Caring uk Weekly May 15th 2024

Switch to decaf could save NHS £85m annually

SWITCHING to decaf could save the NHS £85m per year, a care home trial has suggested.

In a first-of-its-kind trial, residents were offered decaffeinated hot drinks in a bid to reduce falls experienced rushing to the toilet.

Conducted across eight residential care homes over six months, the switch resulted in a 35 per cent reduction in toiletingrelated falls. If scaled across the sector, the results would mean thousands of falls prevented and NHS savings of up to £85m per year. This is according to a joint report published by Care England, Stow Healthcare and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive at Care England, said: “Falls have a detrimental impact on thousands of older people every year, not to mention the knockon cost to the NHS. When we first heard about the results of UHL’s decaf trial in a hospital setting, the potential benefits for social care were immediately clear.

“For such a simple, cost-neutral solution to have such a profound impact is extraordinary. With a huge national focus on reducing pressure on the NHS, this pioneering trial demonstrates that simple solutions can help address enormous challenges. Care England is delighted to have been involved in this project and would encourage care providers across the country to give decaf a go.”

The trial followed a similar initiative by UHL in 2021. Noticing

that many hospital patients were falling on the way to the toilet, continence nurse specialist Sarah Coombes suggested switching to decaffeinated drinks to reduce bladder and bowel urgency in those with an overactive bladder or incontinence. Within three months, toileting-related falls in the hospital were down by 30 per cent.

Roughly 300 residents across Stow Healthcare’s eight care homes were given the chance to blind tastetest caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks.

More than 90 per cent of residents chose to take part in the trial after being told about the potential health benefits of making the switch, with the choice of caffeine always available on request. Over six months between June and November 2023, falls associated with care home residents going to the toilet dropped by 35 per cent.

Ruth French, director at Stow Healthcare, added: “The decaf project has been eye-opening for all of us at Stow Healthcare. Our residents and staff have been fully engaged in this project from the moment we launched.

“To achieve a falls reduction of 35 per cent connected to going to the loo is a significant finding for us all in social care.

“The impact of a serious fall can have devastating consequences, and finding simple ways such as decaf drinks that might reduce this risk is ground-breaking. We hope it will inspire everyone in social care to take up the challenge.”

gratitude for the experiences shared. Through the challenges and moments of inspiration, I am humbled to have been a part of this remarkable journey and to have contributed to the creation of a vibrant and supportive community at Nodens Manor. The privilege is truly mine, and I am thankful for the opportunities this year has brought us.”

#KeepTheRightPeople launched

SKILLS for Care is focusing on helping social care providers to keep the right people working for them throughout May and June.

The campaign aims to provide information and resources to help employers understand what they can do to retain staff, as well as sharing practical tips, insights and stories from across the sector.

Skills for Care data found that social care employers with the best retention rates typically focused on offering learning and development opportunities, ensuring a positive workplace culture and effective recruitment and induction practises.

John Kerr, head of workforce capacity, said: “One of our main strategic objectives is to make sure we have the right number of people, with the right values and behaviours, working in social care now and in the future.

“That’s why we’re focusing on providing information and support that can help employers to keep their staff for longer. Creating a loyal workforce which is dedicated to your service, and continuing to grow and upskill with you, means you can offer better care to the people you support.”

Running across its website, social media, and other communication channels, Skills for Care’s #KeepTheRightPeople activity will cover what a good induction looks like, how to develop a positive workplace, and how to offer proper learning and development opportunities to staff.

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

You can follow the campaign and join in on discussions on social media using #KeepTheRightPeople

Nodens Manor care home in Lydney commemorated its one-year anniversary with a party for the residents. It featured live entertainment throughout the day, including a special performance by MusiCare and the Forest of Dean Male Choir and refreshments for friends and family. Home manager Bartosz Turewicz said: “As we celebrate our first year, I look back with

The essence of exceptional care

By Samuel Court

AS WE all know, the significance of the role that carers play in enhancing the lives of those they support cannot be overstated.

Having supported the development of carers for more than 10 years, we understand the foundation of exceptional care lies not just in the technical skills of our carers but, more importantly, in the intrinsic qualities they bring to their roles.

As one of the proud directors of Nexus Care Services, I have seen firsthand how these attributes create an environment where clients feel not just cared for, but truly valued and respected.

Vital qualities of a carer

We believe that several key characteristics help to define exceptional carers, which include:

n Reliability and dependability: Trust is the cornerstone of the caregiver-client relationship. It is built on the carer’s reliability to consistently provide high standards of care, showing up on time, and being present not just physically but emotionally. This dependability fosters a sense of security and peace of mind for both clients and their families.

n Empathy and compassion: The ability to empathise and exhibit

genuine compassion is what sets an outstanding carer apart. Understanding and sharing the feelings of another is not just a skill; it’s a characteristic that enriches the care experience, facilitating a deeper connection and trust between the carer and the client.

n Patience: Home care’s dynamic nature often presents challenging situations. Patience is critical in navigating these moments with grace, ensuring a positive and calming environment that benefits everyone involved.

n Communication: Effective communication is pivotal in the care sector. The best carers are those who can clearly express themselves while being excellent listeners, always prioritising the needs and preferences

of their clients.

n Problem-solving: The unpredictable nature of home care requires carers to have adept problem-solving skills. The ability to think on one’s feet, creatively addressing and anticipating challenges, ensures a seamless care experience.

n Physical stamina: Given the demanding nature of the role, physical stamina is essential for a carer. This not only aids in providing the best possible care but also ensures the carer’s wellbeing.

Developing these skills

Some of these come naturally to those entering the care profession, but equally many can be learned or further developed.

Just like qualifications, soft skills are integral to building an exceptional care team, which is why we – like many other care providers – invest a lot of time into giving our carers the tools they need to fulfil their role and provide exceptional care services. This is often done through mentoring and on-the-job training. Much can be learned from senior carers, but equally many of our clients help our team to flourish in these areas.

It is not uncommon for many of the people who join our team to not realise they possess these qualities until they start in their role

Advertiser’s announcement

– especially if they are new to the industry.

Often, we can see it before them during the recruitment process and it is often a key differentiator when we are exploring the capabilities of new candidates.

We are currently extending an invitation to individuals in the north Birmingham area, including Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, and Lichfield, who embody these qualities and are considering a career in this rewarding field.

Choosing to become a part of our team means embarking on a journey that is as fulfilling as it is impactful, contributing significantly to the lives of those we care for.

We are committed to supporting our carers through comprehensive and paid training, competitive salaries, and a nurturing environment.

Our goal is for every member of our team to thrive, feeling empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients. Our approach is the reason we have been shortlisted for several awards in the last year.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact and possess the qualities, we’ve highlighted then a carer in care could be right for you, regardless of what qualifications you may or may not already possess. n Samuel Court is a director at Nexus Care Services.

Fourth royal honour as apetito gets The King’s Awards for Enterprise

apetito has been honoured with the UK’s highest business accolade, The King’s Awards for Enterprise, Sustainable Development.

apetito is one of an elite number of companies which over the past two decades has won multiple Enterprise awards in both Innovation and Sustainable Development.

2024 sees the company’s fourth Royal honour, having previously won three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise (two for Innovation in 2005 and 2016, and one in 2019 for Sustainable Development).

This year it is one of 252 organisations nationally to be awarded a prestigious King’s Awards for Enterprise, with just 29 businesses being recognised for their work in Sustainable Development.

CEO and chair of apetito UK and North America, Paul Freeston, said the win was a reflection of the extraordinary teamwork and values that are shared from top to bottom within the business.

“We are proud, honoured and delighted to have been recognised in The King’s Awards for Enterprise: Sustainable Development 2024. It epitomises the collective hard work, dedication, and vision of our entire team,” he added.

“All of us at apetito are passionate about ‘making a real difference’ to people’s lives and we believe our commitment to sustainable development reflects this.

“Sustainability informs not just the way we work, but how we treat people, the impact on the environment and our contribution to the economy. Put simply, we believe it’s the right way to do business”

The Award recognises apetito’s commitment to conducting business in a way that impacts positively on the environment, society, and economy –and of course the residents it serves in homes across the UK.

In particular it celebrates apetito’s commitment to sustainability, its ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040, and its work in taking concrete actions to meet challenging shortterm targets for carbon reduction and

supporting climate change – targets which are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative.

At the heart of this recognition lies ‘Project Boomerang,’ a pioneering sustainability initiative, launched through its consumer business, Wiltshire Farm Foods.

The ground-breaking project focuses on the company’s readymeal deliveries and is the world’s first closed-loop recycling system for plastic meal trays on an industrial scale.

Not only does the Awards recognise apetito’s achievement of closed loop production it also referenced the company’s pivotal role in shaping

Government policy and driving advancements in recycling practices. apetito employs 1900 staff and can trace its heritage back to 1928. It embodies strong social values and is both an accredited living wage employer and full member of the ethical trading initiative. All its products are carbon footprinted and it is leading the way to Net Zero across the industry, whether in its sourcing of sustainable ingredients, in food waste reduction and investment into every aspect of its operations to reduce emissions.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty

The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.

The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

https://www.apetito.co.uk/about-us/ ethics-sustainability

Samuel Court

Major award wins for care home team

STAFF at Butterfly Lodge

Dementia Nursing Home in Plymouth are celebrating a quadruple haul of awards in the 2024 Celebrating Excellence in Care Awards, relaunched this year by Plymouth City Council for the first time since 2019.

Clare Sinclair scooped the coveted title of Care Home Manager of the Year, with her deputy Sarah McCaffrey securing a highly commended in the Care Home Deputy of the Year category.

Butterfly Lodge’s catering staff were also winners of the Culinary Care Team of the Year award, while the team came highly commended as Care Home Team of the Year.

Clare said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this way for all the hard work, and love, that we put into every working day.

“I am so proud of my team and the way they work together, and I want to congratulate all of them for these amazing wins in the face of some very stiff competition.”

More than 40 of Plymouth’s adult social care workers and teams were celebrated at the ceremony, with awards which recognised the contributions of those working in care homes, supported living provision, day centres and domiciliary care.

Home spreads cheer with Dorset foodbank delivery

RESIDENTS of a Poole care home prepared and hand delivered 30 packed lunches to help families facing food poverty in the Dorset town.

The packs were quickly snapped up as they were brought to Poole Food Bank’s main town centre hub, the St James’ Church Centre.

Three residents from Colten Care’s Canford Chase care home – Molly Thatcher, Barbara Rivett and Pamela Kateley – took a minibus trip to hand the packs over personally to foodbank project manager Ian Stoney and his team.

It was the culmination of an Easter school holiday initiative that involved Canford Chase residents, companionship team members, home manager Charlotte Wilson and chef Juraj Chrensc.

Companionship team leader Vicky Day said: “We enjoy supporting local projects and the community links these build.

“Many families or individuals may experience food poverty at some point in their life.

“School holidays can be an especially hard time for families who are experiencing difficulties with the rising cost of living, and so we wanted to help ease this over the recent Easter break.

“The foodbank team are compassionate, and it was clear to see while we were there that visitors

are welcomed with warmth and an ear to listen. The team outlined the process when someone arrives at the centre including the extra services and provisions they can offer such as recipe kits and money advice.

“Our visit helped us learn so much. On returning to the home, we discussed it with other residents.

“We now plan to provide further support in the coming weeks and months to help the foodbank’s

wonderful work in the community.”

The freshly made-up packs, completed at a residents’ activity session, featured ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit, crisps and chocolate.

At the centre, known locally as Jimmy’s Place, the visitors spent time with staff and volunteers learning how the foodbank helps people access nutrition, toiletries and other items essential to everyday life.

We provide the most competitive pricing and highest quality Legionella control services specific to the residential care sector across the UK. Care home and healthcare settings carry the highest risk for Legionnaires’ disease due to the heightened vulnerability of your residents and patients.

The over 50s and the infirm account for over 80% of all cases of Legionnaires’ disease which is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. At Envirisk, we understand that this means the level of control needs to be exemplary. We help your clients ensure all compliance tasks, control methods and monitoring requirements are in place and effective.

Out highly experienced risk assessors and engineers work throughout the UK in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, HSE ACoP L8, HSG 274 and HTM4-01. We provide a wide range of services to ensure your water systems are assessed, controlled and compliant.

Members of the Canford Chase party about to set off on the minibus trip to Poole Food Bank. From left: resident Pamela Kately, companion Maddee Baker, resident Molly Thatcher, companionship team leader Vicky Day, resident Barbara Rivett, chef Juraj Chrensc, home manager Charlotte Wilson, senior receptionist Jenny Turner and nurse Sheela Shastry.

A Positive Outlook for Care

Join us for an informative day meeting care suppliers, industry experts and like-minded care professionals.

Holiday Inn, Barnsley 10th July 2024

Dunston Hall, Norwich 30th October 2024

Visit more than 25 exhibition stands showcasing the latest products. Speakers topics will include:

• An update on the care sector and the way forward.

• The new CQC framework.

• Nourishing lives - promoting good nutrition in care settings.

• Improving dementia care through experience.

• Recruitment and staff retention.

All delegates receive:

• Lunch and refreshments

• Goody bag and attendance certificate

• Enter our prize draw with some amazing prizes

Scan the QR code to visit our website, find out more information and book your place, or alternatively call us on 01226 734412 or email cr@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Siblings create a new future while enjoying the past

IT’S WELL known that one sibling can often copy what the other one does.

However, this has gone to a whole new level for brother and sister Grizelda Mansveto and Clive Heeley, who are living under the same roof again at Chatsworth Care Home in Chesterfield.

Grizelda and Clive have adjoining rooms at the home, one of 23 run in the Midlands and the north by Orchard Care Homes. Clive moved into Chatsworth in 2019 while Griselda is a recent arrival. Both are living with dementia.

Grizelda said: “I love seeing Clive more often – I missed him very much when we didn’t live together. I enjoy spending time with my brother and like to sit in his room to share some of our favourite sweet treats together.”

Grizelda and Clive’s bond continues to grow in the care home, with Grizelda visiting her brother every morning. As well as chatting about fond childhood memories, the siblings are eager to create new special moments together.

Clive added: “We had a very close relationship growing up; we loved running around in our big garden as a child and playing games together indoors.

“Now we live next door to each other I get to see my sister every day and talk about our favourite times together. We are also making new memories, which I enjoy.”

With both Clive and Grizelda living with dementia, supporting the

siblings to remain close is vital to maintaining links to their past.

Home manager Michelle Rose added: “When Grizelda moved to Chatsworth Lodge it was clear she missed her brother dearly. She would always ask for him and talk about their childhood together. Her personal situation recently changed and she needed full-time care. Since she joined our care home, they’ve become completely inseparable.

“Meaningful engagement plays a huge part in caring for our residents, and we believe maintaining relationships with loved ones is key. We always make sure Grizelda and Clive get to spend quality one-to-one time together and help keep their sibling bond as strong as ever.”

Energy performance of 23 properties improved

ANCHOR, in partnership with their framework contractors Equans, have upgraded the energy performance of 23 Durham properties after securing funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.

The project follows a successful bid for SHDF funding that Anchor submitted as part of the Greener Futures Partnership, a group of likeminded housing associations who have come together to tackle the longterm decarbonisation challenge.

Anchor secured £2.2million of SHDF funding and are using this to deliver energy efficiency works to 341 homes that are below an energy performance certificate rating of C, with homes in Hawkshead Court in Newton Aycliffe one of the first to benefit.

Liz Davenport, property sustainability director at Anchor, said: “As part of Anchor’s long term sustainability strategy and in line with Government targets, we need to ensure all our rented properties reach an energy performance certificate of C or above by 2030 whilst also ensuring residents’ homes are comfortable and affordable to live.

“This programme of works plays a key role in delivering on these aims and supporting our longer-term net

Bikers from Saltburn and the surrounding area were among the well-wishers celebrating the 100th birthday of one of the town’s oldest residents. Almost a dozen roared up to Hazelgrove Court Care Home to mark the centenary of Betty Wood. The motorcyclists were invited by carer Jemma Bringloe as a surprise for Betty, who was an avid biker herself in her younger days. They brought balloons and cards and Betty’s family helped her to sit on a motorbike. Betty has lived in Saltburn for the past 25 years and moved to Hazelgrove Court in May 2023, where she has found a passion for silk painting. Several of her paintings were displayed at The Palace Hub in Redcar last year as part of an exhibition of works from the home’s residents.

A centenarian at HC-One’s Stamford Court care home in Stalybridge, Tameside, celebrated her 100th birthday in style and shared her secret to a long life. Joan Barratt was born at Ashton Infirmary, Tameside Hospital. She worked as a machinist at Cheetham’s Mill in Stalybridge and then onto a midday assistant at Ridge Hill Primary School. Throughout her life, Joan always had an interest in knitting and baking for her family, including her husband Ellis and three sons, Martin, Peter, and John. She also has six grandchildren, 11 greatgrandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. For her 100th birthday celebrations, Joan sported a crown and sparkling birthday sash, her room was decorated beautifully, fit for a queen, and she was showered with cards and presents. Joan’s family also visited throughout the day.

zero carbon target by reducing carbon emissions. We are taking a ‘fabric first’ approach which means making homes more energy efficient by improving the fabric of the building including measures such as windows, wall, and loft insulation, followed by making improvement inside the home with upgrades to heating systems and installing low energy lighting.”

Working with Equans, Anchor completed retrofit assessment surveys to all properties, improvements were designed, and in January works got underway to improve residents’ homes.

One of the measures that took place was to replace old storage heaters with new Elnur high heat retention ones, which offer residents much more control of their heating without compromising on warmth and affordability.

Multi-talented Georgina ‘Jean’ Pendregaust finally got to celebrate her 100th and 104th birthdays at the same time. The lockdown caused by the pandemic meant her 100th birthday four years ago had to be celebrated through social distancing. And her 104th birthday party at the start of April had to be postponed due to illness at the care home she has lived at for the past five years. She is gearing up for a double party soon. And Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Councillor Steve Beasant will be attending to help her celebrate. Georgina, or Queen Jean as she is known by her care home friends, has led a full and colourful life in and around Grimsby and is showing no sign of slowing down.

An East Grinstead care home resident has celebrated her 100th birthday with a visit from the local Mayor while surrounded by family and friends. Molly Viles, born in Brimstone, Gloucestershire in 1924, enjoyed a series of birthday events at HC-One’s Charters Court. Her milestone birthday was celebrated with an afternoon tea, specially prepared by catering staff at the care home. She was also delighted to receive her centenary birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla. Molly was joined in her celebrations by Frazer Vissor, the Mayor of East Grinstead, who presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She has two daughters, four grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Grizelda Mansveto and Clive Heeley.

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