Caring UK March 2023

Group scoops global award for its efforts

LUXURY care home provider

Oakland Care has been recognised for its industryleading environmental and sustainability credentials once again after winning a Green World Environment Award from the world-renowned Green Organisation.

Launched in 1994, the international environmental group established the awards to reward and promote environmental best practices around the globe.

They are also supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

Chief executive officer Joanne Balmer BEM said: “This is an incredible achievement, and I am extremely proud that we have attained this global award for our environmental and sustainability efforts. It is testament to all the hard work and commitment across Oakland Care to work as one towards this pivotal worldwide objective.

“To become the first and only care home provider to have ever achieved the accolade is very special, particularly given that we are first to do so on an international stage.

“We strive to inspire others

Generations enjoy stories with a twist

within our sector to push ahead with their own journey and contribute to the fight against climate change. Our sector can truly be a positive force as we collectively work to achieve a net zero society.”

On this occasion the group won the Green World Environment Award as part of The Green Organisation’s global campaign to find the world’s greenest countries, companies, and communities.

This follows competition against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards for Environmental Best Practice.

They will be presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation ceremony in Miami in April.

Oakland Care has also been invited to become Green World Ambassadors and will have its winning entry paper published in ‘The Green Book’, the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice. This will allow others around the world to follow their example and learn from their sustainability successes.

In the last 12 months the group has retained its status as the only carbon neutral care group in the UK for a second year running and achieved Level 3 certification by Green Mark, the highest grade awarded by the sustainability specialist.

Weather presenter, event host and voiceover artist Emma Jesson will host this year’s Caring UK Awards on Thursday December 7, Caring UK is delighted to reveal. Frequently recognised for her sunny “Bye Bye” sign-off, Emma is a popular face of ITV Weather, one of the longest serving weather presenters and one of the friendliest personalities on TV. Emma produces and presents news features and is particularly at home in her wellies presenting countryside programmes for the network. She regularly hosts racedays, ‘empowering ladies’ gatherings and a number of community events, as well as various charitable events and light-hearted ladies’ nights. Nominations for this year’s event open on Monday, April 17. For more information visit https://www.caringukawards.co.uk

YOUNG readers and budding authors in Crewe have been enjoying story time with an intergenerational twist, sharing the delights of the literary world with older people residing at the Belong care village who have been supporting their speaking, reading and writing development.

Year two pupils aged six and seven-years-old from Gainsborough Primary and Nursery School visited the care village to read their favourite books, with the residents listening to their young guests and helping them with unknown words, whilst bringing the tales to life together.

Jess Butler, experience coordinator at Belong Crewe, said: “Our customers tell us how much they value imparting their skills and life experience with younger generations and the sense of purpose it gives them.

“Reading helps us to learn about different people, cultures and places, and our goal was to engender this with an ageinclusive session, full of teamwork, companionship and an increased sense of belonging to the community.”

The children also took the opportunity to present their creative ideas, impressing their new friends with their own personally penned adventures.

The news follows Belong Crewe’s recent launch of Across the Generations, an intergenerational stay-and-play session for local children up to age five and their grown-ups.

Elderly ravers enjoy beach party

A BEACH rave at a Saltburn care home saw elderly residents painting their faces in UV colours and busting a move to thumping dance music – in a nod to Redcar’s famous Majuba beach festival.

Those living at Hazelgrove Court waved their hands and hankies in the air as DJs from the Woven Nest Theatre put on disco lights and blasted the tunes.

The “Rave in the Waves” workshop is delivered by the North East based theatre-company for older people living with dementia, and was commissioned by Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough Council as part of the Creative Health Strategy, funded by South Tees Public Health.

Activities coordinator Sharon Lewis worked closely with facilitators Poppy Crawshaw and Liv Hunt and sound designer Elliot Mann from the Woven Nest team to design the workshop to ensure it catered to the residents’ individual needs.

She said: “After our conversations, Poppy came back to me and said they’d had this idea to create a rave.

“We’d never thought of this, so we asked the residents if they’d ever been to a rave before and most of them said no, but they seemed excited.

“It was so effective how Woven Nest used storytelling to move us from one section to another, and you feel like you’re being transported somewhere else, but each part was participatory, and the

residents were always involved. Well after the session had finished the residents were saying they wanted a rave every day.

“I could hear residents telling their family members that they’d been at a rave. It just goes to show that no matter what age you are and regardless of whether you live in a care home, you can

still have new experiences.”

Designed as a multi-sensory exploration of the North East coast, the workshop included a cinnamon scented sandy beach, interactive rock pool of hidden items, and waves made from a material that emulates the frothing sea, alongside drumming and dance music.

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Hazelgrove Court resident Dot Pailing enjoys playing in the sand with Liv Hunt, facilitator from the Woven Nest Theatre company.

Hands-on training further improves care for residents

A CARE home operator is leading the way in induction training by offering a comprehensive five-day hands-on course for all new starters.

Sir Ed Davey meets WWII and Iraq War veterans during visit

SIR Ed Davey has visited Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton.

The Kingston and Surbiton MP, and Liberal Democrat leader, met residents at the home, which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and is within his constituency.

He also spoke to the charity’s members of staff to discuss the challenges faced by the social care workforce.

Sir Ed was given a tour of the home and newly refurbished garden by Royal Star & Garter chief executive Andy Cole OBE and Surbiton home manager Helena Maher. He said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Ed and show him around our home, in the heart of the Surbiton community.

“Residents enjoyed chatting to him and he enjoyed taking part in the activities. We are also grateful that he sat with staff and listened to their thoughts and concerns about the state of social care.”

Sir Ed saw an art class led by volunteer Lucy Freud, daughter of Lucian Freud, and was taken around the home’s award-winning dementia care area, and the in-house physiotherapy room.

He spoke to residents, including 100-year-old WWII veteran Phyllis, and met the home’s youngest resident – 35-year-old Stephen Vause, who suffered serious injuries in a mortar attack while serving in Iraq in 2007.

Sir Ed then sat with staff in the home’s newly built garden room to discuss issues surrounding adult social care.

The new induction course has been running for three months across the five sites owned by Athena Care Homes.

All new team members, no matter what job role they have secured, experience the same training.

The week-long induction covers all aspects of care from moving and positioning to nutrition, with dignity at the heart of every session.

At the end of the week successful team members are awarded the certificate, and the training then continues within the homes where they shadow experienced colleagues.

Lucy Hoddy, learning and development manager at Athena Care Homes, said the new induction programme is further improving standards of care across the group while also giving the new starters extra confidence in their roles.

“It feels special for new starters to get that certificate,” she added.

“It is a huge achievement for some of our team members who perhaps have had a long career break or are just starting out in their career.”

The trainers cover important topics including the biology of the kidneys, liver and bladder, and look at a range of health conditions that residents may have.

Learners are then given the experience of being a resident, with teams dressing one another in oversized clothes, shown how it feels being transferred by hoist and being assisted by fellow learners to eat meals.

This enables the learner to understand the importance of dignity and empathy in care.

The new-look induction training is proving such a success that team members who joined the company during the pandemic when in-person training was limited have asked to sit the course retrospectively.

Lucy added: “We want the best here. That means starting at the beginning and giving our team members the skills and understanding they need to offer first-class person-centred care.”

New tablet benefits residents

RESIDENTS from Care South’s Kenwith Castle care home in Bideford, Devon have experienced endless entertainment from a new interactive tablet.

Residents are thrilled about the never-ending possibilities at their fingertips as they are able to complete puzzles, word games, colouring, play music and more on the device.

Activities organiser Michelle O’Brien said: “Residents have had a wonderful time following the instructions on the tablet on how to draw a rabbit in celebration of Chinese New Year.

“Even those who did not have experience drawing took part, using the device to listen to instructions slowly.

“Playing the piano, creating rabbits in all different shapes and sizes, and even adding some Chinese writing,

the interactive tablet has provided endless fun for residents and is a tool that will continue to benefit all.”

The interactive tablet was purchased with a grant from the Enhanced Health in Care Homes reconditioning initiative via Bideford Medical Centre.

Home manager Amanda Williams successfully completed an application process with details of what the home was going to purchase with the money and how this would benefit residents.

The tablet also features a variety of sensory apps which incorporate use of colour and interaction and are targeted at those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It is also a useful device for residents who have lost their dexterity and benefit from larger screen controls that are more forgiving of shaky hands.

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Drawing helps resident deal with dementia

PORTRAIT drawing is helping a Teesside care home resident come to terms with his dementia – and he is now holding classes to help others with the condition.

89-year-old Bryan Raine – who prefers to go by Simon – moved to Mandale House Care Home in Thornaby, in November after he was diagnosed with dementia. Since then he has been using drawing to explore his feelings and help his memory. With a preference for portraits, Simon has been sketching fellow residents, as well as everyday objects such as a pushchair and trees.

He has also started teaching the care home’s activities coordinator EllaMae Storr, who has set up art classes for Simon, to pass on his knowledge to other residents and staff.

Simon said: “I know I have this thing called dementia, and I get foggy and

confused. The drawing helps me to express how I’m feeling, which really helps. Seeing my drawings on the board helps to remind me of when I drew it.”

Ella-Mae added: “Sometimes Simon gets a bit distressed but when we draw together it helps him to feel calm and centred.

“He loves using his imagination and creativity and it’s really great that he wants to share that with his fellowresidents and staff.”

Simon’s love of art came from his mother, who he says had a “real talent” and taught him how to draw.

He added: “My mother was an excellent drawer but only pursued it as a hobby, as young ladies in those days weren’t allowed to do it as a job, so growing up I learnt it from her.

“I never thought about doing it as a profession and I’ve always seen it as a hobby to express myself. I was a surveyor. I have a daughter, who I’ve tried to teach, but she’s never taken to it. Instead, she knows how to milk a cow as she has her own farm, whereas I don’t.

“My favourite thing to draw is portraits but I’m not as good as my mother. I envy her in all her work. She’s brilliant. She had a real talent in drawing.

“I’ve never taught classes until I moved to Mandale House, where I’ve been working with the activities coordinator and we now sit and draw together and are planning on teaching staff members and residents who are willing.

“I enjoy teaching people how to draw so they learn something new, as it’s so simple to look at something, picture it and to draw it down in your own artistic touch.”

The care home staff are now planning on exhibiting Simon’s work, as well as that of those he teaches during the weekly art classes.

Simon added: “I’ve never seen any of my drawings exhibited. I would love for my work to be displayed in our home, especially staff portraits, for us all to see our creations.”

Home manager Tracy Hill added: “Living with dementia can be incredibly difficult but staying mentally active can be a great help in

relieving stress, improving wellbeing, and helping individuals cope with the disease.

“For Simon, drawing has been a great benefit, and he has been loving his one-on-one arts sessions with our activities coordinator, Ella-Mae.

“Now he is very excited about passing on his passion, skills, and knowledge to others, with his weekly art classes for fellow residents and staff. I know we have a great deal of interest among everyone here.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing their drawings displayed prominently on the walls, which visitors will be able to look at when they drop by to see their loved ones.”

Home joins forces with assisted living service to reopen day centre

A LOWESTOFT care home has opened an activity centre for its residents and assisted living tenants to be able to enjoy activities in a safe and collaborative environment – promoting positive wellbeing and entertainment.

The Dell, a branch of Wellbeing Care that provides residential, dementia and respite care, has reopened its former day care centre as ‘The Dell’s Activity Centre’, in conjunction with Wellbeing Care’s Dell View, which specialises in assisted living services.

The day care centre, that was once open to the public, closed at the start of the pandemic when it was too dangerous to have outside visitors on site.

After sitting vacant for several years, it has since been reinvented for internal use for the residents and tenants at the care services.

Regional director Joy Henshaw said: “When we first opened it was really lovely. The residents loved getting out, albeit a short distance across to the centre, and they loved the fact that it was the tenants from ‘down the bottom’ serving them. They wanted to know so much about them and it was really inquisitive.

“Rather than labelling those with a learning disability and saying they can’t mix with other people or separating the elderly from society,

it’s been lovely seeing them interact together.

“It’s great that this much-loved space has reopened its doors and we can’t wait to see all of the wonderful things that it will bring to our residents and tenants in the coming months.”

The centre opened with a popular breakfast club, which it looks to extend to twice a week, giving residents the opportunity to get together outside of the typical care setting, engage in conversation and enjoy some delicious food.

The team who run the centre have also got some exciting plans for the future with coffee mornings, fetes and other feel-good activities on the horizon, which will be accelerated by the better weather in coming months.

Resident Bryan ‘Simon’ Raine, 89, drawing a pushchair.

Resident Bryan ‘Simon’ Raine drawing a portrait of activities coordinator Ella Mae Storr with care home assistant practitioner Donna Chapman.

Independent Care Group, gives us his personal take on the big issues facing social care.

Time to introduce national tariffs

REFRESHING honesty from the president of ADASS, Sarah McClinton, in admitting that “councils have squeezed down prices paid to providers over many years”.

The fees paid by councils have indeed been squeezed until the pips squeaked.

That drive to achieve the lowest price for care has resulted in those fees being a long way from reflecting the true cost of delivering care.

That in turn has led to a real struggle for providers who have not been paid enough to pay their staff properly or even survive.

The best way to end this unfair and damaging situation is, in my view, to set various national tariffs for commissioning care packages.

This would surely end the current postcode lottery of care and give care providers some consistency whilst avoiding damaging and divisive battles with their local councils over fees. Needed to underpin this of course, would be better funding for the sector.

Those squeezing local authorities will rightly argue that they are forced to seek the lowest price for care due to their own budgets being savagely cut, year after year.

Sarah McClinton was speaking as

the first results of the ongoing Cost of Care exercise began to emerge and with it the true extent of the gap between what councils pay and what care costs to provide.

She warns that local government “does not have the funding available to move towards the calculated costs of care in any significant way”, despite a desire by councils to increase staff pay and meet unmet care need.

Whichever way you cut the pack, it always comes back to getting proper funding into social care so that between us – commissioners and providers – we can deliver a proper service to those people who rely upon

and need it.

How to fund care in the future remains a contentious issue and one which our Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has yet to confront, despite having now been in office for more than 100 days.

There is, as ever, no shortage of advice as to how the Government should proceed.

I recently contributed to a debate on whether we should each contribute towards our future care, as we do to our pensions, with people able to “top up” to get different care packages.

I see the sense in it, but it would also perpetuate the current two-tier care situation where the quality of care you receive too often relies upon how much you can afford.

And isn’t there a case that we are already paying for our healthcare through National Insurance contributions?

I have always been of the belief that, explained to them properly, people would be prepared to pay a little more in taxation in return for a good quality level of care, when and where they need it.

For any contribution scheme to work it would presumably need the Government to finally set a cap on care costs, so that all of us can budget

for what we might need in later life. But, as we all know, the Government has kicked that discussion into the long grass for at least another couple of years.

Last month we received what might be interpreted as some divine intervention on the care crisis with the publication of ‘Reimagining Care’ by an Archbishops’ Commission, led by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

It called for “a fundamental and comprehensive redesign of care and support” and the creation of a National Care Covenant, setting out the roles and responsibilities of government, communities, families and individuals.

A far-reaching report, it specifically calls for investment in communities; a stronger role for the state; a new deal for unpaid carers and a commitment to our responsibilities as actively engaged citizens.

Whilst it doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know – how broken the system is and the need for reform –the archbishops’ intervention is a very welcome one and I truly hope their report is heeded and doesn’t become just another call for action destined to gather dust in the corridors of Westminster.

Singer visits care home to sing for her dad and residents

A PROFESSIONAL singer from Preston popped into Fleetwood Hall Care Home to entertain the residents – and surprise her dad.

Susan Armstrong’s father Ken was among the audience listening to her rendition of popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

Joanne Warren, manager of Fleetwood Hall, said:

“Susan was a great hit with

our residents, and it was particularly touching watching her singing to her dad.

“When she arrived, she heard another one of our residents singing the Beatles hit song Yellow Submarine and she surprised him throughout the performance by singing it and dedicating it to him. Lots of our residents got up to dance too.

“After she had finished

singing, Susan chatted to all our residents and asked them for their song requests ahead of her next visit. We can’t wait to have her back.”

Susan has performed in many venues across Blackpool, Manchester, Chester and Cumbria over a 30-year career. During lockdown she regularly sang for her elderly neighbours throughout their socially distanced games of bingo.

Choose the right care management software

FUSION eCare Solutions provide a digital care planning, invoicing, and staff management software bringing significant benefits to care homes in the UK.

The platform streamlines various processes and helps to improve the quality of care provided to residents. A key benefit of the Fusion system is the improvement in care planning. With the software, care homes can create and maintain care plans for each resident.

These care plans can be easily accessed by staff and updated as needed, ensuring that each resident’s care is tailored to their individual needs. This level of personalisation is crucial for providing high-quality care and improving the well-being of residents.

Staff members can log day to day ongoings for residents and access vital information such as medication, assessments and body maps from had held devices.

Invoicing and payment processes are also significantly improved with

Fusion eCare Solutions.

The software automates invoicing, reducing the amount of time spent on manual tasks and minimising the risk of errors.

This in turn leads to improved accuracy and speed in billing, reducing the stress and workload on care home staff and freeing up their time for more important tasks.

The staff management aspect of Fusion eCare Solutions is also a significant benefit.

The software can help care homes manage schedules and rosters, assign

tasks, and track staff attendance and performance.

This not only improves efficiency, but also helps to ensure that residents receive the right care at the right time.

The software can also help care homes to manage staff training and development, ensuring that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.

A handy companion app also allows staff to check their rota, request leave and book onto available shifts.

Another benefit of Fusion eCare Solutions is the improvement in

communication between care home staff, residents, and their families.

The software provides a centralised platform for communication, allowing staff to easily share updates and information with one another and with families.

This helps to improve transparency and accountability in care homes, and provides families with peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care.

In addition to these benefits, Fusion eCare Solutions is also easy to use and highly customisable, making it an ideal solution for care homes of all sizes.

The software can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each care home, ensuring that it provides the most value to the organisation.

With regular updates and support from the Fusion eCare Solutions team, care homes can be confident that they are using a cutting-edge and reliable solution.

In his latest in a series of regular columns, care provider Mike Padgham, who is chair of the

Mike Padgham

Advertiser’s announcement

Jane Armstrong, Ken Armstrong and Susan Armstrong.

Home secures funds to create Snoezelen

RENAISSANCE Care’s Torry Care Home has received funding to build a Snoezelen multi-sensory environment, providing innovative, therapeutic care options to residents living with autism, developmental disabilities, dementia, or brain injuries.

Nutritional scheme based on iconic TV show is launched

THE scorecards were out at a familyrun Cheshire care home as residents rated their dishes as part of a new person-centred nutritional scheme based on the popular TV show Come Dine With Me.

Priesty Fields in Congleton recently launched a nutritional scheme called ‘Care Dine With Me’ which enables residents to choose their preferred menu of choice before providing a scoring system to help correlate their favourite meal of choice – promoting inclusivity and interaction around the dining room.

Despite there being no cash prizes for the home’s head chef Barry Moorcroft, it did enable a greater understanding of what residents look forward to at the dinner table –with the latest edition of the scheme including a tasty serving of the renowned French dish coq au vin, which featured alongside seafood pie.

Rishi Sodha, care director at Priesty Fields, said: “We first came up with the idea as a way of getting residents to provide us with a greater understanding of what they would like to see on their plates more frequently as opposed to a standardised menu.

“It was also a great opportunity to provide a bit of fun and laughter in

the dining room.”

While there weren’t any tears and tantrums capable of matching some of the most iconic on-screen rants in television history, one of the home’s residents Dennis was able to produce one of the standout moments of the day.

When questioned by Barry whether he enjoyed his food, Dennis jokingly replied “no, not really”. Barry was able to see the funny side, however, as he laughingly responded with “thanks, Dennis, I’m the chef”, having already received several 10/10 scorecards for his nutritional exploits.

Rishi added: “Care Dine With Me was a great success amongst our staff and residents. We work tirelessly to create an inclusive care culture, which is what Care Dine With Me is all about.

“The opinions and thoughts of our residents influence every aspect of our care offering, so we were delighted to put together an initiative which allowed us to gain vital insight regarding our residents’ likes and dislikes when it comes to food, while also enjoying a laugh or two.

“It’s become an activity that everyone looks forward to weekly and is something that is definitely here to stay.”

Snoezelen environments are sensory rooms that combine a range of stimuli, including lights, colours, sounds and scents to help users develop and engage their senses.

The room will offer opportunities for residents to take part in an activity that is free from cognitive demands allowing them to feel relaxed and entertained while immersed in the room.

The home will revamp what was once their Covid-19 testing room after carers decided they wanted something positive to give back to residents after what had been a tough two years due to pandemic restrictions within care homes.

Manager Laura Fergus said, “ We are delighted to start creating our very own Snoezelen room for residents to enjoy.

“The development is part of our mission to ensure that Renaissance Care residents received the absolute best quality during their stay.

“All of the staff are excited to see the positive benefits the room will bring to our residents once it is up and running.

“Their enjoyment and wellbeing is our top priority.”

The room will be open for all residents to use, with wider benefits of usage including increasing physical activity, improving mental health and greater stimulation for residents.

Funding for the room was provided by Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership’s health improvement fund.

The development is part of the recent portfolio of improvements aiming to modernise the home and ensure all residents have the space to feel relaxed and enjoy themselves.

In 2021 the home’s common areas were revamped, and it has recently begun work to create a bar within the home for residents and their loved ones to enjoy.

Play dates bring old and young together

INTERGENERATIONAL visits at an Edinburgh care home have brought some of the city’s oldest and youngest residents together.

A group of toddlers aged between three and five from Cramond Early Learning and Childcare visited residents at Cramond Residence for a day of activities and games, including art and craft projects and singing nursery rhymes.

Christian Daraio, client liaison manager and registered nurse at the 74-bedroom care home, said: “The residents were very enthusiastic about the visit as they always look forward to interacting with young people – especially where singing or music is involved.

“Activities included lots of games with tennis rackets, bubbles, drawing and balloons, as well as both generations singing nursery rhymes together – it was really lovely to see. Almost 30 eager residents took part in the activities, each excited to spend some quality time with the youngsters.

“Relationships between young people and our older residents help to bring a new energy to the day.”

The visit follows recent company from Cargilfield School, Fettes College and Holyrood High School. The partnerships have enabled a host of students of all ages to visit the home,

as well as providing the pupils with volunteering opportunities.

Christian added: “These sorts of intergenerational activities allow our residents to appreciate the simple joys of seeing children and young people playing and performing, which promotes a positive mindset and most importantly, it’s great fun for everyone involved.

“We’re looking to continue regular visits from the nursery, alongside our existing relationships with other local schools.”

Torry Care Home resident Agnes Duncan.

Priesty Fields head chef Barry Moorcroft.

Carers across the north of England have completed specialist training to boost the level of support their elderly residents receive at their care homes. More than 30 senior care assistants at care settings from Liverpool across to Newcastle-upon-Tyne undertook the intensive 10-week Care Home Assistant Practitioner course. The cohort of newly qualified CHAPs all work for the Hill Care Group, which operates 36 care homes in the north. The carers received their certificates from development and governance director Lynda Hodgkinson at celebrations that were held at Aden Court Care Home in Huddersfield and Briarwood Care Home in Middlesbrough.

Residents inspire refurbishment of home’s salon

RESIDENTS at Downing House have contributed their thoughts on the design and naming of their on-site hair salon, which has recently been refurbished and reopened.

Home praised for its ‘kind and compassionate care’

SIGNATURE at Pembroke House has been rated ‘Good’ across the board following its inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The care home in Camberley provides tailored residential, dementia, nursing and respite care for up to 100 residents.

To mark the achievement the team at the care home hosted a celebratory event in which residents, members of the community and local healthcare professionals came together to commemorate the milestone.

Guests also had the chance to tour the home, including the new stateof-the-art nursing floor that includes a spa bath to support residents and will further Signature at Pembroke’s House ecare offering.

The day of celebration served up prosecco, canapés and live music.

Jeorgia Jones, client liaison manager at Signature at Pembroke House, said: “I am over the moon for all my colleagues following our recent CQC rating of ‘Good’.

“It is extremely rewarding, and

clear evidence of the incredible hard work and effort put in by every single person at the care home.

“We are very pleased that the CQC recognised how we specialise in tailoring the care and support of our residents to their specific needs.

“Our highly experienced team members along with our industry leading facilities make us perfectly equipped to support residents, their relatives and loved ones live their lives positively and with peace of mind.

“It was great to welcome so many people along to see this first hand on our open day.”

Pembroke House was recognised for its specialist dementia care offering to residents, with expert dementia care teams, purpose-built accommodation and a dedicated dementia care area, The Lodge.

The report specifically acknowledged the “kind and compassionate care” on offer, and how team members at the home promote residents’ “privacy, dignity, and independence.”

Housekeeper marks 25 years of loyal service

DAWN Budgen from Care South’s Dorset House in Poole recently celebrated 25 years of continuous service at the home.

Dawn started her career as a packing assistant and cleaner before moving into the care industry as a housekeeper at Dorset House.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoy working at Dorset House and everything about it, from the fantastic team to the residents in our care.

“My job is to ensure that all rooms are kept to the highest standard for residents, and I also enjoy working a few evening shifts in the dining room.

“It is wonderful interacting and getting to know residents in our care on a more personal level. It’s such a rewarding job, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a thank you card by chief executive Simon Bird.

He added: “We are delighted

to celebrate Dawn’s 25 years of wonderful service at Care South.

“Residents’ rooms are such a personal aspect of care home life and Dawn and the team do a fantastic job of ensuring they are clean, homely and comfortable.”

Downing House, a dementiafriendly care home in Withington managed by The Abbeyfield Society, has capacity for 25 residents, with a focus on delivering person-centred care and encouraging independent decision-making as much as possible, so that residents can live their life in the way they want to.

As such, many residents have the desire to treat themselves to a bit of occasional pampering and, before the Covid-19 pandemic, a trip to the salon was a highlight of their week.

For the past three years, however, the salon has been closed due to restrictions and used only as storage space, in an effort to keep both residents, staff and visitors safe. However, the lifting of restrictions last year encouraged the staff to think about redecorating the facility and making it available to residents once again.

Activities coordinator Rubina Hewitt kick-started the campaign to refurbish the salon with a fundraising event to coincide with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last summer.

She said, “We raised the funds during our Jubilee party. It was a great event with a cake stall, tombola and raffle prizes.

“Residents, staff and relatives all came together to make the cakes, and donated the prizes.

“We had a fantastic turnout, raising just under £200 for the salon.”

A consultation with the residents revealed the desire for a 1950’s vintage theme for the salon, with a light shade on the walls to keep it nice and bright.

“The name of the salon was chosen from a selection of name ideas that residents and staff wrote down and put in a jar,” added Rubina.

“One resident then pulled a name out at random, and we had our name – Pin Curls Hair & Beauty Salon.”

Residents and staff have expressed their gratitude to Rubina for their new salon and have been enjoying getting together for a good pamper again.

“I really enjoyed the refurbishment project,” she said.

“And it was so worth it to see all our residents’ happy faces once we opened.”

Rubina wants to encourage all residents to the pay a visit to salon, men and women alike.

“We want the gentlemen at Downing House to know they can have a pamper day too,” she added.

“And we have a few regulars who come along once a week. Every Wednesday is hair and beauty day, when we welcome Catherine, our mobile hairdresser.

“We also offer nail trimming for all and nail polish for the women, which I like to give them while we have a good old catch-up.”

Forging connections with the community and promoting positive mental health for all was high on the agenda as Orchard Care Homes’ Archers Court in Sunderland welcomed a visit from school children. Pupils and teachers from Mill Hill School in Doxford Park visited the home in Farringdon armed with books and delighted everyone by reading stories and chatting over tea and biscuits during Children’s Mental Health

Week.

The link between good nutrition and wellbeing for care home residents

By Emily Stuart

THE link between good nutrition and wellbeing is not a new phenomenon – we all know we need to eat well and stay hydrated to feel our best. In care homes, we also need to be aware that the importance of good nutrition increases in older age due to the risk of malnutrition and the increased requirement for certain nutrients.

Malnutrition, (which for the purpose of this article will relate to undernutrition), is common in care homes.

The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition have reported that almost 25 per cent of people admitted to care homes are affected by malnutrition, with most

falling into the ‘high risk’ category.

There are considerable consequences to malnourishment, including an increased risk of falls and frailty, impaired wound healing, and more hospital admissions.

Early detection is key to good management and there are various food-based strategies you can take, including providing energy and nutrient-dense food, whilst remaining mindful not to markedly increase portion size or overwhelm people with too much food.

Some older people may also find that they become less interested in food, so it’s important to ensure meals are varied and interesting.

Some ideas include trying alternatives to the traditional meals, such as curries and different types of vegetables.

Whilst malnutrition is a significant issue in care homes, it doesn’t affect all residents.

For some, the more traditional healthy eating messages will need more focus, although thinking about how we eat, as well as what we eat, will be important for all people.

Sense of taste and smell can change as we age, which can affect our appetite and how tempted we feel by food. Make foods as tempting and tasty as possible so that eating stays enjoyable.

Flagship veterans’ care home at the heart of community health

ROYAL British Legion Galanos House is a flagship veterans’ care home and community facility on the edge of Southam, Warwickshire.

Galanos House enjoys its role at the heart of the area through the Community Hub, a vibrant social space which opens its doors to residents, their families and the local community.

The café is central to the success of the Hub, attracting customers with its high-quality menu of gastronomic luxury.

Physical and mental health and wellbeing play a vital role, and the arrival of Innerva power assisted exercise equipment in 2022 opened access to preventative exercise for local older adults and people living with long-term conditions.

Hub manager Alison Byerley said: “The Hub has given us the opportunity to extend our care beyond Galanos House and support the health of our community. We share Innerva’s mission to ‘help people remain fit and active in the second half of their lives’.”

Alison and the team recently signed up their 109th member, with access to a circuit of six-seated power assisted exercise machines in a room within the café.

Galanos House has inspired other Royal British Legion care homes, with Maurice House in Kent due to open its own suite this month.

Enquiries: Call David on 07909 526072 or email david.heathcote@innerva.com

Keep meals from becoming bland and uninteresting by varying colours, flavours, and textures.

Adding herbs and spices can help to entice senses.

Mealtimes are often the highlight of day for residents in a care home and the importance of the social interactions associated with mealtimes should not be underestimated.

The environment in which food is

eaten is vital, as is the presentation. Serving appealing looking meals in an inviting dining room can help entice residents to eat more.

These additional focus points can all feed into the wellbeing of residents –don’t forget we all ‘eat with our eyes’ and great looking meals are a good place to start.

n Emily Stuart is an HCPC registered dietitian and healthcare expert for apetito.

Home is cake champion

BARROGIL House in Fife celebrated victory in a culinary competition to make the best chocolate cake.

Residents at the Holmes Care Group operated care home created an old book which they decorated with all the landmarks they associate with Kirkcaldy, including Ravenscraig Castle and the Dysart coat of arms.

‘The local area’ was chosen as the theme to encourage residents to reminisce about the place where they live.

Entries from the operator’s 22 homes across Scotland were then assessed based on the level of participation residents had in making and decorating the cake.

Barrogil House pipped Auchertool’s Camilla House, who made a buffalo masterpiece, to the

top prize.

Although as the standards were so high both homes have been invited to an evening meal at Christies Scottish Tapas in Dunfermline, whose managing director judged the contest.

World leaders in power assisted exercise

David Heathcote, head of business development at Innerva, with Shelley Fardon, events and booking co-ordinator at Royal British Legion Galanos House, and hub manager Alison Byerley.

Emily Stuart

Exotic animals visit home

A COLLECTION of snakes, millipedes, stick insects and even a tortoise called Bob visited Longridge Hall Care Home.

Mike Potts from Critters Interactive in Leyland brought in a selection of interesting animals for the residents to see and hold.

Tracey Hartley, manager of Longridge Hall, a residential, dementia residential and short-term respite care home in Preston, said: “It was a little bit like a scene from I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here when all the creatures were out, but it was great fun.

“Exotic animals are brilliant visitors as they are very calm and easy to hold.

“Our residents loved seeing and handling all the different creatures. The biggest hit was Bob the tortoise, so much so that residents have now asked for one at the home.”

The animals who visited included a North American corn snake called Jake, a Sulcata tortoise called Bob,who originates from the Sahara Desert in North Africa, a giant jungle nymph, one of the largest and heaviest insects, and a Giant African millipede.

48-hour turnaround means residents enjoyed Christmas

RAPID response reached new heights for owner of Inspirations care home in Wolverhampton, Trisha Hayward.

As a result, her service users were assured of a safe, comfortable, sociable festive season.

The elevator within the three-storey, 16-bedroomed home broke down in the run up to Christmas. The part needed would take weeks to arrive.

Trisha had evac chairs in place to address urgent staircase transfer from the upper floors.

She felt a better option for both residents and staff was needed, bearing in mind the length of time the lift would be out of action.

An internet search led her to AAT GB – the stairclimber people.

Within 48 hours of her initial contact, AAT had visited Trisha, demonstrated the equipment, fulfilled her order and trained members of her care team to LOLER standards in the safe operation of AAT’s innovative S-Max Sella stairclimber.

The battery-powered unit comprises a motorised stepping wheel system on a lightweight but strong frame with integral seat.

It uses kinematic technology to smoothly move up and down stairs, enabling a member of Trisha’s team to single-handedly safely transfer the service user (up to 120kg/ 18+st) from one level to another – and onward to destination, executing 300 steps from one battery charge.

The rate of movement is completely controlled by the member of staff.

When not in use, the S-Max Sella can be folded away.

To further manage user safety, Trisha chose the optional safety harness to be added to the Sella.

“The evac chair is heavy for my staff to use, and bumpy, uncomfortable for my service users,” she said.

“I needed a better solution. The AAT equipment is amazing. My staff were very impressed too: they don’t have to lift anything, just push a button.

“AAT were amazing with the speed they responded to my enquiry, delivered the machine and trained my staff. We’ve got eight trained already, and another four will be trained after Christmas.

“It means all my service users will be able to join in activities over Christmas and beyond, and

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access their bedrooms, in comfort and safety. And I’ll have peace of mind over their safe, comfortable movement between floors for the long term – AAT will also service the stairclimber.”

AAT director Peter Wingrave added: “We are unique as a stairclimber company in that we operate nationally and carry a core level of stock.

“That commitment to care providers, be it a care home, healthcare establishment or an individual in private or social housing, means we can expediate an extremely rapid answer to their daily mobility needs.

“We can manage, limit risk, in comfort and safety, and can do so within hours, days – not the weeks of alternative options.”

Enquiries: To find out more and book a free, no obligation assessment of the Class 1 Medical Device-rated S-Max Sella visit https://www.aatgb.com/booking-form/

Improve the mental health of residents by legally holding fire doors open

RESEARCH and studies have shown that promoting mobility of the elderly and facilitating control over decisions they make has a positive impact on their self-esteem, which in turn can influence their mental health and general wellbeing.

But how can care homes achieve this and still adhere to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

Fire doors are heavy and, by law, must be fitted with an automatic door closer.

Whilst this is an essential part of fire safety provision, managing your fire doors more effectively will enable you to adhere to your legal obligations and improve resident’s independence in your care setting.

Installing fire door retainers, such as Dorgard Pro, can enable you to legally hold fire doors open, enabling residents to move around the building without assistance, improving their independence and self-esteem.

The Dorgard Pro fire door retainer system is an ideal solution for care providers. Fitting the battery-powered Dorgard Pro fire door retainers to your existing fire doors will improve access and ventilation in your building.

It is a low maintenance solution that links wirelessly to a central ProHub transmitter, which connects to your

fire alarm system. When the fire alarm goes off ProHub sends a signal to your Dorgard Pro units instructing them to release the fire door and to close.

Should a fire break out, compartmentalisation of areas is achieved, protecting residents and staff from the rapid spread of a fire.

The Dorgard Pro system is not affected by noisy environments as it directly links with your fire alarm system, so there are no false activations.

It has the ability to control up to 500 connected fire door retainers, and can therefore also be used for large premises.

The status of each individual Dorgard Pro is monitored by the ProHub, which will instantly alert you about low batteries or any connectivity issues.

The ProHub can also link to a cloudbased remote monitoring software, InSite.

Linking to InSite gives you the ability to monitor the live status of all Dorgard Pro retainers within your system from a computer, laptop or mobile phone.

Because Dorgard Pro is a wireless system the installation process is quick and easy, and to ensure that you get the best configuration Dorgard Pro comes with a free site survey.

Book your survey on 0800 612 6287 or visit www.safelincs.co.uk

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Beaucare select St Fillans for activity afternoon

RESIDENTS at St Fillans Care Home in Colchester were treated to a floristry session by equipment and hygiene supplier Beaucare after being selected by the company.

As part of the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations this year they decided to give back to some of their long-standing customers by offering them a choice of prizes.

As a long-term supplier to Excelcare, Beaucare offered one of its homes to receive an activity afternoon of their choice.

Instead of making the choice internally, the operator decided to share the offer with its homes, ask them to put forward an activity idea and submit them to the team at Beaucare to pick a winner.

The team at Beaucare wished they could grant every home’s activity wish, but eventually declared St Fillans as the winners.

Their wish was to have a floristry

A luxury care home is hosting weekly jewellery valuation mornings, allowing residents and the local community to have their treasured pieces valued for free. Blossomfield Rose, a state-of-the-art care home which forms part of the existing Blossomfield Park in Solihull, has partnered with Richard Winterton Auctioneers to offer free jewellery valuations — with Richard being a familiar face on BBC Bargain Hunt and ITV’s Dickinson’s Real Deal. Every Thursday from 9.30am to 12.30pm visitors can receive auction estimates from Louise Ludlam-Snook BA (Hons) DGA FGA on all types of jewellery. This includes fine, vintage, organic and modern jewellery, gemstones including diamonds, sapphires and rubies, and precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver.

Intergenerational champion role for village residents

THREE residents at the state-of-theart Belong Care village in Chester, which incorporates the region’s first fully integrated nursery within a care setting, have been named intergenerational champions by national charity Ready Generations for advocating the benefits of connections between younger and older people.

Following the village’s opening last year, some of the first residents to move into the village are reporting how the pioneering project has enriched their lives and given them new purpose and meaning.

In response, Ready Generations has recognised them as ambassadors for the mutual advantages of connections across generations.

Ready Generations founder Sue Egersdorff said: “Intergenerational champions are people who advocate for multi-generational experiences, particularly those whose lives have been enhanced personally.”

class for the residents as they enjoy arranging flowers and having a visual creation to admire.

Floristry sessions also help to stimulate a person’s senses, and in turn boost a person’s wellbeing.

Their prize was recently awarded when a florist arrived at the home to host the session.

Rather than bringing fresh flowers with her, the florist decided to use imitation flowers, so the colourful arrangements people made could be cherished forever.

The florist helped residents to make their colourful creations and showed examples of some arrangements people could take inspiration from. Residents enjoyed taking part, chatting with their friends and sharing connected memories throughout the session.

At the end of the activity, everyone had a colourful creation they could keep.

Designed to research the positive effects that multi-generational relationships can have on the health, well-being and learning of young and old alike, the Nursery in Belong is situated at the heart of the care village.

It provides a range of indoor and outdoor shared spaces for residents, nursery children and the wider community.

Belong Chester apartment tenants Alan and his wife Diana, who lives with dementia, both received the accolade.

Together they visit the nursery most days, often taking their pet budgie.

The other recipient of the Intergenerational Champion title, Bill, who lives in a household at

Belong Chester, helps the children at lunchtimes and has formed firm friendships with a number of them, who enjoy him singing nursery rhymes.

In recognition of the difference the nursery children have made to Bill’s life, he recently gifted a book to the nursery’s library called ‘People Need People’ by poet Benjamin Zephaniah about the importance of belonging and connecting with others.

The book was specially selected by Bill’s daughter Susan as she has seen the role that the nursery has played in him settling into his new home at Belong Chester.

She added: “Residents say they love having the children around.

“It brings vibrancy and joy to the village, as well as contributing to a sense of community.”

AAT launches new, safer option for fall recovery

HELPING people after they have fallen is being given a new, safer solution- for everyone involved.

AAT is bringing to market the Indeelift, a mobile platform “people picker upper”. The rechargeable battery-powered lift eliminates all the problems trying to get a conventional hoist with sling or cushion system into place.

Based around a steel platform, the Indeelift is simply slid into position for it to lift, gently and smoothly, the fallen person from floor to standing.

The lift’s design coupled with integrated rise assist handles and safety belts optimise stability during the process.

A range of versions enable even morbidly obese (up to 250kg/39st) to be lifted to their feet safely and with dignity. Self-assist and supported options are available.

“Research suggests that each care home experiences an average of at least three falls a month,” said AAT director Peter Wingrave.

“250,000 people are hospitalised each year after a fall at home according to Age UK. The Care

Inspectorate advises as good practice the use of lifting equipment to optimise safety when people have fallen, in appropriate circumstances.

“Indeelift brings a new, dignified approach to that safe transfer. It is probably the least invasive recovery solution, and offers the least possible risk, for the fallen person- and carer.”

Indeelift is the latest addition to AAT’s range of innovative and often unique handling and transfer equipment. Its brand-leading S-Max stairclimber is widely used across care environments to overcome the short- or long-term barriers of steps and stairs when there is no available lift.

The stairclimber is complimented by a raft of associated support solutions, for sitting, lying, sleeping and bathing.

Enquiries: Full details can be found on AAT’s website https://www.aatgb.com/indeelift/ The link also enables quick and easy booking of a free, no obligation assessment. As part of its offering, AAT also provides full training, and onward technical and maintenance support.

Belong Chester resident Bill Wall reading with Jacob, who attends the nursery.

Kerry celebrates hanging up apron to take carer role

A SCHOOL cook who hung up her apron to become a carer is celebrating two years in her role – and says she is enjoying every moment of it.

Kerry Williams, who lives in North Walsham, joined the Broadland office of award-winning home care company Extra Hands in February 2021, when the pandemic saw her previous job become increasingly stressful and isolated.

“I was a school cook for many years,” she said. “And during the pandemic, when many children weren’t in school, I was running a hub, which was busy but quite lonely, as a lot of the workforce were not in.

“I fancied a change, and saw the Extra Hands job advertised online. I thought it would be a really rewarding job to do and a complete career change.

“I especially liked the idea of meeting lots of lovely people, as I like being around people – that really appealed to me.”

Two years in and the job with the family-run company has more than met her expectations.

“I absolutely love it,” she added. “It’s even better than I’d hoped it would be, and I’m really glad I made the move.

“It’s quite a scary thing to change when you’ve done the same job for a long time, but I’m so glad I did it.”

As she’d anticipated, her favourite thing about the work is the people.

Kerry added: “I’ve got some really lovely service users, and it’s very rewarding to go home at the end of the day knowing that you’ve brightened someone’s day or made

Residents enjoy Alfie’s tales of the high seas

their life easier.

“Lots of little things happen on a daily basis, such as birthdays or other special events, and it’s lovely to feel part of that in some small way. You get very fond of people, and they get fond of you.”

She also enjoys being part of Extra Hands, set up almost 30 years ago to offer a variety of home care packages to suit all budgets, and values the flexibility offered by her new career.

“I work mainly on my own,” she added. “But the other carers that I’ve met are all lovely people, and the staff in the office are really supportive and make sure work fits in with family life. It’s so important to have that balance.”

Kerry recently won a Rising Star Award at Extra Hands, and feels she has found her calling.

“I was so proud when I found out I’d won the award – when they told me, I cried. I would say to anyone considering doing what I did, definitely give it a go. It fits in well with family life and is very rewarding. I do love it. I really can’t imagine doing anything else now.”

RESIDENTS are enjoying sharing the adventures of a trainee cruise ship deck officer.

Brook View in Ferndown have formed a watertight bond with Alfred ‘Alfie’ Saunders, the stepson of one of their Colten Care companions Jo Vardy.

He has just completed his first six months at sea with the Italian company MSC Cruise Liners aboard the MSC Virtuosa, the fifth largest ship on the sea at this present time.

Alfie has been sending regular postcards to the residents from countries he has visited, including France, Morocco, Portugal and Belgium.

He also sent a video he shot of the Northern Lights, which he filmed from the bridge of the ship whilst in Norway. And he has just visited Brook View to give a talk and Q&A session.

Jo said: “Everyone is thrilled with Alfie’s postcards and gave him a wonderful welcome when he visited.

“One of our residents worked on the original Queen Mary shortly after its launch and has been swapping stories with Alfie.

“Other residents were interested in meeting him as they have cruised in the past and his talk brought back many happy memories for them of visiting the countries he has spoken of.”

After a lunch provided by chef Isabella Corbo, Alfie answered questions and spent time chatting with residents, revealing that one of his proudest moments was when his captain asked him to take the helm and guide the ship across one of the busiest and roughest straits of water, the Bay of Biscay.

He added: “It was lovely to have been invited to speak here at Brook View. Everyone was really engaged and asked me great questions.

“A lot of the residents here are very well travelled and have their own fascinating stories of cruising. I am really looking forward to corresponding with them during my next tour to America and the Caribbean in July.”

Alfie is now beginning his second year of a three-year course, from which he hopes to qualify with the rank of third officer

War hero receives Ambassador for Peace award 70 years on

A GLASGOW veteran who fought in the Korean War has received an Ambassador for Peace medal following his service there in 1953.

92-year-old Andrew Glassford was overwhelmed when his son and grandchildren surprised him with the award for his time with the Black Watch regiment in Korea where he fought in the famous Battle of the Hook.

Now a tenant at Bield’s Loch Laidon Court in Glasgow, Andrew travelled for seven weeks by ship to Korea after he had carried out his national service training at Fort George in the Highlands.

Andrew was heavily involved in the battle and was struck by bomb shrapnel which damaged a large part of his shoulder.

He was quickly airlifted to Japan for treatment before returning to Korea to fight.

He said: “To be part of the Black Watch regiment and play a role in

the Korean War is something that still makes me very proud so, when I found out I was honoured with the Ambassador for Peace award, it was a very special moment.

“Over my two years in the national service across Korea and Kenya, there were highs and lows but I wouldn’t change any of it, it was a meaningful experience and one I will always be incredibly proud of.

“To now have a medal to remind me of my time there and to thank me for my service to South Korea is of course a huge honour.”

A skilled tradesman, Andrew undertook an apprenticeship in building before his time in the war.

On his return the industry had slumped, leading to Andrew qualifying in a second trade - carpet weaving.

He subsequently returned to the building trade and became a joiner in the early 70s.

The recent award makes it Andrew’s fourth war medal, adding to his African Campaign Medal, Korean Campaign Medal and United Nations Medal. Andrew’s grandson Matthew read the citation from the Korean

Embassy when presenting the award.

Andrew added: “It was a very special occasion to be surprised with the award by my close family and a brilliant start to 2023.”

The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953.

North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union whereas South Korea was supported by the United States and other allies including Great Britain.

Ambassador for Peace is a title presented by the Universal Peace Federation to individuals in recognition of their peace-making merits.

Bridget Heenan, retirement plus manager at Loch Laidon Court, added: “Andrew is a true inspiration to staff and tenants at the development.

“We are all extremely proud of his achievements and over the moon to see him receive this deserved award.”

Andrew Glassford with his Ambassador for Peace medal.

Alfie Saunders with Brook View residents Pamela and Trevor Clark and Iona Midlane.

Resident returns to the rink with support from skating legends

A 97-year-old Stansted care home resident and former ice skater was thrilled when her wish to return to the rink was made a reality.

Doreen Barber, who lives at Care UK’s Mountfitchet House, was a keen ice skater in her younger days, visiting her local ice rink twice a week.

Having first given skating a go when she was 12 years old, Doreen skated regularly until the age of 14 as part of a weekly club in London where she was often recognised as one of the best performers for her skills.

Doreen only gave up skating when the Second World War began.

When the war ended, Doreen was able to return to skating, and continued to visit the ice rink over the years.

She even taught her children and husband to skate during weekly outings to their local ice rink.

Despite not having skated in a long time, Doreen has never lost her love for the sport, watching Dancing on Ice each year and regularly sharing fond memories with the team and other residents about her skating days.

When the team at Mountfitchet House learned that Doreen was keen to get back on the ice herself, they arranged for her to visit Riverside Leisure Centre in Chelmsford. Inspired by Doreen, several other

residents also went along to skate for the first time – proving it’s never too late to take up a new hobby.

Doreen said: “Imagine being my age and being on the ice – I never thought I’d see the day.

“It was so much fun and I had a wonderful time.”

The team also went one step further and reached out to the Dancing on

Ice team to share Doreen’s story. Moved by her commitment to the sport and love of the show, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean sent Doreen a personal video message, sharing their admiration and well wishes.

The video was a complete surprise for Doreen, who added: “I’m touched that they would take the time to do

this for me. I feel like a celebrity –people will have to pay to talk to me now.”

The visit formed part of Mountfitchet 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.

Joanna Duke, home manager at Mountfitchet House, added: “Doreen often talks fondly about when she used to ice skate, so when she expressed a desire to give it another go, we were thrilled to help make it happen.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these a reality.

“Doreen was clearly over the moon to be back on the ice, sharing stories from her younger days and wowing us all by telling us the tricks she used to do.

“Doreen had a lovely day, and the video from her skating idols really was the icing on the cake.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Mountfitchet House, and the team over at Dancing on Ice, who helped to make her wish come true.”

Show offers high-quality educational content

THE Residential & Home Care Show is making its annual return as the UK’s leadership event for delivering outstanding care at ExCeL London on April 26 and 27.

The event offers two days of highquality educational content, the opportunity to speak to leading suppliers in the health and social care sector, and explore what products and services suit your business needs.

It is a chance to regroup, network with like-minded peers and equip you with solutions to current challenges seen within the sector.

The two-day event will be packed with knowledge, advice, and inspiration.

Free for all care professionals to attend, the CPD accredited educational programme will be delivered over five theatres exploring a variety of topics including:

Recruitment and retention

Health and social care experts will provide you with advice on topics such as employee engagement and how to effectively recruit according to your business needs. Explore digital marketing technologies, overseas recruitment and the importance of staff retention.

Business development and regulatory updates

You will be able to access sessions on planning and implementation of strategies that will help increase the profitability of your care home and hear updates from local authorities to ensure your business complies with the latest regulations.

Workplace culture and staff wellbeing

Understand how to adopt strategies and best practice models into your workplace culture to aid to

development and confidence of staff.

Digital transformation

You will receive insights and advice on how to make the most of the digital transformation process and implement an efficient, cost-effective digital solution for your care home.

Integrated care systems

You will gain a deeper understanding of how the NHS and social care services will be working together to provide a higher quality of care.

Residents’ health

There will be a variety of sessions dedicated to residents’ health including long Covid, diabetes and dementia care.

Reasons to attend:

n Free for all care and healthcare professionals.

n Earn up to 12 CPD points.

n Take away practical advice and solutions that can be implemented into your own organisation.

n Join thousands of other owners, directors, senior managers all under one roof and utilise the networking opportunities.

n Meet and talk with 200 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services.

n Build relationships between residential care providers, nursing homes, domiciliary care providers, NHS, local government, the voluntary sector and suppliers.

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Advertiser’s announcement

Doreen (front centre) with (back row, left to right) nurse Lisa Scott, her daughter Nina Martin and Jess Wolohan, lifestyle co-ordinator at Mountfitchet House, and fellow residents Gwen Alp (front left) and Peggy Shaw (front right).

Staff experience what it feels like to be a resident

STAFF members at RMBI Care Co. Home Scarbrough Court in Cramlington, Northumberland, recently took part in an innovative training programme called Experiential Learning.

Time capsule buried at new care home

ASPIRATIONS to cure dementia and coronavirus were among the ambitions listed by schoolchildren in a time capsule they buried at the site of not-for-profit later living provider Anchor’s new care home in Saltburn.

The head boy and girl of Skelton Primary School, Nathan Dewing and Erika Jordan, and Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Stuart Smith joined Anchor at their Skelton Court care home in Skelton-in-Cleveland to bury a time capsule ahead of its opening next month.

The school filled the capsule with descriptions of the future, many of which featured flying cars, and their job hopes and ambitions, which also included YouTubers and future stars.

Descriptions of what the last few years have been like and what they enjoy doing were also part of the contents.

Those who discover the time capsule in years to come will also find photographs and documents relating to the new Anchor development which will offer residential and dementia care for up to 65 residents.

Details about Anchor, a pin badge, a brochure for the home and information about the home manager, Beverley Grimes, were also included.

Linda Green, director of care services at Skelton Court, said: “We were thrilled to welcome the children from Skelton Primary School to our

new state-of-the-art care home.

“At Anchor helping people enjoy later life is our passion and we are delighted to be bringing a new home to the area. Proudly not-for-profit, we work hard to meet the needs and expectations of our residents and every penny is reinvested into our properties, services and colleagues.

“We make sure our carers can thrive in a rewarding job of which they are proud with a real living wage, industry-leading training and support to ensure best practice at all times, career progression and a range of benefits.

“As such, we know we can offer older people and their families peace of mind that they will receive high quality care and support as well as warmth and understanding from people who really do care. We are passionate about the little things because we know they make a big difference.”

Skelton Court is a new contemporary residential care home set in luxurious and comfortable surroundings designed to meet the specific needs of residents.

The home includes a hairdressing and beauty salon, bar area, activity areas and access to private landscaped gardens.

The home is now recruiting for various positions including care assistants and domestic and kitchen support.

Through this induction, staff had the opportunity to experience firsthand what it might feel like to be a resident and receive personal care and support whilst living in a care home.

They were presented with various challenges, such as wearing a wet incontinence pad throughout the training session and assisting each other with personal hygiene (washing face and neck).

The activities were carried out twice to demonstrate poor and good practices. The aim was to help give them a better understanding of how residents should be cared for, and develop a greater sense of empathy in their roles.

Julie Smith, Scarbrough Court’s training manager, said: “All staff at our home, at every level, have been through this training. It’s part of our induction process.

“We feel it makes such a difference when we get to experience being in the residents’ shoes, rather than to read or hear about it. It really emphasises staff’s understanding of all individuals’ needs.”

As part of the training session, staff members also took part in a variety of scenarios, such as:

n Being pushed in a wheelchair with artificially impaired vision.

n Being supported to eat a meal by another trainee.

n Having their face and neck washed by another trainee.

n Being left on their own in an empty room whilst unable to move from their chair.

The programme was first launched in 2014 and has been refined and expanded with different scenarios in recent years.

Louise Bateman, group human resources director at RMBI Care Co., added: “Learning through experience can be very powerful; this programme has become a vital tool in supporting new staff members to empathise with residents and to care with compassion.

“We want to ensure that we recruit individuals not solely upon their technical skills or abilities, but on the basis of their values and attitudes to care.”

Team don their pyjamas to hit £2,000 donation mark

THE team at Signature at Esher has hit the £2,000 mark to support nurses at the town’s hospice, The Princess Alice Hospice.

The tally was achieved after a recent PJ Day fundraiser, which took place for the fourth year in a row.

Involving residents and team members donning their favourite pyjamas, a much anticipated ‘catwalk’ where residents had the chance to award their favourite nightwear, and a raffle, on this occasion the team raised £150, surpassing last year’s total of £110.

The annual PJ Day adds to numerous fundraising events and activities, including cake sales and charity walks, held by Signature at Esher over the years.

Joanna Perry, client liaison manager at Signature at Esher, said: “It was another fabulous PJ Day in which we raised even more money for a fantastic organisation.

community. They truly make a huge difference to the lives of so many people and families in the area and fundraising efforts like ours go a long way towards helping them continue to deliver their vital services.”

£150 and will add to fundraising efforts Signature at Chorleywood will be putting in place throughout the coming weeks for various causes.

We can’t thank the hospice enough for all the support they offer us as a residential care home, and the contribution they make to the

In just the last 12 months team members and residents alike have raised almost £4,000 for various charities including MacMillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now.

Training manager Julie Smith assists staff member Rio McLeod with eating during the session.

Residents at Signature at Chorleywood have rallied to raise funds by holding a bake sale in aid of the Turkey – Syria earthquake appeal. At the request of residents, the care home’s Valentine’s Day celebrations shifted its focus instead on playing its part to support the British Red Cross Turkey – Syria Earthquake Appeal. It saw the care home host a fundraising Valentine’s Day dance and its chefs bake an array of cupcakes which went on sale to residents, relatives and colleagues to raise much needed funds for Turkish and Syrian residents. The day raised

Major development brings new jobs

SILVERLAKE Care has opened its Windermere House care home in Horsham, West Sussex to now include a 30-bedded general nursing care facility for older people.

The announcement will see the creation of up to 30 jobs.

Three wings of the purpose-built care centre, which currently supports people with long-term neurological conditions including acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease, have been commissioned to provide much needed residential nursing care and support for older people.

It will also offer care and support to individuals currently in local hospitals but awaiting discharge, following the Government’s recent announcement regarding the use of social care beds to alleviate pressure on the NHS.

Tony Stein, chief executive of Healthcare Management Solutions,

which operates Windermere House said: “We are responding to an identified need in the local area for more nursing care with the opening of the new wings.

“This is not just for permanent

residents but also to support Government strategy to use the social care to help relieve pressure on NHS beds.

“We take great pride in utilising assistive technology and an

innovative approach to enhance the lives of the people we support and the new units will be no different.

“We have an expert care team and 24/7 nurses on site and with the fantastic range of equipment and facilities on site I am confident that we will offer an unrivalled standard of care and support.”

Late in 2022 it was reported that up to one in seven beds at some hospitals in the South were occupied by patients who were fit for discharge but unable to leave because the social care they need wasn’t available.

Windermere House differs from most other nursing homes as it will benefit from the established on-site facilities, including in-house physiotherapy to help residents enhance their mobility and independence, hydrotherapy pools, a specialist gym, cinema, wheelchair accessible grounds and a therapeutic salt cave.

Affluent Cheshire

A site of just under 5 acres with 3.25 acres likely to be net developable.

Very attractive location, in sought after village, within the Cheshire money belt.

Home Counties North

A very attractive 2.7 acre site forming part of a large new housing development between 2 large market towns.

Full detailed approval for a 70 bed Home and 12 Retirement Bungalows, excellent opportunity for an experienced operator.

village site, offering 4 acres in all and the possibility of splitting the site in two.

Windermere House care home in Horsham, West Sussex.

I’m writing to thank you for all your help and support through the sale process. The first time I met you I was impressed with your warmth and enthusiasm and your knowledge of the Care Home market.

No up front fees and reasonable commission may have helped to influence my decision to go with you, but I’m pleased to say that my first impression turned out to be right.

You found us our buyer quickly and since then I have known that you would be on the end of the phone if I needed friendly advice through what turned out to be quite a protracted process. In particular your knowledge and contacts within the business have been invaluable to move things forward and also to reassure us on the different issues that arose. I’m sure your suggestion to use a specialist Care Home solicitor helped enormously as I naively didn’t realise quite how complex the sale would be.

All in all, you are brilliant at what you do! Thank you.

Regards

The specialist, independent broker supporting the healthcare sector

Offering a personal service with the specific, individual needs of our clients always at the forefront of our approach. Rooted within 25 years, we specialise in building relationships rather than transactional advice.

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Lake View

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Marion Lauder House

Brampton Lodge

Operator set to grow provision following

A CARE home group is set to more than double in size to meet the needs of an ageing population across the South West of England following a £3.4million investment from BGF, one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland.

BN Care has operated three care homes since 2017 – Hay House and The Dales in Exeter and St Vincent’s in Sussex.

BGF was introduced to the opportunity by HSBC, one of its shareholder banks. BGF’s investment, alongside additional funding from HSBC, has been used to acquire a fourth home in Dorset which will take the group’s combined capacity of specialist nursing beds it can offer to 120.

BN Care CEO Wade Newmark said: “Our care homes offer a range of high-quality services from end-oflife support to specialist dementia care. Importantly, all of our homes are rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

“We see a huge amount of potential in the range of strategic and financial support that BGF is able to provide and felt it was important to work with an investor that has a long-term approach to driving growth.

“The financial backing from BGF

means we can accelerate our growth plans, supporting even more people in the region that need our services.” Driven by an ageing population with increasingly complex healthcare needs, BN Care has signalled its expansion plans which will see an increase in the number of elderly care homes it currently owns and

operates from four to 10 by 2028. The group, which employs more than 100 staff across its homes, will extend service capacity during the course of the next five years, to meet the ever-increasing demand for specialist nursing care for the region’s elderly.

The investment was led for BGF by

investors Edwin Davies and Chris Jones.

Edwin added: “We are delighted to announce our investment in BN Care as it grows to meet the range of complex needs that are so in demand from older people across our communities.

“We are backing an accomplished and highly experienced industry leader in CEO Wade Newmark, who has a track record of providing highquality services to the care home sector.

“Our investment will enable BN Care to build a network of specialist nursing homes in the South West region. We look forward to supporting the business with further funding and strategic support in the future as it expands its portfolio of homes.”

Dr Mark Jackson has also been appointed as a non-executive chair at BN Care as the result of an introduction from BGF’s Talent Network, which is the UK’s largest pool of non-executive directors. A qualified GP, Mark brings substantial healthcare industry experience and expertise to BN Care following roles as chairman of the board of BGF portfolio company Medigold Health and deputy chairman of Allied Healthcare.

Operator is recognised as a top employer for third consecutive year

OAKLAND Care has demonstrated its industry-leading credentials once again after it was named as a ‘top employer’ for a third time in a row in the annual Top Employers UK list.

Provider partners with operator for extra care scheme

RADIS Community Care is reinforcing its commitment to dementia care as it becomes the new provider at Diamond Court extra care scheme in Weston-super-Mare.

Celebrating more than 20 years of care in the community, Radis will now be supporting Housing 21’s residents to live independently in the purpose-built scheme.

The service went live recently and provides at-home care for residents in their own homes.

Paula Hoggarth, group operations director at Radis, said: “Extra care is a brilliant support service for those who either need a little bit of extra help at home but don’t need full-time care, or for those who are preparing for the care they might need later on in life.

“Living in an extra care residence like Diamond Court means you have your own front door, and 24/7 support services are available to you on site, should you need them.

“It’s this independent living for the over 55s that we are so excited to be delivering in Weston-super-Mare.”

Diamond Court is Radis’ second extra care service in North Somerset after Strawberry Gardens in Yatton which is also a Housing 21 property.

Paula added: “It’s great to be working with Housing 21 so that together we can ensure that the residents of Weston-super-Mare can

live independently with choice and control over their care and support.

“We hand-pick our care teams and only select those who show a truly kind and caring nature, dedicated to helping people lead happy and independent lives with the right level of care or support.”

Diamond Court has one bed and two bed apartments and Radis will provide a tailored service to the residents depending on their needs.

Diamond Court housing manager Dawn Gill said: “Everyone welcomes the new ways of working that a new care provider can bring, and Radis is a proactive company which is focused on growth but ensures its main goal is always to support the people who use its services.

“We want to help people to maintain their independence and give them choice over their own lives – their finances, social lives and privacy. Living here is like being part of a little community under the same roof.

“You can choose to be around people when you want to, or choose to be in the privacy of your own home behind your own front door.” Radis works collaboratively with Housing 21 and other partners within Diamond Court to offer a variety of facilities on-site including a cafe, shop, hairdressing salon and library.

The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey and ultimately enables them to access and improve their workplace environment.

This in-depth survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics such as People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Well-being, Diversity and Inclusion, and more.

The title is sought after around the globe, with more than 1,800 Top Employers in 123 countries across five continents certified by the Institute.

Chief executive officer Joanne Balmer said: “I am extremely proud that we have received this prestigious accreditation for an incredible third year in a row.

“Across Oakland Care we have developed an appealing work structure and support system that allows people to thrive.

“We recognise the important connection that exists between the delivery of outstanding care to our residents, and the cultivation of an outstanding environment for our team members that grants opportunities for them to develop and flourish in their careers.”

After appearing as the only social care provider on the list for the last

two years, the care home group has once again retained its coveted position.

This has been achieved through a collective focus on a better world of work through outstanding HR policies and people practices across Oakland Care’s eight homes.

Among the standout employment initiatives launched by the luxury care home provider is its innovative Assistant Practitioner Programme, which has been developed with the aim of upskilling current and future care teams through the delivery of development opportunities.

This is not only supportive of its nursing teams, helping to improve the quality of care delivered to residents, but ultimately helps team members achieve their professional and personal aspirations.

New home welcomes first resident Hansa

A RECENTLY opened Leicester care home that specialises in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care has welcomed the first resident through its doors – a septuagenarian who has been sharing her inspired Asian recipes with the home’s chef.

74-year-old Hansa Mistry has become the first resident at Watermead Rose, a new state-ofthe-art facility offering residents compassionate and supportive care within a diverse and respectful environment that reflects the city’s vibrant mix of cultures.

Registered manager Aarti Popat said: “We’re delighted to welcome Hansa into the home. We enjoy hearing her stories from India and learning about her wealth of life experience.

“We hope she creates many more happy memories here, and we’re honoured to be a part of this next chapter in her life.”

The new home sits close to the Watermead Country Park, and to keep in with its parkland backdrop, it is divided into comfortable lodges.

Each dwelling boasts communal spaces including lounges on each floor, perfect for getting together or taking part in activities, with a gym, cinema, cafe and a multi-faith room on site.

Dietary preferences are also managed by two separate kitchens –one of which is exclusively dedicated to the preparation of vegetarian and vegan meals.

This ensures that the home caters for a range of requirements, with each resident receiving the proper nutrition they need to optimise physical and mental wellbeing.

Oakland Care CEO Joanne Balmer.

Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry opened Chestnut Gardens, Barchester Healthcare’s new care home in Purley, in front of invited guests from the local community. CEO Dr Pete Calveley and general manager Krystyna Bosko hosted the event and invited guests to view the new facility which is now open and welcoming its first residents.

Bank doubles down on care home sector

ALLICA Bank is further strengthening its care home commercial mortgage proposition to cover specialist care for adult and children’s learning disability services, as well as supported living services after seeing record levels of demand,

For its elderly care policy, the bank has reduced its debt service thresholds for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. In addition, it now includes the ability for operators to take a capital repayment holiday for up to 24 months.

Tom Procter, specialist relationship manager for the care home sector at Allica Bank, said: “The enhancements have been developed using a combination of our team’s specialist care home sector knowledge and extensive feedback from our broker partners.

“We have heard a lot from our broker community that they are seeing increasing demand from both new entrants and experienced operators looking to invest in these dynamic markets.

“In addition to covering a wide range of care needs and ages, long-term security is also vital and our ability to provide full-term commitments, as well as fixed-rate mortgages, addresses those needs.

“Overall, we believe this further evidences Allica’s commitment to the wider care sector, for which we have seen unprecedented demand.

Operator acquires fifth site

BOUTIQUE Care Homes has acquired a new site in Hythe, Kent, its second in recent months, enhancing the provider’s pipeline of new facilities.

group’s presence in Kent.

These changes will help to support operators in their growth and investment plans and empower them to provide the best quality care.”

The move follows the increase of the bank’s maximum commercial mortgage loan size from £5million to £10million, which covers both single loans and the combined value of multiple loans to the same customer.

It can also provide full term mortgage commitments, meaning the operator will not need to refinance during the term.

The 66-bedroom scheme is located in the south west of the town, with the acquisition team noting “the favourable demographics and excellent transport links making the case for a care home clear.”

The site had been vacant since Smiths Medical relocated all staff to Ashford at the end of 2017, demolition took place in 2018. As part of a wider regeneration project for this brownfield site, the new home will also sit alongside a development of 97 houses on the rest of the site.

Managing director and head of the Boutique Care Homes family, Ameet Kotecha, said: “I am pleased that after much hard work by the team, we have acquired this site to strengthen the

“Hythe is a great opportunity for us to continue developing top quality homes, providing the highest quality care to residents. We are very excited to begin work on our latest new development.”

Following a reserved matters planning application in the next few weeks, construction on the care home will commence in late 2023, with Boutique Care Homes committing more than £10million in investment into the local area.

The home will also generate more than 70 new jobs, as well as bringing a new standard of luxury and family centred care to the area.

With operational homes in Shepperton, Newmarket and Broadstairs, Boutique Care Homes has also recently acquired a fourth site in Burgess Hill.

Tom Procter, specialist relationship manager for the care home sector at Allica Bank.

Is your care home ready for its 2023 CQC inspection?

FOR ANY care home the laundry process is critical to maintaining stringent hygiene standards and is therefore service area that will be closely evaluated upon inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

In order to ensure that your care home has efficient and CQC compliant procedures in place, Forbes Professional advises that imperatives go beyond the need for commercial laundry equipment that provides the requisite disinfection.

The CQC states on its website that for care homes to achieve a ‘Good’ rating, there is an expectation of a ‘designated room for storage and managing laundry.’

They will also require that ‘laundry processes follow national guidance and correctly manage’ and clean ‘used and infectious laundry to minimise risk of infection.’

Efficient segregation of clean and soiled laundry is essential at all times, with a clean and dirty flow system to avoid recontamination.

Surfaces must also be kept decluttered and equipment must be well maintained.

Laundry operators must be familiarised with the correct laundry and infection control

processes and must know how to use the laundry equipment to its best potential.

Additionally, the CQC expect there to be a designated lead for cleaning and decontamination, to whom any hygiene concerns would be immediately escalated.

As standard, proper hand hygiene must be maintained, with ready access to wash basins and appropriate PPE is required for all laundry handling.

Forbes Professional works with clients to help them establish a fully compliant laundry operation.

Our consultants offer complimentary site surveys and can advise upon on the relevant legislation, IPC policy expectations and industry requirements.

Forbes provides care homes with Miele’s energy and water efficient commercial laundry and offers comprehensive user training to ensure the machines’ features are fully optimised.

All of our products adhere to the requirements of WRAS and the CQC and are protected by our multi-award winning service support, at no extra cost for the life of the contract.

Call 0345 070 2335, email info@forbes-professional.co.uk or visit www.forbespro.co.uk

Spend 25 per cent less on products at Gompels

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saves you five per cent from having actionable spend analysis.

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n With a smart core list in place for your sites, you can save 10 per cent on your purchasing.

Don’t just take our word for it… “Gompels helped to streamline, not only the supply, but also the products

themselves by implementing a flexible fore list for the homes to order from.

“We were really impressed by Gompels consolidated invoicing, our finance team can simply log in and download the invoices, and can also see at a glance what is due.

“Gompels also offer direct debit which means the team does not have to spend time setting up payments.”

Kelly Jackson, procurement director, ADL Care

We do the basics brilliantly Since working with National Autistic Society since the pandemic began: n More than 2,500 orders have been placed.

n 99.64 per cent of orders arrived the next working day and in full.

If you are a group customer and want to learn more, contact our key account manager Sam Paines by emailing sam.paines@gompels.co.uk or calling 0345 450 2420.

Oraya bath delivers advanced spinal stability

GAINSBOROUGH Specialist

Bathrooms, Europe’s leading brand of specialist baths for the healthcare sector, continues to meet complex bather needs with its advanced Oraya hi-lo platform bath.

The Oraya represents the latest in antimicrobial baths with specialist spinal stability.

Its built-in changing, drying and bathing platform significantly streamlines hygiene and transfer processes.

Beneficial to the bathers in terms of dignity and comfort, the Oraya’s design also protects caregivers from back or muscle strain whilst maximising safety and minimising risk.

Gainsborough Healthcare Group

CEO Peter Eckhardt said: “The Oraya is a game changer in musculoskeletal

care for bathers and caregivers.

“It facilitates a new level of transfer stability and control throughout every cycle – delivering utmost safety and

reassurance for bathers with complex spinal needs.”

The versatile Oraya provides effective bathing in a variety of care

scenarios. Once a bather is in position on the platform, powered variable height raises the bath sides so the user is gently immersed into TMV temperature-controlled water.

Ergonomically crafted for adult and paediatric users, the Oraya has a 165kg SWL and a range of sensory options including Airspa, chromotherapeutic lighting and bluetooth sound.

Bespoke bather comfort is provided by a series of postural supports and bathing cycles can be ultra efficient with auto-fill programming.

This advanced technology is complemented by innovative BioCote antimicrobial protection which is integrated into bath surfaces for advanced hygiene control.