The Companion November 2016 (Home Instead newsletter)

Home Instead

York & Ryedale newsletter

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Check out our website: www.caregiver support.co.uk

November 2016

Client celebrates her 90th birthday

Last month a client of ours, Freda, celebrated her 90th birthday.

Our CAREGiver Alison kindly made her a wonderful birthday cake to celebrate.

Here’s Freda looking delighted with Alison’s bake.

Happy Birthday!

Big thank you to the Golden girls!

Three members of the team last month were celebrating as they all marked the milestone of 5 years or more working as CAREGivers for Home Instead.

Debbie was the first CAREGiver hired

by Home Instead in 2009, so she has now been with the company for over 7 years. Eileen and Helen have both passed the 5 year mark this year.

Director, Luke Norbury, felt that this level of dedication should be recognised and has made it an annual event to recognise the commitment of team members with 5 years’ service or more.

Luke said, “Having started Home Instead in York over 7 years ago in 2009, I truly appreciate the commitment of team members who continue to provide the best quality of care possible to our elderly clients in York. As well as giving these key team members access to an extra week of holiday, I think it’s important that I say thank you in a more personal way. They have made a huge difference to Home Instead York.

Christmas Raffle Due to last year’s success, we will again be hosting a Christmas Raffle in the office from Monday 12th December onwards. Last year we had some great prizes and there will be a range of different prizes up for grabs this year, plus everyone is a winner!

Please keep an eye out on your emails and on social media to see the prizes pile up!

We will also be getting a small gift for each of our clients and it would be great if you could take them with you when you come in to collect your raffle prize!

A day in the life of… Charlene My day…

Minster FM – Listener Choice Awards Congratulations to the Air Ambulance who won the ‘There when you need them’ category in the Minster FM Listener Choice Awards. It was fantastic that Home Instead was voted into the top 5 but the Air Ambulance were worthy winners for the fantastic job that they do. Thank you to everyone for your votes, it was much appreciated.

I tend to wake just as my son is leaving for school as I’m not an early bird like him. I get ready and then sort the dog out before leaving for the office. Our little dog Rory is a Heinz 57 who has us wrapped around his paw.

Upon arriving at the office I check my emails and then get on with trying to make everyone happy, which often doesn’t go as I would like it to. I think as staff coordinator I have the hardest job in the office, which is challenging if nothing else. Being in this industry, like many, isn’t something I am able to switch off from, so quite often I find myself going through schedules in my head at home.

I like that I have worked my way up in care. I started as a CAREGiver nine years ago and have seen a lot of changes as well as different aspects of the care sector. I used to think that behind the scenes was easy but I soon learnt how misguided I was.

At the end of my working day I would like to say I go home and rest but I don’t. Depending on the day it is either out to the swimming pool or more often than not off to Kickboxing where I am working towards my Senior Brown Belt alongside training with my son and watching him grow as an instructor, and he loves the fact that he is my boss, as I too am part of the instructor team.

I am a very protective parent and family person, my boys as I call them saved me. My son, who I had at 16 and proud of it, made me grow up and made me realise I couldn’t rebel forever. He is now approaching his GCSE’s and has a very firm plan for his future. We got my dog Rory as a pup 5 years ago after a really rough time and stage. He gave us both security and brought comfort.

Then came my better half shortly after and he has changed our lives in so many ways.

When I do eventually make it home and we are all showered, fed and watered I like to relax and cuddle up on the sofa with the dog and my better half and talk/watch absolute rubbish, or discuss plans for our upcoming nuptials.

Len enjoys local firework display!

Three of our CAREGivers, Liz, Eileen and Deborah kindly took Len, our eldest client, to the local fireworks display in Poppleton. Len had commented on how he loves fireworks, so Liz kindly phoned around and arranged for Len to go as a VIP to the Poppleton firework display with the help of Eileen and Deborah. Extra wheat bags were microwaved for warmth and Deborah was on hand with blankets. Liz made the most of her soft top car so Len could sit comfortably and watch the fireworks!

Thanks for organising this ladies, it looks like Len thoroughly enjoyed his evening!

Welcome!

We would like to say a huge welcome to our new Office Administrator, Emma Ireland. Emma comes with a wealth of experience from previous roles in admin and receptionist work. She has joined the office team to help with support for the main administrative duties, from preparing documentation for training and meetings, to ensuring documents are up to date in both client and CAREGiver files. We are sure you will all make her feel as welcome as possible!

Inga Lorna

Julie

17 complete ‘End of Life’ training At Home Instead Senior Care York, we know how important personal development and training is to all of our CAREGivers. Not only is it great for learning new skills but it also enables our staff to provide the best possible support to our clients.

During the course of this year, 17 of our CAREGivers have attended St Leonards Hospice for a one day course on Palliative & End of Life Care. The course has been a massive success with all those who have attended so far, and this is certainly a

course that we will be looking at partaking in again in the future.

Our CAREGivers Inga, Julie and Lorna (pictured) came into the office to collect their certificates for completing the course.

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Top tips for dealing with Dementia National Christmas Jumper Day It’s almost that time of year again, and that can only mean one thing… time to bring out the festive jumpers!!

We will be taking part in National Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 16th December, and we would love as many of you as possible to get involved!

Please send us a picture of you or your clients, sporting your best Christmas Woolly Jumpers.

We will be asking for a small donation to our charity The Bring Joy Foundation to take part, a foundation set up by Home Instead which has a clear vision, to fund the little things that can make a big difference to older people’s lives and to bring the fun and joy back into ageing, so any donations would be greatly appreciated!

To find out more on the Bring Joy Foundation please visit: www.bringjoyfoundation.org/

Defrosting your windscreen for a clear view!

Home Instead Senior Care 10 Clifton Moor Business Village James Nicolson Link, Clifton Moor York YO30 4XG Telephone: 01904 690884 Email: info@hiscyork.co.uk Web: www.homeinstead.co.uk/york

You may remember last month we asked for you to submit to us your Top Tips for dealing with Dementia. Thanks to all those who submitted tips, we had a great response and it was tough compiling a list of just 10!

• Compliment your clients • Take into account clients’ likes and dislikes • Reminisce with clients about old memories • Use music, play clients’ favourite music, and request a sing along!

• Keep encouraging • Stick to a routine • Be creative • Be patient • Plan activities including exercise And the winner submitted by Jess W was: • Don’t take anything personally Jess – please make sure to come into the office to collect your prize!!

York Learning …the countdown to Christmas has begun!

York Learning can’t wait any longer to tell you about their exciting Christmas workshops!

Prepare a meal for Christmas Day with ‘A Freezer Full of Christmas’. Spend two productive evenings getting ready for Christmas. No more last minute dashes to the supermarket. Your festive food will be already prepared in the freezer! Each evening will begin with tutor demonstrations and then the rest of the evening will be spent cooking your choice of dishes.

Or count down the days with your own unique, handmade Advent Calendar.

Make an Advent calendar that you and your family will treasure. Along with this take away some valuable skills that can be used in other sewing projects/ dressmaking. A variety of designs will be available on the day to inspire you.

Add some sparkle to your tree with Embellished Christmas Decorations.

Dive into over the top embellishment using buttons, beads and stitches to create a unique Christmas Decoration.

To find out more go to yorklearning.org.uk

• Use a scraper and de-icer on the outside of your car, start the engine, switch on heated rear screen and mirrors and allow air-conditioned air to circulate to gently warm the glass.

• Do not drive off until the glass is fully clear.

• Remember not to leave wipers in ‘auto’ when frost is expected – if wipers are frozen to the glass the wiper motor could be damaged.

• Never use just-boiled water to clear glass – it could crack the glass.

• Clear all snow off the car and make sure lights are clean and working.

• Don’t use your hands to wipe misted-up windows. Use a lint-free absorbent cloth or you’ll leave greasy smears.

Don’t leave your car unlocked with the engine running as if it’s stolen your insurance may be invalidated.

www.facebook.com/homeinsteadyork @homeinsteadyork www.instagram.com/homeinsteadyork www.youtube.com/YorkHomeInstead “Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated.”