Care Home Magazine October 2023

October 2023 carehomemagazine.co.uk

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Chief Editor

Jade Evans jade.evans@cimltd.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Brooke Tremain bt@cimltd.co.uk

Publication Manager James Davies jamesd@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 112

Account Manager Hannah Moody hannah@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 112

Administration Manager Natalie Murray admin@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 103

Credit Facilities Manager

Gwen Lee creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 103

Design and Production James Taylor james@cimltd.co.uk Grant Waters grant@cimltd.co.uk

Marketing Manager Lucas Payne lucas@cimltd.co.uk

Sales Director Tom Woollin tom@cimltd.co.uk

Chief Executive John Denning

Editor’s Letter October 2023

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echnology is playing a significant role in shaping various industries, including care homes and the broader healthcare sector.

These innovations can massively help improve the quality of care, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for both residents and caregivers. In this October issue we look at how technology is changing in care homes and enabling you to get ahead of the curve. As part of the wider training focus, we also share an insightful Essential 5 which looks at five ways to know when your in-home training needs refreshing.

Going hand-in-hand with training, Resident Wellbeing centres this edition as we look into how care goes deeper than what meets the eye as we delve into specialised care programmes and quality of care.

This month, we explore how you can introduce book clubs into your home in our Activity of the Month feature as we delve into the benefits of offering something season-friendly as well as where to start when doing so.

Another one of our much-loved regular pieces which promises not to disappoint is our Dishing Up feature, focused around food and nutrition.

This edition it comes from VfL as the team share the recipe guide to a versatile and hearty stew, perfect to introduce within your home as the cold weather is upon us.

As ever, we hope you enjoy the read and do get in touch if there’s something in particular you’d like to see in an upcoming issue of Care Home Magazine.

Jade Evans, Chief Editor © 2023 TGM Publishing Limited, 1st Floor, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

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Table of

Contents

6 Industry Update

Providing insights into the latest happenings within the care sector, we share a plethora of Industry news pieces.

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15 Training

As technology continues to take many industries by storm, we look at how technology is changing training in care homes.

18 Essential 5

Refreshing training within a care home is essential in ensuring the competency of staff which is why we are sharing five ways to judge when it’s time to refresh your inhome training.

24 Resident Wellbeing

Thanks to commentary from some of the sector’s experts, we delve into how care goes deeper than what meets the eye.

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34 Activity of the Month

Introducing a season-friendly activity this month, our October issue reveals the numerous benefits book clubs can have in care homes, including enhancing the general quality of life amongst residents.

38 Dishing Up

Providing yet another instalment of delicious inspiration, we share our Dishing Up feature with a recipe which comes from Vfl.

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5

Industry update

HICA Group acquires prestigious care home in Harrogate

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leading Yorkshire-based social care group has acquired a prestigious care home in Harrogate as the organisation grows a portfolio of personalised services to meet the changing needs of users.

Hull-based HICA Group has purchased Hampden House on Duchy Road, Harrogate from Elizabeth Finn Homes for an undisclosed sum.

Hampden House is a 66-bed purpose-built nursing home located within the Duchy Estate. The home provides the highest level of facilities and services from personal and nursing care, short-stays and end-of-life care.

The employment of all 70 plus staff has been secured in the handover to new ownership and general manager Jane Hooren continues to lead the team.

Terry Peel, HICA CEO, said: “This new venture marks a significant milestone for us, as we expand our commitment to delivering exceptional care and support services to our community.

“As we extend our care footprint with the introduction of Hampden House into the HICA portfolio, we are excited about the opportunities it brings to enrich the lives of our residents and their families. This expansion reflects our commitment to raising the bar in care provision,

offering comfort, quality, and a genuine sense of ‘home’ for those we serve.”

He explained that Hampden House isn’t just a care facility, it’s a haven of comfort and companionship. With en-suite rooms overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens and well-kept courtyards, residents can enjoy a tranquil atmosphere.

allmanhall achieves Gold Accreditation

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ndependent food procurement specialist allmanhall is delighted to announce it has been awarded the Investors in People Gold Accreditation For the first time in its 17-year history, allmanhall underwent an assessment by Investors in People (IIP). They concluded that allmahall is meeting the very high standards needed to be awarded with the prestigious ‘We invest in People, Gold Accreditation’. allmanhall has always put people first, the team, its clients and suppliers, with strong relationships and outstanding support. This Investors in People Gold Accreditation is testament to the culture and care that has been born out of this ethos and of the sincerity of allmanhall’s strong core values.

Only 26% of organisations achieve Investors in People Gold, a great deal fewer achieve it in their very first assessment. It means that every single person in the team is involved in supporting each other and is doing their utmost to make work better, choosing to bring the

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best version of themselves to work each day.

On receiving this accreditation, Jo Hall, Communications and Development Director and a coowner of allmanhall commented, “This achievement belongs to every single one of our team. We are a family company and we genuinely care – it is so humbling to see this recognised by a global accreditation like Investors in People and to join the small number of organisations to have met the requirements for Gold standard, and to do it on our first time of being assessed, no less!”

The Gold accreditation recognises allmanhall’s

commitment to encouraging and empowering everyone at allmanhall to make a positive difference, whilst also demonstrating the caring, supportive and trusting environment that has never wavered as this family-founded, owned and managed business has grown and evolved over the last 17 years.

With recommendations taken on board, allmanhall now have an action plan with the goal of achieving the Platinum Accreditation by 2027. Aspirational, inclusive, passionately focussed on inspiring improvement… but then that has always been the allmanhall way!

Industry update DC Care Sells Fotherby House

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n behalf of Mark and Sarah Bedward, DC Care is delighted to announce the recent sale of Fotherby House, a care home located to the North of the affluent Lincolnshire vllage of Louth.

Fotherby House is registered for 20 residents within the categories of residential and dementia care home. The property is deceptively large, beautifully presented and has been well maintained with no expense spared by Mr and Mrs Bedward, who had owned and operated the home since aquiring it through DC Care in 2006.

Looking to retire from the sector

they appointed DC Care to market Fotherby House, having worked with them previously with other sales and acquisitions and the home was sold to Quality Care Holdings Ltd, liaising with Alicia Barlow.

The sale of Fotherby House was handled by DC Care’s Director Andy Sandel and Senior Sales Negotiator Clare Duffey. Clare commented: “Fotherby House enjoyed a lot of interest with the outstanding reputation with the CQC, for the attention to detail in care applied, it had built up since Mark and Sarah Bedward first bought the home. We were

delighted to find a suitable buyer looking to continue applying the high standards of care in Alicia Barlow, and look forward to sourcing their next project.

“We would like to wish Mark and Sarah all the best and a happy retirement!”

Ahoy there!

Cringleford care home residents’ wish to go on boat trip comes true

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esidents at a care home in Cringleford made waves on a boat trip around the Norfolk

Broads.

Two residents at Care UK’s Cavell Court, on Dragonfly Lane, shared their passion for boats and sailing and asked the home team to help make their wish come true.

Keen to relive happy sailing memories from their younger years, John Clark, aged 89, and Marion Pearson, aged 89, were excited to show off their sailing skills and knowledge of boats. The pair were also joined by resident and friend Brenda Burman, aged 87, as they took to the water.

Having joined the Navy in 1952, John served for seven years and progressed through the ranks to Leading Seaman and Petty Officer.

One of John’s happiest memories of his time in the Navy was sailing on HMS Harpy from Portsmouth

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one summer, which sparked his wish to be back on the water again.

Marion worked as a clerk at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and began sailing with friends outside of work which fuelled her love of being on the water. Marion loved the sea so much that she went on to join a sailing club, which she was part of for five years. After starting a family there was less time for sailing but Marion was keen to get back out on a boat and shared her wish with the home team.

On the day, the residents and the team travelled to the Norfolk Broads where John and Marion got the chance to fulfil their wish to take to the waters once again. With a love for all things nautical, the pair enjoyed setting sail across the rivers and lakes in the national park.

The visit was part of the home’s ‘Wishing Tree’ Initiative, which encourages residents to put wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying a plane to enjoying a night at the opera, no wish is too big or small.

Karen Curle, Home Manager at Cavell Court, said: “Here at Cavell Court, we always encourage residents to continue to enjoy their favourite pastimes and share memories which hold special importance to them, as it’s a great way to encourage reminiscence.

John and Marion talk fondly of their memories sailing in their younger years and so we knew we had to make their wish come true.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

Driving Comfort

Local MP and former Prime Minister Liz Truss officially opened the new Furncare National Distribution Centre on Friday 1 September.

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aving been welcomed by Carl Southall, Furncare MD, Ms. Truss unveiled a commemorative plaque which was concealed behind not one, but two pairs of Furncare curtains as there was a split decision on the favoured fabric Beatrice Indigo or Kibale Papaya – so both were used! She was then taken on a tour of the new facility along with a group of specially invited Furncare clients and care sector professionals. Following the tour, Ms. Truss was invited to take the driving seat in one of the Furncare delivery vehicles.

“It’s incredibly important that older people are able to live in comfortable surroundings with the right care and facilities appropriate to their needs. It’s great to see a thriving business in South West Norfolk playing its part in ensuring that this is the case.” - The Rt. Hon. Liz Truss MP Furncare, a leading provider of specialist furniture solutions to the elderly and mental health care

sector, consolidated their four existing warehouses and relocated them to a new 30,0002ft complex which includes warehousing, upholstery workshops and offices.

The new facility is just minutes from the upgraded A11, linking the site to the UK motorway network and

helping to ensure rapid delivery of specialist furniture stock items in as little as five working days.

Carl Southall, Furncare Managing Director, is delighted to see the new facility open. “To have Liz Truss, our local MP, support our investment by opening the centre for us is a huge boost for the whole Furncare team. We’re committed to delivering unbeatable quality, value and service for our clients, so it’s important to have the very best production and distribution facilities.”

If you would like a guided tour of the new Furncare National Distribution Centre or the nearby Furncare Showroom in Thetford, please call 01603 664900 or email sales@furncare.co.uk.

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RECRUITMENT

Peaking Potential

How can providers maximise the potential of the Skilled Worker Visa? International personnel partner trusted by the UK health and social care sector, BA Healthcare reveal the answer…

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or many health and social care providers, being able to bring in senior carers and then carers under the Skilled Worker Visa allowed them to address serious ongoing workforce challenges. It has also dramatically changed our business. For 23 years, we worked just with nurses. Today, experienced, well qualified carers with really good language skills are a big part of our business.

But the carer and senior carer visas were only ever meant to be temporary. Although there are no signs this will change.

Well-documented abuse of overseas care workers by both agents and providers could bring this to an end more quickly than any of us would like. So as winter draws nearer how can providers make the most of the Skilled Worker visa routes available?

The answer to that question is in three parts.

First, act now. These vital recruitment routes will not be here forever. Even if you’re not sure that it’s for you just yet, you can still be prepared, have your UKVI sponsor licence in place, make sure you understand immigration processes and have people in your team who will own the process and ensure it runs smoothly.

Second, recruit ethically.

Always. Unethical recruitment and exploitation of overseas workers, particularly care workers is a concern for everyone in the sector right now. Very often, it is providers not looking closely at how people are recruited, or who they are working with it that is allowing it to happen.

We spend a lot of time working with providers and local authorities

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to educate and build capacity around ethical recruitment. It is embedded in everything we do – from how we vet and select candidates, always focusing on people with international experience, qualifications and aptitude for the role. Plan carefully, understand the risks and take action to avoid them. Ethical recruitment will safeguard you, the people you care for, overseas workers and ensure routes for carers to come to the UK stay open as long as possible.

Finally, think creatively about how your organisation can use the Skilled Worker Visa. Is finding and retaining great chefs a real challenge? Do you want to grow but can’t find the skilled

construction personnel you need to make it happen? The Skilled Worker visa offers so many routes that social care providers can take advantage of but very few do.

There is a huge pool of global talent out there than can bring stability to all aspects of your workforce. The Skilled Worker Visa is not just for the frontline!

To find out how ethical international recruitment can help all aspects of your organisation, talk to us today. uk@ba-healthcare.org

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Training carehomemagazine.co.uk

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TRAINING

Getting Ahead of the Curve

We delve into how technology is changing training in care homes, and how it can be applied to your workplace.

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echnology has revolutionised many industries over the last few years, with care being one of them. Implementing tech into a care home can bring with it a plethora of benefits, including the way it shapes the training process for staff members, along with the onboarding process for new staff in care homes, streamlining and enhancing the process in several ways.

One significant improvement is the introduction of e-learning modules. Steve Reed, Learning and Development Manager at HICA Group, explained how, prior to HICA’s induction, all new employees are assigned these modules: “For individuals who are new to the care sector, these modules provide a valuable insight into the sector before formal training begins. This approach allows new staff to familiarise themselves with essential concepts, protocols and best practices, ensuring a smoother transition into their caregiving roles.

“Additionally, e-learning modules are self-paced, accommodate different learning styles and can be accessed remotely, offering flexibility for staff to complete their training requirements at their convenience. Overall, technologydriven e-learning has made the onboarding process more efficient, informative and accessible for care home staff, ultimately contributing to better-prepared and more confident employees,” added Steve.

HICA’s in-house e-learning platform offers tailored training, aligned with the specific training needs and mandatory requirements

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Moreover, they provide a standardised and consistent approach to training. of our care teams. Such customised e-learning solutions empower caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide highquality care.

Steve explained how these software solutions can be highly effective in a demanding care home environment: “They offer flexibility in training schedules, ensuring that staff can access crucial information at their own pace and convenience. Moreover, they provide a standardised and consistent approach to training, ensuring that all caregivers receive the same high-quality education.”

It seems that it was the pandemic

which accelerated the adoption of online courses in the care home sector and, since then, we’ve witnessed several significant shifts in this space. Firstly, there’s been an increased emphasis on remote learning. The pandemic forced the care sector to re-evaluate traditional in-person training methods, which Steve revealed pushed himself and his team to develop and expand their e-learning platform: “This shift has allowed our staff to access essential training remotely, ensuring their safety while continuing their professional development.”

Secondly, there’s been a surge in the use of interactive and engaging

TRAINING e-learning content. Care home employees often have demanding schedules, so it’s crucial that training is not only accessible, but also engaging. Steve and his team have invested in creating dynamic modules, that include video demonstrations, simulations and interactive assessments, to keep staff actively involved in the learning process.

Lastly, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of flexibility in training. Online courses allow employees to learn at their own pace, fitting training around their busy schedules, which is essential. This flexibility ensures that staff can acquire new skills and knowledge while continuing to provide high-quality care to their residents.

Adopting technology for training in care homes can bring both opportunities and challenges.

Steve explained that one significant challenge he has come up against is ensuring that all of his staff can comfortably navigate the digital landscape. Not everyone is naturally adept with technology, especially when it comes to e-learning platforms.

Steve added: “To overcome this, we’ve introduced courses in basic digital skills, allowing our staff to develop the necessary tech proficiency at their own pace.

These courses cover fundamental skills like logging in to their e-learning accounts, using email

and navigating through online resources.”

Another challenge Steve spoke on is maintaining a personal touch in training despite the remote nature of e-learning. He revealed that his team have addressed this by providing dedicated support channels: “Our trainers are readily available to assist with technical issues and answer any questions.

Moreover, we encourage peer-topeer support, where more techsavvy colleagues mentor those who need assistance.”

Technology in care homes allows for the seamless tracking of progress and completion of certification requirements, ensuring that staff remain compliant with industry regulations. By leveraging these technological

tools and platforms, employees can continually improve their skills and qualifications, ultimately enhancing their ability to provide high-quality, person-centred care to residents. This not only benefits their employees, but also contributes to the overall wellbeing and satisfaction of the residents they serve.

There are, of course, potential cost savings and benefits associated with implementing technology-based training in care homes, as it significantly reduces the need for staff to travel to external training locations. This is particularly advantageous for employees who do not drive, as it eliminates the time and expenses associated with using public transport. This also leads to a reduction in travel-related costs for care homes, such as reimbursement for travel expenses. What’s more, digital training materials are reusable, eliminating the need to print and distribute physical resources for each training session.

This not only saves on printing and paper costs, but also reduces the environmental impact.

Technology is transforming the training of care home staff by making it more accessible, interactive, data-driven and efficient. These innovations not only enhance the skills and knowledge of your care home workers, but also improve the quality of care provided to your residents.

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TRAINING

Essential 5

Refreshing training within a care home is crucial to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and competency of staff. Here are five ways to know when it’s time to refresh training in a care home.

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Regulatory Changes

It’s essential to keep an eye on updates surrounding regulations and standards in the healthcare industry.

When there are significant changes to laws or guidelines related to care homes, it often necessitates updating staff training to ensure compliance, for both legal reasons and to stay relevant.

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Incident Analysis

You must analyse incidents or accidents that occur within the care home. If any incidents are linked to staff errors or knowledge gaps, it may be a clear indicator that training needs to be refreshed in those specific areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. Also looking out for heightened accidents where they are occurring more regularly is a key signal in knowing when training/education needs to be revisited.

3

Performance Reviews

Performance reviews should be regularly conducted in care homes for all members of staff in order to act as a way of keeping tabs on the standard of care you are providing. These frequent meetings are a great way of sharing if and where certain areas need to be brushed up on. If you notice a decline in the quality of care or if staff members are struggling to perform their duties effectively, it may indicate a need for additional or updated training.

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Feedback from Staff

Encouraging open communication with your staff will make your work environment a much more pleasant place to be. Team members may express concerns or areas where they feel less confident or competent.

Their feedback can provide valuable insights into which areas of training need to be refreshed or expanded.

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Quality Assurance and Audits

Performing regular quality assurance checks and audits are critical. These assessments can reveal areas where staff may be lacking in knowledge or skills. If consistent issues arise during these assessments, it’s a sign that training needs to be revisited. In addition to these signs, it’s a good practice to have a regular schedule for training refreshers to ensure that staff stay up-to-date with the latest practices and best care techniques. This schedule can be based on industry standards, the availability of new research, or specific care home policies.

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TRAINING

Pest Control

Autumnal pests – which are common and how can you prevent an infestation in your care home as told by Sophie Thorogood, Training Manager at Pelsis Group.

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s we dive further into autumn, temperatures can begin to fluctuate more, and the rain becomes heavier and more common.

This change in weather can lead to a change in the pests we begin to see, which is important to prepare for if you’re looking to prevent any infestations harming your business and your residents.

Rodents

The main pests in this category are mice and rats, who are forced inside to seek shelter and food during the cold snaps.

However, poor waste management can help make a property more attractive to them.

It is essential to make sure bins are properly sealed shut, food containers in kitchens don’t remain open and leftover food isn’t left out as these can be very appealing to rodents.

Another autumn rodent pest is the squirrel. Interestingly a common cause of infestations in care homes is when residents have grown of fond of feeding animals.

Mix these together and you have squirrels that are accustomed to

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people and will enter the residents open room windows in search of food.

Insects

A key pest in this category that you will need to look out for is the wasp.

During September and October, wasps no longer hunt insects to feed the larvae within the nest.

Instead, they feed on high sugar foodstuffs and fallen fruit.

The fruit begins to ferment with the sugars turning to ethanol and the wasps that feed on this are essentially drunk, which is why they become aggressive. Again, poor waste management, i.e., waste compactors and bins being left near doors and unclosed will always end up attracting wasps.

Despite thought by many as just as summer pest, ants can still be active in the autumn. Preventing poor food storage management is a good measure against infestations.

Just doing the basics of keeping surfaces clean and clear is vital to preventing an infestation. Ants will gather and form trails where fruit or something sweet has been left, as will flies and wasps.

Lastly, bed bugs which are present all year round may see an increase in late summer and autumn as people return from

vacations and inadvertently bring them back with them and introduce them to different places they visit.

These are insects that will cling to clothing, suitcases, books and furniture as modes of transport.

They are capable of spreading quickly throughout the property once they have landed in search of a meal or spread inadvertently via a bed linen trolley which may be going from room to room.

Staff pest awareness training, inspection of incoming belongings and monitoring devices will help to prevent widespread infestations.

Washing clothes which have been brought in with new residents at 60°C will kill all life stages of insect.

As we enter autumn, following the above guidance can help prevent infestations of some of the season’s most common pest.

Having permanent monitors in key locations will also help to control activity quickly and detect pest activity that would normally go undetected.

But your action should be coupled with regular inspections by a pest control company. They can provide bespoke advice on proofing, housekeeping and storage of material. www.pelsis.com

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TRAINING

Continuous

Improvement Cultures Overcoming challenges and meeting regulatory reforms as told by Linniar.

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ontinuous improvement is an essential component of modern business and a key principle of CQC’s assessment approach for social care providers. According to Linniar’s compliance expert Dr Leith Heyman, however, “embedding continuous improvement in social care organisations remains a challenge.”

CQC highlights the importance of embedding continuous improvement in their new single assessment framework, as evidenced in the upcoming quality statement, Learning, improvement, and innovation. The need for the statement was borne out of their 2021 report, A new strategy for the changing world of health and social care, where CQC stated a renewed “focus on continuous learning,

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innovation and improvement across our organisation and the local system.” With less prescriptive standards under their new regulatory approach, however, challenges arise in understanding what is required to meet these expectations.

With the strengthened commitment to continuous improvement underpinning the upcoming regulatory approach, providers must consider how to evidence their commitment to continuous improvement.

Whilst a documented plan for continuous improvement might have been sufficient in CQC’s previous assessment approach, under the strengthened regulatory approach, providers must adequately demonstrate and evidence an inclusive and positive

culture of continuous learning and improvement and this is shared by all leaders and staff across the organisation and with their partners.

Involving older people in continuous improvement processes While involving older people is essential for fostering a culture of improvement, Dr Heyman acknowledged that providers can face challenges getting older people on board. “Many providers are reporting that older people in residential aged care feel oversurveyed,” she said.

With the new regulatory approach emphasising feedback collection via the establishment of people’s experiences of health and care services as an evidence

TRAINING category, feedback surveys will be paramount to the assessment of older people’s lived experiences in accessing adult social care.

Some older people may feel overburdened by these expectations which will make it difficult for providers to meet their obligations.

Dr Heyman cautioned that “it may also be the case that feedback is predominantly provided by a small subset of older people who may not be representative of the diversity of older people’s experiences.”

With this in mind, providers will need to consider how they can ensure that feedback represents the diverse experiences of older people and not just those who are most vocal.

Barriers and enablers

To better understand barriers and enablers to embedding an improvement culture, Linniar surveyed providers from across the Australian sector, and our findings suggest that they are keen to address gaps in their approaches to continuous improvement.

The top reason cited for the importance of continuous improvement was ‘maintaining or improving regulatory compliance’, however, Dr Heyman acknowledged that “the ongoing pressure to adapt systems and practices due to ongoing reforms likely influences this response”.

Inadequate staffing numbers

and skills were also identified as key barriers, reflecting the workforce crises in the sector. Our survey found ‘adequate workforce skills/education’ to be rated as the second highest enabler for continuous improvement, while ‘inadequate numbers of staff’ and ‘inadequate workforce skills/ education level’ took second and third positions as barriers.

Effective leadership also emerged as an important theme, with ‘appropriate prioritisation of improvement initiatives’ receiving the third-highest number of nominations as an enabler, while inappropriate prioritisation narrowly missed the top three barriers list, coming in at fourth place.

Steps for providers

Dr Heyman encourages providers to take proactive steps now to prepare for the strengthened continuous improvement requirements. “Cultivating an open, blame-free culture, where staff and older people feel safe to raise concerns and provide feedback, knowing that their input will be valued and acted on, is an essential first step in building a strong improvement culture”.

Implementing a comprehensive quality management system, such as the Linniar platform, can also be beneficial. Linniar’s self-assessments and quality indicators flow through to a digital collaborative plan for continuous improvement. By streamlining compliance and improvement processes, the Linniar approach to compliance and improvement can help alleviate pressure on overstretched staff, giving them more time to contribute to the organisation’s improvement culture. www.linniar.co.uk

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RESIDENT WELLBEING

The Layers of Care

How care goes deeper than what meets the eye, as told by industry experts.

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esident wellbeing in care homes is a critical and multifaceted topic that encompasses various aspects of physical, emotional, and social health. There has recently been a growing emphasis on person-centred care, which focuses on tailoring care to individual residents’ preferences and needs, meaning we are encouraging the industry to move away from a onesize-fits-all approach to provide more personalised and flexible care plans as the sector continues to change.

Taking note of some of the emotional and psychological aspects of care that might not be immediately visible but are crucial in providing support is a key way in providing more personalised experiences and

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Hannah Mulholland, Director of Customer Experience and Wellbeing at Avery healthcare gave us some examples of what these could entail: “Maintaining dignity and autonomy - providing support without infringing upon residents’ independence, promoting empathy and active listening - not just understanding a person’s emotions but also sharing those feelings, providing comfort through companionship, and offering a nonjudgmental space for expression and practicing cultural sensitivity buy taking the time to understand and respect cultural differences.”

Hannah sees that in care homes, empathy is the foundation upon which trust is built in the relationship as she explained that when residents feel that their emotions and concerns

are understood and validated, they are more likely to trust their carers and be open to receiving care and support: “Empathy and understanding help caregivers adapt and tailor their approach to match the individual’s preferences and emotional needs, ultimately improving the quality of care.

“Carers can practice perspectivetaking and consider non-verbal cues such as changes in facial expressions, posture, and gestures.

These cues provide valuable insight into a resident’s emotional state.”

With holistic care becoming more prevalent, Hannah recognises that cultural sensitivity and understanding are essential to providing this, recognising individuals’ unique values, beliefs, customs, and preferences and, more importantly, actively adapting

RESIDENT WELLBEING

care to meet these specific needs and preferences.

When caregivers integrate cultural sensitivity into their practice, they can offer more effective person-centred care. This may include respect for cultural beliefs and practices, religious observance and dietary restrictions, health beliefs, end-of-life care, and bereavement customs.

Sharing examples of instances where genuine care made a significant impact on an individual’s life, beyond just meeting their basic needs, Hannah told us about ‘Taking Flight on a Dream’: “One unforgettable moment involved a resident’s lifelong dream of flying.

With the support of the home’s dedicated staff, this dream became a reality. The resident was taken up in an aeroplane and allowed to take the controls, guided by a skilled pilot. The sheer joy and exhilaration on his face as he soared through the sky, was a testament to the care that goes beyond boundaries to fulfil dreams.

“Stories like this one reflect the incredible dedication of the wellbeing teams at just one of our homes: Camberley Woods Care

Home. Beyond the extraordinary wish-fulfilling moments, everyday activities and attention to detail create an environment where residents thrive and find joy. These remarkable examples demonstrate that genuine care knows no bounds and has the power to transform lives in the most unexpected and heart-warming ways.”

Another story involving an example of genuine care and the impact it had on an individual’s life came from Heather Joy, Director of Operations at HICA Group, who explained: “A particular resident had been living in a long-term care facility for several years. She had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and her communication abilities had deteriorated to the point where she rarely spoke or engaged with others. However, she had once been an avid pianist and had a deep love for music.

“The homes Activity Coordinator, herself a music fan and player, noticed the resident pointing at an old piano in a corner of the communal area. The Act Co decided to try playing the piano. She sat down at the piano and began to play some of the

classical pieces she had learned.

To everyone’s amazement, the resident’s eyes lit up, and she slowly made her way to the piano.

Although she couldn’t remember her own name, she remembered how to play the piano.

“They began playing together regularly, creating music that not only brought joy to the resident but also brightened the lives of other residents and staff. Through this shared musical experience, the Act Co not only provided entertainment but also a profound sense of connection and purpose to a resident’s life.”

In caregiving, addressing emotional and psychological aspects of care is crucial for comprehensive support. This includes offering emotional support to individuals, acknowledging their feelings, and respecting their dignity by using preferred names and maintaining privacy.

Heather spoke about how caregivers also play a role in promoting mental stimulation through activities and engagement to combat boredom and isolation: “Establishing a routine provides a sense of security, especially for

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RESIDENT WELLBEING those with cognitive impairments.

Being culturally sensitive ensures care aligns with individual preferences, while allowing autonomy and choice empowers individuals in decision-making.

Encouraging emotional expression prevents frustration and distress.”

Speaking on how care goes deeper that what meets the eye, a home’s physical environment plays an important role. Heather explained how safety features like slip-resistant floors and handrails contribute to a sense of security.

Privacy and personal space are crucial for individuals, providing a retreat from communal areas.

A comfortable and homelike atmosphere with familiar decor fosters relaxation.

“Access to natural light and views of greenery regulates sleep-wake cycles and reduces depression.

Therapeutic spaces offer calming and stimulating environments.

Noise control through soundabsorbing materials and quiet spaces reduces stress.

“Thoughtful colour and design choices have a psychological impact. Flexibility in the environment ensures adaptability to changing needs, and familiarity with personal belongings enhances comfort.

“Personalisation through cherished items like family photos adds to the sense of identity.

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Finally, cleanliness and pleasant odours contribute to overall comfort,” added Heather.

The physical environment has a huge impact on resident wellbeing too. Style, comfort and practicality must all be factored in, and these key attributes can be clearly seen in Furncare furniture. They specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of distinctive care home furniture and interiors.

Randal Southall, Furncare Director, highlights the fact that for those who spend a lot of time confined to their bed or a chair, a convenient table is not so much a ‘nice-tohave’, it’s an absolute necessity.

It’s not only your residents who’ll thank you for providing stylish and functional over-bed tables. They make important aspects of care hassle-free for carers too. Randal explained how a solid, reliable and safe surface makes simple tasks like reading and playing cards, access to spectacles and using a phone so much easier: “Eating and drinking becomes a whole lot easier and safer too.”

To prove the point, product innovations like Furncare’s Marlin over-bed table really help to improve user wellbeing. The table can be used flat or adjusted to create an angled surface (like an easel) with handy restraint strips fitted to support books and magazines. Randal goes on to explain some of the Furncare alternatives too. “The Fenton has a gas strut for effortless height adjustment, whilst our exclusive and stylish Earlham over-chair table has a recessed top so spillages, inevitable from time to time, are safely contained until they can be wiped away”.

In summary, care in care homes extends far beyond the basic necessities and encompasses emotional support, personalised care, dignity, safety, and much more. It recognises the unique needs and individuality of each resident and aims to enhance their overall quality of life and wellbeing.

Your CQC-ready evidence framework.

Self-assess compliance against CQC regulation using our suite of tools.

Commit to a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Audits.

Use our ready-made audits, or design your own.

Surveys.

Capture the experiences of staff, people and their representatives.

Push risks and opportunities for improvement flagged in reports through to action, or create your own from external sources.

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RESIDENT WELLBEING

A Support System

As winter approaches, could your care home team do with some extra support?

The proactive approach with wine sampling for our residents, along with nutritional talks from their dietitian, enabled our communities to be part of our menu creation.

I

t’s been tough recently. Food inflation, product availability, delivery challenges and labour shortages. And winter is on its way.

You may have an in-house procurement team who could do

with some support, someone to take the strain and drive further savings and supply improvements.

Or you may be looking to free up your catering team to continue providing exceptional food, and leave the day to day supplier challenges and price negotiations to someone else.

This is where independent, familyowned food procurement experts allmanhall will listen and help! Their service is award-winning and they

have just received Investors in People Gold. They truly care and are on hand to support your team.

Visit allmanhall.co.uk or contact Rachael.Venditti@allmanhall.co.uk to explore the support available for your care team, today.

Join the care groups already benefitting from allmanhall’s award winning food procurement support and savings… “allmanhall have greatly minimised the time we spend on admin, and we now have complete transparency and visibility of our food spend, enabling us to confidently demonstrate efficient cost-effective practices to our residents. We really appreciate how uncomplicated the administration has become, the catering software and tablets really help to streamline our processes, removing previous challenges. The proactive approach with wine sampling for our residents, along with nutritional talks from their dietitian, enabled our communities to be part of our menu creation. Having a local client relationship team who are always happy to support, has been really valuable”.

Amy Nemeth, AHH, Head of Hospitality and Procurement “From day 1, the care and attention provided by allmanhall has been exceptional. The team truly listen to us, to what our challenges are and are always willing to help in any way they can. Their approach is thorough and responsive, meaning we feel fully supported… I’ve been impressed by the savings we’ve already seen, the flexibility regarding suppliers and by the excellent quality. The consolidation of invoices into 1 per month is a huge win. I would wholeheartedly recommend allmanhall’s services to others in the care sector.”

Chris Rees, Group Executive Chef, Taylor and Taylor

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RESIDENT WELLBEING

Safety First

Is your healthcare organisation as safe and high-quality as you think?

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hen it comes to staff welfare and resident care, a healthcare organisation should aim to maximise the things that go right and prevent, mitigate and minimise the things that don’t go as well.

Creating a safe, high quality healthcare organisation and service should always be your business’ priority. This will reflect the high levels of compassion and vigilance you have for both your staff and your residents.

Promoting safety and investing in reducing resident harm in your organisation is a moral imperative and can lead to better resident outcomes. For example, resident engagement in their care has been shown to reduce the burden of harm by up to 15%. It also makes financial sense because money is not unnecessarily spent on managing harm.

But what else can you do to make sure your healthcare organisation is as safe and highquality as possible?

Care for your staff’s wellbeing

Do you want your residents to receive the best care available?

The first step to driving safe, highquality treatment is to look after the physical and mental health of your staff.

Colin Kirkpatrick from MPS Partnerships, experts in medical malpractice insurance policies, said: “The healthcare industry is a demanding sector, which – in the long run – can take its toll on the wellbeing of those involved in it.

“So, it’s important that, as the owner of a healthcare business or clinic, you promote a work culture and environment where all

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members of staff keep an eye out for each other.”

Furthermore, it is crucial to establish policies that support and promote a healthy worklife balance. Providing your staff with flexible scheduling, offering them rest periods throughout the working day, and encouraging selfcare can work wonders on their overall well-being.

Remember that medical professionals who are given the chance to nurture their mental health are likely to be better equipped to help their residents.

Interventions need not be anything high tech. For example, ‘walking meetings’ not only get the business done - providing there is no breach of resident data - but provide an opportunity to spend time outdoors which can have positive effects on the brain, boosting mood and improving concentration.

Provide training and education for both staff and residents The continuous professional development of staff is important to promoting and maintaining resident safety.

When it comes to your staff, it is essential that they are allowed the time to keep up to date on

the latest practices, emergency procedures, and workplace policies.

Resident education is also key to promoting good clinical outcomes.

As a care organisation, promoting adequate consultation time so staff can explain things to residents properly as well as providing educational material like websites and leaflets can all empower residents to look after themselves.

Set up monitoring systems to assess safety measures

Every organisation should establish a system for the recognition, reporting, investigation and learning from safety incidents.

Equally important is the concept of compassionate leadership.

Part of this is getting feedback for your staff and residents. This engagement not only demonstrates the importance leaders place on their views but also holds leadership to account to consider and take steps to action issues raised with them where resident safety may be being negatively impacted.

In summary, resident safety and high-quality healthcare is a priority for all healthcare organisations. A multi-faceted approach is needed to deliver on this agenda. www.mpspartnerships.org

RESIDENT WELLBEING

Defining the Standard Foot health - has the care home sector been short-changed for too long?

Care Home Podiatry reveal all.

I

s the care home sector truly receiving the foot health standards it deserves, or is it being inadvertently shortchanged? It’s time to consider this critical question that directly impacts the overall quality of care provided and the overall health outcomes for your residents.

Today, Care Home Podiatry, the first national foot health provider dedicated exclusively to serving the care home sector, will walk (pun wholly intended) through the standards your staff, and most importantly your residents should be expecting from your foot health provider.

Foot health—often downgraded to a mere toenail trimming task— deserves more consideration than it gets. In the traditional scenario, a practitioner makes an appearance every eight weeks, performing routine toenail trims for residents with petty cash, and leaves. But what if we shared that these foot care providers should be doing far more than just trim nails? Their treatments have the potential to prevent pressure sores, foot ulcers, falls, and even the risks of gangrene and amputations for residents living with diabetes —a risk more pronounced among

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BAME communities and which astonishingly have been evidenced to have a higher mortality rate in older individuals than many cancers.

Taking into account what foot health treatments are able to prevent, allowing an unregulated individual, lacking any clinical benchmarks, to clinically treat your residents, seems absurd. Yet, this is a prevalent reality across the care home sector. Currently, there are no legislations or guidelines governing who can deliver foot health treatments to your residents, nor clarifications on the nature of such care. This results in providers often delivering the bare minimum— routine toenail trims—while care staff and residents remain unaware of the comprehensive care they should rightfully demand.

At its most fundamental level, every care home resident should be attended to by an HCPC registered podiatrist. This guarantees accountability through adherence to regulatory policies spanning everything from training to infection control. Ask for your practitioner’s HCPC registration number; a true professional willingly provides it.

Additionally, basic care should encompass foot health care plans and clinical outcome reports after every treatment, ensuring seamless continuity of care. It’s not just a matter of health but a regulatory guideline that every resident with diabetes should undergo an annual diabetic foot assessment, there should be no added cost to this —a practice endorsed by the National Advisory Panel on Care Home Diabetes, supported by Care England.

For a best practice approach, consider integrating foot health

costs into residents’ room fees.

This ensures equitable access to essential care, minimises administrative hassles, and enhances family satisfaction no annoyance at any additional bill. You could also consider implementing foot health policies as a strategic step; your Podiatrist can collaborate with you on creating these, and enhancing the your care staff’s proficiency through training in the vast array of podiatrists’ clinical expertise anything from falls prevention to diabetic foot wound care. However, the pinnacle of best practice lies in standardised care across your care homes. Instead of each manager sourcing individual providers, opt for a unified provider across your homes. This fosters standardisation across a care home group, providing a clinical governance structure through thorough risk assessment, standardised clinical standards, incident reporting documentation, and prompt response protocols.

It’s time to reset expectations and demand more for your residents from their foot health provider.

You, and your residents have been short-changed for long enough. carehomepodiatry.co.uk

GET IN TOUCH We’d love to hear from you on how your business is progressing in 2023. Specifically, any new ideas you’ve implemented, any ways you are making additional revenue, your sustainability initiatives and your plans for the rest of the year – we know that a lot of you are doing inspiring things every day in your businesses and we want to give you the opportunity to shout about it.

Please reach out to jamesd@cimltd.co.uk for the opportunity to be featured in Care Home Magazine.

www.carehomemagazine.co.uk

ACTIVITY OF MONTH

Book it In

A book club in a care home can offer numerous benefits to residents, staff and the overall environment. Here are some of the key advantages, as well as where to start when introducing the activity into you home.

A

ctivities, as we know, are a key factor in contributing to an enjoyable environment within a care home, but it can sometimes be tricky to keep ideas fresh and engaging all year around.

Introducing book clubs to your home are a simple, yet effective, activity which can be delivered whatever the season!

A book club encourages a group of people to come together regularly to discuss, and engage with, books. The primary purpose of a book club is to read and discuss books as a collective activity, allowing members to share their thoughts, insight and perspectives

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on the chosen books. Book clubs can fit seamlessly into a care home as they vary in size, structure and focus.

Reading and discussing books can engage residents’ minds, promoting mental stimulation and cognitive function. This can be particularly important for elderly individuals as it may help delay cognitive decline.

Another benefit to a book club is that it’s easy to keep it engaging by opting for a different genre each time. Residents may find other activities can get repetitive and mundane, but by exploring different storylines regularly, individuals will be excited to meet and discuss in

order to move on to the next novel.

Book clubs provide an opportunity for residents to socialise, build friendships and reduce feelings of isolation. Group discussions can enhance social interaction, boost morale and improve residents’ emotional wellbeing in general.

Social interaction is paramount in order to give individuals a sense of purpose, and engaging in discussions about books can improve residents’ communication skills, including verbal expression and active listening, which are valuable for their overall communication abilities.

Being part of a book club

ACTIVITY OF MONTH

fosters a sense of belonging and community within the care home.

Residents can form meaningful connections with others who share their interest in literature.

Along with this, books often touch on various emotions and life experiences. Discussing these themes can provide a healthy outlet for residents to express their feelings and share personal stories, which can be therapeutic. Reading and discussing literature can also help residents develop empathy by putting themselves in the shoes of characters, and understanding different perspectives and life situations.

A book club offers a source of entertainment and enjoyment that can be a refreshing change from routine activities in a care home.

It provides a mental escape into different worlds and, by having

the group meetings frequently to discuss a novel, it can encourage feelings of excitement amongst the home’s residents. Regular book club meetings will provide a sense of routine and structure in residents’ lives, which can be comforting and reassuring, especially for those with memory issues.

With book clubs, there is always a goal in sight. A book, and actively participating in discussions about it, can give residents a sense of accomplishment and purpose, boosting their self-esteem and selfworth.

To level up your book club offering, you could try involving family members, volunteers or local community members in book club activities - this creates a stronger sense of community involvement and support. Collaborating with local libraries, schools or literary

organisations to enhance the book club experience will also create opportunities for intergenerational interactions and knowledge sharing.

Book clubs can help to introduce residents to a wide range of literature they may not have encountered otherwise, broadening their horizons and knowledge and offering the chance for personal growth. Residents can experience personal growth through exposure to new ideas, cultural insights and different writing styles. This can lead to increased self-awareness and personal development.

Overall, establishing a book club in a care home can be a valuable program that promotes mental, emotional and social wellbeing among residents, contributing to a more fulfilling and enriched quality of life.

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FOOD AND NUTRITION

Getting the dining environment right

Richard Woodward, General Manager of apetito’s Care Home division looks at how to create the right ambience and dining environment for residents with dementia.

F

or those living with dementia the dining environment plays a crucial factor at mealtimes. Too many stimulations and distractions can be overwhelming, which prevents an enjoyable dining experience, in turn reducing the opportunity for good nutritional intake, which can affect quality of life.

Some simple changes to the dining room design can be an effective way to improve the overall dining experience.

The key consideration is to create a calm and welcoming environment, that is safe and easy for residents with dementia to navigate.

We recommend care homes stick to neutral colour tones that add warmth but are not over stimulating. Busy brightly patterned wallpaper can act as a distraction to resident when eating, as well as making the room difficult for those living with dementia to navigate through the room.

Having neutral painted walls with maybe one single ‘feature’ wall is a great way to incorporate colour without being confusing and will also help residents to determine the space of a room because of its obvious contrast compared to the other walls in the room.

The careful use of artwork and pictures on the walls is another way to gently add some colour and stimulation to the room. Choose pieces which tie in nicely with the chosen theme for the room – using colours that coordinate with the feature wall. Most importantly, keep things minimal – with just one or two large statement pieces on

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the wall. Beautiful pictures of food can be a good approach to help encourage appetites.

In general, colour perception diminishes with age as vision gets weaker, so it becomes harder to judge the space of a room. The use of colour contrast through paint is an effective tool to help everyone interpret and navigate the physical environment of the room.

Whenever possible, paint should be in a matte finish and not gloss.

This is because a glossy surface can look wet or slippery, which can be very confusing or distressing for residents.

How food is served and presented can make a lot of difference too. For example, bright multi-patterned plates can be

confusing for residents living with dementia. Plain white plates are much easier to showcase food in a clean, interesting way.

Offering varied menus that include favourite and nostalgic options helps to encourage interest in mealtimes. If you’re introducing new dishes, make sure you have a menu which includes description of the food, so residents know exactly what they’re choosing to eat. apetito is proud to not only create food that is enjoyed and shared but also work in partnership with care homes to develop an excellent dining experience which ensures the well-being of residents.

Discover more about apetito’s care homes service by visiting https://apetito.link/CHMag

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06/03/2023 08:52

FOOD AND NUTRITION

Dishing Up

This month, V for Life (VfL) shares the recipe guide to a versatile and hearty stew, perfect to introduce within your home as the cold weather is upon us.

V

fL is working across the UK to make sure that care establishments can cater well and ethically for older veg*ns. They seek to do this through their UK List, which details every organisation and care home that makes a special effort to cater for older vegans and vegetarians.

As the colder weather begins to creep in, there’s nothing better than a warming stew when it comes to dinner time. Just the thing for a cold winter’s day, although the cooking time is long it can easily sit alongside other dishes while the oven is on. Alternatively, the stew can be cooked in a large pan on the hob.

Stews can be made with a wide range of ingredients, making them versatile and suitable for accommodating various dietary needs and preferences. They can be adapted to be gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sodium, or highfibre, among other options.

Along with being a versatile option, stew is a cost-effective meal option, especially when serving a large group of people.

Understanding that your care home will have budgets to consider, stews can be an economical choice while still offering nutritional value.

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C/325°F/gas mark 3.

2. Meanwhile, trim and halve the leeks and celery lengthways. Chop into rough 2cm chunks.

3. Peel and finely chop the onion and carrots into 2cm pieces.

4. Place in a large ovenproof casserole pan over a medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil.

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Chef’s tip: Turn this stew into soup by adding a good splash of boiling water and simmering to your desired consistency.

VfL Chef Ollie loves this stirred through pappardelle pasta and served with a grating of vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast on top.

Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes Serves: 6

Ingredients 5. Pick, roughly chop and add the thyme and rosemary leaves. Add the bay.

6. Cook for around 20 minutes, or until soft and sweet, stirring frequently.

7. Chop garlic and fry for extra couple of minutes.

8. Add the cloves and flour to the veg, stirring well to combine. Add the tomato purée and pour in the tomatoes and porter (or wine, if using).

9. Add the lentils and any roasting juices, cover with the stock or 1 litre/35fl oz of cold water and stir well.

10. Turn the heat up to high and bring to the boil, then cover and place in the hot oven for around 2 hours, or until the lentils are soft.

Stir every hour or so, and add a splash of water to loosen, if needed.

11. Remove the pan from the oven and leave to cool for about 10 minutes.

12. Add a good splash of vegan Worcestershire sauce or alternative.

2 medium leeks 2 sticks of celery 1 onion 4 medium carrots 1 tbsp olive oil A few sprigs of fresh thyme A few sprigs of fresh rosemary 4 fresh bay leaves 1 clove garlic 4 cloves 2 heaped tbsp plain flour 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 x 400g tins of plum tomatoes 275ml vegan porter or red wine (*use kosher wine if required) 200g/7oz red lentils 1 litre/35fl oz vegetable stock (optional) Vegan Worcestershire sauce, OR glug of apple cider vinegar, OR 1 tsp tamarind and 1 tbsp molasses Salt and pepper

13. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy with Pappardelle pasta, creamy vegan mash and seasonal steamed greens. vforlife.org.uk

SUSTAINABILITY

Balancing the Books Adrian Barber from Prefect Controls explains how energy can be saved in multi-occupancy dwellings while maintaining comfortable room temperatures.

W

ith the deadlines for net-zero targets looming, it is our collective responsibility to consume energy wisely and avoid unnecessary use. However, in the last couple of years the global benefits of energy efficiency have been re-focussed much closer to home.

Volatile energy prices have made balancing the books very difficult for domestic customers, but providers of multi-dwelling accommodation, such as care homes, hotels and student accommodation have had an unexpected drain on their cashflow.

The reason being that many of these providers include energy in their fixed price and recent hikes in cost are difficult to pass on to residents.

Care homes must maintain comfortable environments, but that doesn’t mean a whole building has to be kept at the same temperature throughout. There are thermostats, timers and valves that can be set with time and temperature limits, but these only ensure heat sources come on at certain times and input is turned off when a desired temperature is met.

Prefect Controls have been manufacturing intelligent

thermostats since 1997. Its systems cleverly know when a room needs heat, and when it doesn’t.

The three-stage profile, by which the controls operate, is programmed with Setback, Boost and Frost modes. Setback is the default and can be set to any temperature. Usually this is 2023°C. If the room needs to be warmer, Boost mode is activated with a press of a button, this increases heat input to the desired level, for example 26°C. But this will revert to Setback after a specified time elapses.

How do these thermostats save energy?

They are intelligent and are always striving to reduce energy input when they know energy use is unnecessary.

If the room is vacated when the control is in Boost mode it will revert to Setback. If windows or doors are left open, heat input will be reduced, and if a room is unoccupied for a specified time, let’s say 12 hours, then Frost mode is activated. This turns all heat input off until the room temperature dips below 10-12°C at which time heat input will resume – a precautionary measure to guard against any

frost damage, and prevention of potential dampness.

Prefect’s two systems both operate in the same way and can control wet or electric heating, the main difference being how the times and temperatures are set.

Ecostat2 uses a dedicated infrared handset, the parameters are input and then the handset is pointed at each thermostat, the send button pressed, and information then transfers to the control.

Irus, the central control system is programmed on its secure internet portal and affords many other functions. The room controllers monitor humidity, light, and sound pressure, as well as temperature and CO2 monitoring is an additional option. The system uses Mains Borne Signalling (MBS) to transmit data to and from the Irus Portal via the existing electrical wiring circuits in the building, this negates the need for the disruption and cost of installing data cabling. Managers can view every room remotely and adjust profiles to the preference of individual residents. Irus can also control water heating; monitor water temperature throughout a system; detect leaking pipes or water cylinders, and integrate with HobSensus, a kitchen hob safety device that reduces the risk of kitchen fires by turning hobs off if the person preparing food is distracted and leaves the kitchen unattended.

Energy prices are set to remain at the current level for the foreseeable future, shopping around to find cheaper providers is no longer possible. Therefore, the only way to save is to use less. prefectcontrols.com

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A WATCHED POT NEVER... ...REACHES FLASHPOINT

Make your kitchens safer.

HobSensus prevents hobs from being left on when the person preparing food is distracted or leaves the kitchen. The sensor monitors the pans on the cooking surface and if temperatures reach dangerous levels or the pre-determined ‘on’ time elapses, the power to the hob is cut, resulting in safer kitchens.

Hob control

Scan for explanatory video

PrefectControls.com

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