Caring uk Weekly March 13th 2024

New hydration station created for residents

BEACON House in Dartmouth, part of the Centrum Care Group, has introduced a hydration station in its communal lounge, significantly enhancing the experiences of its residents, particularly those living with dementia.

The concept of the hydration station was inspired by the desire to promote greater autonomy among residents, enabling them to effortlessly enjoy beverages while watching their favourite television shows or engaging in conversations, much like they would in their own homes.

Registered manager Suzanne Gatrell said: “The hydration station is just fantastic. It’s so wonderful to see an idea come to fruition – every single person at the home has in some way, shape or form been involved so it’s very rewarding to not only see an environment of self-reliance, but the overall positive impact that the station is having on the health and wellbeing of residents.”

The hydration station features a user-friendly Tassimo coffee machine offering a variety of beverages including cappuccinos, mochas, lattes, and hot chocolates.

“The design of the machine, with its conspicuous red colour and simple pod system, is tailored to meet the needs of residents living with dementia, ensuring ease of use and high visibility.

Additionally, the station offers an assortment of cold drinks, snacks and a small activity area where residents can partake in daily activities while they have their drink.

The inception and implementation of the hydration station was a collaborative effort, involving both residents and team members.

The whole initiative has been met with enthusiasm and positive feedback from residents and their families.

It has become a social hub, fostering camaraderie and conversation, and has led to noticeable improvements in hydration levels.

In addition to the station, Beacon House is engaging in other innovative projects which centre around promoting independence and a sense of purpose for residents.

The team encourage residents to pursue hobbies, take part in new activities and help out around the care home should they wish to.

Beacon House also organises regular trips to the local Memory Café, to Dartmouth library as well as other outings, ensuring community integration, autonomy, and fun.

Team members are also creating cork boards for every resident to put up on their bedroom door to showcase their lives and loves.

Children from Back to the Garden Childcare in Altrincham visited residents at Ashlands Manor Care Centre in Sale for an intergenerational afternoon of fun and storytelling to celebrate World Book Day. Dressed as characters from their favourite books, the children along with two members of staff from the nursery, brought a selection of books to read with the residents. The residents at Ashlands Manor gathered in the lounge to greet the children, proving that age is no obstacle when it comes to a love for books. Michaela O’Brien, registered manager at Ashlands Manor, said: “World Book Day is such a fun day for children as they dress up as their favourite characters and celebrate the beauty of reading books. Many of our residents still love to read and were delighted to share stories with the children.” Resident Ann Tonge is pictured with Sophia and Ashlands Manor manager Michaela O’Brien.

Marian returns to the classroom

A STROUD care home resident was delighted to don her teaching hat once again after more than 30 years away from the blackboard.

When the team at Care UK’s Scarlet House learned that 94-year-old retired teacher Marian Holding was keen to relive her career, they were determined to make it happen.

The team at Scarlet House arranged for Marian to visit St Matthew’s School where she was able to meet some of the children and teachers, and enjoyed an afternoon with some of the current year six pupils.

The visit prompted Marian to share fond memories. She said: “I loved my job – I never wanted

to do anything else as a career.”

Home manager Suzannah Tullett added: “Marian loved her time working as a teacher, so the team decided to surprise her with a trip back to school. Marian had a wonderful time meeting some of the current students and teachers, and loved spending time reading with the pupils.”

Marian qualified as a teacher in the 1950s and started her career at Vaughan Primary School in West Harrow, where she worked for many years.

Throughout her career she worked in a number of schools in the area, eventually becoming a deputy headteacher, but her main passion remained in teaching children to read.

Operator makes significant investment in providing outstanding dementia care

VIDA Healthcare has recruited and trained more than 250 care workers over the past year and invested in innovation simulation equipment for first class training.

Employed across Vida’s three care facilities in North Yorkshire – Vida Court, Vida Grange and Vida Hall –the 252 employees have joined the business since the beginning of 2023 and have provided expert, dedicated dementia care to meet residents’ healthcare needs, from early onset dementia care, residential, nursing and complex dementia care to Huntington’s Disease care.

Managing director James Rycroft said: “We’re thrilled to have welcomed more than 250 new recruits to the Vida team since the start of last year, which is testament to our positive working environment and the significant professional growth and development opportunities we offer as a business.

“We’re not only passionate about highlighting the fantastic career opportunities available within the social care sector, but are also dedicated to providing the very best in specialist, person-centred dementia care here at Vida.

“As we look to the future, our mission remains to build our team of caring and understanding care workers further, in order to ensure we can continue to provide our residents with the very best in compassionate, dignified care to help improve their

wellbeing and quality of life.”

Vida’s commitment to investing in creating better care for people living with dementia has led to all three of the company’s care homes being rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, becoming the only Outstanding rated specialist dementia care provider in the District of Harrogate.

One of the main factors behind achieving this accreditation is the environments within which the Vida team provides its industry-leading care.

Each of the company’s three care

homes offer residents state-of-theart facilities in homely, comforting environments.

The homes are separated into separate ‘houses’, which all feature bespoke, adapted facilities designed to meet with the early onset and complex needs of residents who are at different points on their dementia journey.

As part of its mission to ensure residents are provided with the highest quality of compassionate care, as well as working to change the perceptions of social care as a career path, Vida is dedicated to nurturing

the future generation of social care talent.

This dedication led to Vida launching its own bespoke, 2,500 sq ft training centre, The Vida Healthcare Academy, in September last year.

Opened to establish a permanent base for Vida’s unique training department, the Vida Healthcare Academy demonstrates the company’s commitment to lifelong learning for team members, providing opportunities for career development and progression.

The team at the Vida Healthcare Academy is always investing in new and innovative techniques and technologies, in order to provide staff with the very latest in dementia care training.

Most recently, investment has been made in simulation equipment for clinical skills training, that can simulate different kinds of wounds, trauma and pressure damage.

This enables staff to identify different kinds of wounds they may be presented with and help them to identify when to take action.

Vida has further demonstrated its commitment to shaping the next generation of social care professionals by establishing a partnership with the University of Bradford, through which it has offered almost 100 nursing and paramedic students placements at its three care homes since the relationship between the two institutions began in 2020.

Pop-up museum sparks maternal memories

A MOTHERS’ meeting group gathered spontaneously among elderly residents at a Ripon care home when a pop-up museum sparked maternal memories. An old-fashioned perambulator caught the eyes of several ladies living at Sycamore Hall Care Home during the exhibition.

The group gathered to share their stories of using similar prams when they were raising their own children – more than a half-a-century ago.

Other items in the pop-up museum included old games, which had residents reminiscing about playing them as children, such as Jacks in the schoolyard. A chamber pot also sparked laughter among the group.

Following the success of the pop-up museum, which has been travelling around Hill Care Group

homes across northern England, Sycamore Hall now plans to curate its own exhibition.

Jill Scaife, activities coordinator at Sycamore Hall, said: “The pop-up museum was a great, meaningful activity because it was available to everyone 24 hours a day seven days a week.

“It brought back memories and sparked conversations. Family and friends were able to visit and reminisce with their loved ones.”

Other items in the pop-up museum included old games, which had residents reminiscing about playing them as children, such as Jacks in the schoolyard. A chamber pot also sparked laughter among the group.

Sycamore Hall now plans to curate its own exhibition following the success of the pop-up museum.

Three cheers for group crowned ‘local heroes’ by home

A THAME organisation has been named the winner of a care home’s ‘Local Heroes’ competition.

Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, which offers services to those in the community who need additional help and support, was awarded the top prize of £500 by the team at Care UK’s Cuttlebrook Hall.

The organisation is led primarily by volunteers from the local area who are all driven by a passion to give

something back to their community. The volunteers offer support with a variety of tasks which may be difficult for some local people, including transport, shopping, looking after pets and gardening, as well as befriending services.

Jane Webster, co-ordinator at Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the amazing work our volunteers do – it’s fantastic to have their hard work recognised

and be called ‘local heroes’. I’d like to extend a big thank you to the whole team at Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, as well as to Cuttlebrook Hall for this wonderful recognition.”

Judges were impressed by the efforts of the group’s volunteers, who give up their time to promote involvement and wellbeing for the local community.

Home manager Alana Corr said: “We’re thrilled to have crowned

Thame Good Neighbour Scheme as the winners of our ‘Local Heroes’ competition to help celebrate the opening of our new care home.

Supporting people to remain independent is an ethos we share with Thame Good Neighbour Scheme, and the work they do as an organisation is invaluable to the local community who benefit from the service of the volunteers, so we’re pleased to reward the group’s efforts.”

Terri Spuce, Vida’s clinical development lead.

Nightingale Hammerson has been awarded the Chief Nursing Officer for Adult Social Care Team Award for ‘Outstanding Services to Social Care’. The award highlights the importance of the nurse led care delivered in its homes, supported by an expert multidisciplinary team. Alongside its commitment to delivering outstanding care, the operator supports multiple clinical student placements, endorsed education programmes and invests time and leadership into research to support continual improvement for the social care sector.

Veterans’ care home to host open days

A SURBITON care home will welcome veterans, their family and friends through its doors when it hosts open days in March.

Royal Star & Garter will showcase the person-centred care it delivers during the open days on March 15 and 16. Those wishing to attend are asked to register in advance.

The open days are for veterans or partners of veterans, as well as an accompanying relative or friend, and takes place between 2pm and 4pm on both days.

Those attending will be given a snapshot of everyday life at Royal Star & Garter.

They will have the chance to chat to senior staff including home manager Helena Maher, carers and members of the wellbeing team over a cuppa and a slice of cake.

She said: “Looking for a care home for yourself or someone you love can

be scary and daunting.

“But our open days will give people the chance to see the exceptional care we provide veterans and their partners, and hopefully ease those worries.

“We’re looking forward to showing them the great work we do.”

Visitors will also be offered a tour, which will take in the in-house physiotherapy room and hair salon, garden, activities room and lounges.

A range of arts, crafts, music and cookery activities will also be taking place, which visitors can watch or take part in.

Those wishing to attend are asked to register their interest online through Eventbrite, with places limited to two per booking.

To register interest visit www. starandgarter.org/openday

If you are unable to register online call 020 8339 5100.

David’s surprise visit 60 years after his wedding

FOR 85-year-old David Cotton, what he thought would be a quiet day at home turned out to be one to remember when his friends and support workers at Belong Morris Feinmann surprised him with a special trip to one of Manchester’s most famous hotels, returning for the first time in over 60 years, having celebrated his wedding there.

Arriving at the city’s Midland Hotel, guest of honour David was welcomed for a sparkling afternoon tea, joined by fellow residents who also made the trip from their care village home in Didsbury.

The group were entertained with a vocal performance and a goody bag, courtesy of the tearoom manager, later followed by the sharing of happy memories of marriages, the Midland and Manchester.

The occasion’s organiser, Angela Luckett, religious and cultural experience coordinator at Belong Morris Feinmann, added: “A big part of our role is helping our customers have the best experiences, recall special moments in their life, and create new memories for them, so when David told me of his life story, I was pleased to put a plan into action.

“We’re grateful for the kindness of the Midland Hotel team for making the day so wonderful for us all, and especially for David.”

Growing up in north-west London, it was at a synagogue youth activity where David first met future wife, Mary, a Viennese refugee who had settled in Manchester.

After their respective congregations had come together for a shared summer camp, it was fate that would

facilitate the rekindling of their relationship years later, with David’s employment as an ice machine salesman sending him north.

With the young couple reunited, they began courting, meeting weekly at the Manchester Reform Synagogue before later tying the knot there, followed by the reception at the Midland.

Married life was enjoyed in Chorlton with David continuing his sales job, whilst Mary set-up a renowned private catering business with high profile clients, including the Bank of England. The couple had three daughters – Caroline, Sarah and Emma.

In later life, the pair moved to Belong Morris Feinmann care village, a not-for-profit dementia specialist, allowing the continuation of their Jewish way of life whilst being supported to live independently. Mary died on December 19, 2022.

Care sector gives mixed response to Jeremy Hunt’s March budget

THE care sector has given a mixed reaction to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s March budget.

The Independent Care Group has warned that a lack of extra funding for the sector in the budget will undermine efforts to help the NHS.

Chair Mike Padgham said: “A lack of measures to help social care will undermine and potentially destroy the actions announced to support the NHS as one cannot function properly without the other.

“There was an opportunity for Jeremy Hunt to be bold and go down as the Chancellor who acted on the crisis in social care and began the process of creating a National Care Service for the country.

“Instead, the sector was ignored once again and the crisis will deepen, letting down thousands of older and vulnerable adults and damaging our ability to work hand in hand with the NHS to create cradle-to-the-grave help and support.”

However, Dr Jane Townson OBE, Homecare Association CEO, said she cautiously welcomed some of the announcements made.

She added: “The reduction in National Insurance contributions

and the extension of the 5p cut in fuel duty for a further 12 months will provide a small but much-needed financial boost to our hardworking homecare workforce, who have been delivering vital care services tirelessly in challenging circumstances.

“We remain concerned, however, that the budget falls short of delivering the comprehensive, longterm investment that the social care sector desperately needs.

“The £200million allocated to expand children’s social care capacity is a step in the right direction, but it does not address the workforce shortages and funding issues facing the broader social care system, including homecare services for adults.

“While we appreciate the government’s focus on harnessing technology to improve productivity in the NHS, it is crucial that similar investments and initiatives are directed towards the social care sector as the NHS and social care are inextricably linked.”

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK and co- chair of the CSA, called the budget ‘something of a non-event for older people, with very

few announcements of much interest or relevance to them.”

She added: “The reductions in National Insurance will be welcomed by people in their fifties and early sixties who are in employment but do nothing for anyone working beyond their State Pension Age because they do not pay NI.

“They can be forgiven for feeling hard done by as a result, especially since many of them are working in their late sixties and beyond not because they want to, but because they simply cannot afford to retire.

“Nor will it help retired people with modest pensions that take them over the tax threshold who will face an increase in income tax rise because personal allowances remain frozen.

“Age UK had called for the Household Support Fund to be continued beyond April, to help people of all ages struggling on low incomes, and we are pleased the Chancellor announced a six-month extension.

“However, six months is not long enough and, crucially, this leaves older people on low fixed incomes without recourse to this extra help through the winter months, when

high energy bills provoke so much hardship and fear.”

And National Care Forum CEO Vic Rayner stated that: “This budget is yet another demonstration of this government undermining its pledges to deliver adult social care reform.”

She added: “We are struck that we have gone from a position where there was a dedicated Health and Social Care Levy to “fix social care once and for all” in 2021, to one where National Insurance has been cut by 4p in the space of a year.

“There is very little regard to the long-term sustainability of public services in this budget and it is therefore disappointing but not unexpected that there are no new announcements for adult social care.

“The cost of delivering these preelection tax cuts will constrain public spending for several years.

“It is clear the Chancellor has missed a key opportunity to address the huge funding pressures on local government and social care providers alike – these pressures are leading to multiple councils from across the political spectrum declaring bankruptcy due to the spiralling costs of social care.”

David Cotton

Care Providers Conferences 2024

A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR CARE

Delivering the latest news, information and products that will enable owners, managers and staff to be at the forefront of delivering care excellence.

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Tuesday 5th March 2024

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Wednesday 8th May 2024

Listen to national speakers and experts, network with like minded operators, and enjoy the chance to demonstrate in the exhibition hall with your latest products and technology that are designed to enhance quality in care homes.

Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham DH1 1TD

Thursday 9th May 2024

Holiday Inn Barnsley (M1, Junction 37) S75 3JT

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Dunston Hall, Norwich NR14 8PQ

Wednesday 30th October 2024

Franchise under new ownership

AN OPERATOR has welcomed new owners with more than a decade of experience providing at-home care to communities.

Bluebird Care franchise owners

Carolyn and Keith Dailey have offered care to nearly one million people across eight localities across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and West Norfolk.

The pair have provided care and support to more than 2,500 people since 2013 and won multiple social care awards in that time.

They first began their journey with Bluebird Care Newmarket and Fenland, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

In 2019 they took ownership of Bluebird Care Cambridge, further expanding the areas in which they provide care to people with a range of different care and support needs.

In 2022 they grew once again, acquiring Bluebird Care Bedford.

As their Newmarket and Fenland, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Cambridge, and Bedford services all celebrated their 10-year anniversary in 2023, Carolyn and Keith were set on ensuring the future of home care across the region with their new move into Huntingdon.

Their new team will be made up of current and new team members and will create 20 new job opportunities for local residents as they seek to expand their care services across the Huntingdon area.

Carolyn, principal director and owner of Bluebird Care Huntington, said: “The team at Bluebird Care Huntington has done a fantastic job for years serving the local community, and Keith and I are really excited to be stepping up to lead this service.

“We are bringing with us our many years of experience running successful Bluebird Care franchises, offering exceptional career opportunities for our teams.

“Our priority is always providing the highest quality of home care and live-in care in every community we support.

“We are very excited about our future plans in Huntingdon and look forward to sharing them.”

Daisy gallops into home

DAISY the miniature Shetland pony had residents of Downham Market’s Diamond House care home giddy with joy after paying them a visit.

Daisy was accompanied by her handlers from Miniature Dreams – which provides animal therapy sessions to care services – as she visited residents in communal areas before heading upstairs to enjoy some strokes and carrots from those who are less mobile.

Activities coordinator Allison Webster said: “All of our residents had a wonderful day with Daisy. She really put a smile on everyone’s face.

“We try to have really diverse and engaging experiences for our residents, and do lots of different things like entertainers, visits out into the community, sitting exercises, and

Digital marketing boosts franchisees’ visibility

WALFINCH home care franchisees are being offered extra digital services to boost their visibility and maximise leads.

The team is offering them a package that raises their profiles, online and offline, to maximise business. Walfinch’s network of 30 franchisees are being offered:

n Three tailor-made posts a week on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google.

n A day of videography and photography on site, because video in particular is now a strong element in marketing.

n Google Ads, Facebook Ads and Google Business Profile management.

n Automatic customer review collection and response creation, so franchisees know that all reviews will receive replies.

“The care delivered by our Walfinch home care franchisees deserves to be as widely known as possible, so Walfinch has invested in recruiting specialist SEO and digital marketing experts to support and manage franchisees’ social media campaigns,” said marketing manager James Boyes.

“Franchisees know that social media can boost their business but may be unsure what makes a good post, how to run an effective campaign, or how to deliver it, so we set up our own

digital marketing arm.

“Having this expertise in-house means we can create social media campaigns that are always focussed on our franchisees and their clients –something no external organisation could provide.

“The social media posts are created specifically for individual franchise locations. We mix personalised videos and images of carers and clients (where available) with generic posts about services and educational content.

“The content is centrally-created, but with a localised focus, so franchisees get the best of both worlds. It reduces the time they need to spend on SM marketing to raise their local profile and bring in more business and recruit carers.”

Walfinch also combines digital marketing support with ensuring that any offline marketing materials are redesigned and updated every quarter.

James added: “We also offer automated lead handling as part of our customer relationship management software, so people who contact us receive a series of texts and emails.

“This ensures that every contact from a potential client is followed up, so lead conversions are maximised.”

arts and crafts.

“Our aim is to bring new experiences and something out of the ordinary that our residents will enjoy and will enhance their quality of life. I think a visit from a mini pony absolutely meets those criteria.

“Daisy is well-trained and has a calm temperament, she’s an ideal visitor for our residents. I’m sure she will be back soon.”

The clip-clop of tiny hooves along the hallway marked a departure from the home’s previous pet therapy visitors, which have included everything from creepy crawlies to lizards and rabbits – but never a pony.

Residents had the chance to pet and feed Daisy treats, as well as asking her handler plenty of questions about her diet and care.

Edith Turner, a resident of The Hollies care home in Burghfield Common, has marked her 101st birthday surrounded by family, staff and fellow residents. Born in Lambeth, London, Edith Turner (née Bunn) grew up near The Oval cricket ground, embodying the spirit and resilience of her generation. During World War II, as part of the Land Army, her path crossed with Norman Turner at a station in Ham, near Newbury. Their love story began amidst the challenges of wartime Britain, leading to a marriage in 1943, setting the foundation for a family legacy spanning four generations. Today, Edith is a matriarch to a loving family, including a son and daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, six greatgrandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Edith is pictured with her son and grand daughter

Carolyn and Keith Dailey.