Caring Weekly March 20

New guidance to support placements

SKILLS for Care has published new guidance to support the development of social care nursing placement opportunities.

The strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care published the guidance in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Nurse for Social Care Deborah Sturdy. It can be used by employers, practice assessors and practice supervisors who are responsible for assessing and providing learning opportunities for student nurses and nursing associates across the social care sector.

It covers the practicalities of how organisations can host student nurse placements and the advantages for organisations of doing so.

Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, said: “Lived experience is critical to understanding what it means to be a social care nurse and taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by this amazing profession.

“Undergraduate placements, across a variety of care settings, are the best way to create the next generation of social care nurses and nursing associates, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and intuition to deliver exceptional care.”

The guidance also includes

insights from universities and care providers about the importance of social care nursing placements in developing nursing professionals as a valued part of pre-registration nursing programmes and ultimately the provision of high-quality care for people who draw on care and support across the health and care system.

Skills for Care’s latest data shows that in 2022/23, there were an estimated 33,000 registered nurse filled posts in the adult social care sector.

In addition to registered nurses, in 2022/23 there were 750 registered nursing associate filled posts. The vacancy rate for registered nurses was 11.3 per cent.

Claire Leenhouwers, national professional lead – nursing at Skills for Care, added: “Social care nursing placements are something I’ve been passionate about for a long time.

“Whilst we recognise the challenges for smaller social care organisations compared to setting up placements in larger providers and NHS Trusts, there are real opportunities for quality practice placement experiences that meet the needs of students and the providers. This will ensure a future nursing profession that has the skills and experience to work across a system to meet support expectations for care.”

Beata Beevor from Windsor Street Care Centre has been named Connect2Care Hero Apprentice of the Year. The Heroes Awards aims to recognise the important role that apprenticeships have to play in empowering people of all ages and walks of life in the care industry. Beata said: “My decision to work in adult care was more than a career choice. It was a lifestyle choice and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for adults in various stages of care. I have received incredible support during my apprenticeship training from my C2C vocational trainer Anna Williams. I faced some challenging moments, especially during the transition from one care home to another, but Anna always believed in me and tailored my professional development discussions to suit my needs. My goals for the next two years centre on lifelong learning, career advancement and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the people under my care.”

Resident enchanted by musical

A 92-year-old resident who lived at a care home in Colchester fulfilled a bucket list item of watching a musical, thanks to The Wishing Washing Line initiative by FaNs network in Essex.

Crouched Friars resident Edwina Parker attended Philip Morant School and College’s production of Matilda and had a “magical” evening.

She was welcomed with flowers and was also mentioned by name at the end of the performance as a special guest.

Edwina said: “I had the most wonderful time watching Matilda. The performance was fantastic, and it brought back many happy memories from my childhood.”

The Wishing Washing Line initiative is aimed at communities engaging with care

home residents with interests that are important to them.

Paulina Eagle, home manager at Crouched Friars said: “Edwina was so excited to see the musical and the students’ performance was absolutely phenomenal.

“Thank you to the Philip Morant school for having us and the Wishing Washing line for giving Edwina and our other residents so much joy.”

Edwina has since sadly passed away.

Since last year, Paulina and her team have kept up their Dignity Action Day promise, which encourages care providers to provide more dignified outcomes for the elderly, to grant wishes for the care home residents.

Birds of prey swoop into care home

RESIDENTS of Old Raven House, a Grade II listed care home in Hook near Basingstoke, were treated to a visit from Colin Sutherland and his birds of prey.

The visit, which saw residents up close and personal with the creatures, left a lasting impression, contributing to the home’s ongoing commitment to providing unique and stimulating experiences for those in its care.

Manager Anne Turner said: “Seeing the sheer joy and fascination on our residents’ faces was truly heartwarming.

“Colin’s visit with his birds of prey was not just an activity, but a meaningful experience that brought a lot of happiness and sparked curiosity among everyone here.

“It’s moments like these that enrich the lives of our residents, making Old Raven House not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.”

Colin, known for his passion and extensive knowledge of birds of prey, spent the day at the care home, sharing insights about each bird.

Residents were captivated, hanging on his every word as they observed the birds perched gracefully on his hand.

The most thrilling moment came when Colin offered the residents the chance to hold a kestrel themselves.

This opportunity saw no shortage of eager volunteers, with many taking turns to experience the unique sensation of a bird of prey resting lightly on their arm.

Minister praises veterans’ project during home visit

THE Shadow Minister for Veterans has visited Royal Star & Garter to learn more about a new project which boosts care for ex-Armed Forces personnel.

Steve McCabe MP came to the charity’s Home in Solihull to see the Veteran Friendly Framework in action.

The VFF aims to tackle loneliness and isolation, by providing resources to care homes to better support their veterans. It will deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for more than 25,000 veterans in England, and is a two-year collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter, the Royal British Legion and the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA – an NHS flagship Armed Forces programme), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Steve was given a tour by Royal Star & Garter’s chief executive Andy Cole and home manager Jamie Stubbs. During his visit he dropped into a song and dance session, met residents

Charity buzzes with help from home’s residents

RESIDENTS and staff at a New Forest care home have raised and handed over nearly £6,000 to a charity that provides essential support for young carers.

Honeypot was the beneficiary of a year of community activities after residents at Colten Care’s Woodpeckers chose it as their main charity to help.

Among the fundraising events at the Brockenhurst home were garden open days, a month of fitness sessions, an outdoor ‘festival of light’ and a Christmas ‘meet the reindeer’ afternoon.

Residents contributed directly by making crafts and gifts to sell, manning stalls and promoting the events to families, friends and community contacts.

Companionship team leader Jane Bunker said: “We’ve had such a great year, raising an amazing amount of money.

“It will enable many children to take a break from caring and go and have

an adventure at Honeypot House in the New Forest and just have the chance to be a child again.

“The Woodpeckers residents really got behind this year of help. Our Beea-thon was a whole month of ‘Let’s get active’ sessions in which everyone donned sports gear to do laps of our garden.

“Another highlight was when the Honeypot mascot Bumble the Bee came for a sleepover.

“We also welcomed Bumble for a Morris dancing afternoon when we opened our new greenhouse and for our festive reindeer day.”

Accepting the home’s cheque for a total of £5,772.60, Honeypot community fundraising manager Viv Carter added: “The enthusiasm and energy from everyone at Woodpeckers is overwhelming.

“We are so happy to have their support.

“They have really driven their fundraising for us with an understanding of the impact it has.”

enjoying a game of dominoes and chatted to staff.

Andy said: “As a charity which provides outstanding care to our Armed Forces community, it was a pleasure to welcome Mr McCabe to our Solihull Home, and to discuss the VFF in greater detail.

“The VFF is already having a huge impact on some of the 25,000 veterans living in care homes in England, and we look forward to it benefiting the care and wellbeing of many more.”

Care providers must meet eight standards to attain VFF-status. These include provisions to identify the wellbeing needs of veterans and their partners by ensuring that Armed Forces status is included in care planning; addressing social isolation; and providing signposting to local statutory and charitable support services.

To date, 17 care homes have attained VFF status, 54 are going through the process and more than 80 are in active discussion.

Residents Maureen Miller, seated, and Sheila Burn, third from right, with team members from Colten Care’s Woodpeckers care home and representatives from the Honeypot children’s charity.

Three Bridges in Latchford, Warrington, welcomed recently-born Lennie through its doors, resulting in a special interaction with Ben Parsonage, the nursing home’s oldest male resident at 100 years old. Lennie is the son of health care assistant Gemma Hughes. Ben was delighted to meet Lennie at the home, which is part of the Orchard Care Homes group, and said mischievously: “If that picture goes anywhere, make sure no one thinks he’s mine.” Home manager Jamie Ashton added: “This delightful meeting served as a reminder of the cycle of life and the continuity of generations. The residents were visibly uplifted by Lennie’s presence, demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of such interactions.” Three Bridges frequently hosts local primary and secondary schools.

Resident Jim Blackford with one of the birds.

Solihull Home manager Jamie Stubbs, Shadow Veterans’ Minister Steve McCabe and Royal Star & Garter chief executive Andy Cole.

Home helps couple cherish memories

“I had not fallen in love until I met Sheila Dora Colman” recalls pensioner Ray Rowe looking back on meeting his future wife in late 50s Devon.

64 years of marriage later – their love undimmed – the couple have been reliving some of their happiest moments thanks to staff at Butterfly Lodge care home in Plymouth.

Sheila, who has dementia, has been a resident at the care home in St Budeaux since 2020, with husband Ray making sure to visit her almost every day.

With their 64th wedding anniversary coming up, staff at Butterfly Lodge decided to help the couple mark the event by putting together a slideshow of their memories.

“Not only does Ray visit daily he calls every morning like clockwork just to see how “madame” is,” said deputy manager Sarah McCaffrey. “He’s become part of our family here as much as Sheila has.

“For their anniversary we wanted to do something special, and I contacted their son Gary in Glasgow and daughter Julie in Texas for some family history.

“I used this to create a slideshow of pictures and snippets of their story with Sheila’s favourite song in the background and converted it into a video presentation.

“We decorated their room with a banner and balloons and set up a table for them so they could have a romantic anniversary meal together.

“When our activities’ co-ordinator Kelly played them the video, they were both overwhelmed and spent some time reminiscing about their lives together.”

Ray met Sheila in the canteen at the Dockland Boxing Club in Devonport when she came in with a friend one day and he says the pair “clicked straight away”.

The couple were married at St Michael’s Church. Sheila wore a traditional white gown with a tiara and held a bouquet of red tulips.

“She looked super when I first saw her, it was quite emotional, and I was really chuffed,” said Ray.

“I had blue suede shoes to go with my light blue suit and when I knelt for the blessing, my brother Danny had written HE on the bottom of my left shoe and LP on the right shoe – HELP.

“Everyone started laughing but I didn’t know what was going on until afterward.”

Ray says Sheila always loved to dance.

“Al Martino’s Spanish Eyes always reminds me of Sheila. She loved that song and would always get up and do a flamboyant dance when it came on.”

resident has revealed her secret to living a long and happy life. Marjorie Broadhurst from Care UK’s Knebworth facility marked her 103rd birthday. Marjorie’s family joined her friends at the home for a special celebration to mark the big day, and the team decorated the home with balloons and banners. Marjorie worked in a local flower shop in her younger years. During the Second World War she helped test parts for aeroplanes, and in 1945 she married her husband Ronald after they met at school. The couple have two sons, Roger and Dan, as well as five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, whom Marjorie credits as being the source of her long and fulfilling life.

A Blairgowrie care home resident celebrating her 100th birthday says enjoying everything in moderation and making a positive impact on your community is the key to a long and happy life. Muirton House pulled out all the stops for Marjorie Scott’s special day, with her family invited to a party at the home, during which she was presented with a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla before tucking into cake and tea. A lifelong passion for service to society saw her join the Voluntary Aid Detachments in London at the conclusion of the Second World War. Later in life, Marjorie remained committed to doing her part to help others and was very involved with her local Church of Scotland congregation’s community work. Marjorie tied the knot with Raymond Scott, a jute manufacturer from Dundee, in 1950. They had three sons – Malcolm, Ranald, and Euan – who in turn gave her eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren to dote upon.

Alice, a resident at Flowers Manor Care Home in Chippenham, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by loved ones and enjoyed a day filled with activities. The centenarian began her day with a pampering hairdressing appointment, followed by lively dancing with musical entertainment provided by Marcus Davies and a slice of birthday cake. To mark the special occasion, the care home received an overwhelming response to its community appeal, presenting Alice with a collection of 200 birthday cards, double the number they were appealing for. Alice received cards from local schools, family, and people across Wiltshire and the community. Adding to the celebration, local gardener Rebecca and her team from Wild Thyme Designs created a flower bed in Alice’s honour at the care home.

Ray Rowe and his wife Sheila recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Bluebird Care Redbridge, Epping and Harlow celebrated 15 years of dedicated service in providing care to its customers in the comfort of their own homes. The anniversary festivities brought together the team, customers and members of the community to honour the journey of success over the past 15 years. Among those present were Councillor Saira Jamil, Deputy Mayor of Redbridge, and Lee Walsh, operations director from Bluebird Care Head Office. The event also welcomed fellow Bluebird Care team members and customers along with their families from the four different areas served: Southend and Rochford, Essex West, Mid Essex, as well as Redbridge.

A 103-year-old Woolmer Green care home

A resident at Millway House in Andover has celebrated her 100th birthday. Margaret Oldfield, marked her centennial birthday at the nurse-led care home along with several members of her family. Margaret was born in Belgium and was one of three girls. She moved to London in 1947 with her husband. Together they travelled to many places including Spain, Malta and Cyprus. She has two daughters, five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Experts share why nutrition is important for residents – and how carers can help

FOR older adults (65+), especially those with less mobility and cognitive function, it can be harder to produce healthy and nutritious meals regularly.

And not getting the right nutritional intake can have a big impact on the body and mind.

To raise awareness of this issue, Danforth Care Group has collaborated with Dr Theocharis Ispoglou, a Leeds Beckett University Reader specialising in nutrition to discuss the importance of a highly nutritious diet, especially in older adults.

Danforth’s chefs also share how you can help if you’re looking after someone at home to produce healthy and nutritious meals.

The importance of nutrition

“For older adults, prioritising a nutrient-rich diet is crucial,” said Dr Ispoglou. “As with anyone, older adults who do not consume the necessary nutrients our body needs – and in the correct amounts – can lead to a range of physical effects and health complications.

“This is due to the risk of sarcopenia, a muscle-wasting

disorder, which is a key contributing factor to many diseases and health complications.

“Poor nutrition can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of energy, which are common symptoms of depression; inadequate intake of essential nutrients can impair cognitive function and therefore increase the risk of cognitive decline and neurological disorders such as dementia.”

Getting the right nutrition

“If you’re looking after someone at home, ensure they have the support they need to be able to buy fresh food,” said Greta Hoxha, chef at Heatherton House care home.

“Make sure they have the right equipment to cook meals safely and have the correct glassware to stay hydrated. You can also support with cooking batch meals, as they are easier to then reheat for an older adult.

“We ensure that our menus are nutritionally well balanced. We look at everything from protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and even colour so they have a visual appeal.”

“It can also help to create meal

Care Horizons has announced the appointment of two of its team members to the management team. Services manager Joe Sparrow joined Care Horizons in 2007 where she started as a Team Leader. She has seen Care Horizons flourish and get progressively bigger, having taken on more care packages and in turn new staff. Joe has seen the company gain a much bigger presence within South Gloucestershire, building good relationships with social workers and enabling them to offer more training. Deputy manager Jessica White joined Care Horizons in October 2019 as a support worker. She has gone from strength to strength, being promoted to a team leader in 2021 and now to deputy manager.

Geoff Edwards, recently appointed director of operations at Orchard Care Homes, brings with him a lifetime of experience in the care sector going all the way back to his teenage years. He spent seven years at Southern Cross Healthcare, rising to area manager, before progressing into regional director and operations director roles at Shaw Healthcare, Priory Group and Care UK. Before joining Orchard he was managing director of HC-One, the national care home group with more than 270 homes across the UK. Liverpudlian Geoff could have been tailor-made for his new role at Orchard Care Homes, overseeing the group’s Central region, which covers the North West of England and the Midlands. Geoff admits he was greatly influenced by his mother, who as well as raising her own family, diligently cared for a host of elderly relatives.

plans around what your loved one likes to eat,” added Louise Brown, head chef at Old Norse Lodge care home. “We hold monthly nutrition meetings with the residents, which allows them to give new ideas for menus and foods they wish to see on these. For those living with dementia who may not be able to express their likes and dislikes, we seek support and information from families to help us with this information.”

The importance of hydration “Dehydration can impair cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and alertness, which in turn can affect daily life and overall well-being,” said Dr Ispoglou.

“Hospitalisations, medical complications and an increased risk of kidney and metabolic diseases are further consequences of not staying properly hydrated, and symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and mood changes can disrupt daily activities.”

“However, it is also important not to overlook the risks of overhydration, which can also have serious consequences. Overhydration can also affect cognitive function, causing confusion, disorientation, and in

severe cases seizures or coma.”

Getting the right hydration

“To prevent dehydration and underhydration for older adults, the British Dietetic Association recommends a daily water intake from drinks of about 1,600ml (approximately six to seven cups) for women and 2,000ml (about eight to nine cups) for men,” said Dr Ispoglou.

“While these recommendations relate to fluids consumed through drinks, it is important to note that between 20 and 30 per cent of our hydration needs can be met through the consumption of water-rich foods such as soups, stews, fruits and vegetables.

“Hence, achieving proper hydration in older individuals should involve a balanced intake of both water from drinks and water-rich foods.”

Louise added: “If you’re looking after a loved one at home, to ensure they stay hydrated, ensure a minimum of two drinks are offered with each meal, and offer tea and cold drinks throughout the day.

“Make sure they have access to a drink at all times, and record the amount they have consumed.”

New Care’s Grosvenor Manor Care Centre has recognised two of its most experienced and long-serving team members with promotions. Carer Darren Molyneux and nurse Maria Zolotnikova have been promoted to deputy home manager and clinical lead respectively at the home, just a short walk from the centre of Chester. Each with more than 17 years’ experience in health and social care, Darren and Maria will work to support home manager Anne Hughes to maintain Grosvenor Manor’s reputation and deliver outstanding care to all residents. In his role as deputy manager, Darren’s responsibilities will include the smooth day-to-day running of the home as well as providing leadership, mentoring and guidance to the wider team. Maria will support Darren by taking responsibility for the clinical aspects of the home, ensuring each resident receives timely person-centred quality care that meets their individual needs and that the home complies with all relevant medical legislation.

Bentley Grange, the latest care home in the Maria Mallaband Care Group, has welcomed its new management team in preparation for welcoming its first residents later this month. Commissioning home manager Michael Zinaka and customer relations manager Ben Maynard both join the team with the goal of offering the best possible environment and care for those moving into the home. The aim is that it will bring wider benefits and become a valued part of the local community. Michael brings with him a decade of care industry experience across roles including general manager, regional director and business development executive. Ben joins with a wealth of experience managing customer service teams, running hospitality venues and supervising welfare-to-work programmes.