October 2012 no.197 • £4.75 In association with By Dominic Musgrave REGULAR clinical reviews of psychotropic medication should be established in all Scottish care homes after a study found almost half of residents may be kept on sedatives that make them “easier and more convenient to manage”. The research by the University of Dundee and NHS Fife found two in five care home residents were taking the drugs – compared with one in six who live in their own homes. The report, carried out over a two- year period in Tayside, also found that seven in 10 people who were taking the drugs when they went into care homes were then never reassessed to see if they still needed them. Dr Colin McCowan, deputy director of the Health Informatics Centre at Dundee University, and one of the authors of the report, said systematic reviews should be carried out on all residents in the country’s 911 care homes who are taking the drugs, to ensure there are medical grounds for using them. He added: “This study presents a complex picture of the prescribing and use of these medicines. Psycho- tropic drug use is significantly higher in care home residents but they would seem to be initiated primarily before people are admitted. This may be evidence against the belief that initiation is largely driven by care home staff to make residents easier or more convenient to manage. “There may be valid reasons for the initiation of these drugs, but prolonged use of psychotropic medication in older people is not recommended and may cause harm. “The key issue our study suggests is that there should be systematic medication reviews for patients on these drugs, to highlight drugs that may be discontinued if the reasons for their initial prescription are no longer valid.” The study follows a recent UK Parliamentary report which expressed concern that the ‘inappropriate use’ of antipsychotics and antidepressants in care homes was a ‘means of controlling patients’. Stella Clark, of NHS Fife, said: “We have recently seen data for the whole of England which showed a reduction in the prescription of antipsychotics to people with dementia. “This is a really important area of prescribing where changes can be made which will improve patient safety and there is a clear need for national guidance to be developed.” Study calls for medication to be reviewed Campaigner Amanda Waring is the keynote speaker at a care sector conference organised and hosted by Leeds law firm Lee & Priestley LLP.The Yorkshire care conference is taking place at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on September 28. The speakers include a compliance manager for the CQC and a sector media expert examining the way the press can tarnish a home or provider’s reputation. Provider unveils training scheme AVERY Healthcare has launched InterACTION – an innovative training programme for recreation and leisure organisers across the business. The 10 module programme covers: The role of the recreation and leisure organiser; The ageing process and the benefits of an active lifestyle; Documentation; community links; Designing innovative programmes; Reminiscence; Digital inclusion; Group work; Themes and Activities. Lindsay Kelly, group recreation and leisure organiser at Avery said, “Alongside writing and compiling the new programme, a career pathway has been devised that includes external training in specific areas as required to support features of the programmes. “This allows organisers to offer flexibility to the more independent residents and additional support to those less able or those living with dementia.” incorporating The Number One magazine for the care sector
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October 2012
no.197 • £4.75
In association with
By Dominic Musgrave
REGULAR clinical reviews ofpsychotropic medication should beestablished in all Scottish carehomes after a study found almosthalf of residents may be kept onsedatives that make them “easierand more convenient to manage”.
The research by the University ofDundee and NHS Fife found two infive care home residents were takingthe drugs – compared with one insix who live in their own homes.
The report, carried out over a two-year period in Tayside, also foundthat seven in 10 people who weretaking the drugs when they wentinto care homes were then neverreassessed to see if they still neededthem.
Dr Colin McCowan, deputydirector of the Health InformaticsCentre at Dundee University, andone of the authors of the report,said systematic reviews should becarried out on all residents in thecountry’s 911 care homes who aretaking the drugs, to ensure there aremedical grounds for using them.
He added: “This study presents acomplex picture of the prescribingand use of these medicines. Psycho-tropic drug use is significantlyhigher in care home residents butthey would seem to be initiated
primarily before people areadmitted. This may be evidenceagainst the belief that initiation islargely driven by care home staff tomake residents easier or moreconvenient to manage.
“There may be valid reasons forthe initiation of these drugs, butprolonged use of psychotropicmedication in older people is notrecommended and may causeharm.
“The key issue our study suggestsis that there should be systematicmedication reviews for patients onthese drugs, to highlight drugs thatmay be discontinued if the reasonsfor their initial prescription are nolonger valid.”
The study follows a recent UKParliamentary report whichexpressed concern that the‘inappropriate use’ ofantipsychotics and antidepressantsin care homes was a ‘means ofcontrolling patients’.
Stella Clark, of NHS Fife, said: “Wehave recently seen data for thewhole of England which showed areduction in the prescription ofantipsychotics to people withdementia.
“This is a really important area ofprescribing where changes can bemade which will improve patientsafety and there is a clear need fornational guidance to be developed.”
Study calls for medication tobe reviewed
Campaigner Amanda Waring is the keynote speaker ata care sector conference organised and hosted byLeeds law firm Lee & Priestley LLP. The Yorkshire careconference is taking place at the Cedar Court Hotel inBradford on September 28. The speakers include acompliance manager for the CQC and a sector mediaexpert examining the way the press can tarnish a homeor provider’s reputation.
ProviderunveilstrainingschemeAVERY Healthcare haslaunched InterACTION –an innovative trainingprogramme forrecreation and leisureorganisers across thebusiness.
The 10 moduleprogramme covers: Therole of the recreation andleisure organiser; Theageing process and thebenefits of an activelifestyle; Documentation;community links;Designing innovativeprogrammes;Reminiscence; Digitalinclusion; Group work;Themes and Activities.
Lindsay Kelly, grouprecreation and leisureorganiser at Avery said,“Alongside writing andcompiling the newprogramme, a careerpathway has beendevised that includesexternal training inspecific areas as requiredto support features of theprogrammes.
“This allows organisersto offer flexibility to themore independentresidents and additionalsupport to those lessable or those living withdementia.”
incorporating
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Mock street createdat Bristol care home By Dominic Musgrave
A MOCK 1950s street has been createdwithin the grounds of a care home inWinterbourne, near Bristol to provide aplace where residents can spend timeand spark memories of their youth.
Memory Lane at Blossom Fields, a carehome for the elderly, and The Grove, aspecialist dementia care home next door,includes a greengrocers, a post officewith a genuine George VI post box in thewall, the White Horse pub, a telephonebox and a bus stop with a seat wherepeople can relax.
Christopher Taylor, senior manager ofowners Grove Care, said the project is away to help elderly and dementia suffer-ers remember the past, prompt conversa-tion with visitors and care staff and pro-vide a place where residents can go outsafely,
He added: “Rather than just sit in a gar-den most elderly people want to seesomething and go somewhere to keeptheir minds active. Memory Lane is adestination to make a walk around ourgrounds worthwhile.
“Some of the people we care for askstaff if they can go out to the shops, thepub or to the bus. This will enable staff toallow them to get their coats on and godown to Memory Lane. It is a safe envi-
ronment for them.“For our other elderly people it is a
place they can go with their families. Weare filling the street with 1950s memora-bilia. So there will be ration books, oldnewspapers, shop window displays,posters and groceries that will all createinterest and prompt conversations andmemories.
“Although care homes have created1950s rooms in the past for dementiapatients we do not know of any otherstreet like this. We have had great fun col-
lecting the items for the street and we arestill looking for items to keep the interestof our residents and welcome donationsof 1950s ephemera that will fit into thestreet.”
A sensory garden opened at the homethree years ago with special planting thatincludes herbs, fragrant flowers, colouredpathways and an aviary to stimulateinterest in dementia patients.
A sensory room includes massagechairs, aromatherapy, spa treatments andrelaxation music and DVDs indoors.
Residents Arthur Lloyd and Pat Deverell with carer Daniella Moss.
CARINGNEWS4
By Dominic Musgrave
THE owners of a West Yorkshire carehome have been told to pay almost£180,000 in fines and costs after a 93-year-old resident died becauseestablished safety measures wereneglected.
Elsie Beals asphyxiated afterbecoming trapped in the gapbetween her mattress andincorrectly-fitted bed safety rails atAden Court Care Home inHuddersfield on April 24, 2010.
New Century Care Ltd of Sidcup,Kent, a private company with around27 UK care homes, was prosecutedfor a serious safety breach by theHealth and Safety Executive after itinvestigated the incident.
Leeds Crown Court was told that thecompany, which has approximately1,700 employees, had failed to trainstaff at Aden Court to fit bed safetyrails. HSE also found that staff werenot trained to carry out regular 'in-use' checks to make sure bed railsremained properly adjusted, or tocarry out risk assessments for theiruse.
After the case HSE InspectorJacqueline Ferguson, whoinvestigated the incident, said thatNew Century Care's safety failingscame despite widespread
Government medical advice on thesafe use of bed rails in the health andsocial care sector.
She added: “This was a terribletragedy that could have been soeasily avoided. Bed safety rails areused extensively in the health andsocial care sectors to protectvulnerable people from falling out ofbed.
“The risks of their use are welldocumented, actively published andwidely recognised in the health careindustry.
“There are several causes of injuryinvolving bed rails used incorrectly.The most serious is asphyxiation as aresult of being trapped by the head orneck. This can happen because a railis not designed for use with aparticular bed, or because of poorbed rail design leading to too muchspace between the rails.
“Staff at Aden Court had noinstruction in how to carry out riskassessments for the safe use of bedrails and no training in how to fitthem correctly and keep them safelyadjusted.”
New Century Care Ltd was fined£160,000 and ordered to pay £18,000in costs for breaching Section 3(1) ofthe Health & Safety at Work etc Act1974. The firm had pleaded guilty at aprevious hearing.
Home fined afterresident’s death
Residents and staff of the Hartford Care Group of residential care homes have raisedalmost £1,700 for Alzheimer’s Society through a series of events over the past 12months. Events held at the group’s eight care homes included summer fetes, creamteas, themed dinners and residents’ parties. Natalie Bettinson, community fundraiser forHampshire, accepted a cheque on behalf of Alzheimer’s Society from CEO Sean Gavinand Gemma Ridout-Bowden, manager of Bethel House, along with Sue Burton,operations manager and some staff and residents from the home.
A CARE home near Norwichopened its doors to the communityas it held its annual summer fete.
Members of the local communityjoined residents and staff in thegardens of Cedar House to raisemoney for the residents’ activitiesfund. Entertainment included arange of stalls, face painting and abouncy castle, but the starattraction of the day was the
‘human fruit machine’.Residents manned the fruit
machine holding up pieces of fruitonce visitors had paid their money.
Manager Debra Read said: “It isalways wonderful when thecommunity comes together tosupport these events – it isimportant to our residents thatthey remain an active part of thewider community.”
Annual fete raises funds
5CARINGNEWS
Sector calls on new Ministerto ‘show political leadership’ By Dominic Musgrave
THE care sector has been giving itsverdict on David Cameron’s recentCabinet reshuffle.
The Primer Minister has replacedAndrew Lansley as Health Secretarywith Jeremy Hunt, while NormanLamb takes over as the Minister forCare Services from Paul Burstow.
Dr Chai Patel CBE, chairman of carehome provider HC-One, said:“Andrew Lansley rightly establishedthe Dilnot Commission and began tograpple with the challenge of how wefund long term care.
“While we wish Jeremy well in hisnew role, the elephant in the room iswhere does this leave the Dilnotreport’s recommendations? If the newsecretary of state attempts to kick thisissue into the long grass, then thisreshuffle will be a huge step back-wards for social care in this country.”
Professor Chris Ham, chief execu-tive at The King’s Fund, called onJeremy to ‘show political leadershipby supporting the case for radicaltransformation in the delivery ofcare’.
He added: “Jeremy Hunt takes uphis post with the NHS performingwell after years of investment andreform. However, fundamentalchanges in the way care is delivered
are needed if the NHS is to respondto the demands of an ageing popula-tion, changing burden of disease andrising patient expectations.
“Although funding pressures on theNHS and social care are an immedi-ate and pressing concern, he mustfocus on addressing the longer termchallenges and ensure change bene-fits patients.”
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive ofthe Alzheimer’s Society, said the char-ity is looking forward to working withthe new ministers.
He added: ‘The Prime Minister has
made dementia a particular challengefor this government. We look forwardto Jeremy Hunt and Norman Lambworking with us to deliver on thatchallenge, changing lives and atti-tudes to make communities moredementia friendly.”
Housing 21 chief executive PushpaRaguvaran said: “We're really pleasedto see Dr Dan Poulter as a juniorhealth minister as he is a keen advo-cate of extra care housing. He hasseen some of the benefits for himselfrecently at Housing 21's Holm Court,in his constituency near Ipswich.”
Professor Chris Ham Pushpa Raguvaran
Residentstake partin walkRESIDENTS from BradburyHouse in Essex took part in a spe-cially organised dementia ‘walkand talk’ event.
Hylands Park in Chelmsfordplayed host to the day that wasorganised by ‘DementiaAdventure’.
The walks are intended to pro-vide a breath of fresh air for peo-ple living with dementia andtheir partners or carers as it isthought that being out in theopen can provide real health ben-efits.
More than half of the residentsfrom Bradbury House wentalong, with many carers comingin on their day off to help.
After the walk, two of the resi-dents got the opportunity to havea ride in an open topped car.
Manager Nikki Leaney said:“Resident feedback was wonder-ful. One lady told me that theonly thing we forgot was the wineso we promised to add it to theshopping list for next year.
“This is the second time wehave arranged to take part in theevent and it has proven to be ofexcellent therapeutic benefit,especially for those with demen-tia.”
CARINGNEWS6
Older people living at Belong Crewe have been involved in a university student’sstudy of the holistic benefits of reflexology. Lisa Wilkinson (pictured above) hasbeen working with a group of residents to investigate the benefits of reflexology forpeople living with dementia as part of her foundation degree in complementarytherapy from the University of Chester. Lisa has applied the theory that feet are amap of the body to provide residents with a therapeutic experience. Over thecourse of six weeks she has been applying pressure to specific points on residents’feet with the aim of improving their overall well-being. She said: “Over the weeks ithas been rewarding to build relationships with individuals, and see them respondpositively to the whole experience.”
CARE home residents across the UKwill rate their satisfaction in anunprecedented survey designed tohelp those choosing care.
Almost 50,000 residents in 850homes run by some of the biggestcare home providers have receivedthe independent survey.
It is being conducted by a neworganisation, Your Care Rating, whichhas commissioned market researchcompany Ipsos MORI to research,design and implement the survey.
The Your Care Rating survey will bean industry-standard, independentone that will be conducted annuallyand enable care providers andcustomers to compare results fromone care home to the next.
Customers will be asked to ratefactors including activities, privacy,security, food, outdoor areas, staff,whether they are happy at the homeand whether they would recommendit. The results will be published earlynext year.
A total of 13 national and regionalorganisations have signed up to theinitiative, including those from thefor-profit and not-for-profit sectors.
Douglas Quinn, chairman ofCastleoak Group and a foundermember of Your Care Rating said:
“We are delighted that this initiative,which was conceived at our 2011Innovation Exchange, has come tofruition.
“The Your Care Rating survey is anopportunity for customers to saywhat they think about a range ofissues. It will help those looking for acare home to make an informeddecision based on residents’ realexperiences.
“A great deal of care has been takenin the design and piloting of thesurvey to make sure that the survey isaccessible to as many residents aspossible. The process has beendesigned to allow relatives, friendsand volunteers to assist residentswith survey completion, but it is theresidents’ views that will becaptured.”
It is hoped that many more careproviders and care homes will jointhe year two survey that will beconducted in September 2013. It isopen to care organisations of anysize. The initiative follows anagreement in June by care home andhome care providers to publish dataon areas including complaints andstaff turnover as part of the industry-led Transparency and QualityCompact.
Residents to ratetheir satisfactionfor new survey
7CARINGNEWS
A PERFUME expert has blended fra-grances with music from Halléorchestra musicians to give carehome residents with dementia a newexperience.
They have listened to music fromSpain with the smell of oranges in theair and soothing music set to thescent of lavender, while the whiff ofthe beach set the scene for somewater music.
The collaboration between top cre-ative perfumer Kate Williams andHallé musicians is being explored bythe Pendine Park care organisation.
Pendine Park’s artist-in-residence
Sarah Edwards said: “For our first ses-sion we had a theme – ‘holidays’ –and matched the music and fra-grances accordingly.
“The reaction from the residentswas good. We noticed the fragrancesstimulated them, particularly theorange smell when they became a lotnoisier.
“The lavender made everyone morechilled and relaxed.
“The fragrance therapy is part of awider project to create new trainingmodules for our care staff, promotingthe arts and various therapies so wecan enrich people's lives.”
Therapy is heaven scentCreative perfumer Kate Williams with residents.
CARINGNEWS8
A popular dance from the streets of Mexico has been shown to improve the behaviour and moodof people with dementia. Dominic Musgrave reports.
Dance classes improve behaviourDANZON, a simple-to-follow Latinballroom style dance enjoyed inimpromptu dances in Mexico hasbeen brought to UK care homes by DrAzucena Guzmán García, as part ofher PhD research at NewcastleUniversity.
Through short twice-weekly danceclasses, residents were introduced tosome simple steps allowing them todance together to uplifting Danzónmusic.
"While dancing is often consideredentertainment in care homes, Ibelieve that it can be useful practice,"said Azucena, who now works at theDementia Research Centre, NorthEast London NHS Foundation Trust.
“I found that these dance classeshelped calm agitation and improvedmood and quality of life for peoplewith dementia. There are also obviousadvantages in terms of physicalfitness.
“I witnessed the joy people got fromtaking part in the dancing and forresidents who were watching, thelaughter and happy memories itgenerated.”
Azucena designed a programmewith each dance session lastingapproximately 30 minutes andinvolving a warm-up, Danzónpractice, free-style dancing and a cooldown.
Staff at Tyneside care homes weretrained to lead sessions so that thedancing could continue after the endof the study. They reported that thedancing was a form of mentalstimulation and regardless of theresidents' level of dementia they wereimmersed in the activity.
Mary Watson, proprietor ofRosewood Villa in Throckley,Newcastle, where the classes weretrialled, said: “We could see howmuch people enjoyed the dancingand it brought back some lovelymemories which they were able toshare with us of when they wereyounger.
“We found that the men wanted tojoin in with the dancing and this is
important to us as it can be harder tofind activities that they want to takepart in.
“On the days when the dancing wason, the men made an effort to dresssmartly and told us how they werelooking forward to it which was reallynice.”
Staff found that dancing improvedthe trust between residents andthemselves, was a means foracceptable social touch and improved
communication to the extent thatstaff were able to reduce a resident'sanxiety.
Azucena now wants to see the studyrepeated on a bigger scale.
She added: "I would encourage allcare homes to consider structuredand regular dance sessions becauseof the benefits it brings in terms ofbehaviour and social interactionwhich means it can be consideredpositive for dementia care."
Residents taking part in one of Azucena’s sessions.
Dr Azucena Guzmán García
11CARINGNEWS
Blooming good show ashome’s garden wins goldBy Dominic Musgrave
A SHROPSHIRE care home is cele-brating after winning a Gold awardand the prize for the Best OutdoorGarden at one of Europe’s largestflower shows.
The Uplands at Oxon, which is runby Marches Care Limited, entered asensory garden into ShrewsburyFlower Show.
The garden was dismantled after theshow and it is now being installed inthe grounds at the Uplands where itcan be used by residents, their fami-lies and other visitors.
The Uplands Sensory Garden wasdesigned by Caspar Gabb, a past Goldwinner at Chelsea Flower Show, whoworked closely with the home’s direc-tors to achieve a space which willstimulate the senses of all who visit it.
Mandy Thorn, managing director ofMarches Care, said she was delightedboth with the result and what it willadd to the gardens at the Uplands.
She added: “While it was brilliant towin such a prestigious award, thisproject was very much for the longterm and we envisage the sensorygarden being enjoyed by everyone atthe Uplands for many years to come.
“There is such a wide range ofplants which are stimulating visuallyas well as to the nose and touch, aswell as a constantly flowing water fea-
ture, shaded bench on which to relaxand a potting table specially designedfor wheelchair users.
“It is a garden which can be enjoyedby all but it has been devised witholder adults particularly in mind,especially those who may haveimpairments to their minds, eyes,ears or mobility, and for whom itshould provide a level of therapy and
wellbeing.“A great deal of thought has gone
into the design and it is certainly agarden which prompts feelings ofcalm and tranquillity.
“I am hopeful that the garden willbe ready for use at the Uplands by theend of September and I know the res-idents are hugely excited by theprospect of using it.”
The Uplands’ award winning sensory garden at Shrewsbury Flower Show.
A GLASGOW care home has beenawarded a grade four rating in itslatest inspection by the CareInspectorate, the independentscrutiny and improvement bodyfor care and children’s services.
The report findings have beenwelcomed by staff and CumbraeHouse’s management team,which has invested significantlyin enhancing services at the 66bed home.
Lorna Flanagan, manager of theLambhill Court Limited ownedhome, said: “We are committedto providing a homely environ-ment where our residents arerespected, and feel content andsecure without compromisingtheir independence.
'These new grades are testimo-ny to the commitment and dedi-cation of our staff and reflect theviews of our residents and theirrelatives. We are by no meanscomplacent but it is welcomefeedback following our continuedefforts over the past year.”
The Care Inspectorate notedthat there had been a significantimprovement with regards to par-ticipation from the previousinspection as this was evidentfrom the new forums in place.
Care homegets four-star rating
13CARINGNEWS
Staff from Somerset Care’s Torbay community office took part in a 15-mile sleep walkand raised more than £1,000 for Rowcroft Hospice. ‘The Care Bears’ consisted of SallyKenyon, Katie Sanders, Becci Hooper, Shona Walton, Martina Holland, Sally Rowse andLori Howard. The team started their walk at 7.30pm and finished at 2.10am.
By Dominic Musgrave
A LANCASHIRE care home groupchairman has called for theGovernment to swiftly put into actionthe results of a Commons debatewhich calls for a Minister for OlderPeople to be appointed.
Ken Nolan, chairman of SpringhillCare Group, based in Accrington, iscalling for the Government to follow-up and respond to the campaignerswho presented a 137,000-strong peti-tion demanding a Minister dedicatedto the needs of older people.
He said: “We feel strongly that thisshould now be carried through thepolitical process and adopted as soonas practically possible.
“This is a major issue and a dedicat-ed Minister at this time could makeall the difference in handling somedifficult issues of funding, servicesand governance around the quality ofcare across this sector.”
The appointment of such a Ministeris not unprecedented – the govern-
ments of Canada and Ireland alreadyhave dedicated Ministers for OlderPeople.
The UK already has a Children’sMinister, a Minister for Women andEqualities and a Minister for DisabledPeople. Last October Labour leaderEd Miliband appointed Liz KendallMP as Shadow Minister for Care andOlder People attending the ShadowCabinet.
The Commons motion was carriedby a majority agreement and cam-paign group Grey Pride is nowputting pressure on the PrimeMinister to act.
Grey Pride says it is looking toencourage greater dignity for olderpeople, reclaim growing old as a posi-tive experience and break down thebarriers preventing older people lead-ing happy, fulfilling lives.� Do you agree that there needs to bea dedicated Minister for OlderPeople? Email your thoughts todm@scriptmedia .co.uk or tweetthem to @caringuk
Owner backsMinister call
CARINGNEWS14
Two of the first Hica employees to complete a team manager training course launchedby the independent care providers earlier this year have been appointed as care homemanagers. Kathryne Pearce and Adam Randall (pictured above) have both risen throughthe ranks after progressing through Hica’s training academy. Kathryne joined theorganisation in 2001 and Adam in 2008. Kathryne, who was previously deputy managerat The Rowans care home in Kirk Ella, has become manager at Overton House inCottingham. Adam is the new manager at Longhill House in Hull after being deputymanager there.
A DRIVE to improve the quality ofdiabetes has been launched withthe first Care Home Diabetes Audit.
Home owners are beingencouraged to take part in theEngland-wide survey to examinecurrent diabetes procedures andpractices at a time when theproportion of residents withdiabetes has already approached27 per cent. The audit seeks toidentify quality standards that canbe picked up by the CQC to beused for assessment of the qualityof diabetes care being delivered incare home settings.
The survey is a national initiativeled by the Institute of Diabetes forOlder People and the professionalorganisation for all medicaldiabetes specialists, Association ofBritish Clinical Diabetologists, withthe full support and collaborationof multiple stakeholders.
Audit Lead Professor AlanSinclair, Director of IDOP andNational Clinical Lead for Diabetesin Older People, said: “The primarypurposes of this audit are firstly, toascertain what areas of diabetescare within residential settings canbe further supported and secondly,to gain better insight into thedifficulties of providing enhanced
care. This audit has the potential toimprove care for older people withdiabetes living in care homes inEngland, and give insight on howto provide staff with the trainingand support that they need, as wellas assisting managers andpolicymakers to allocateresources.”
The recently completedBedfordshire and Hertfordshirediabetes care home audit pilotrevealed significant variations inthe access to training andeducation of care home staff whodeal with residents with diabetes.
There was also evidence ofinconsistent documentation,including specific policies for themanagement of diabetes.
Questionnaires will be sent tocare homes across the country.This audit will be examined byusing anonymous data and anyreports that arise will not identifyspecific care homes. A summary ofthe key findings will be available toparticipants.
This project follows the recently-published Diabetes UK nationalguidance on diabetes in carehomes in 2010,, which has soughtto enhance the standard of carereceived by residents with diabetes.
First diabetesaudit unveiled
CARINGNEWS16
By Dominic Musgrave
THE inspectorate is asking for viewson its plans for the next three years.
In a consultation paper on itsstrategy for 2013-2016, the CQC setsout proposals for what it thinks itshould focus on and what the publicand others can expect from it.
New chief executive David Behansaid: “For CQC, being successfulmeans that more health and careservices meet quality and safetystandards – and improve quickly ifthey don’t.
“I want people to know thattogether with Healthwatch as theconsumer champion we will listen tothem and use their experiences tohelp inform the judgments we makeabout services.
“And I want to ensure providers ofservices understand what good lookslike and what is unacceptable so theycan improve the services theyprovide.”
The consultation paper also saysthat over the next three years CQCwill improve the way it usesinformation to help it spot andaddress poor care faster.
It will highlight what works well sothe people who run health and careservices can improve the quality ofthe care they provide.
And it will make it easier for people
to access and understand itsinformation.
At the same time, it will continue tocarry out thousands of regularunannounced inspections and go inat any time where there are concernsabout poor care.
David added: “Perhaps the mostsignificant of our proposed changesis that we’ll tailor the way we regulatedifferent types of organisations basedon what has the most impact ondriving improvement. We will putpeople’s views at the centre of whatwe do. We also recognise we need towork more effectively with others. Wehave a common goal with otherorganisations to improve the qualityof health and care services. Bysharing information and actingtogether we will be more effective indriving improvement.”
The consultation paper asks forpeople’s views on seven specificquestions about the proposedapproach.
These cover how CQC regulatesservices, how it manages itsindependence, its relationship withthe public and with organisationsthat provide care, its role in thecomplaints system, itsresponsibilities in relation to mentalhealth services and on how it canmeasure its own impact.
It runs until December 6.
Regulator callsfor your views
Barbara Cluley with the Kindle.
A BROMSGROVE care home hasturned to technology to help itsresidents continue with one of theirfavourite pastimes.
Residents at Wayside have beenusing an electronic book reader toenable them to enjoy their favouritenovels.
The Kindle has been purchased tohelp residents who struggle to readthe small print in normal books. Itenables residents to read books inlarge print without having to copewith a cumbersome heavy book.
Avid reader Barbara Cluley, aged 85,
who loves murder mysteries, was oneof the first residents to try out thenew Kindle.
Activities coordinator SueMacfarlane said: “Barbara loves toread.
“ We have a large selection of herfavourite books but, as these are inlarge print, they are too heavy forBarbara to hold.
“The Kindle has been great for her.It’s very lightweight and we can makethe print as big as she needs it. We’veloaded it up with some murdermysteries for her to enjoy.”
Kindling a passion for reading
17CARINGNEWS
David Miliband with Housing 21 locality manager Claire Charlton, East Croft Courtmanager Catherine Hay and Councillor Peter Boyack.
MP keeps his promise andreturns to care schemeWHEN the Rt. Hon David Milibandvisited a new housing scheme forolder people in Whitburn last year hepromised to return.
And he recently kept his promiseand joined residents at East Croft formorning coffee.
The South Shields MP last saw thescheme of 30 apartments and 20 bun-galows when it was newly completed.
This visit gave him the opportunityto find out how the residents are set-tling into their new homes.
Among those meeting David wereCoun Peter Boyack, who lives in oneof the bungalows at East Croft, andCoun Tracey Dixon who was instru-mental in bringing about the newdevelopment.
He said: “It is great that such a newdevelopment has a warm communityspirit, the residents I met love theirnew homes and the fact that theyhave a library, shops and a fantasticcoastline right on their doorstep.”
Experts join forcesfor new care filmsBy Dominic Musgrave
EXPERTS working in elderly care havecombined to produce a series of pro-fessional films covering various top-ics within the sector.
The 10 short informative films –covering the areas of nutrition, exer-cise therapy and activities – are beingoffered to anyone working in care, orin related sectors, in the UK.
Produced by Wellburn Care Homes,a company that operates care homesin the North East and NorthYorkshire, the films feature interviewswith Sylvie Silver, director of theNational Association of Providers ofActivities for Older People, CaroleMarshall, nutritionist and lecturer atNorthumbria University and BenAllen, managing director of OomphWellness Ltd.
He said: “Continuing to exerciselater in life is vital and through thesefilms we are able to demonstrate thatexercise therapy is fully inclusive andhave tremendous physical and men-tal benefits.”
The titles of the films are:� Activities and the community� Activities in dementia care
� End of life care� Volunteering in the care sector� Nutrition and the elderly� Cholesterol in the elderly� Health ageing� Stroke risk in the elderly� Exercise therapy for the elderly� Falls prevention in the elderly
Wellburn managing director KarlBeckett said: “The three respectedexperts in their field gave up theirtime free of charge because, like us,they knew this was not about self-promotion but rather about provid-ing useful information that will be ofinterest to everyone working in andaround the care sector.
“We hope as many people andorganisations as possible will takeadvantage of the free films and usethem for their own specific purpos-es.”
The films can be viewed onwww.wellburncare.co.uk or via thegroup’s YouTube pagewww.youtube.com/wellburncare-homes
Alternatively, they can be suppliedon DVD by contacting Abbie Tayloron 0191 2293541 or emailing [email protected]
Fashion show raises money for TrustA POOLE care home helped raisemore than £1,500 for the YouthCancer Trust.
Colten Care's Canford Chase inBranksome Park hosted a vintagefashion show organised byBournemouth-based ethical fashion
organisation, WeDoReDo. More than 70 people attended the
event, which also included streetdancers, a display of beachwear andhandmade Mexican jewellery.KarenBurdon, Colten Care's activitiescoordinator, was among the models.
CARINGNEWS18
The team who took part in the challenge.
By Dominic Musgrave
A GROUP of professionals fromacross the health and social caresector raised more than £3,000 forcharity by walking the three highestpeaks in Yorkshire in under 12 hours.
The 26-mile challenge to scale Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernsidein aid of the Alzheimer’s Society wasorganised by Vicky and Paul Marsden,directors of national permanentrecruitment company Health andSocial Care Jobs.
It is believed to be the country’s firsthealth and social care net walk.
Vicky told Caring UK the inspirationcame from the desire to raise moneyfor a charity within the sector. It was
also to create an opportunity forpeople from the sector to get togetherand spend time with like-mindedpeople from a range of backgroundsaway from the workplace.
“From the start everyone hit it off,and by the end of the weekend it waslike we had known each other all ourlives. I am very proud and emotionalof how well it went and that everyonearrived back safe and sound.
“I can’t believe that people travelledfrom as far afield as Dorset in a minibus for 10 hours to participate, but itwas worth it – we all had a great time.The team spirit was unbelievable andeveryone looked after one another.”
For co-director Paul Marsden thechallenge was extra tough. He had his
spine fused two years ago butmanaged the walk in less than 12hours and has already started toorganise next year’s event.
He added: “There are so fewopportunities for health and socialcare professionals to get togetheraway from the confines of theworkplace.
“However, the primary aim was tomeet some great people and have abit of fun while raising money forcharity, and that was certainlyachieved.”
Representatives from Agincare,Home Instead, Sevacare, MimosaHealthcare, Roche Healthcare andDomus Healthcare were just some ofthose that took part.
Group scales peaks for charity
Dame Joresigns asCQC chairDAME Jo Williams has resigned asthe chair of the CQC.
She will remain in the post untila successor is appointed, havingserved on the inspectorate'sboard for the last four years -three in her current role.
Jo said: “It has been ademanding and complex role, andthere have undoubtedly beenchallenges as we registered 40,000providers and brought the entirehealth and social care systemunder one set of standards.
“But there is now clear evidencethat our regulation is beginning tohave an impact on the care thatpeople receive, and it feels as ifthe organisation is moving intothe next stage of its development.
“And I am delighted that I havebeen able to appoint David Behanas the new chief executive. I amconfident that he will continue tobuild on the progress that we havemade in promoting andprotecting the health and safety ofpeople who use services.
“It has been a privilege to holdthis important role, but I nowbelieve it is time to step aside andfor a new chair to lead CQC intothe next stage.”
CARINGNEWS20
Group honours its staffat annual ceremonyBy Dominic Musgrave
SOME of Scotland’s top carers havebeen honoured at a prestigiousawards ceremony.
Members of staff representingMeallmore care homes throughoutthe country celebrated in style atPerth Racecourse after winning a hostof awards handed out by the familyrun provider.
The company hosts the annualceremony to recognise employeeswho make a special difference to thelives of residents and their families.
This year, finalists from more than350 entries, battled it out in 11different categories.
Managing director Gerry Hennesseysaid: “Care workers are some of themost valuable, yet least recognisedmembers of society.
“Every day they really do make apositive impact on people’s lives,giving peace of mind to families andfriends who can feel confident youare supporting the people they knowand love.
“Meallmore staff place clients at theheart of its care provision and I’mproud of some of the greatachievements of many of our staff.”
All winners will now go forward tothe National Scottish Care Awards tobe held in November.
Award winners were: Eatingwell/nutrition – Janet Prentice, HiltonCourt (Rosyth); ancillary worker -Anne Fullerton, Airthrey Care (Airth);head office support – Helen Dingwall,Caulfield House (Inverness);meaningful activities – Sheila Conner,Kinmylies Lodge (Inverness); carenewcomer – Hannah Johnston, TheGrove (Aberdeenshire); specialistdementia – Alma Macatangay,Meallmore Lodge (Inverness);specialist adult care – Jens Pederson,
At Home Service (Inverness) andLaura Brown, Hilton Court (Rosyth);nurse – Jane Reales, Forthland Lodge(Edinburgh); senior care worker –Kathleen Horne, Belleaire House(Greenock); carer – Linda Hendry,Meallmore Lodge (Inverness);manager – Karen Duncan, Kynnaird(Aberdeenshire).
Winners were presented with anengraved crystal plaque and giftvoucher and runners up received acertificate of recognition.
Meallmore winners show off the awards with Gerry Hennessey
AN East Sussex care home wasofficially opened by local artist andself-confessed thrillseeker, BarryWest.
Hurstwood View, Barchester's new55-bed care home in Five Ash Down,will provide nursing, residential anddementia care to the neighbouringarea.
Barry was nominated as a local heroto open the home. At the age of 19 hewas involved in a car accident whichleft him paralysed from the chestdown but able to make headmovements. A few years ago, Barrydiscovered a talent that he didn'teven know he had. Before his lifechanging accident, he had neverpainted. It was 15 years later whenBarry gave mouth painting a go, and,it turned out that he had anincredible eye for art.
Barry snipped the ribbon usingmouth scissors before guests admiredhis painting of his ascent of BenNevis, which is on display at thehome. This will be changed eachmonth to feature other local artists.
General manager Jane Higgins said:"We will definitely support Barrywhen he makes a chin-controlledascent of Kilimanjaro. At HurstwoodView we will focus on growing ourcommunity with residents and staffto make this house a real home.”
New homeopened bylocal hero
21CARINGNEWS
Jean Adams, resident at Langford View Care Centre and Eric Pink, resident at WestgateHouse in Wallingford with the Showgirls.
Residents get redcarpet treatmentTHE glitz and glamour of the silverscreen was brought to Oxfordshirewith a special event for more than200 care home residents.
The Hollywood themed day wasorganised by The Orders of St JohnCare Trust at The Kings Centre inOsney Mead for residents and stafffrom its 18 homes in the county.
The highlight was an appearance byFrank Sinatra and Dean Martin trib-ute artists, who serenaded the crowdswith Rat Pack and swing hits.
Residents and staff, dressed in theirfinest glad rags, were also treated to aperformance from the Showgirls whoimpressed guests with their Las Vegasinspired dance routines.
There was also comedy and songsfrom Jeff Denton, activity coordinatorat Mayott House, who compered theevent dressed as Elvis. A white stretchlimo and red carpet added some extraglamour to the day.
Activities and volunteers managerSharon Wheeler, who organised the
event, said: “This is the biggest annu-al event that we organise for ourOxfordshire homes and it’s a fantasticopportunity for staff, residents andvolunteers from all of the homes andday centres to come together, makenew friends and really enjoy them-selves.
“The residents really look forward toit and love getting involved by mak-ing decorations and costumes towear on the day.
“Our staff and volunteers really getinto the spirit of things, wearingfancy dress outfits, decorating thehall and helping to serve the food.”
As part of the celebrations, theannual gardening awards were givenout to homes across the county tocelebrate the work that green-fin-gered residents and staff have beendoing over the past year.
Categories included best wildlifegarden, best themed garden and bestoverall garden, which was won byLake House in Adderbury.
Leon Smith with Minette Castillo, Jan Jan Libas, Mary Nathan, ex-trustee and memberof the Nightingale House committee, Martha Matsvai, Letie Clarke and Cathy Walker.
FIVE staff have been awarded ‘gold’medals by Nightingale House for theirinspiration and dedication to makinga positive difference to the carehome.
The internal awards scheme was setup to recognise and award staff fortheir work. Nightingale House staffnominated up to five staff memberseach for the awards. In total, 130 staffwere nominated by their colleagues
and 31 were shortlisted before thefive winners were chosen by a panelchaired by Leon Smith, chief execu-tive of Nightingale Hammerson.
Over 60 staff watched as MinetteCastillo, senior carer, Jan Jan Libas,carer, Martha Matsvai, registerednurse, Letie Clarke, laundry supervi-sor and Cathy Walker, building ser-vices supervisor received their acco-lades.
Gold medals for dedicated staff
CARINGNEWS22
Residents and guests of Stretton Hall nursing home, Church Stretton, enjoyed anevening of cheese and wine tasting at an event organised by Morris Care. The cheeses,provided by a local delicatessen, ranged from regional Shropshire Blue to fresh Italianmozzarella and Mexican chilli cheddar. A selection of red, white and fortified wines fromacross Europe and further afield was also available to try. Musical accompaniment tothe evening was provided by a local harpist, who played a range of classical melodies.Residents Sylvia Lloyd and Joan Jones are pictured with guests Clive Lloyd and ShirleyBaker and harpist Emma Spandrzyk.
By Dominic Musgrave
TWO young entrepreneurs are joiningforces to ensure elderly care homesacross the UK have access toinnovative activity-based productsdesigned specifically for people withdementia.
Ben Atkinson-Willes and Ben Allenare on a mission to ensure as manycare home operators as possible areaware of the products and thebenefits they can have on individualswith dementia.
These include specially designedjigsaw puzzles, reusable water-painting kits and reminiscence-basedpicture books.
The products are made and sold byActive Minds, a company set up by25-year-old Ben Atkinson-Willes in2009. He established the companyafter personal experience with hisgrandfather highlighted the lack ofsuitable activities for people who, likehim, were living with dementia.
Active Minds sells to individualsand organisations across the world,but the company is particularly keento increase usage of its products tocare homes in the UK.
It is hoping to do this through 26-year-old Ben Allen, who runs anexercise therapy company calledOomph that currently delivers
exercise-based classes to over 300nursing and residential care homes.
Ben Atkinson-Willes said: “Thethoughtfully designed puzzles allowusers of all abilities to complete themwithout assistance and they also helpto stimulate conversation as well asgiving a valuable sense ofachievement and pride.
“Through Oomph we are hoping tohighlight the benefits of theseproducts to the care home operators,so as many people as possible whohave dementia in these careenvironments can benefit fromthem.”
Oomph instructors will raiseawareness of the Active Mindsproducts when they are working inthe care homes and, together, thepair hope to increase the number ofpeople with dementia who areaccessing the activities.
Ben Allen said: “There are manysynergies between our twobusinesses, the most important beingthat we are both trying to improvethe quality of life for elderly people.
“The music-based activities weprovide in care homes are proven tohelp people with dementia, so if carehomes can complement these withactivities designed specifically withdementia sufferers in mind, then it isa win, win situation for everyone.”
Entrepreneurs onan activity mission
23CARINGNEWS
CARE workers are to be given newadvice in a bid to cut fire deaths byhelping them spot the tell tale signsof someone who is at high risk of hav-ing a fire.
Figures in a London Fire Brigadereport revealed that one personreceiving care is dying from fire everymonth in the capital. For the firsttime care workers in England will getextra information about fire safety tosupport their introductory training.
Chair of London Fire andEmergency Planning Authority’sStrategy Committee, Coun CradaOnuegbu, said this will give themextra potentially life-saving informa-tion on how to spot the signs of a per-son who is most at risk of dying orbeing seriously injured, should a fireoccur.
She added: “Care staff do a fantasticjob of supporting people within ourcommunities and those who havemobility issues. Sadly these peopleare among the most at risk fromdying in a fire.
“Now care staff will have the skills tospot the warning signs and help pre-vent these terrible deaths.”
Fire chiefs are asking care staff toget in touch with their local fire andrescue service if they notice any ofthe vital early warning signs, in orderto prevent a fire from happening.
The induction standards for careworkers and managers developed bySkills for Care have a fire safety ele-ment but a new free leaflet includesguidance on how to access freeadvice from their local fire service.
Skills for Care CEO Sharon Allensaid care workers are often the first tosee the tell tale signs like burn markson carpets from cigarettes or a smokealarm that has run out of battery.
She added: “Brigades across thecountry have made significantprogress in preventing fires so wewould urge care workers and theirmanagers to contact their local offi-cers who can offer free expert adviceto anyone they think might be atrisk.”
Working with care staff is part of theLondon Fire Brigade’s drive to reducefire deaths by as much as 30 per centin the next three years. Other workincludes calling for sprinklers to beinstalled in all new care homes.
Free leaflet tohelp care staffspot fire risks
Amy Watts, Gina Childs and Caroline Hayes with some of the turkey products.
HALLMARK care homes enjoyed twoweeks dedicated to celebratingBritish food as an official partner ofLove British Food, the pioneers ofBritish Food Fortnight.
The main celebration was a specialfamily feast day. Chefs were providedwith a variety of turkey products, thetheme for the event, and asked tocome up with new and deliciousrecipes incorporating the traditionalmeat.
Once the cooking was done, every-one sat down together to enjoy thefreshly prepared food and good com-pany.
Residents and their families feastedon a delicious three-course meal withlocally sourced produce, accompa-nied by a wide variety of entertain-ment.
Group hospitality services managerRoy Garland said: “We take nutritionvery seriously but it was great to havethe 2 weeks dedicated to celebratingBritish Food.
“It was such a special event that weplan to be a part of next year, contin-uing our partnership with LoveBritish Food. Everyone is looking for-ward to seeing what delicious menusthe chefs coming up with next year.”
Homes celebrate British food
CARINGNEWS24
Barbara to speakat conferencesALZHEIMER’S Society ambassadorBarbara Pointon MBE will deliver thekeynote speech at a series ofseminars being organised by CaringUK’s sister company Script Events.
Taking place at Holiday Inn,Barnsley on October 16 and HiltonHotel, Blackpool the following day,Dementia Care: The Way Forward willfeature Barbara’s heart-warming andemotional family carer’s view ‘Caringfor Malcolm’. It details her personalexperience of looking after herhusband, who suffered from thecondition, in his final years.
The events will be chaired by CaringUK editor Dominic Musgrave.
He said: “Our first series of seminarsthat took place earlier this yearproved to be a massive success, andwe are confident that these twoevents will also be the same.
“Anyone who has heard Barbaraspeak could not help but be movedby her honest and frank account ofthe last few years with her husband,and we are delighted that she will bejoining us for our next two events.
“The combination of Barbara, theother high-profile speakers and theexhibition make this a must-attendevent for all care home managers andowners.”
Joining Barbara at the conferencewill be NCA chief executive SheilaScott, who will ask ‘What next forDementia?’ in her seminar, while
Damian Utton – partner at PozzoniLLP Chartered Architects andDesigners – will speak about‘Designing for people with dementia’.
A representative from the CQC andBradford University will also bespeaking at the events.� For further information or to bookyour place call the booking hotline on01226 734475 or [email protected]
Barbara Pointon
CARE home residents from acrossWiltshire were treated to sun, sea andsand with a special surprisestaycation in Littlehampton, WestSussex.
Rest, relaxation and pamperingwere the orders of the week, withPimms picnics, daytrips and strolls inthe sunshine, all organised by TheOrders of St John Care Trust.
The summer holiday, which is set tobecome an annual event for theTrust, was introduced to helpresidents, some with early stages ofdementia, to relax and enjoy timeaway with their friends in a friendly
and secure environment.Karen Johnson, Wiltshire volunteer
and activity manager, said: “As a Trustwe understand how important newand nostalgic activities are to theongoing development of care weprovide to our residents, especiallythose with dementia.
“For residents with dementia,engaging with others is sometimesconfusing and challenging.
“Taking them back to some of theirfavourite holiday destinations andhelping them to engage with others,can help to increase their confidence,wellbeing and quality of life.”
Stella Smith, Mary Symes and Pat Childs, residents at various homes owned by TheOrders of St John Care Trust, enjoy a train ride with Caroline Smith, activitiescoordinator at Buckland Court in Amesbury.
Residents enjoy ‘staycation’
25
Caring UK Commercesection brings you all the latest property,business and trainingnews every month.
In this issue:
� Can outsourcingbe cost effective toowners?
Page 26
� Operator tosubmit villageapplication
Page 27
� Do’s and don’tsof recruiting in thecare sector
Page 28
By Dominic Musgrave
REGISTERED managers are in favour ofa cohesive network, the creation of arecognised membership communityand a more public, sector-wideaccreditation system.
Those are the findings of the new‘Everyday Excellence’ report from theNational Skills Academy for Social Care,which is part of the sector’s response tothe call for greater support forregistered managers in the recent WhitePaper.
It is based on the findings of a nationalsurvey commissioned by the Academy,and supported by a range of sectorbodies including ECCA, the UKHCA, theNCF and the NCA.
1,154 responses were received – justunder 10 per cent of the number ofmanagers registered with theinspectorate.
Debbie Sorkin, acting chief executiveof the Skills Academy, said: “This reportis a welcome and timely addition to thebody of knowledge we have in relationto changing social care.
“We know, and the White Paperrecognises, the leadership role thatregistered managers have, and theirpivotal importance in delivering qualitycare.
“The Skills Academy is committed tosupporting registered managers aspractice leaders in social care, and wewill be working collaboratively withindividuals and organisations across thesector to ensure that managers get thesupport they need.”
Key findings included:Registered Managers were genuinely
passionate about their jobs anddedicated to their roles, with two-thirdsseeing themselves as working in care infive years’ time.
Registered Managers were alsocommitted to personalisation andintegration, with three-quarters arguingfor greater integration between socialcare, health and other sectors.
But 40 per cent felt isolated and mostfelt that they were not alwaysappreciated – inside or outside of thesector – for the complexity of their role.
Two-thirds (68 per cent) said theywould welcome the creation of anofficial membership body.
Registered managers also wantedmore opportunities for continuousprofessional development, with 67 percent supporting the creation of anational peer network, to provide theopportunity to learn from theexperience of others.
More than half (56 per cent) were alsointerested in establishing some form offurther accreditation for registeredmanagers.
Managers favour network
CARINGCOMMERCE26
Can outsourcing be costeffective to owners?By Don Ingham
IT is the eternal dilemma whichapplies across companies large andsmall. But what about immigrationwork? Can outsourcing be costeffective and what are the pros andcons?
Most employers face commonissues in respect of immigrationrequirements. Firstly there is the issueof compliance and ensuring that allstaff have an entitlement to work.
Most employers recognise theimportance of this issue and theseverity of the penalties for getting itwrong.
Checking passports will generally bean integral part of the recruitmentprocess and employers generallyknow what to look for.
Employers also tend to be aware ofthe need to keep copies of passportsand visas and to monitor visa expirydates.
While there can be benefits inbringing in external consultants foraudits and other checks to ensurethat a business is compliant,particularly where there are remotelocations, these will tend to be one-off rather than routine services.
Matters become more complicated
where an employer is also a licensedsponsor under Tier 2 of the PointsBased System.
As a sponsor, the employer has anumber of duties beyond simplyensuring that a person has anentitlement to work.
In particular, a sponsor must beable to show that there areappropriate systems in place forrecording, monitoring and reportingwhat the UKBA refers to as “migrantactivity”.
For example recording attendanceand reporting to the UKBA if there aresignificant changes to thecircumstances of a person’semployment.
UKBA are increasingly visitingbusinesses unannounced to checkthat the appropriate systems are inplace and most importantly, thatthere is evidence that they are beingimplemented.
Again there are the options ofundertaking periodic checksinternally at little or no cost or payinga relatively small amount for what isarguably the increased objectivityand experience of an externalconsultant.
And then there are the peoplethemselves.
Most businesses licensed under Tier2 will have staff who periodicallyneed to extend their stay in the UK.On the plus side, this might onlyoccur three or four times a year.
On the minus side, because it is aninfrequent occurrence, HR staffreceive very little practice in theprocess. So again there is thedilemma as to whether to spendmoney on training for staff andkeeping them up to date on changesand developments in the law or to
outsource. The decision is likely to be clearer
for those with large numbers of staffwho require extensions of stay orpose other immigration issues. It isless straightforward for those withmiddling to small numbers of staffwhere the time and money spent ontraining and keeping up to dateproduces a very low rate of return dueto the small numbers requiring theservice.
Some businesses have addressedthis by recognising that the issuing ofa Certificate of Sponsorship to enablean employee to remain in the UK is adirect benefit to the employee, whoshould bear the cost of both the COSand an external representative toissue the COS.
The employee may also berecommended to obtain assistancewith their application from theexternal advisor thus reducing therisk of refusal and consequentdisruption for both employer andemployee.
There is no right or wrong way ofresolving the outsourcing dilemmabut businesses should at least beaware of the options.� Don Ingham is Managing Directorof Veristat Immigration Consultants.
Don Ingham
27CARINGCOMMERCE
Operator to submitvillage application By Dominic Musgrave
SPECIALIST care village operator,English Villages is preparing to sub-mit a planning application for a carevillage on land at Warwick Gatesalready allocated for employment.
The new site will comprise of a 36-bed nursing care unit and 165 closecare and assisted living apartmentstogether with extensive communalfacilities including a wellness centre.
The developers say it will form animportant community facility provid-ing the opportunity for a wide rangeof ‘day care’ options for older peopleand include a restaurant, café, libraryand craft room.
There will also be a treatment roomto accommodate visiting GPs and ameeting room where local clubs andsocieties can meet which helps topromote links and integration withthe local community.
Keith Cockell, chairman and man-aging director, said: “We have takeninto account the desires and aspira-tions of commissioners of local com-munity services to arrive at a bal-anced development that helps thecommunity and includes intermedi-ate care beds to reduce bed blockingby allowing an early discharge fromhospital; and shared ownership toassist with affordability.
“Our village transport will extendoutside the care village to include
those living nearby who are disabledor in need of care, giving them moreindependence.
“The Village represents a multi-mil-lion pound investment in servicesand facilities for older people andadults with learning disabilities livingin the area. Over 100 jobs will be cre-ated for local people with full trainingand support to complement the highquality facilities.’
He added that the wellness centrewith gymnasium, jacuzzi and steamroom will form an important part ofthe development.
As well as offering relaxation, it willenable both NHS and private health-care practitioners to prescribe andadvise programs of fitness, long termconditions management, rehabilita-tion, assessment clinics and physio-therapy.
Work on the site should commencenext year and be open in 2014.
An artist’s impression of the new village.
Taylor National has sold The Old Rectory care home in Saxilby, Lincolnshire to first timebuyer Brijesh Patel for an undisclosed sum. The home is registered for 24 and was pre-viously owned by Mr and Mrs Gale. Taylor National director June Willoughby said: “MrPatel was an eager and keen buyer who took on board the help and guidance that our-selves at Taylor National and Mrs Gale gave him.”
CARINGCOMMERCE28
By Ben Stepney
AN estimated 1.4 millionemployees deliver social care topeople at home or in residentialsettings, making this one of thebiggest sectors in the UK.
It is estimated that more than amillion extra workers will beneeded to support the UK’s ageingpopulation by 2025. This will leadto a significant increase in theamount of recruitment undertakenby care sector employers. Thisarticle considers some of the do’sand don’ts when recruitingemployees.
DiscriminationPotential recruits are covered bythe provisions of the Equality Act2010 in the same way as currentemployees. Employers must notdiscriminate against a potentialjob applicant in the recruitmentprocess on the grounds of any ofthe protected characteristics (age,sex, race, disability etc.). Thisincludes not just deciding who tooffer employment to, but also theformat and content of applicationforms and the job specification.
For example, asking for a numberof years’ experience could amountto indirect discrimination becauseof age unless this provision can beobjectively justified. Further, arequirement for continuousexperience could indirectlydiscriminate against women whohave taken time out from work forreasons relating to maternity orchildcare, unless the requirementcan be objectively justified.
Questions regarding a candidate’shealthThe Equality Act prohibitsemployers from asking candidatesany questions about their healthbefore a job offer is made. Thisincludes questions about theapplicant’s sickness record in theirprevious job.
A question about the applicant’shealth can only be asked in certaincircumstances, including wheresuch a question is necessary forthe purpose of establishingwhether the applicant will be ableto carry out a function that isintrinsic to the job, or to establishif any reasonable adjustments areneeded to allow them toparticipate in the recruitmentprocess.
The offer letterOnce you have selected yourpreferred candidate you will needto send them an offer letter.
It is likely that there will be someoutstanding information that youneed, for example receipt ofsatisfactory references and CRBcheck, sight of the candidates’passport and confirmation of their
qualifications. The offer lettershould clearly state that the joboffer is conditional upon receipt ofthis information.
Right to work in the UKBefore the employee starts workthe employer must carry outcertain checks to establish theirright to work in the UK. Caresector employers often rely heavilyon migrant labour so this is animportant step to get right. If thecandidate is awaiting immigrationapproval of their right to work inthe UK then any offer ofemployment should be conditionalon such approval being obtained.Employers should ask the samequestions of all applicantsregarding permission to work inthe UK and not just those who mayappear to be of non-Britishdescent.
Create a document trailAs with many aspects ofemployment, it is important tokeep a thorough paper trail. Thisshould demonstrate that therecruitment decision was based onobjective evidence of thecandidate’s ability to do the job.Being able to rely on and, ifnecessary, disclose such evidencewill help you to deal with anysubsequent complaint.
The paper trail should includethe job description, notes of theinterview and notes of theinterview panel’s decisionfollowing the interview.
Codes of practiceThe Equality and Human RightsCommission has produced theEmployment Statutory Code ofPractice to help employers complywith the law. Chapter 16specifically deals with recruitmentand is well worth a read to assesshow compliant your organisation’sprocedures are.� Ben Stepney is a solicitor in theEmployment Team at law firmThomson Snell & Passmore.
Do’s and don’tsof recruiting inthe care sector
Ben Stepney
Maggie Pearson (The Co-operative Bank), Tim Grant (Cocksedge), John Harding(Cameron Hamilton Homes), Martin Humpleby (The Co-operative Bank), Hansa Odedrahome director) and Anne West (care home manager).
New home to create 50 jobsA NEW care home in Suffolk hasopened its doors with the creation of50 jobs.
The Co-operative Bank CorporateBanking Centre in Cambridgeprovided a loan of £2.5m to assistwith the construction of the 51-bedMagdalen House in Hadleigh.
Local building firm CameronHomes constructed the facility and,along with Cocksedge BuildingContractors, based in Mildenhall, andthe care home operators Hansa andRajendra Odedra, have ashareholding in Magdelen House
Limited.Manager Ann West, who worked at
the 29-bed Haven care home inColchester prior to her new role, said:“The staff are all experienced and arevery caring. Not only do we care forthe residents and meet their needsbut we also take into account howhard it can be for the relatives andfriends.
“We will be welcoming a fewresidents every week so they cansettle in comfortably, and we’llemploy up to 50 staff as the home fillsup.”
Seminar for new entrantsDC Care is hosting a new entrantsseminar in London in Novemberfollowing on from the success of theone it held in Nottingham in May.
In association with Lloyds Bank,Pinders, Chandler and Co and FreethCartwright LLP, the event will be atFreeth Cartwright LLP’s Londonoffices at One Heddon Street, just offRegents Street, on November 8.
Attendees will be limited to 20persons, and the seminar will providea deeper understanding of the longterm care sector as a whole and is anopportunity to meet and network
with some key professionals.Director Anita Allen said: “We are
aware that some prospectivepurchasers are new to the long-termcare sector, and even the mostexperienced businessmen andwomen seeking to acquire their firstcare facility find there is a great dealto learn.
“As probably one of the most highlyregulated niche markets in which totrade, the nuances therein are manyand a lack of knowledge and goodspecialist professional advice can becostly.”
A £3.2M care home acquisition inStaffordshire which will create afurther 20 jobs has been completed.
Elder Homes Group has bought its16th home after taking over BasfordHurst Park Nursing and ResidentialHome in Cheddleton, Leek,safeguarding the jobs of 74 full andpart-time staff.
The 85-bedroom home will undergoan extensive refurbishmentprogramme and the creation of twosmaller male only and female onlyself-contained units for elderlypeople with more challenging mentalhealth issues, after the group receivedfinancial support from YorkshireBank’s Business Banking Centre inNottingham.
David Messenger, managingdirector of Elder Homes Group, said“We originally owned the home from
2001 through to 2007, however ,a dealcame about for us to buy it backwhich we did.
“We will be redecorating throughoutthe home and replacing furniture andcarpets and creating the two smallerspecialist units with their ownlounges and dining rooms for maleand female residents which copies atemplate at other homes in the groupthat has worked well.
“Over the last three or four years wehave re-developed our homes to caterfor people with more demandingdementia so we have developedsmaller units within the properties.This means that later in the year wewill be looking to recruit up to 20 newnurses and carers.”
Elder Homes Group has 800 beds inNottinghamshire, Staffordshire,Yorkshire, Manchester and Essex.
Home acquisition complete
29CARINGNEWS
Laundry equipmentprovider celebratesfirst year of tradingTERSUS Equip celebrated its first 12months of trading with a celebrationof horse racing, networking and anevening party for 130 of its staff, cus-tomers and suppliers at Lingfield ParkRacecourse in Surrey.
Guests attending included thesenior staff of the majority of the UK’spremium care home operators.
Manager director Jeremy Hartiganlaunched the company having previ-ously been the founder and MD ofJHC, which was purchased by Girbauin 2006, and MD of Advance LaundryEquipment, which was recently pur-chased by JLA, via a brief stint assales director of The Stanland Group.
He said: “When I launched Tersus in
August 2011 my partners and I couldnot have imagined that in one yearwe could have come so far.
“There is a definite market for a sin-gle source supplier of equipment,chemicals, handling equipment andafter sales service.
Joining forces with my two partners(Mark Kendall and Jeremy Walding ofInox equip Ltd) and creating a com-pany that can combine the designand deliver both leading edge cater-ing and laundry solutions has reallycreated a niche market and hasenabled us to cover every aspect ofcare home laundry design and opera-tion.”
CARINGDEMENTIA30
Council trials newGPS technologyA PIONEERING scheme is beingtrialled in Edinburgh to test howsatellite technology can be used toprevent people with dementiabecoming lost or getting intodifficulties.
The city council has partnered withBield to develop a system that allowspeople with dementia and othercognitive disorders the freedom towalk about safely through the use ofGlobal Positioning Satellite locatingdevices.
Seven people are piloting the GPSSafe Walking project, which is beingreviewed by researchers at EdinburghUniversity to determine how theservice could be further developed inthe capital and elsewhere in Scotland.
The users are wearing a device ontheir wrist like a watch or carried inpockets, which trigger an alarm to acall handling centre if they go out of apre-determined geographic areacalled a safe zone.
The City of Edinburgh Council hasprovided the Vega devices while Bieldis managing the monitoring servicethrough Bield Response 24, the firstservice in the UK to fully integrate
GPS with the Jontek Answerlink 3Gsystem.
Heather Laing, manager,assessment and supported housingservices at the city council, said: “Thepartnership with Bield was an easydecision due to their vast experienceof call monitoring and theircommitment and passion forexploring new technology.
“The majority of people living withdementia experience wandering to acertain degree, often people willbecome disoriented, even in familiarplaces, and don’t remember wherethey are or what they were doing.
“It was clear that there needed to bea way to keep our most vulnerablepeople safer, to enhance theirindependence and that there neededto be a national alert centre devotedto monitoring the devices.
Edinburgh University hopes topublish a study evaluating theexperiences from the Safe Walkingpilot shortly. Plans are also beingdiscussed to fully involve the policein the project by making the missingpersons unit part of the reportingprocess.
Hallmark Care Homes has appointedSuzanne Mumford to the new roledementia care specialist. Suzanne(pictured left), who has more than 30years’ experience in the sector, willembed the company’s dementia strategyin practice and help develop training andeducation across the care group. Suzannehas previously worked as the head oftraining and dementia care for Hallmark,and she will be working particularlyclosely with Admiral Court, the company’sfirst home to specialise solely in dementiacare.
SOUTH Yorkshire dementia charityLost Chord has been awarded grantaid worth £20,000.
The organisation that providesinteractive musical experiences forpeople living with dementia in carehomes and day centres across theregion and nationally has been given£10,000 Supporting Change fundingfrom the Big Lottery. And a further£10,000 has been provided by Awardsfor All, the Lottery grants schemefunding small, local community-based projects in the UK.
Lost Chord chief executive HelenaMuller said the money will help thecharity to investigate new ways offunding for the future.
She added: “This extremelyimportant grant funding will allow usto have an external assessment ofthe charity to help develop improvedbusiness models and streamlineprocedures. It will help pay formembership of the NationalDementia Action Alliance, whichhelps to support people withdementia and campaign forimproved care in the field of
dementia.”The funding will also make possible
a feasibility study into setting up acharity shop to produce a consistentfunding stream and encouragefurther community support.
“All this activity will lead to greaterefficiency and more opportunities forpartnership working in the future,”said Helena. “Thanks to the BigLottery we are now able to work onnew areas of funding that shouldenable Lost Chord to continue itsvaluable work and hopefully lead togreater sustainability in the future.
“It’s always good to receive fundingthat directly benefits people withdementia but an independentevaluation of Lost Chord is one of themost valuable tools available whencompleting grant applications so weare delighted to be given thisopportunity through this extremelygenerous funding.”
The money from Awards for All willgo directly to fund monthly LostChord sessions at four Alzheimer’sSociety dementia cafes in theDoncaster and Rotherham area.
Charity boosted by£20,000 grant award
STAFF and residents at more than 300Bupa care homes across the UK areappealing to the local community toput their best foot forward and takepart in a new initiative aimed atencouraging people to incorporatemore walking into their daily lives.
A new Bupa report, ‘Get Walking,Keep Walking’, has revealed adeclining trend for walking journeysand that walking briskly for just anextra 15 minutes a day can havesignificant health benefits, evenadding up to three years to lifeexpectancy.
Bupa has partnered withAlzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk,encouraging its care homes toorganise or take part in the charity’s
flagship event to raise awareness andvital funds for dementia.
Siobhan Drane, Bupa Care Homes’community and partnershipsmanager, said: “We want to helppeople be more active and spread themessage that walking more often andfurther each day really can improveyour overall health. And by teamingup with Alzheimer’s Society’s MemoryWalk, everyone can also help raiseawareness and money for a veryworthy cause.
“From incorporating moremovement into everyday life throughto organising push-a-thons for thosewho are unable to walk, everyone canget involved and enjoy being moreactive.”
Group gets its boots onResident Peter Mark and Bupa Care Homes’ community and partnerships managerSiobhan Drane.
31CARINGDEMENTIA
STAFF at CLS care homes across theNorth West have been seeing first-hand the benefits of introducing aninspired dementia-coping initiativeinto their specialist households.
Home managers and activities coor-dinators have created personalised3D picture frames to be positioned atresidents’ ‘front doors’ as a stimulat-ing way of orientating themselves, aswell as serving as an engaging memo-ry prompt and conversation starter.
New Milton House, in Alsager,Cheshire, was the first to use the‘memory frame,’ which can includeanything from photographs and let-ters, to favourite colours, flowers andplaces.
Residents were encouraged to getinvolved in the whole process, fromthe creating and crafting of the frame,to helping to hang them outside theirrooms.
Christine Cull, activities coordinatorat the care home, said the idea cap-tures a snapshot of a resident’s life,and gives an insight into their per-sonality.
She added: “There are many bene-fits to the memory frame, residentsfeel at ease and comforted by person-al mementoes and photographs, andstaff and visitors can use the frame tosee a resident’s interests and start aconversation.
“Since hanging the frames, we have
noticed that residents have found iteasier to talk to people they are lessfamiliar with, as well as engaging inconversation and storytelling withother residents and family members –it’s been wonderful to see.”
Resident Nora Jackson, 93, originallyfrom Sandbach, helped to create hermemory frame with her daughter,Anne, who volunteers at the home.
She said: “This is a great way forsomeone coming into the home tolearn a little about my mum.
“I learned things about her frombefore I was born, and it’s nice for meto see those memories both frombefore and those that relate to me.”
Group sees benefitsof 3D picture frames
Resident Nora Jackson with her frame.AN Accrington care home hasunveiled a new sensory gardendesigned specifically for people withdementia.
The garden has been created inconjunction with Dr Garuth Chalfont,an internationally recognised expertin the art and science of ‘healing gar-dens.’
The new outdoor space at SpringhillCare Home has been designed to be asafe, secluded area with a woodlandtheme featuring trees, gentle slopesand safe walkways with colourfulfoliage intended to facilitate relax-ation and calm.
Springhill has introduced the gar-den as part of a recently opened spe-cialist care centre, a multi-million-pound development intended to pro-
vide excellent standards of care forpeople with a range of illnesses asso-ciated with dementia.
Theresa Swan, general manager ofthe home, said: “The specialist carecentre has allowed us to create a carefacility which is designed to be ahome for life.
“We have taken an integratedapproach, with both outdoor andindoor spaces being given equalimportance, allowing us to create alovely space for people to enjoy life intheir later years. Research hasdemonstrated that natural therapiessuch as a sensory garden can play amajor part in enabling people withdementia to maintain cognitive func-tion, and can assist with physical andemotional well being.”
Theresa Swan holds the ribbon as Mick Entwistle of the Springhill maintenance team,who led the creation of the new garden, cuts the ribbon with chairman Ken Nolan.
New garden unveiled
CARINGHOMECARE32
A KENT and Sussex domiciliary careprovider has purchased anestablished business in Herne Bayand is looking to create at least 25new jobs with the opening of anothernew office in Thanet.
Headquartered in Bexhill-on-Sea,Care at Home Services providesdomiciliary care to people across EastSussex and Kent, currently employing450 members of staff including 410trained carers.
It also has offices in Crowborough,Eastbourne, Hastings and RoyalTunbridge Wells, which servesTonbridge and Sevenoaks too, and isopening a new office this month inBroadstairs, Kent.
A family business, the company’spresent directors Dan and DeborahMcDowell took over the companyfrom Deborah’s father who foundedthe business in 1993, and havecontinued to expand its coverage andrange of services.
Care at Home Services purchasedHigh Meadow Home Care at the endof last year, which gives the companya sixth office and a springboard toexpand its coverage intoneighbouring East Kent.
As a result of this expansion thecompany expects to boost its £6mturnover by around £1.5m, as well aseventually recruiting at least 75 newcare staff across Mid and East Kent.
In order to finance the purchase ofHigh Meadow Home Care and openup the new Broadstairs office, Care atHome Services secured a £400,000Government-backed EFG loan frombanking partner Lloyds TSBCommercial, having receivedguidance and support from the bankthrough its previous developments.
Dan said: “This expansion marks anew chapter in our growth across thearea, and will allow us to providemuch more complete care coverage
to our service users across both ourexisting and new areas.
“The purchase of High MeadowHome Care presented a greatopportunity for us to move into anew, but importantly for us, adjacentgeographical area, and we will now belooking to integrate the new companyto ensure that we can efficiently offerour new clients the same level of careand support as our existing ones, aswell as winning new business inKent.”
Provider to create 25 newjobs after purchasing firm
Care at Home Services representatives Carol Crerie (manager), Michaela Lee(administrator), Dan McDowell (director) and Nicola Leroy (operations director) withAndrew Clark (Lloyds TSB Commercial).
Army officermakes it hisduty to careA FORMER military welfare officerwith a passion for caring has found anew role with an Ipswich basedcompany where he will be putting hismany years’ experience to good use.
Graham Drury has joined HomeInstead Senior Care on maternitycover as a recruitment and retentioncoordinator.
During his army career, Grahamspent six years in Afghanistan wherehe was awarded the Joint HelicopterForce Commanders Commendation.
He was later awarded theMeritorious Service Certificate afterhe set up an entertainment tent forpersonnel.
As a Welfare Officer for hisregiment, Graham looked after 600personnel and their families andprovided a support network for bothsoldiers and their families.
“I think I really caught the bug forcaring while I was working in themilitary,” he said. “This is what ledme to look into a career in caring andI strongly believe that I possesshighly transferrable skills for the roleof recruitment and retentioncoordinator.
“I’m really keen to get stuck into therole and to make sure that I supportthe caregiver team 100 per cent. It iskey that caregivers feel that they cantalk to me about anything.”
33CARINGNEWS
HC-ONE has unveiled the launch of anew fleet of 200 mobility minibusesto meet the need of its residents aspart of a £6.4m investment.
Through a partnership with Renaultand Bradford based motoring groupJCT600 Contracts, HC-One will deliv-er 200 new Renault Master LM35minibuses to its care homes acrossthe country.
Modifications to the nine-seaterminibuses, which cost approximately£30,000 each, include a new floor forseat belt fixings, a tail lift, side step,
blue internal lights for night travel, askylight hatch and heater, withRenault throwing-in a number ofextras including free rear parking sen-sors. HC-One received 30 minibusesin August with a further 40 followingeach month until the order of 200 isfulfilled early next year.
“The arrival of the HC-One minibusfleet is a milestone for the company,”said managing director Pam Finnis.“HC-One’s aim is to provide the kind-est care in the country, and enablingresidents to enjoy life in the commu-
nity around the home is fundamentalto achieving this aim.
“It was a lengthy selection processin choosing the minibuses, and welooked at a number of different man-ufacturers and models. We alsoviewed a prototype minibus in earlyJuly with residents, a home managerand activities co-ordinators to ensureit met their expectations.
“As we roll out the minibuses to HC-One homes across the UK, residentswill enjoy more exciting outings andlead a fuller life.”
Group purchases minibus fleetResidents and staff at Windsor Court Care Home in Goole with their new vehicle.
NATIONAL operator Elder HomesGroup has introduced a special andunique initiative across its carehomes.
All residents are now issued theirown, personalised, red bound ‘MyLife Book’ which features a series ofquestions about their life, tastes, likesand dislikes. This has been intro-duced in order to provide mentalstimulation, conversation, and per-sonal enjoyment for all residents.
Each book will be made especiallyfor the resident and will feature arange of questions, aimed at initiat-ing conversations with everyone whospends time with that resident as wellas providing vital personal informa-tion about the resident.
A spokesman for the group said:“The book will be in their bedroomand each time anyone comes into theroom, whether it be for a visit or amember of staff to clean, the book isthere to aid conversation and interac-tion on an everyday basis.
“The book enables the homes toprovide and visualise a more person-al understanding approach to eachand every service user. Family mem-bers are encouraged to assist inpainting the life story of their lovedones, the book can also be taken as amemento of their loved one or a copycan be made at any time.”
Elder Homesunveils bookinitiative
35CARINGNEWS
NAIDEX Care will open its doors forthe first time on October 17 and, withits line-up of speakers, is the event toattend for anyone working in the careindustry.
Taking place alongside NaidexSouth, Naidex Care (ExCeL London,October 17-18) will provide a wealthof free opportunities to visitors via itsCPD accredited Naidex CareConference.
The organisers have committedthemselves to bringing you the mostinfluential speakers who will cover awide range of the most relevant top-ics to benefit care home owners,managers and employees alike.
Shaun Gallagher, interim directorgeneral for social care, local govern-ment and care partnershipsDepartment of Health, is confirmedas keynote speaker at 11am on the18th.
David will be discussing the SocialCare White Paper and what it meansfor the future of adult care and carehomes which, with the care homesector currently facing an increasingnumber of challenges, is sure to raisea number of interesting questionsfrom visitors.
Naidex Care seminars will runthroughout the two-day event and, inaddition to Shaun Gallagher, visitorscan expect to hear from other promi-nent speakers.
Professor Alistair Burns, nationalclinical director for dementia care atthe Department of Health, will bechairing a panel debate on the futureof dementia care, while Des Kelly,executive director of National CareForum, will focus on developinggreater personalisation of care, aprominent issue throughout the sec-tor.
Sarah Pickup, president of theAssociation of Directors of AdultSocial Services, will be dealing withwhat the care sector must do to copewith the ageing demographic of thenation and Dr Graham Stokes, direc-tor of dementia care at Bupa CareServices, will give his views on aspir-ing to an outcomes-based approachto dementia care.
Other speakers include JeremyHughes, chief executive of theAlzheimer’s Society and Janet Bell,owner of Spring Mount Care Home inYorkshire.
The full programme can be found atwww.naidexcare.co.uk/ECaring
If you are a care home owner, man-ager or care provider, Naidex Care isan unmissable opportunity for you toget expert answers to the questionsyou are desperate to ask.
So visit www.naidexcare.co.uk toregister for your free ticket to bothNaidex Care and Naidex South, quot-ing priority code EPR5.
Line-up revealedfor Naidex Care
THE sounds of a Caribbean steeldrum helped to create a carnivalatmosphere at an Ullenhall carehome.
Mockley Manor hosted its own car-nival, with residents and staff dress-ing up in flower garlands and featherswhile enjoying Caribbean-inspiredfood and drinks.
And to add to the party, a steeldrum player performed a selection oftropical-sounding music at the AlphaCare Homes facility.
Manager Rachael Crocker said: “The
home was decorated in bright carni-val colours and we were all excitedabout getting dressed up for theoccasion.
“The music really helped to makethe day, as all the residents were ableto join in and enjoy the rhythm of thedrum no matter what their mobility islike. We’ve had other theme days herebefore but we’ve never done anythinglike this. We created an exotic fruitpunch for our residents to enjoyalongside coconut cake and otherCaribbean delicacies.”
Resident Kathleen Nightingale and Owen Clarke from Steel and Strings.
Drums add to atmosphere
CARINGNEWS36
The Government’s proposedreforms on adult social careBy Damian Utton
THE Government has recentlypublished their long awaited plansfor the reform of adult social care.
This comprised a White Paper‘Caring for our future: reforming careand support,’ a separate progressreport on the response to the DilnotCommission and a draft Care andSupport bill.
The proposals contained within theWhite Paper are to:� Focus on people’s well being andsupport them to stay independent foras long as possible.� Introduce greater nationalconsistency in access to care andsupport.� Provide better information to helppeople make choices about their care.� Give people more control over theircare.� Improve support for carers.� Improve the quality of care andsupport.� Improve integration of differentservices.
The Care and Support bill providesthe enabling legislation for theseproposed reforms. Details of theproposed reforms can be found at theDepartment of Health website andmany leading organisations havepublished their responses on their
own websites.Response across the care sector to
the White Paper has been generallypositive to the Government’sacceptance that reform is necessaryand the proposals have the potentialto improve the quality of care andcreate a fairer system.
The Dilnot Commission’s report onfunding for adult social care waspublished in May 2011 andrecommended: � An increase from £23,250 to£100,000 in the threshold abovewhich people should pay for theircare.� Lifetime contribution to anindividuals care costs should becapped at £35,000.� National eligibility criteria andportable assessments are introducedfor consistency.� Younger adults should be eligiblefor free state support, not meanstested.
The Government in their progressreport on the Dilnot Commissioninitially stated that it will “support theprinciples of the approachrecommended by the Commission.”but there was no commitment to anew funding model.
During August 2012 the mediareported that the Government hasreconsidered and will formally
announce in the Autumn that therecommendations of the Dilnotreport are to proceed. However, itcould be 2017 before the cap andmeans-tested threshold are fullyimplemented.
The care sector has generallywelcomed the Government’sacceptance that reform is needed tothe current funding system. As alwaysthe devil is in the details and there isstill a question of what will happen tothe funding system during the nextfive years whilst the legislation toimplement the Dilnotrecommendations makes its waythrough the parliamentary process.
Comments on the draft care andsupport bill can still be made onlineat the Department of Health website.
� Damian Utton is a partner atPozzoni LLP.
Damian Utton
Fair raisesfunds forhospiceRESIDENTS from two carehomes joined forces to raisemoney for a hospice inWrexham.
The cash for Nightingale Housewas presented to local AM LesleyGriffiths, who opened the annualAutumn fair at the Gwern Alynand Hillbury homes.
The £250 was raised by rafflingprizes donated by residents,relatives and staff, including ahamper of sweets donated byresident Tom Wynn, 88.
Gwern Alyn manager MildredHeyward said: “Residents, theirfamilies and our own staff havebeen very generous in donatingitems such as cakes, wine, sweetsand bric-a-brac which we areable to sell and of course we areholding a big raffle.”
Nightingale House providesspecialist palliative care servicesto patients and their families.
Their free services include a 16-bed inpatient ward, a 15-patientday-care unit, an outpatientclinic, a specialist lymphodemaunit, occupational therapy,complementary therapies,physiotherapy including ahydrotherapy pool and anambulance service.
39CARINGNEWS
A LINCOLNSHIRE care team leaderdelighted residents at the homewhere she works when she called indressed in her wedding dress.
Margaret Coe, who has worked atTanglewood in Horncastle for thepast 10 years, shared so much of thebuild-up to her big day with the resi-dents that she did not want them tomiss out on the special occasion.
Margaret – now Mrs MargaretHarrison – called in at the home a fewdays after her marriage to Ken atHorncastle Register Office. Shechanged into her wedding dress inone of the residents’ self-contained
bungalows. before touring the home,calling on residents and posing forphotographs in their rooms and inthe communal lounges and diningrooms.
An ‘official’ wedding photo wassnapped in the grounds whenMargaret took centre stage with resi-dents and other members of staff.
Margaret said she would have calledin on the wedding day, but the timescale did not give her the opportunity.
She added: “I had talked to the resi-dents about my wedding so much Ifelt they would feel they had missedout if they did not see me in my dress.
“It was lovely just to see the resi-dents’ eyes light up when they saw it.So many of our residents made theirown wedding dresses and they reallyappreciated all the intricate workinvolved and the beading and detail.
“I think it took a lot of our residentsback to memories of their own wed-ding days. One resident in particularwas quite emotional about seeing thedress and helped hold the train as Iwent around the rooms,” saidMargaret.
Margaret was given away by hermother Christine and her sister Ruthwas a witness at the wedding.
Margaret poses with residents and staff in her wedding dress.
Wedding surprise for residents
STAFF at Miranda House Care Homein Royal Wootton Bassett celebratedreceiving top marks in its latest CQCinspection.
The home has achieved the highestpossible levels of care delivery havingmet the necessary standards in thefive required areas: how well the ser-vice is treating people with respect,quality of care provision, safeguard-ing and safety, staffing and manage-ment of the service.
As part of the process, inspectorsspoke to residents, relatives andmembers of staff. The home demon-strated full compliance in all areas,with special mention made of thedementia training and activities coor-dination within the home.
Manager Mike Farmer said resi-dents are heavily involved in allaspects of the home, including theplanning of activities.
He added: “We are delighted thatthe hard work done each and everyday by our team has been recognisedthrough this excellent report. I haveonly been in post for a number ofmonths and it is clear that this is atightly knit staff unit.
“First and foremost Miranda Houseis our residents’ home. It is a pleasureto provide a service for so many won-derful people, but it is always nice tohear that you’re getting things right.”
CQC successfor MirandaHouse staff
43CARINGPRODUCT NEWS
Care Show meetssector’s demandsCARE Show Birmingham will not onlyexceed the needs of key stakeholdersat residential care homes but alsomeet the demands of everyone acrossthe care industry.
Event director Chris Edwards said:“With a comprehensive exhibitor pro-file displaying all relevant productsand services for care home profes-sionals, plus a groundbreaking edu-cation programme addressing all themajor issues of the day – more than25 hours of free sessions will be pre-sented by leading industry names –this year’s event will appeal to theentire spectrum of care professionals.
“We are, for example, dedicatingmajor focus areas to dementia andpractical care, as well as providingmarketing tips and advice for pro-moting your business to self-funders.
“As a result, this year’s event, whichhas moved back to its traditionalNovember time slot, is 23 per centlarger than last year’s show.”
Working closely with experts from
the University of Stirling, the special-ly-constructed Dementia DesignAcademy will demonstrate best-prac-tice building design and constructionfor residents with dementia. Thismajor showfloor feature will be com-plemented by an unrivalled seminarprogramme.
Legislation and policy will be majorthemes this year, with experts provid-ing up-to-date advice and major pre-sentations by, for example, the CQCand the Department of Health cover-ing the new Adult Social Care WhitePaper.
Chris added: “Combined withunique insights into how care homescan use social media and PR to theiradvantage, this year’s event will be a‘must-attend’ for everyone in the careindustry by providing all the toolsand techniques they need to be moreeffective and efficient.”
The Care Show take place at theBirmingham NEC on November 13and 14.
New featuresannounced
Gompels toshowcaseProform
ORGANISERS of The Cleaning Showhave announced a number of newfeatures at the next exhibition, whichwill take place at the NEC inBirmingham from March 19-21.
With a full programme of attrac-tions, the largest number ofexhibitors yet, as well as a co-locationwith the popular IMHX 2013 event,The Cleaning Show 2013 is set to bethe biggest and best ever.
It is organised every two years onbehalf of the cleaning industry byBCCE Ltd, a company jointly ownedby the British Cleaning Council andQuartz Business Media. Over 200exhibitors, specialising in a variety ofdifferent sectors, will be present atthe show, with more than 50 exhibit-ing for the first time.
GOMPELS Healthcare Ltd, specialistsupplier of low cost everyday health-care products to care homes, will dis-play their own brand Proform at theBirmingham Care Show.
Proform products include essentialssuch as adult bibs, gloves, aprons,wipes and incontinence pads.
The Birmingham Care Show 2012,where samples will be available, willprovide a great opportunity for buy-ers to evaluate the quality of thebrand and discuss the needs of theirresidents.
The company offers a wide range ofhealthcare, medical, disposable,cleaning and janitorial supplies andaims to supply the highest qualityproducts possible at the lowest possi-ble prices, with fast delivery and aparticular focus on excellent levels ofcustomer service.
Own brand Proform now accountsfor over half of the company’s totalsales and is used by hundreds of carehomes throughout the UK.
Visit stand E34 to pick up the latestGompels bi-monthly catalogue andcollect your free box of Proform tis-sues.
BROSCH Direct, established in 1989,is one of the UK’s leading supplier ofmedical consumables to over 22,000medical professions.
We have the products to supportcare home workers, doctors, dentists,vets and many more health relatedprofessions.
We also supply thousands of prod-ucts with one of the largest ranges ofdisposable medical gloves on themarket. We also stock a quality rangeof paper, hand care and infectioncontrol products as well as first aidand janitorial consumables. Freesamples available on most productsand price beater guarantee.
Quality rangeavailable
Benefits ofthe SOLOmacerator THE SOLO® macerator fromHaigh, disposes of commode pots,bedpans, urine bottles and otherpulp items into the standarddrainage system using only coldwater and a small amount of elec-tricity.
The key benefits of using the sin-gle use system with bedpan mac-erators:� Reduced infection.� A new disposable bedpan orbottle each time; reduced cross-infection; bacteria isn’t presentedto resident via bedpan; infectioncycle is broken; no sterilisationrequired; human waste simply dis-posed.� Cost and environmental sav-ings.� Operates using cold water andonly a small amount of electricity.� Time saving.� No scrubbing, rewashing orunloading required; simple andfast operation; more time for resi-dent care, less installation timerequired; less disruption duringdowntime, maintenance and ser-vicing.
Third DVDlaunched
Deadline isextended
HEALTH and social care trainingprovider BVS has released its thirdnew product of the year – CareHome Health and Safety.
Sales and operations managerMinjie Xiong said the DVD is anessential item to have for carehomes that aim to meet the legalframework.
She added: “This new DVDexcels in delivering various healthand safety topics while incorporat-ing new elements such as theCOSHH International HazardsSymbol System that replaced theEuropean Hazards Symbols, theissue of stress and the nationalcolour coding system.”
BVS is offering an upgrade dis-count to those homes who alreadyhave the original version of thisDVD.
BADGEMASTER is marking its20th anniversary by offering a 20per cent discount off list prices forall orders placed by the extendeddate of October 31.
Many changes have happenedsince Badgemaster started tradingfrom a portable cabin in July 1992.Most notably, founders John andVicky Bancroft have steadilygrown their workforce to 88 full-time staff at the company’s state-of-the-art 12,500 sq. ft. facility inNewstead, Nottinghamshire.
To receive the 20 per centanniversary discount off list pricesfor name badges, customers needto quote 20YEARS on their order.
Specialist carpets on displayDANFLOOR will again be exhibitingits range of specialist healthcare car-pets at the Birmingham Care Show.
The Equinox and New Generationcollection are made with the health-care market in mind.
Features including impervious lay-ers, anti-microbial coatings and stainresistant yarns make these rangesideal for the care sector.
You will be able to view our prod-ucts at the Show’s Dementia Design
Academy. The largest feature everbuilt at the exhibition will encompassa dementia care home, built on-site,to help visitors learn about best prac-tice. Our healthcare collection alsonow has BRE certification.
Our impressive ratings, rangingfrom A+ to B, reflect our environmen-tal commitment and provides inde-pendent verification of the work wehave undertaken to enhance ourenvironmental credentials.
MOVE it or Lose it! exercise DVDs area perfect solution to engage olderpeople in regular activity sessions inthe care home environment, and at£10 are incredibly cost effective too.
The easy to follow routines to musiccan be done from a chair and provideclear instructions and gentle encour-agement so everyone can join in andkeep active.
It is also an ideal opportunity to
bring people together to have somefun and gain real benefits from theenjoyable seated exercises.
Endorsed as an excellent resourceby The Centre for Healthy AgeingResearch, professor Janet Lord said:“The DVDs are ideal for older adultswith exercises that are easy to do andhelp to improve and maintain mus-culoskeletal function and all roundflexibility.”
DVDs engage residents
Xtrainer provides fitness solution IF you have ever considered intro-ducing fitness equipment into yourcare home, but decided against itbecause of limited space or budgets,a solution can be found by installingthe XT20 Xtrainer from SportsArtFitness UK.
This single, universal piece of fit-ness equipment offers everything youneed by combining independentlower and upper body cardio/strength action to provide a totalbody workout better than any otherrecumbent cycle, treadmill and dualaction elliptical trainer.
It does not necessarily have toinvolve major investment as you canrent the XT20 from SportsArt for only£25 per week (over three years) andhave the benefit of immediate accessto new state-of-the-art fitness equip-
ment. SportsArt will install and train your
staff, maintain and service the equip-ment as required and, after threeyears replace it with a new XT20. It’s atotally practical and cost effective fit-ness solution.
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SINCE 1982, Colne (Lancs) based,Richards Residential Supplieshave concentrated uponsupplying simple solutions tocommon nursing home problems.
The new WACMAT® adheresstrongly to this tradition.
With its ultra absorbent cottonpile and 100 per cent waterproofbacking, the remarkableWACMAT® is an ideal accessorywhere spills may occur.
Used as a commode mat, inbedrooms or bathrooms, theWACMAT® ensures full carpetprotection. Then, after use, simplymachine wash and tumble dry!It’s that simple...
The WACMAT® will then beclean and odour-free, ready toperform time and time again. Alternatively the flat-laying WACMAT® can be used as an entrance mat,saving you hundreds of pounds in rental costs alone.
Enquiries: Telephone 0800 074 3749.
Simple solutions
CFS Carpets offer a wide selectionof healthcare carpets
AS well as the extensive range of contract carpets andcarpet tiles, CFS Carpets has a wide range of imperviousbacked broadloom carpets that are heavy contract –ideal for the healthcare industry.
Featuring plain and patterned designs and a widecolour bank, these ranges are competitively priced andhave excellent cleaning properties and a 10-yearguarantee.
Hanbury Care Design, featured in the picture, has amodern colour bank and a matching plain rangeavailable too. Sample folders of all the healthcare rangesare available in carpet and flooring along with aselection of other healthcare flooring solutions.
CFS Carpets are part of Carpet and Flooring, one ofthe UK ’s largest flooring distributors.
Large stocks of all ranges are held, along with aselection of other healthcare flooring solutions.Deliveries can be made within 24 hours to mainland UK.
Enquiries: Call 01527 511860 for moreinformation or for samples log onto
www.cfscarpets.co.uk
EMANUEL A Dribble, better known in the businesstransfer market as Eddie Dribble, has been in thecare home transfer agency business for around 40years.
His extensive knowledge and expertise is secondto none in negotiating a satisfactory conclusion formany long standing clients
In 1972 he founded and subsequentlydeveloped the care home division, of the thennational transfer agents Luxton and Lowe Limited.
Since that time he has personally travelled thelength and breadth of the British Isles inspectingand evaluating every type of care home.
No matter what size and what cost he hasnegotiated sales to a range of buyers, whichinclude large companies and single privateindividuals.
He has established a reputation throughout the
industry which provides a truly personal service,always remaining fully confidential.
Luxton and Lowe Limited were taken over in1991 by a large London property agent. At thistime to keep the personal service andconfidentiality, which was also his strict code ofpractice, Eddie decided he needed to form his ownprivate transfer agency to continue to provide ahigh quality individualistic service.
Since this time he has continued to serve theindustry with his own brand of personal andconfidential negotiations and keep his commissionrates at a competitive level.
To this day care homes of every size anddescription and in every location are continuouslyrequired for a list of carefully vetted applicants.
Enquiries: Telephone 020 8942 0852.
Eddie’s knowledge and expertisesecond to none
ORIENTATION signs are ideal for people with dementia. Made with durable plastic, they are suitable for all care settings.Size of unit: Height 267mm, width 432mm, depth 25mm.Cost: £120 – no VAT.
Enquiries: To order call 01400 272959 or email [email protected]
RDP Innovations is a Suffolk-based company thatspecialises in the design and manufacture of mobilecomputer trolleys for use in care homes – specifically toprovide residents with broader and more flexible accessto a computer.
When mounted with a computer, the RDP trolley istypically used to enable residents to access Skype,email, internet, TV, etc, in the privacy of their ownrooms. Several formats are now available for variousall-in-one PCs, including models from Dell, Acer andLenovo.
Trolleys are height-adjustable, highly manoeuvrableand built-to-last. For a detailed specification and a fullproduct photo gallery, visit www.rdpinnovations.com
Alternatively, if you would simply like to find outmore about how you can differentiate yourself fromyour competitors and, at the same time, enhance theexperience of your residents, get in contact and we willbe pleased to help.
Enquiries: RDP Innovations Ltd, BasepointBusiness Centre, The Havens, Ipswich IP3 9BF.
Telephone 01473 722 922 or [email protected]
RDP Innovations helps you getyour residents online
TOTAL Hygiene offers a raft of equipment designed tooptimise bathroom dignity and independence for peoplewho need the help of a carer.
Its solutions include the Clos-o-Mat, which combinesdouching and drying in a conventional-looking WC thatis guaranteed to accommodate someone up to 30 stonein weight, the Aerolet toilet lifter, which overcomeshandling problems by automatically raising andlowering the user over the toilet, the ApresShower bodydrier which eliminates the need to rub dry with towels,plus hoists, height adjustable changing benches andheight adjustable basins – all the equipment to create abespoke hygienic room.
With a 50-year history of developing solutions tooptimise dignity and independence in personal hygiene,Total Hygiene supplies, installs, commissions and servicesits equipment in-house – a unique offering in themarket.
Enquiries: Visit www.clos-o-mat.com or telephone 0161 969 1199.
HALF of companies are under prepared for evacuations in theworkplace, and wheelchair users and the mobility-impaired aremost at risk from being unable to make a safe escape, accordingto research by Evac+Chair International.
The survey of 100 human resources directors and managers,who are responsible for the safety of their employees, reportedthat 35 per cent said that wheelchair users or mobility-impairedemployees within the company did not have a Personal EmergencyEvacuation Plan (PEEP), which is required in accordance with firesafety legislation.
Around half of companies possess the necessary equipment toassist disabled and mobility-impaired employees in an evacuation,and fewer than 15 per cent of the companies with equipment useit during emergency evacuation drills, indicating a stark lack ofpreparation for evacuation procedures in the workplace.
Evac+Chair International has over 25 years’ experience in thedesign and manufacture of emergency evacuation chairs for themobility impaired.
Enquiries: Visit www.evac-chair.co.uk
Equipment to optimisebathroom dignity
Half of companies unpreparedfor an evacuation – claim
Programme improvesresidents’ lives
THE Older People’s Programme improves levels ofphysical activity, nutritional wellbeing, self-esteemand sense of community belonging.
It delivered activities to 1,326 older people inresidential homes and other care settings in theNorth West.
Over 7,800 care staff received training,increasing understanding of issues includingdignity and nutrition.
Age UK West Cumbria has made resourcesavailable including training materials for careprofessionals, reference directories, ‘How-to’ Guidesand Domiciliary Care guides.
The Enriched Opportunities ‘How To’ Guide leads
an organisation through setting up, running andsustaining a successful project to improve thenutritional, physical and mental wellbeing of olderpeople in residential care.
And the Dignity Training Pack encourages staffto consider dignity in care and how to ensure theycontribute to the wellbeing of those they support.‘Scenario cards’, a DVD and detailed traininginstructions aid delivery.
Enquiries: For access to resources, freedownloads and useful information, visit:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/westcumbria/Target-Wellbeing/Resources/
Signs for people with dementia
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GIRBAU UK’s commercial laundry equipment forcare and nursing homes is available as part of aunique Complete Laundry Care service designed tomake running an on-premise laundry simple,hassle-free and affordable.
Complete Laundry Care offers the latest Girbauenergy efficient washers, dryers and ironers with afixed monthly rental that includes all service andmaintenance.
No upfront capital payment is required and youkeep the capital cost of new equipment off yourbalance sheet. There are no call out charges orrepair bills to pay, so you keep budgets tightlyunder control.
The new package is backed by Girbau UK’s in-house, nationwide same day/next day service andmaintenance operation. Under the terms of aunique Pay No Rental service guarantee, thecompany will pay a whole month’s rental if it isever unable to attend a service call in thepromised time.
Enquiries: Call 01462 427780 or visitwww.completelaundrycare.co.uk
Beaucare® Medical Ltd’s Aquabathe range ofbathing equipment is designed for the rigorousdemands of care home environments.
Built to the highest standards, the Aquabatherange offers solutions to suit customers’ specialrequirements.
The Hi-Lo and Aquabathe II come in fivedifferent sizes depending on your requirements,with various options such as manual or power
traverse seat, left and right hand setup, TMV3shower assembly, and whirlpool or air spacapabilities.
We can install and service nationally, using ourcertified engineers. So, if your bathrooms needrevamping, why not let us quote?
Enquiries: Call 01423 878899, email [email protected]
or visit www.beaucare.com
GRAHAME Gardner has enhanced its popularUrbane scrubwear range with the addition of 9534,a new longer length tunic.
This flattering style of tunic boasts the samehigh quality design features as the rest of theUrbane range, and is available in a wide selection ofbold colourways.
The Urbane Scrub range has become a firmfavourite of care homes since it was launched inthe UK six years ago.
It presents all the comfort associated withscrubwear, but the unique designs also include sidedarts, contrast trims and other desirable designfeatures making Urbane a collection of distinction.
Enquiries: For further information call 0116 255 6326 or take a look at
www.grahamegardner.co.uk
YORKSHIRE-based company Say It Personallyspecialises in unique, quality gifts with a difference,delivered to your door to make any occasion extraspecial.
Our range includes a luxury care home welcomegift to help new residents feel at home.
This contains a photograph frame to holdprecious memories, fragrance drawer sachet, penand handy notebook.
Other useful items include a cord for spectacles,towel and face cloth.
Also for the ladies we have created an elegantlywrapped “Thinking of you” bouquet (as shown inphotograph) replicating a floral arrangement.
This beautifully hand-tied bouquet is crammedwith practical goodies to aid relaxation includingtoiletries, snuggle socks, eye mask, towel and facecloth along with lots of other useful items.
Not forgetting the men, we have created asimilar gift which comes beautifully presented in agift box.
Enquiries: Telephone 01482 638355, email [email protected] or visit www.sayitpersonally.co.uk
Grahame Gardnerenhance Urbanescrubwear range
The future for care homeentertainment
Welcome your residents with Say ItPersonally – gifts with a difference
C-TEC has added an extensive range of state-of-the-art stainless steel devices to its innovativeQuantec addressable call system range.
Ideal for creating a stylish impression inprestigious reception areas or at sites wherevandalism has been reported, the devices arehigh-quality, durable and very competitivelypriced.
Their launch means that virtually every existingQuantec call point and corridor display now has acounterpart crafted from brushed stainless steel.
C-TEC's sales director Charlotte Manley said:“Although a limited number of stainless steeldevices have been available for some time, werecently took the decision to totally re-engineerour offerings to improve their quality and reducetheir price."
The company recently launched a revolutionaryand highly cost-effective range of dementia careproducts, also for use with its Quantec addressablecall system.
Enquiries: For more information, contact thecompany's sales desk on 01942 322744 or
visit www.c-tec.co.uk.
C-TEC launches new stainless steelQuantec devices
Complete laundry care
Beaucare launch Aquabathe range
NURSING and care home residents no longer haveto struggle to understand and operate theirtelevisions as Airwave and partners now providespecialised solutions.
For example, LG have released a tailored largebutton remote control enabling those with reducedmanual dexterity, the elderly and the disabled tochange channel without difficulty.
Airwave Europe specialises in health and carespecific TV solutions and partners with leadingmanufacturers Philips, LG, Samsung, Sharp andJaotech Barco.
Airwave’s products include dedicated HealthcareFreeview LCD/LED televisions, large button andwipe down remote controls, plus bespoke carehome information channels, allowing staff tobroadcast individual home or group services quicklyand easily to all rooms and lounge areas.
Innovative designs also include TV on arms,ceiling poles and trolleys for comfortable viewingfrom all bed types.
Enquiries: Call 0845 555 12 12 or visitwww.airwave.tv and www.hospitaltv.co.uk
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Denture care
Signs
Transport
Mobility Healthcare
Architects
Occupancy Specialist
If you would like toadvertise in CaringUK please contact:01226 734480
Recruitment
THE health and happiness ofresidents can improve dramatically ifthey have some input into the designof their living space, new research hasfound
For the study, conducted by theUniversity of Exeter in conjunctionwith professional designers Ambius,the communal areas of one floor of aresidents’ home were re-furnishedwith the residents’ choice of plantsand artwork.
Following the redesign, residentswere asked to rate their health andwellbeing on a numerical scale atvarious times over a four-monthperiod. By the end of the study it wasfound that, in comparison to theirpeers, empowered residents: � Used their lounge more than twiceas much (217 per cent more). � Were 40 per cent more satisfiedwith their lives.� Were 46 per cent more comfortablein their home. � Reported themselves to be 43 percent healthier.
Kenneth Freeman, internationaltechnical director at Ambius, said:“By encouraging their collective input
into the design of communal livingspace, our research found significantand positive consequences for bothresidents and their carers.
“In particular, engaging with groupsin this way led residents to have agreater sense of psychologicalcomfort and social identification withothers in the home.
“Residents exhibited moreconsiderate citizenship behaviourtowards their fellow residents, andthey reported and exhibitedimproved life satisfaction andphysical health.”
He added that the residents whodecided on the décor of their homewere steered clear of floral patterns,chintz and pastel colours in favour ofmore modern art prints, bold coloursand more ‘architectural’ plantdisplays.
Kenneth added: “Although nottested, it has been mooted that thesechoices were made because bright,bold colours and shapes are highlyvisible against the background of thespace, standing out for those whosevisual senses may no longer be assharp as they were when young.”
Design input canimprove health
Stop diseases and save on costsELECTROLUX Professional Laundryhas launched a new comprehensiveLaundry Practice Pack on how tocontrol the spread of infections withgood laundry practice and the latestenergy efficient laundry equipment.
As a leading laundry equipmentprovider to the care and health sector,Electrolux Professional is committedto reducing diseases and infections,
and is continually developing laundryequipment to tackle the problemmore efficiently as well as producingthe lowest cost in use machines in themarket. Using the best equipmentavailable is a primary factor, but awell designed laundry can also offersignificant cost savings.
Electrolux Professional offers a freelaundry audit to determine theoverall requirements.
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