PAGE 20 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 18
2G No Longer A Thing Of The Past For Care Villages By Simon Hayler, Director, GHM Care (www.ghmcare.co.uk)
Sprawling sites, multiple buildings, lots of green space…these are all typical features of the latest UK care villages. But having a single network that staff, residents and guests can access across an entire site can be problematic. WiFi signals are limited by distance, especially when in green spaces, and it’s not viable to dip in an out of multiple net-
works and systems. However, ensuring full voice coverage across an entire village is paramount to the efficiency and safety of those on site. Staff members need to be accessible wherever they are, alerts and notifications need to be received in between buildings and safety devices such as nurse call alarms need to be operational for residents whether visiting other site facilities or taking exercise more remotely. To overcome these issues, many care villages are turning the clocks back and implementing specific solutions based on 2G technology. The technology can effectively provide a private mobile network for care villages, giving full coverage that never drops out of signal wherever you are on site. Each member of staff has a special SIM card that enables them to access the dedicated 2G network which is integrated with the villages new or existing telephony platform allowing for complete communication between desk based and mobile users. Alerts and other notifications can be received directly to mobile devices regardless of location. And when the phone is back within a WiFi range it can pick up that network as any other device would. 2G data takes the form of two different standards, GPRS and EDGE. GPRS was introduced in 2000 and it is indicated by a ‘G’ symbol on Android smartphones or ‘GPRS’ on iPhones. EDGE was introduced in
2003 as an upgrade to GPRS and it’s indicated by an ‘E’ symbol on both Androids and iPhones. The technology enabled various networks to offer services such as the text messages, picture messages & MMS (multimedia messages). Of course, 2G can’t deliver the same speeds as the later releases of 3, 4 and 5G. GPRS can go up to 114 Kbps (0.1 Mbps) and EDGE can get as high as 237 Kbps (0.2 Mbps). To put this in perspective, 3G can handle up to 42 Mbps and 4G can go even higher than that. But whilst streaming or downloading large files or images wouldn’t be possible using 2G, the technology can be effectively exploited for a far more secure and reliable voice network. Signals travel further, can be secured and are not limited by external walls and buildings. It’s therefore the perfect solution for vast but private estates, such as care villages, that need continuous coverage. Simon Hayler of GHM Care says: “Care villages offer amazing flexibility and spaces for residents but maintaining a single network across these often very large sites has been difficult. Whilst 2G technology doesn’t sound the most advanced, it provides the most cost effective and robust solution for voice networks in today’s market, and with the licensed spectrum (4G) opening up, this offers care villages an upgrade path to use multiple applications on a single device.”
Consett Care Home Colleagues Raise Over £1500 For Garden Memorial Shelley, Emily, Jordan, Emily and Bridie were the five ladies who, on hearing that HC-One’s Greenways Court were wishing to raise some money for a garden memorial following the loss of Resident due to the coronavirus, decided to organise a sponsored walk from the home on July 26th. First, they stopped at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, where four other Colleagues from the home, Jill, Pauline, Jill and Tracy would meet up with them to offer refreshments. Next stop, The Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Again, four Colleagues met up with the amazing trekkers to offer refreshments before they would set off back to the home, where they were to be met by Residents, Relatives and more of their Colleagues. The huge 16-hour, 47-mile round trip certainly took its toll on the ladies, so they enjoyed a well-deserved buffet and some drinks when they returned.
One Greenways Court Resident said: “My goodness, they are amazing,” as the ladies returned to the home. Shelley, a Care Assistant at Greenways Court decided to set up a Just Giving page so that people could donate. The page has received over £1,310 to date with just over £250 being raised inside the home. Tina Ayton, Greenways Court Home Manager said: “Wow, what a day. Everyone was overwhelmed at how well the ladies died. The money raised is well above the target required.” Colleagues and Residents at Greenways Court will have a memorial bench made by a local gentleman, which will be situated in the homes garden, so the Residents they have lost during the pandemic, will always be remembered.
Dedicated Crawley Care Worker Retires After 30 Years A former nurse who has dedicated the last 30 years to caring for the elderly in Crawley has celebrated her retirement with a party at Deerswood Lodge care home, where she has worked for the last 14 years. Sue Murray was joined by residents, colleagues and Shaw healthcare operations manager, Clare Gibson, at the care home in Ifield for a garden party, with cream scones and Prosecco to celebrate her dedication to the residents of Deerswood Lodge and her career in care. Initially training as a nurse at St Georges Hospital in Tooting, London, Sue later moved to Crawley to raise a family. She has worked at a number of care homes in the area since the early 1990’s, initially for the County Council, and then moving to Deerswood Lodge when it opened in 2006. During her time at Deerswood Lodge, Sue worked as a team leader, supporting with residents’ medication and mentoring other members of staff on her shift. She said: “I’ve dedicated my career to working in care, so knowing when to
step back and plan for retirement after so many years was very difficult. It’s been an honour to work at Deerswood Lodge since its creation, alongside a number of wonderful colleagues, who I will sorely miss.” Wan Nowakowski, manager of Deerswood Lodge care home, added: “Sue is a much-loved personality for all of the residents and her colleagues at Deerswood Lodge. In her role as team leader she has helped develop the next generation of talent, with her efforts recognised by the company in the national Shaw Star Awards in 2014. “The last few months have been incredibly difficult for everyone working in the care sector, but Sue has stuck by our residents and supported her colleagues through the pandemic. I’d like to thank her for everything she has done for the home and hope she enjoys a well-deserved retirement.”
10% F On F ordering
Whe 0" quote "CR1
Adapted Clothing for Independent & Assisted Dressing
• Ladies & Men’s Daywear and Nightwear • Open Back & Front Fastening Clothing • Ideal for Arthritis, Stroke, Parkinson, Incontinence and Dementia Patients