September 2018
no.263 • £4.75 incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector
Candlelight Care staff enjoy local discounts
New campaign aims to tackle malnutrition By Dominic Musgrave
HOME Instead Senior Care is launching an initiative to tackle malnutrition in Britain’s older generations, as new research shows almost three in 10 (27 per cent) over 75s don’t think they need to eat as much now they are older. Half of over 75s eat smaller meals and more than a third (34 per cent) regularly skip meals (i.e. once a week or more), with 10 per cent saying they do not have as much money to spend on food and 12 per cent losing weight as a result of getting older, according to the independent research commissioned by the national homecare provider. The new YouGov survey of 1,013 adults aged 50+ across Britain was commissioned after previous Home Instead research found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of people looking for homecare support for elderly relatives were worried about what, how much and with who their relatives were eating – making it their biggest worry. In response Home Instead is launching the national Stay Nourished campaign, designed in consultation with specialists at Bournemouth University’s Ageing and Dementia Research Centre. It will help families and CAREGivers understand the importance of nutrition, how to spot malnutrition in the elderly and help dispel
misconceptions around diet and appetite as we age. According to other research, around one-in-10 (about 1.3 million) older people in the UK are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition – with malnutrition costing the NHS an estimated £19.6bn a year. Martin Jones, MD of Home Instead, said: “Food and nutrition play such an important role in our wellbeing and health – particularly as we get older. Malnutrition is a serious issue, which is compounded by, and exacerbates, other serious health issues often experienced by older people. “Becoming malnourished is a significant threat to health as we age and the research shows this is a concern for families across the country. Food and nutrition isn’t just a personal responsibility. We can all help by recognising when someone is struggling to prepare meals themselves, or when they are losing interest in eating. “By knowing what to look out for, and what nutrition requirements look like, we can help ensure our elderly relatives stay nourished and hydrated, keeping them healthy and out of hospital. We have 190 offices across the UK and we’re encouraging people in these communities to learn about correct nutrition for elderly care and to have the confidence to discuss food and eating with their relatives.”
Cheryl Baker, singer with eighties pop legends Bucks Fizz, was the guest of honour at the official opening of a new care home in Eastbourne. Beechwood Grove provides residential, nursing, memory and respite care in 58 en-suite rooms. Cheryl cut the ribbon to officially declare it open before enjoying a tour with home manager Jeff Levine, and chatting to the first residents and invited guests which included local GPs, solicitors, neighbours of the home and members of Eastbourne’s Women’s Institute. The purpose-built home, run by Oakland Care, offers residents a bistro, cinema room, hair and beauty salon, landscaped gardens and a terrace with panoramic views of the South Downs.
A GLASTONBURY care company is taking steps to reduce costs for its staff in their everyday lives. Candlelight Care chairman Peter Lugg has worked with a number of local businesses to secure discounts for them on everything from haircuts to tyres, mobile phones, takeaways and gym membership. He said: “The care sector has been under significant financial pressure for many years and although our rates of pay are comparable to other providers, we would naturally like to be able to pay our staff more for the wonderful work which they do. “We hope by arranging discounts for them at various local companies, their pay packets will stretch a little further.” Candlelight Care celebrates its 30th anniversary in the autumn, and will be inviting representatives from the local businesses involved in its staff discount scheme to the event to thank them for their support. Candlelight Care is a family-run company offering homecare and live in care services in Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and East Sussex. With a head office in Glastonbury, Somerset, it has been awarded the Investors in People Bronze standard for its commitment to developing its staff.