhouse gas emissions generated by the built environment

To help achieve climate-neutral building stock by 2050 the industry is being challenged to reduce operational energy use over all other measures By increasing the use of renewable energy supply and prioritising on-site renewable energy sources the hope it to reduce both carbon and bills

Sustainability comes with a cost Whether in the form of new build projects or and far more likely the refurbishment of existing yet ageing facilities understanding the necessary capital investment operational savings and payback periods is going to be key Addressing the efficiency of domestic hot water (DHW) systems - whether through the implementa-

BIOFROST® Active is a dual-action fast-acting cold gel with heat sensation for effective relief of muscular and joint pain Containing 10 natural herbal extracts (i e Arnica Burdock Roman Chamomile Garlic Watercress Ivy White Nettle Pine Rosemary Menthol) BIOFROST® Active relieves chronic pain releases muscular tension loosens stiff joints and effectively treats back pain Benefits of BIOFROST® Active include easier joint movements, effective pain relief in treated areas discomfort-free sleep fewer cramps and reduced post-activity muscular and joint fatigue

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are usable standalone or alongside other pain relieving therapies (i e medication, physiotherapy, etc ) BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are suitable for people of any age including elderly and disabled people living independently or in nursing care

BIOFROST® Cold Therapy Gels are Class 1 Medical Devices made in Finland Win Health Medical Ltd: T: 01835 864864866 / E: biofrost@win-health com W: www win-health com See the advert on page 5

Fire Doors are an imperative part of fire safety and are considerations of the design and maintenance of any building but especially residential Article 17 –RRFSO states fire safety provisions (includes fire doors) must be maintained in a suitable condition order

If you are the Responsible Person it s imperative you appoint a competent person to assist in meeting your duties under the fire safety order to ensure fire safety measures including fire doors are kept in working order

Yeoman Shield’s Fire Door Services can help to take the guess work out of fire door maintenance by providing fire door inspections condition reports remedial work and fire door installation all carried out by FDIS and/or FIRAS accredited team members

Having a good maintenance routine will dispel some needs of fire door replacement therefore being more cost effective

ation of Yeoman Shield Fire ction products can also be in the long term financially beneficial by halting impact damage from the start eliminating many repairs in the future and again will extend door lifecycles

Installing Yeoman Shield door protection products such as door protection panels door edge protectors and PVCu glazing bead units will not affect the integrity of the fire door as all products have been tested in situ to the current standard required

Vulnerable frames and architraves can also be protected from impact with Yeoman Shield to prevent dangerous splintering and splitting as well as abolishing the time-consuming, repetitive need for repainting

For a complete repair and protect service contact the team today frdp@yeomanshield com or visit www yeomanshield com or see the advert page 10

tion of heat pumps solar thermal direct electric water heating or even simple modernisation of existing gas appliances - helps care facilities meet sustainability goals in a practical and cost-effective manner It also delivers improved year-round conditions for staff and clients in care providing access to spaces better suited to delivering medical care and assisted living

For buildings already on gas and that rely on large amounts of DHW - a large proportion of current UK care and nursing home properties - solar preheat is the preferable option For new build properties the expectation is for specification to default to a mixture of heat pumps and direct electric afterheat New system approaches including prefabricated packaged plant rooms also provide for better use of the spaces that already exist without the need to undertake expensive and disruptive building projects This is especially valid as demands for beds continue to increase placing new demands on care facilities

Adveco can help achieve emission reduction targets With more than 50 years of specialised expertise in designing, supplying, and servicing hot water systems to the nursing and care industry, Adveco is the single resource you need for independent expert technical guidance on choosing and developing bespoke sustainable applications today to get you on the right path towards net zero operation

Visit https://adveco co/sectors/healthcare/ or see the advert on page 15

Penile Retraction and Incontinence

As

Renray Healthcare has been producing high quality furniture for over 50 years and is one of the UK s largest and leading suppliers to the healthcare sector

With

LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS

Facing Soaring Energy

Facing unprecedented energy costs and an increasingly pressing climate crisis care home operators are all aiming to minimise energy consumption According to the Carbon Trust the care sector spends over £400 million on energy each year and after heating and lighting it is irrefutable that appliances are a main contributor to this figure For any care home, laundry is a key service area and one that is absolutely critical to maintaining infection control Thankfully, whereas you can’t turn down the heating in a care environment, or turn off the lighting there are ways in which you can significantly reduce the energy consumed by your laundry function Forbes Professional helps care home operators source the most energy water and user efficient laundry solutions whilst advising on all relevant WRAS and industry requirements When choosing dryers, it is notable that care homes are increasingly turning away from gas appliances due to increasing running costs and safety concerns This is all the more notable now that changes to industry requirements are necessitating considerable investment in order for gas appliances to meet the current standards Forbes would generally recommend that electrical appliances should be the product of choice with heat pump dryers enabling astounding cost and energy savings Miele’s new heat pump commercial dryers are particularly highly rated for their safety functionality and energy efficiency They employ a highly efficient and economical filter system and heat exchanger to keep run times low and enable an energy saving of up to 60% when compared to vented dryers Additionally these heat pump dryers do not require any make-up air

which enables the laundry function to be installed in the basement or in a central location within the care-home and saves on costly vent-ducting Due to the effective interaction of the Miele filter system and the maintenance-free heat exchanger fluff cannot clog the heat exchanger or adversely affect the exceptional drying efficiency

With regards to washing machines only a commercial washing machine will suffice in a care environment as only these machines will meet the WRAS requirements for Fluid Category 5 Forbes recommends using Miele commercial washing machines as they are highly energy and water efficient whilst delivering both thermal and sluice disinfection As an illustrative example based on an electricity cost of £0 34/kWh and three machines being used four times/ day for five years, Miele machines can realise a running cost saving of £9 529 when compared to another industry brand

Auto-dosing equipment also provides a great solution for ensuring that the right amount of detergent is dispensed for each cycle; minimising waste optimising the wash cycle and saving both money and time

Forbes Professional provides a range of options for commercial laundry equipment including auto-dosing equipment as well as Miele commercial laundry machines All of their products are available on a purchase rental or lease basis, with access to a comprehensive service that includes installation, commissioning, usertraining and a multi award-winning repair and maintenance response

Working

combat counterfeiting and grey market activity

Our industry leading eCommerce system is designed to reduce cost improve efficiency and streamline supply chain management and will fully protect the integrity and accuracy of critical business data The order entry process is very simple meaning suppliers and vendors can spend their valuable time on tasks other than ordering apparel labelling

Fall Savers - Affordable Fall Monitoring Solutions

Fall

The TreadNought® Floor Sensor Pad is built to last with a durable construction that far out lasts the competition Our anti-bacterial floor sensor pad is compatible with most nurse call systems or can be used with a portable pager to sound an alert when a person steps on to the sensor pad Caregivers typically place the sensor pad at the bedside in a doorway or other locations to monitor persons at risk for falls or wandering An optional anti-slip mesh reduces the potential for slippage on hard surface floors

Features include:

Connects directly to most nurse call systems

High Quality anti-bacterial Floor Sensor Pad Large Size Pad Measures (L) 91cm x (H) 61cm Options (sold separately): Anti-slip mesh for hard surface floors See the advert on this page for further details or visit www fallsavers co uk

Medpage Falls Management Products

Care technologies have advanced at an amazing rate over the past decade The digital age is a place where we all live and all use technology as a familiar part of our daily lives At Medpage we have harnessed these advancing technologies into products to support Social Care and Independent Living Medpage brand products are designed to provide affordable user-friendly care support products for domestic and professional care Our new wristband activated door egress alarm is a perfect example of how advanced technologies are transformed into a system to safeguard people prone to wandering Simple to install suitable for single or multiple residents the system allows residents to remain mobile while providing an alert to carers if they attempt to leave the building through a monitored door Further details available at www easylinkuk co uk search Doorwatcher

Medpage have supplied Care, Residential Homes, and Hospitals with fall prevention and detection alarms for more than 25 years From basic bed and chair exit detection alarms to more complex cordless sensor pad systems with nurse call integration, we supply quality systems that deliver cost effective performance

Our new sensor pad controller the MPCSA11 has been included into numerous falls management projects in Hospitals and professional care establishments The system already proven to reduce care costs allows a patient with mobility to transfer from their bed to their chair or to visit their washroom without alarm notifications to carers providing the transfer is completed within a selectable time Failure to return within the selected time will result in alarm notification to carers either by pager nurse call trigger or ward wall mounted alarm receiver

Quiet and calm care homes ensure that residents are able to live in a more relaxing and pleasant home environment

Similarly carers and staff find that they too benefit from reduced stress when working in a home where noise levels are kept to a minimum There are many environmental factors that can affect those sensitive to their surroundings particularly those suffering from dementia these can be fluctuations in ambient temperature light and of course noise Repetitive and high levels of noise can originate from a number of internal and external sources for example telephones ringing loud conversations in corridors and call bells sounding, often one of the largest contributors to increasing the levels of stress and discomfort in residents

A published study by the University of Stirling stated that unanswered Nurse Call (Call Bell) alarms can be one of the most common causes of stress in dementia sufferers The University recommends “fitting call alarms which alert nurses but do not resonate throughout the whole building Alarms can be particularly disconcerting as they may encourage the person with dementia to respond or investigate what the matter is At the very least the loss of sleep will compromise a per-

Lotus

stressed also this

son’s ability to concentrate It can affect their attention levels and capacity to cope as well as being detrimental to their overall state of wellbeing Personal paging systems are preferable to bells and buzzers Modern Nurse Call systems can incorporate a number of methods to reduce their impact in a care home These include zoning whereby there are separate alarm types used depending upon the location of the call In these circumstances dementia sufferers and those vulnerable to noise can be located in one zone whist less vulnerable residents live in an alternative “zone” Each “zone” can operate different call tones warning lights or other methods to alert when help is required

Reducing noise levels is essential to create a tranquil environment for residents Pagers have been around for many years are a relatively simple and cost-effective measure in reducing the levels of noise, and can be added to most Nurse Call systems Smart Mobile Devices are now becoming more commonplace for care home staff and hold a variety of apps for care planning e-medication etc Many Courtney Thorne clients are now utilising the “Go” app with their Nurse Call system With the “Go” app nurse call alarms are delivered immediately and silently straight to the handsets alerting the individual carers to all Nurse call alarms without creating any general alarm sound and rarely disturbing the rest of the residents in the home

Calmer residents ultimately means that staff are less

www.nursecallsystems.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

The UK is embracing a new era of data-driven social care reform Digitisation and datafication are enabling enhanced visibility, unlocking a new paradigm of proactive person-centred care How is data enabling this transformation what are the stumbling blocks and what strategies are necessary to create a new digital roadmap that leads to better outcomes?

Stuart Barclay, UK sales director of fall detection and remote monitoring supplier Vayyar Care recently chaired a live roundtable discussion with key players in the social care sector to explore the power and potential of technologyenabled care

Four of the field’s leading providers and thought leaders explored the key factors driving change in social care The conversation brought together Alyson Scurfield, CEO at TSA, Paul Berney, CMO at Anthropos, Claire Aldridge, Strategic Contract Manager at Millbrook Healthcare Group and Tim Barclay CEO at Appello to share their visions for the future and how they are leveraging data to truly transform care

STUART BARCLAY:

Thank you all for being here Alyson, can you tell us about the need, demand and market readiness for data-driven social care and digital transformation?

ALYSON SCURFIELD, TSA CEO:

First I d like to thank Vayyar Care for bringing us together for this important discussion I’m delighted to be here

As part of the advisory body for technology-enabled care in the UK I’m passionate about the power of data to transform care, enhance lives and deliver better outcomes for people and communities Using data to provide better care is at the heart of what we do at TSA We’ve been talking about this since early 2019 pre-COVID and identified three cornerstones – data people, and partnerships – as the key drivers of transformation to enable true preventative care We ve had a bird s eye view of the process of change that’s impacting services and communities across the UK

We learned that we’re data-rich but intelligence-poor We need to give people relevant data insights that they can use to make more informed decisions and carry out better care planning not only for family members and frontline workers, but also to allow care recipients themselves to play an active role in managing their own self-care Technology is delivering better outcomes for people It’s the glue of transformation and we’re starting to prove it

Data can drive better outcomes, enabling people to live longer independently in the place of their choosing The scene is set for true health and social care reform

STUART:

Let s talk about the journey from analogue to digital How are reactive legacy solutions and devices falling short when it comes to falls management?

We recently conducted a survey of social care providers that identified falls management as the primary drain on resources 69% of respondents said that falls are the most common reason for responder visits But more than a quarter of those callouts turn out to be false alarms putting a huge strain on staff

A big part of the problem is that the vast majority of fall detection solutions on the market aren t practical Take cameras for example Most care users do not feel comfortable with video cameras invading their privacy at home

CLAIRE ALDRIDGE, STRATEGIC CONTRACT MANAGER, MILLBROOK HEALTHCARE GROUP:

In the past caregivers had to deal with so many false alarms especially when it comes to fall detection Reactive legacy solutions like buttons and cords are useful only if they re within reach and the resi-

dent is conscious mats are often unreliable and break frequently and wearables have to be charged, while the care user must remember to put them on

At Millbrook we ve recognised that historically the sector hasn t been using data as smartly as we could and that’s something we’re keen to address That s why we re partnering with companies like Vayyar and Anthropos, who share our vision, so that we can start leveraging data to get the best outcomes for our service users and help them feel secure about using the technology

We ve adopted a digital-first approach meaning that we re phasing out all analogue devices Our goal is to start leveraging data to get the best outcomes for our service users

We want to capture the full benefits of technology to overcome the problem of false alarms and use it to predict and prevent crises

It s an exciting time right now and there s plenty of new tech coming on board We want to be sure that Millbrook is at the forefront of change and innovation in the sector

ALYSON:

False alarms have made people weary – and wary – of technology that wastes valuable time and resources With all new technologies we need to give people confidence that they meet rigorous standards and have fully proven themselves

TIM BARCLAY, APPELLO CEO:

The transition from analogue to digital has been going on for the past seven years One of the good that the TSA and the industry s momentum have helped us to understand is that this isn’t just about replacing a device that signals analogue with a device that signals digital It s an opportunity for a step change to business models service models, and the outcomes you deliver because there is so much more power and capability in a digital environment We have more digitally connected customers than anyone out there and proven solutions to choose from We ve put digital infrastructure into more than 25 000 apartments and scores of case studies of people who were considering the journey and now have accessed proven innovative solutions

We ve gone out of our way to make ensure that we are as interoperable as possible We have transition models both commercial and technical to help the transition from analogue to digital We re not just moving from one box to another – that would be missing the point The transition to digital can deliver services in a more effective personalised, and meaningful way for the end user, and that doesn’t mean at a higher cost You can deliver better services at a lower cost through more intelligent use of the digital capabilities that technology-enabled care has to offer

STUART:

Our survey also revealed that 90% of service providers acknowledge that frontline staff are spending too much time on administrative tasks More data should really mean less paperwork for staff What s more 88% of providers agree that more data about how long users spend at home and their activity would help deliver more personalised care And that leads to our next topic: outcomes How can we use data smartly to reduce the burden on overworked caregivers and ensure better care?

TIM:

It s worth contextualizing the word data It s not reams of information that need to be analysed It’s data delivered simply and sensibly Data is machine-driven pieces of insight that can be easily shared in a digital form

We must be able to deliver single nuggets of information that care providers can act on Simple messages like “I m OK”, clearly delivered on a dashboard, can make an enormous difference to the productivity of frontline staff

PAUL BERNEY, CMO AT ANTHROPOS:

It’s the job of the connected care platforms like Anthropos and others to process manage and analyse the data Ultimately care providers are only interested in the intelligence that will allow them to make better-informed care decisions

They re only interested in the end product – the insights That’s our job and we do it best when we know the desired care outcomes Then we know what insights we need to identify We take the data and divide it into four basic categories: environment daily routine and behaviour patterns physiological wellbeing and safety and security Then we take all that data and turn it into intelligence But we can only do that when we know what the goals are what insights we need to provide and what actions are required When you have a platform can reveal behavioural changes you can step in and take preventative

action Then you can make a real difference to someone s life no matter stage of the care journey they’re at

STUART:

You touched there on the importance of the joined-up care journey Ultimately, it s collaboration that enables the delivery of person-centred predictive care According to our survey almost 80% of service providers agreed that sharing behavioural data is critical to unlocking personalised outcomes We need to change the norm so that we can start working together cohesively as suppliers to support service providers in collaboration with TSA But let’s get more specific

What insights have been unlocked by the behavioural data you gather and how do you share them with key stakeholders?

PAUL:

We re good at integration and that s because we understand the importance of working together I’ll give you an example We got an alert that showed that a resident hadn t started her morning routine within half hour of her regular pattern, and then the data revealed she had been up several times to go to the bathroom This is a person with long history of UTIs so the platform could identify this wasn’t the norm for her and sent an alert It s then up to the care provider to decide if it’s necessary to take action or just to keep an eye on them

STUART:

You re absolutely right Data sharing is the key to cohesive meaningful and fruitful partnerships between technology suppliers platform providers and frontline caregivers Sharing behavioural data that reveals mobility physical and mental health and potential medical conditions is critical to unlocking personalised care and optimising outcomes That applies both to overall care management and to the risk factors of falls

PAUL:

Exactly and that s why our customers want Vayyar Care Managing falls more effectively through better communication is at the top of our priority list when it comes to care management

Passive falls monitoring is so important because we all understand the drawbacks of wearables

We want to give people confidence that they re buying into a system that’s gone through exhaustive evaluation and testing, because if you re going to make a care decision based on data you need complete confidence in the quality of that intelligence

ALYSON:

Achieving the best results through focused insights and intelligent data sharing is all about partnering with the right people Collaboration is paramount in terms of providing better outcomes We want to help people feel secure about using technology as a reliable resource and that s a team effort We re partnering with leading tech and platform providers like Vayyar Care and Anthropos who share our vision and want start to using smart tech much more wisely We need to guarantee that our partners deliver the best quality adhere to the highest safety standards and like us, are committed to putting the service user at the heart of everything they do Above all we re committed to the quality standards framework which includes ethics and continuous quality of care

Come visit the TSA website We ll put you in touch with organisations that have loads of case studies to show how we’re making this possible We also have a list of certified members that we can guarantee are delivering this partnership approach and are delivering quality service

STUART:

Well that brings us to the end of our roundtable on how data is transforming social care I d like to thank you all for being here and sharing your insights and experience As the social care sector expands, it’s clear that local authorities across the UK need to embrace new sensor technologies leading-edge platforms and above all fresh best practices if they’re going to continue to put people at the heart of care

If you d like to discuss any of the issues raised in this roundtable or connect with any of the contributors please email Stuart Barclay directly:

stuart barclay@vayyar com

10 Reasons To Go Digital With Electronic Care Planning and Medication (eMAR) Systems

TIME

More time to care

Carers never have enough time to care but going digital can provide more

There are so many time-consuming tasks such as writing care notes completing paper assessments filling in charts preparing handovers and countless other administrative tasks

Going digital can automate many of these tasks and enable recording care interactions in real-time ensuring nothing is left undocumented and saving time that can be better spent providing care

CONTROL

Better Control

Digital care systems are safe and accessible maintaining the security and confidentiality of your data

This is difficult to achieve with paper because sensitive information must be locked away when not in use per GDPR

Furthermore digital allows you to determine who can access and what via permission controls Staff only see what they need to see based on their role

PROTECTION

Protect your business

Going digital makes it easy and efficient to evidence

the quality of care you provide In addition as a digital system has a complete audit trail you can be assured the information you are providing is accurate and complete COSTS

Costs and environment

The most considerable cost saving that going digital can provide is time While the amount of time saved will vary between service types and roles this alone makes going digital worthwhile

RISK

Reduced risk

Using inbuilt alerts ensures that nothing is missed whether that s a care plan change or a fall report Using an eMAR will help reduce medication errors and ensure that the 6 Rs are always met

Going digital also allows the collection of data at the point of care which can be analysed to identify trends and risks and demonstrate corrective action

RETENTION

Improve

staf f retention

Using electronic care systems to change the focus from the administration to the delivery of care helps

stage engage more with service users

Additionally providing smart tools like care planning and eMAR software to reduce the administrative burden will decrease staff stress

QUALITY

Improved quality of care

With pre-built assessments covering all aspects of health you can get to know your service users intimately

But it s not just health; other characteristics such as emotion likes/dislikes and how they correspond to a wide range of activities can be recorded

EVIDENCE

Demonstrate quality of care deliver y

While the delivery of person-centred care is paramount care providers must also provide evidence of the care they deliver and regulatory bodies actively encourage the use of technology

Digital care plans are the best way to achieve this!

VISIBILITY

Improved visibility

Electronic care systems ensure that managers have real-time access to notes and information to instantly understand the care provided and help identify

changes that need to be made to improve the quality of care

AutumnCare contains a customisable Dashboard to provide Managers with a snapshot of what is occurring across the care service at any point in time

WONDERING HOW TO GO DIGITAL?

AutumnCare provides specialist digital care planning and eMAR software enabling providers to migrate to a digital system and providing the foundations for outstanding care We can walk you through what is required step by step as well as provide training and support every step of the way

To realise all of the benefits above plus many more get in touch with us today

Contact Chris Sharman

Email c sharman@autumn care Call 0800 009 2121

Website uk autumn care

Virtual Reality Technology Helps Residents Take a Trip To Some Of The World’s Most Beautiful Places

Reminiscence therapy is proving to be particularly effective for people living with dementia and this is a fantastic example of how we can utilise modern technology to help them to unlock treasured memories and engage with others ” he further explains

Advinia is one of the UK s largest care providers and has for some time now been engaging in groundbreaking technological advancements to provide the best care for residents With a vision to create a better everyday life for its residents Advinia continues to explore the ever-present opportunities that technology provides to make life for the elderly more enjoyable

Court Longwood Braemount Hillview Netherton Green and Parklands have been travelling around the world from the comfort of their armchairs thanks to Oculus, a virtual reality technology The VR headset offers Residents the opportunity to visit renowned tourist sites whilst sitting comfortably in their Homes The headsets track head movements allowing the wearer to explore a 360-degree representation of an environment just by looking around The view experienced by the headset wearer is also displayed on a tablet so Carers and family can share and chat about the content which might include places familiar to the resident or parts of the world they ve never encountered before Advinia Health Care (www advinia co uk) says the introduction of virtual reality technology is in response to the impact the pandemic has had on residents who have expressed their

desire to travel around the world In response, Advinia introduced Oculus to enhance the life of the residents especially those living with dementia Dr Sanjeev Kanoria Founder and Chairman of Advinia Healthcare noted that It is wonderful to hear how these experiences have allowed the Residents to reminisce with their families and each other and enabled them to become more engaged and involved, particularly during these challenging last couple of years ”

Intelligent Care Software (ICS)

The CAREAudits System

CAREAudits apps and systems evolved via an associated company Kern Systems were Ken Newlove director and founding member had been developing and deploying paperless systems for EPoS and Finance in the private and public sectors since 1999

Back in 2014 the team had more than 50 years experience in IT and software development as well as having been heavily involved in the third sector with a trustee of three charities a director of a business directly involved in the care market and a consultant in a £10 million turnover charity and interim CEO and Chair at an adult hospice

Working in the Care Sector the team recognised in 2014 the sector was becoming overwhelmed with

administration driven by ever increasing legislative compliance requirements and controls and pressurised by ever increasing costs The CAREAudits apps evolved from their desire to give something back to the Care Sector; to develop systems that genuinely reduce costs and increase efficiency as well as improving accountability and quality And above all a system that would be easy to install and use by everyone

THE CAREAUDITS SYSTEM

The CAREAudits app and Web Portal Auditing Tool is now being used throughout the UK and Ireland by all care service providers in numerous locations There are thousands of carers checking everything from CQC Compliance and Safety to Medication Audits Training and Maintenance as well as service users quality and wellbeing and now Corona Virus Steve Smith regional manager at Care Homes UK

says “We were able to implement the system ourselves and are now benefitting from management having all the information we need at our fingertips in real time wherever we are

The system allows care providers to audit or check just about everything and manage areas requiring actions (or non-compliances) in it s Web Portal Encrypted date and time stamped evidence including photos is seamlessly auto attached and recorded in the system

Natalie Lawrence at Yorkare Homes says It s a paperless system that runs alongside our existing client records system helping to make our whole operation paperless ” CAREAudits ensures management and staff are aware at all times of what needs checking that it’s been checked actions required by whom by when including full resolution management Each CAREAudit also scores the answers so manage-

ment can monitor improvement Steven Tegart from Talbot Group likes reporting and says “I wish all my other systems were as easy to extract data for management reports as the CAREAudits Excel links

The system has over 120 example audits to select from CAREAudits apps are extremely easy to use and care providers can easily add or edit their own audits in minutes ensuring simple management of ever-changing requirements App auditors can use CAREAudits with virtually no training it s that simple The Care Auditor s Hands Free Operation guides the user through each audit each question and answer with it’s own help text standard answers and standard actions required ensuring that the least skilled operative becomes the care provider’s expert Users can download the app for a free trial and be up and running with the full system in minutes

TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Please mention THE CARER when responding to advertising. Please mention THE CARER when responding to advertising.

Christie & Co Analyses Transactional Healthcare

Market In Inaugural ‘Care Market Review’ Report

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has today launched its first Care Market Review 2022 report which analyses the transactional healthcare market in the UK: looking at buyer appetite transactional activity and investor demand local authority fee increases and the funding landscape It also includes an operator survey which gives an insider view on occupancy and agency staff usage from some of healthcare’s leading operators

TRANSACTIONAL ACTIVITY

Christie & Co reports strong demand for care home opportunities throughout the UK with a 78 per cent increase in completions from 2020 to 2022 and deal numbers significantly ahead of pre-pandemic levels This year offers sat at an average of 101 per cent of asking price underlining that strong investor appetite with competitive bidding is commonplace Christie & Co noted however that with the changing macro-economic landscape the trend moving forward will be driven by a number of factors including the availability of capital and the alignment of vendors pricing expectations relative to prevailing market conditions

New instruction levels increased by around 30 per cent from 2020 to 2021 and they continue to grow as operators capitalise on the buoyant market conditions and strong values achieved

The company notes that its most active buyer type over the past five years has been independent operators with one or two homes which, on average transacted on 41 per cent of deals in the sector So far in 2022, corporate operators and investors have made up 33 per cent of deals while first-time buyers made up just 7 per cent – a fall of 9 per cent since 2018 which is reflective of the increasing funding challenges for first-time buyers the regulatory burden of the CQC and the increase in quality, higher value stock on the market Thanks to a competitive marketplace and the increased use of technology in care homes which can allow for some operational work to be conducted remotely buyers are increasingly looking further afield with almost half (48 per cent) of deals in 2022 concluded to buyers who live over 100 miles from their target business A large number of deals were concluded in and around urban centres yet there has been an increase in the number of care homes transacting in rural and coastal areas

CLOSED CARE HOMES

Over 1 500 care homes ceased trading between 2015 and 2020 This was not solely linked to CQC ratings, as over 40 per cent of care home closures in 2020 had ‘Good’ ratings and were closed for a range of reasons, including margins and cost pressures

A record 31 per cent of the care homes Christie & Co sold in 2021 were on a closed basis – 56 per cent of these were sold for ongoing healthcare use whilst 26 per cent were sold for residential conversion The number of closed care homes sold dropped to just 13 per cent in 2022 however an increasing proportion (80 per cent) of these closed homes were sold to care home providers

LOCAL AUTHORITY FEE RATE INCREASES

When analysing local authority fee rate rises across the UK in the fiscal year 2022/23 Christie & Co found that fee increases fall short of inflationary cost pressures in the sector There was a large disparity between fee increases throughout the UK from 3 1 per cent to 12 8 per cent with an average residential fee increase in England of 5 4 per cent and nursing fees rising by 6 8 per cent Going forward the company expects the burden on the self-funded client base to increase OPERATOR SENTIMENT

SURVEY

Christie & Co interviewed a cross-section of local and regional

providers in the UK to gain insight into some of

operational challenges they re facing

With resourcing placing a huge strain on care home operators 52 per cent of respondents said that they have a widespread use of agency staff Those that have obtained a sponsorship licence to recruit staff from abroad have been able to tap into new markets for their recruitment needs and this has been successful for many However with over half of providers still having to use agency staff to fill their rotas business costs are increasing further

While 43 per cent of operators said occupancy has returned to prepandemic levels for 57 per cent occupancy is still recovering There is a wide variation in occupancy trends across the UK with many smaller regional operators saying that their homes are largely back to pre-pandemic levels and larger providers generally reporting lower overall average occupancy rates Positively though the majority report good enquiry levels which suggests that occupancy rates will continue to re-build during 2023

FUNDING LANDSCAPE

The report concludes with a look at the funding landscape written by commercial finance specialist Christie Finance which has seen 8 33 per cent fewer funded deals in the sector this year as operators look to their portfolios to expand or restructure existing debt The average loan size increased by 5 8 per cent, which suggests that funding in the sector is evolving to provide more refinance to buy or expand

First-time buyers making offers on care businesses fell from 48 per cent in 2021 to 45 per cent in 2022 due to the perceived difficulties in raising finance This area of the market has been more challenging as the recognised lenders retrench to service existing operators with proven track records

Rob Kinsman Regional Director – Care at Christie & Co comments

“The last couple of years have presented the sector with huge operational challenges but it is heartening to see that investor appetite has fully recovered We have confidence that the entrepreneurial nature of the sector will ensure the transactional market continues to thrive despite the growing economic headwinds ”

To read the full report visit www christie com/newsresources/publications/care-market-review-2022/

the

PROFESSIONAL , TRAINING & RECRUITMENT

Care

Imagine a situation where you would have little or no worries about staff walking away and having a team that are very committed to your organisation

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

By hiring overseas staff through the Sponsorship Licences Government Initiative (We can help you if you don’t have a Sponsorship Licence yet)

WHY WOULD THE STAFF BE COMMITTED AND LOYAL?

According to the legal arrangement of their visa (right to work in the UK) all these overseas staff are obligated to stay at your organisation for 3-5 years otherwise they lose their immigration status and are liable for deportation to their country of origin

This makes them committed and legally bound to stay and work with you

PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS

Someone might say this sounds too good to be true What happens if the staff is not happy? The reality of the matter is that a very small

percentage will not work out but that is where we come in

Firstly we preselect the staff that we feel will blend into the culture of your organisation Secondly we will supply you with the tips that ensures a better settlement procedure for overseas staff Finally we are at hand through the continual coaching and mentoring program to identify ‘sticky areas’ and work with you on getting a mutually beneficial solutions

WHY WORK WITH US?

Purer Health Care Agency has been specially designed to help reduce the high staff turnover and its associated cost and disruptions as well as help overseas candidates obtain a better economically enhanced life This way we serve a business, social and economic purpose

HOW WE DO THIS?

We have conducted a robust background screening conducting Criminal Checks Identity Checks Work Reference Checks and Family History Checks Hence all our staff have been prequalified and have

Workforce Challenge - The Eden Alternative

A Modern, Proven Model of Care for Staff and Resident Wellbeing

WHY DO THIS?

The Eden model is built on what people say they want in a Home or a workplace which therefore attracts residents and team members alike

As an Eden Home builds its reputation upon the quality of life it offers to the people that reside there it follows that occupancy improves

As a programme that empowers staff and focuses on their wellbeing, It follows that staff retention improves

With a positive culture, a motivated and dedicated workforce, It follows that positive innovation becomes more possible sustainable and continuous

When demand for services increase it follows that viability improves

As a cohesive cultural progression programme it follows that innovation modernisation and positivity increase

The model is efficient cost effective and the training is delivered by experienced practitioners in Care Homes Homes are very busy places and the programme is therefore run on line for 1 hour per week for 6 weeks and people can do

this at work or at home

The 6 weekly sessions are run online with a workbook with links for further optional reading or viewing and should not be a burden to busy Homes teams and managers

It is however effective You can try without obligat on It is designed to make business sense to providers

It is designed to enhance viability

It is designed to support recruitment and retention

It is designed to motivate Care teams and is open to any individual to add their CV

WHAT IS IT

It is a training programme which leads to accreditation and focuses in detail on 7 domains of wellbeing 10 principles and is particularly designed to address instances of loneliness helplessness and boredom Geoffrey Cox The Eden Alternat ve Call today on 01626 868192 or visit www eden-alternative co uk

Global assists clients throughout the U K who specialise in the healthcare sector to achieve their objectives of purchase development and refinance

We have organised over £1 8bn for clients in the past 30 years providing clients with competitively priced funding to refinance existing debt ease cashflow and develop businesses further

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Call us on 01242 227172 or e-mail us at enquiries@globalbusinessfinance net