September 2015
incorporating
no.231 • £4.75
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Elderly ‘are happier’ in care setting By Olivia Taylor RESIDENTS feel less isolated and happier after moving into a care home, compared to where they were living previously, a survey by Hallmark Care Homes has revealed. The Essex-based provider asked relatives with a loved one in one of the 17 Hallmark Care Homes across England and Wales to rate their happiness and level of activity, prior to and after they had moved into the care home. 74 per cent of those who responded said their loved ones were happier or just as happy after making the move into residential care and it was identified that the level of social activity enjoyed by residents had a direct and positive impact on their overall levels of happiness. Managing director for Hallmark Care Homes and chair of Care England Avnish Goyal said: “Our research shows that those living within our communities of care benefit from regular social interaction and take the opportunity to join planned activities, thereby enhancing their quality of life and increasing their levels of happiness.
“However, it is important to stress that the approach to social activity should be centred on the individual resident and their preferences which is why we make great efforts to find out as much about our residents as we can prior to moving in using our ‘About Me’ booklet which gives us insight into the social activities that they might enjoy.” Some 89 per cent of residents now take part in social activities at least once a week, compared to just 63 per cent prior to joining a Hallmark community. When asked what the residents living situation was prior to moving in, just 23 per cent of people surveyed reported that their loved one lived with a partner before they moved into a care home. A staggering 59 per cent had been living alone for over five years prior to their move, according to the survey which was sent to about 300 relatives earlier this year. Avnish added: “It is widely recognised that social isolation is a growing issue among older people. “This is a problem which is likely to develop as time goes by given our ageing population and the constraints on the social care budget.”
Tenants enjoy getting creative
Hallmark care home, Anisha Grange in Essex, recently received a visit from celebrity gardener David Domoney as part of a company-wide gardening competition. David is most recognisable for his work on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and visited Anisha Grange to view the home’s award-winning gardens and to meet residents. David said: “Gardening not only has physical benefits it has therapeutic benefits as it is a key link to the past. It’s good to see a care home has recognised this fact and implemented it as an activity at the home.” Winners of ‘Hallmark in Bloom’ will be notified in coming weeks.
A SCOTTISH care provider is looking to get arty to help its tenants in East Lothian to become more creative. Bield’s Southfield Court, a retirement housing development in Dunbar, is on the lookout for a local artist who would be keen to volunteer their special skills for a vibrant group of older people who want develop their painting skills. The tenants have already had a successful still-life taster session and this has left them with an enthusiasm to progress their skills even further. Kate Donohoe, manager at Southfield Court, said: “Our tenants thoroughly enjoyed their initial stilllife session and are now particularly interested in learning more about working with charcoals, pastels, water colour and oil painting. “Recreational classes such as this are greatly beneficial as they can be very therapeutic for the tenants – allowing them to get involved with something creative while socialising with others.”