Issue 19 05.08.20 We are committed to supporting customers in these unprecedented times, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of my team to talk about how we can help Derek Breingan, Head of Health and Social Care 07818 454674
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Survey reveals care sector ‘uncertainty’
THE care home industry is facing an “uncertain future” with almost double the number of beds standing empty than at the same point last year, a survey has found as part of a 5 News special programme Covid Care Home Crisis – What Now? The 5 News/National Care Association survey of 256 care home providers, found that there were 2,404 empty beds in June from a potential 9,735. At the same time last year there were 1,281 care home beds standing empty. Overall, the average occupancy rate for the homes was 81% this June, down from 92% in June last year. The National Care Association says the coronavirus has put a dent in the finances of many care homes and put yet more pressure on a sector which it says has been underfunded for years. NCA Chairman, Nadra Ahmed said: “We know that the impact of Covid 19 has had a devastating impact on the financial viability of care services. Without recognising and addressing this we will be facing the prospect of failing the most vulnerable citizens in our communities as providers feel that they can no longer sustain their businesses. “Providers have been delivering care services despite the funding challenges for over a decade at least, any resilience they had in their businesses has been eroded by this virus and many now face an
uncertain future.” At one care home run by Croft Care Group, half of the beds are now standing empty. James Creegan, Director of Care at the groups said: “Being brutally honest if things didn’t improve then we would need to look at the future of the care home and whether it is financially viable going forward. “Currently we have 34 people living here, it is their home and if we had to make a decision to close I know I would be pretty devastated.” The Tregwilym Lodge Nursing and Residential Home in Rogerstone, Newport lost 21 residents to Covid19. Manager Karen Healey said the past few months have been extremely challenging but the home has now been Covid-free for 28 days: “We’re now down to 50 residents in the home, which means we have 24 vacancies and with a loss per week of around £24,000. This is clearly hugely impacting the business.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are doing everything we can to support the social care sector and will bring forward a plan that puts social care on a sustainable footing to ensure the reforms will last long into the future.” 5 News will be running a special programme Covid Care Home Crisis – What Now? tonight Wednesday August 5 at 6.30pm on Channel 5.
Care provider has seven homes under construction
Australian actor and activist Ruby Rose, has digitally adopted a grandparent as part of a drive to combat care home loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic, and is now set to become a celebrity patron of the charity. Developed by care home group CHD Living, the Adopt a Grandparent scheme is centred around connecting the public with care home residents, helping them to form meaningful, intergenerational relationships. The programme, which matches volunteers with residents based on shared interests, paired Ruby with 87-year-old movie fanatic Iris, who resides at CHD Living’s The Summers care home in Surrey. The duo now speak at least once a week. Ruby says: “I was very lucky to be paired with Iris. She has a heart of gold and a wicked sense of humour. We talk about our lives, share stories and I send her DVDs.” Members of the public who are interested in enrolling can register interest via https://chdliving.co.uk/adopt-grandparent.Anyone interested in donating to ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ can do so by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/adopt-agrandparent-app
A BIG THANK YOU
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE SAFE AND HAPPY …
WE’RE IN AWE OF YOUR SELFLESS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
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AS part of its ongoing investment in new homes, Care UK has just celebrated the turf-cutting of its seventh home currently under construction. Alongside homes in places like Basingstoke, Chichester and Haywards Heath, work has just started on a new home in Shrewsbury. The two-storey home, which is expected to welcome the first residents in February 2021, will include a cinema, café and hair salon. Secure and wheelchair friendly landscaped outdoor space will include sensory gardens, water features and seating to give residents the opportunity to spend quality time outdoors. The Shrewsbury home, will provide full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 80 older people, and will create around 90 new jobs. In total, the seven homes under construction will add 500 new places for residents. Peter Griffiths, development project manager for Care UK, said: “We are delighted that work has started at the new Shrewsbury site, not least because this impressive development reflects our commitment to improving the provision of residential care in the town. We take great pride in the build quality, layout and design of each individual home, as these factors can greatly impact the everyday experiences of those living in a care environment.”
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CARINGWEEKLY
Families reunited at Walk and Wave event
The UK lockdown meant that residents at Sunrise of Purley were unable to see their loved ones in person until now. As soon as it was completely safe to do so, the team at the home organised a ‘Walk and Wave’ event so families could see each other once again, at a safe social distance. Families were overjoyed to be reunited with the residents; one resident was able to meet her great-grandchild for the first time. Local events company, Red Chilli Events, ensured there was plenty of decorations including balloon displays to mark the special occasion. Jon Burchell attended the ‘Walk and Wave’ to see both his parents who are residents at the home. Jon said: “Thanks so much to the team for laying on the ‘Walk and Wave’. It was lovely to see mum and dad after so long. I was really impressed by the effort they had all put into it and I hope all the residents were equally as happy to see their families as we were to see them.” Phillip Mills also attended the event to see his mother Ann. He added: “Lovely to see the team and well done for organising such a brilliant event for families to have some precious moments of normality and sanity. I’m sure that took a lot
Belong Morris Feinmann residents Mindel Rose and Shirley Kingsley with musicians Rachel Whibley, Dan Bayley and Jane Evans.
The show must go on
of logistical gymnastics. It was all delivered with such a lovely spirit of graciousness and kindness. Thank you so much. It was hugely appreciated.” Rebecca Peters, Director of Community Relations at Sunrise of Purley, said: “This was such a wonderful event for us all. “The weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits and residents and their families were so happy to see each other for the first time in so long. “We will continue finding ingenious solutions so we can allow residents to see their families while ensuring they are all safe. We can’t wait until the day we can have visitors come back into the home properly!”
AN outdoor music initiative has hit the right note at Didsbury care village, Belong Morris Feinmann, with residents delighting in a live garden performance from the Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO), as part of a project to improve the lives of those with dementia through music. The sun was shining as a sociallydistanced crowd of residents and care workers gathered in the garden and on balconies to hear the wind quartet play a range of much-loved pieces. Speaking of this, resident Shirley Kingsley, said: “It was a truly wonderful afternoon, with smiles all around. Music has been a big part of all of our lives here at Belong, and so seeing such an acclaimed orchestra perform live, right on our doorstep, has been a real treat, as well as bringing back fond memories.” The event was part of NCO’s wider ‘Mind Music’ initiative, which explores the effects of live music on people living with dementia, with benefits including reminiscence, improved
cognitive function and greater communication between loved ones. Sponsored by local technology firm, CDL, the project has funded therapybased, interactive sessions in care homes, but with lockdown putting these activities on hold, the orchestra’s musicians decided to take their performances outside. General Manager at the Northern Orchestra Chamber, Charlie Rowley, commented: “NCO believes in the power of music to change lives and with many care home residents isolated from their loved ones during lockdown, we hope our performances bring them some joy at this difficult time. “Whilst we love playing in our grand concert halls, there’s something equally magical about performing to people in their own back gardens and the feedback has been fantastic.” The NCO’s isolation-adapted tour of North West care homes will continue over the coming weeks.
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CARINGWEEKLY
Norfolk team strides out for dementia cash THE team at Overbury House nursing home in Wroxham are taking on a mammoth challenge to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. The national charity is hosting its ‘Step up for Dementia’ challenge, asking people to walk 850,000 steps in three months. The Overbury House team wants to surpass this and has set a challenge of walking ten million steps across the next three months, raising funds which will be divided between the charity and the home’s Residents’ Fund. Members of staff are taking part in the challenge and each will wear a pedometer when at work during August, September and October, logging their steps and adding them to the home’s cumulative total. The funds raised for the home’s Residents’ Fund will be put towards the purchase of an interactive sensory ‘rainbow table’, which is designed to provide stimulation and activities for people living with dementia. Many of the residents at the home live with the condition, so staff work to develop new and innovative ways of supporting their wellbeing. It is hoped that the local community will get behind the team
and support their efforts, donating what they can towards the worthy causes. Home manager Alison Hilditch said: “We have our pedometers ready and are all really excited about taking on this challenge, which will be a real test for our staff. It’s a great opportunity for us to all come together as a team to make a positive difference for the Alzheimer’s Society and also bring some fantastic new technology into our home, for the benefit of our residents. “We intend to involve our residents, talking to them about our steps each day and celebrating each milestone we reach. We’d be so grateful for any support from our friends in the local community who might wish to back our efforts and help us on our way to reach our fundraising target of £2,000. If we can reach this it will means we can give a significant amount to the charity and also get closer to purchasing our sensory table. It’s a huge challenge but one we all feel very passionate about.” To donate to the Overbury House steps challenge, visit https://www. gofundme.com/f/jd55c6-step-up-fordementia.
Harry and Joyce celebrate 70 wonderful years together at Ash Tree House care home.
70th joy for Harry and Joyce WIGAN couple, Harry and Joyce Hope have celebrated their milestone 70th wedding anniversary at Ash Tree House care home with the help of the thoughtful staff team. Carers organised for the couple to enjoy afternoon tea with sandwiches, freshly-made cream cakes and a glass of fizz to celebrate the occasion. Lifestyle manager, Lorraine Harris, also arranged a surprise performance by Ash Tree House’s caretaker Gareth Ronan, who serenaded the duo with their favourite love songs. The couple first met at Saint George Junior School in Atherton. However, it was not until their early twenties that they noticed a romantic connection. Harry said: “I always thought Joyce was beautiful and when we reconnected after our school years, I just knew she was the girl for me!” Joyce added: “Harry made me feel
so special, I knew I didn’t need to look any further for love.” Harry took Joyce to a local dance hall in Atherton for their first official date. The couple tied the knot in 1950 at Atherton Parish Church. They settled in Atherton near Wigan and welcomed son, Michael, in 1953 and daughter Gillian in 1957. Harry said: “The staff at Ash Tree House are brilliant.” Joyce said: “We have had a wonderful 70 years wed and I believe the secret to a long and happy marriage like ours is to accept one another’s differences and to never go to bed on an argument!” Home manager, Chris Durnan said: ‘I am delighted to see how much our afternoon tea and entertainment meant to Harry and Joyce. Being able to go the extra mile for our residents is an incredibly rewarding feeling.”
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CARINGWEEKLY
Scrapbook helps cherish memories THE team at Gracewell of Camberley organised a scrapbook making session for residents. This scrapbook was designed to showcase all the positive memories they have had at the care home over the UK national lockdown period. The scrapbook contains pictures from all the activities and events that have taken place at Gracewell of Camberley since the beginning of 2020. The care home plan to add more to the scrapbook as the year continues. In their first scrapbooking session, seven residents participated. Dorothy Cousins who is a resident at the home, said: “Our scrapbook is special to all of us as our memories are not as they
used to be. So, it lets us remember all the memories and laughs we’ve had and our families can see what we get up to.” Lia Thompson, Activities Co-ordinator at Gracewell of Camberley said: This was such a wonderful way to reminisce on all the positive memories we have made at Gracewell of Camberley this year. The residents that took part in the scrapbooking thoroughly enjoyed it. “We are leaving the scrapbook in the bistro area as it’s a communal area that staff and residents both use. We are eagerly awaiting the day we can safely allow residents’ families back into the home for visits, so they too can see the scrapbook on display.”
New luxury Dudley care home to create 50 local jobs DUDLEY’s newest 66-bed care home, Sedgley Court, is recruiting for up to 50 team members ahead of its eagerly awaited launch later this year. Positions available include care management, front of house representatives, care assistants and kitchen and domestic staff. The new team will complete a thorough induction period before the home opens when they will provide firstrate residential and dementia care for up to 66 residents. Sedgley Court, which has benefitted from a £10m investment, will be Ideal Carehomes’ 22nd home and boasts a lavish cinema, an airy botanical room
leading onto landscaped gardens, a traditional tea shop, beauty parlour and opulent Sky Bar. Head of Development and Engagement, Sarah Colling, said: “It is a great time to join the Ideal Carehomes family, and to start a career in social care if you are new to the sector. The last few months have really shone a light on how amazing care workers are and it is wonderful to see them get the recognition they deserve. Our annual Ideal Care Awards is always flooded with nominations and this year will be no exception! We have some unique initiatives such as our Ideal Fresh Living programme which has supported
our staff to be at the forefront of infection control policies and training and as a growing group of care homes, there is plenty of scope for progression for the right people.’ Ideal Carehomes offers a genuine career ladder through their newly-launched Ideal Academy, as well as a host of training opportunities and benefits for passionate and caring individuals. Ideal Carehomes Director, Stacey Linn, said: ‘We are very excited to be opening our first luxury care home in Dudley and are keen to hear from people living in the local community who are looking for fulfilling careers within care.”
Extra Covid cash a ‘temporary sticking plaster’ CARE home owners in Wales have described the extra £22.7million in emergency funding announced by the Welsh Government as a “temporary sticking plaster”. While the additional money was “most welcome”, sector champions Care Forum Wales say the overwhelming priority must be to devise a national action plan to implement long-term structural change to mend a system that’s broken and fragmented. The money being made available to local authorities is in addition to the £40m made available to local authorities in April to support the social care sector to meet the skyrocketing bills in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The Welsh Government say they will review the situation again in September. In the meantime, Health Minister
Vaughan Gething made a point of thanking front-line care staff and said Wales owed them a debt of gratitude. Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “This extra funding and the kind words from the Health Minister are most welcome. “But the extra money is only a temporary sticking plaster to tide the sector over until September. “What we also need as a matter of urgency is a national action plan to implement fundamental longterm structural change to a broken and fragmented system. It is now August and this funding covers the period from July 1 so providers were becoming increasingly desperate. “We cannot afford to wait until September to review the overall situation again. We need to start planning now so we can sustain the sector through this coming winter so that, crucially, care homes and
nursing homes can support the NHS. “We need to plan for the six-month period to get us through the winter when the pressure on the NHS is likely to be greater than they have ever seen and greater than we have seen during this pandemic. “Certainly, care homes have never faced pressures like this before – it’s an enormously challenging situation. “We need an overall strategy that includes the social care sector in tackling this emergency. “The care homes haven’t caused the crisis but they can be an important part of the solution because they are caring for so many people who would otherwise be in hospital. “Going into this pandemic, the sector was already fragile – as the First Minister rightly pointed out – and that is after a generation of a dysfunctional system that has to change.
“We need structural change so we have an integrated system which ensures that social care which is means tested dovetails better with the health service that’s free at the point of delivery and that it is funded in a more coherent way. Covid-19 has brought this into sharp focus like never before. “The current model of funding which has been in operation for nearly a quarter of a century is clearly not fit for purpose and never has been. “Funding is allocated via local councils and health boards which means we essentially have 29 variations on a theme which is an absolute nonsense. “The vast majority of care home residents are publicly funded and providers have been forced to dance to the varying tunes of local councils for a generation.”
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CARINGWEEKLY
Work starts on £20m luxury care home WORK has begun on the construction of a ground-breaking 80-bed Hallmark care home which will provide residential and dementia care. The new luxury development, which will be built by Hallmark’s sister company, Savista Developments is being built at a total project cost of nearly £20 million across a two-acre site at Kings Drive in Eastbourne. The site’s construction team, were recently joined by Conservative MP Caroline Ansell, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sammy Choudhury, Hallmark’s Managing Director Ram Goyal and Chair Avnish Goyal to officially mark the start of the build. The care home will include the latest features including residences for couples complete with fitted kitchen and bathroom and communal areas will include the usual; café, ice cream parlour, a state-of-the-art cinema and a luxurious hairdressers and therapy room.
The home will have an abundance of outdoor space on all floors including terraces, a summer garden bar, winter garden activity centre and half an acre of landscaped gardens with a unique woodland walkway for residents and visitors to enjoy. Chair of Hallmark Care Homes and Managing Director of Savista Developments, Avnish Goyal said: “We are proud that Savista Developments has started its fifth care home project since launching in September last year and combined with 23 years’ experience with building award winning care homes we are excited to be able to create a luxurious care home for the Eastbourne community and to continue the partnership between Hallmark Care Homes and Savista Developments.” “Residents will enjoy some of the latest features in care and design and live active and fulfilled lives.” Willingdon Park Manor is scheduled to open its doors to its first residents in late 2021.
‘Naughty’ Vera celebrates 100th birthday BORN just two years after the end of WWI and in the same year that women were finally allowed to receive degrees at Oxford University, Vera Greening grew up in London, where she lived until her thirties. She met her husband Vic, when she was in the WRAF and he in the RAF during WW2 and they went on to have three daughters, before moving down to Kent in 1954 to get away from the smog. Vera worked in housekeeping most of her life and sadly lost her husband in the 70s. Today, Vera has three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a great great grandchild. Up until three years ago, Vera managed alone in her house, but a fall left her needing two hip replacements and she has lived happily at Rosewell House Extra Care Housing Scheme in Tonbridge since it opened its doors. Vera is still strong willed, loves her food and has a great sense of humour.
She loves to read and Tonbridge library regularly drop in books for her. She may be 100 but she is still as sharp as a needle and can clearly recall memories of her early days, including taking her young daughters to watch the Queen’s coronation in the early fifties. Due to lockdown restrictions, Vera was unable to have the special celebration she deserves but she did see some family members and the staff at Rosewell House went all out to make her day special, decorating her lunch table with balloons, gifts, flowers, cards and a birthday cake. A representative from the local library also dropped some gifts, balloons and cards off for their VIP customer. Her family are planning a belated celebration. So, what is her secret to living a long and healthy life? “Being naughty!” she said. “I always thought I’d live a long life, my grandma lived to be 100 too but I don’t feel 100, not all the time anyway!”
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