Issue 72 01.09.21
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Government needs to act say providers CARE providers have renewed their appeal for urgent Government action as more and more hit difficulties. They say the Government has to set up an emergency task force of volunteers straight away otherwise the social care system will collapse and take NHS care with it. The Independent Care Group says news of a homecare provider unable to deliver care on the Isle of Wight and one in York earlier this year show that the system is crumbling. Chair Mike Padgham said: “We really are reaching a crisis point, but the Government continues not to listen. “It has shown that it can recall Parliament to debate an emergency issue like Afghanistan – well thousands of care providers and those they care for are wondering why they can’t tackle this issue at home, right now. “Unless we get urgent funding action and the task force we have called for, the provider failures we are already seeing and the many others that are not making headlines will grow into a flood until we cannot properly provide care any more in this country. “Providers are failing and there is only so much local authorities will be able to do when contracts are handed back or when care and nursing
homes close. And if social care fails then NHS care will start to fail too, as the two need each other to survive.” The ICG has unveiled its three-point plan to prevent a “winter meltdown” due to the crisis in the care. It calls for: n Parliament to be recalled urgently to tackle the crisis n A volunteer army to fill gaps left by the huge recruitment shortage in care n A financial injection to help providers give staff better terms and conditions. It says years of underfunding followed by the Covid-19 pandemic has left the sector on its knees with increasing closures of care and nursing homes and homecare providers having to hand back contracts. “We need some urgent funding to be put in place, like the Government did with infection control, to enable providers to address pay within the sector and help them to recruit, because staff shortages are now becoming critical,” Mike added. “The Government should also recruit a care volunteer task force, from retired nurses, doctors, carers, to help out. “This would need to be done quickly so they can be DBS checked and trained before winter pushes us to tipping point.”
Residents enjoy new technology
Staff and residents at De Brook Lodge care home in Urmston have hosted a month-long cycling extravaganza, racking up an impressive 500 miles on stationary bikes to raise funds to purchase an interactive activities table. Staff and residents played their part to achieve the remarkable mileage, after residents decided to challenge themselves during their monthly social meetings. Lifestyle manager Danielle Aikenhead organised the event and included residents from other Ideal Carehomes facilities in the fun. Using stationary foot pedal machines with built in pedometers to track their progress, residents could complete their ‘Tour de Manchester’ cycle from the comfort of their armchairs. Resident Rosemary Turner is pictured completing her cycle.
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RESIDENTS at Bradbury Court, one of Friends of the Elderly’s three Malvern care homes, have been enjoying and benefiting from new, interactive technology. The team at the specialist dementia home invested in the interactive table after manager Elaine Banks decided to take part in an exciting fundraising effort to raise money for a cause close to her heart. She said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for all my residents at Bradbury Court as they are my extended family, especially as I no longer have my parents or grandparents with me. “I’d always wanted to do a skydive so I thought I’d tick it off my bucket list. Of course I was nervous getting ready and going up in the plane, but as soon as I jumped, I felt like I was flying, it was brilliant. “I’m so happy that the money the skydive raised has given our residents a great new, interactive pastime that they all enjoy. It makes it all worthwhile seeing them happy, smiling and enjoying the new gadgetry. They’ve picked it up very quickly.” The interactive touch screen activity table is designed to deliver a unique experience for people living with dementia. As the residents play and interact with the technology, they experience and enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities which ignite and provoke their senses, which helps them to engage, relax and reminisce.
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Budding gardeners help operator mark golden anniversary
Pictured outside St Joseph’s Church in Purewell, the home of Christchurch Food Bank Plus, with bags of donated food items from Avon Reach care home are, from left: Sarah Veal, deputy manager of Christchurch Food Bank Plus; Megan Castell, companionship team leader at Avon Reach and home manager Jess Brolan.
Care home helps families to put food on the table RESIDENTS and staff at a Dorset care home are doing their bit to help tackle child food poverty this summer. More than 20 bags of tinned and dried food donations have been collected at Colten Care’s Avon Reach home in Mudeford and handed over to Christchurch Food Bank Plus. The items will be used in food packages in response to the bank’s ‘School Summer Holiday Hunger Rush’ appeal. Its aim is to ensure local families in need can continue to feed children who would, in term time, receive free school meals. Tracy Blick, manager of Christchurch Food Bank Plus, said: “We are so grateful for donations and it is lovely to think that older
generations are prepared to help. “Last summer we provided 4,000 food parcels for local families and we think it will be about the same this year.” The number of children eligible for free school meals nationally has risen during the pandemic and the whole issue of food poverty has been highlighted in prominent campaigning by the England international footballer Marcus Rashford. This summer’s Christchurch appeal asked especially for tinned items such as fruit, custard, hot dogs and meatballs as well as jelly, dry rice and UHT milk. Residents, relatives, staff and visitors at Avon Reach all helped to gather food to include in the bags.
A YOUNG generation of greenfingered gardeners have joined forces with a North Lanarkshire housing provider to celebrate its golden anniversary. Customers at Campsie Gardens in Cumbernauld have teamed up with 125 pupils and teachers from neighbouring St Mary’s Primary School for a garden project to celebrate Bield’s 50th anniversary. The project will see a 50-shaped flowerbed created in the development’s grounds to mark the milestone birthday, filled with sunflowers which have been donated by The Royal Horticultural Society. A sunflower competition is currently underway with pupils visiting the gardens in their year groups to plant the seeds in containers which have been made from recycled magazines collected by Campsie Gardens’ customers. A prize will be award to the individual with the highest sunflower. Margaret McCallum, development manager at Bield’s Campsie Gardens, said: “When we were thinking of ways to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we realised all of our customers have one thing in common that they adore: gardening. “We reached out to the RHS which has fantastic opportunities for community groups to apply for donations, which enabled us to get the local primary school involved – which is something we always wanted to do due to the existing relationship
the school has with the development. “Our customers love talking to the kids and likewise the pupils are fascinated by some of the stories they have to share. “The recent visits have been made even more special after so many months of limited interaction. “We expect some friendly competition between the pupils and our customers, it will be an exciting day when we find out who came out on top.” Before the pandemic, pupils from St Mary’s would regularly visit the development to spend time with the older customers, and over the last few months have been sending in letters and pictures. The 50th garden project is expected to complete this month, with the winner of the sunflower competition announced when the schools return.
Resident Ann Penfield with her creation.
Residents release inner artists Servicemen and women at RAF High Wycombe have washed cars at their base to raise money for Royal Star & Garter. The team spent four hours cleaning a total of 32 vehicles, and raised £266.58 for the charity. Residents from the charity’s High Wycombe Home paid the car-washers a visit to thank them for their efforts, and got their minibus scrubbed clean while they were there. The charity’s senior community fundraiser, Lauren Baker, said: “Having the support of RAF High Wycombe means a lot to our residents, who have such close links to the Armed Forces. We’re grateful for their continued support.”
CRAFT enthusiasts at Rogers House spent an artistic morning creating their very own canvases to display around the residential care home. Mermaids, turtles and flamingos were just a few of the things that featured on the residents’ imaginative artwork, when they were given blank canvases and tasked with creating some inspiring new art for the home. Armed with plenty of paint, sequins and glitter, the creative residents set about producing some original pieces, that could be displayed on the
walls, to brighten up the home. Whilst some chose a theme, like nature or sea life, others let their creativity flow and painted whatever came to mind, regardless of the theme, they all looked great in the end. Home manager Jackie Miles said: “Our residents love their creative activities and they had great fun creating their artwork from a blank canvas, they look lovely around the home and have really brightened things up.”
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Care home sails away from Spain GRACEWELL of Woking has ended a 12-week journey touring the world in Spain by bringing the country and its culture to its grounds. The week marked the end of an excursion that has seen Gracewell of Woking visit multiple countries over the world, including China, Mexico and India, all from the comfort of their care home. The week in Spain included Spanish food and music, exploring the culture of Spain, as well as quizzes, trivia learning, and word searches related to the country. On the final day, Spain was celebrated in its entirety with a flamenco dancer show and a buffet. A chocolate fountain with marshmallows was put on, while a garden party was hosted by the home. Team members and volunteers embraced the spirit of the country through fancy dress, and the warm Spanish sun even paid a visit, much to the delight of the residents. General manager Meera Govindapillai said: “We all had a great 12-week trip around the world. Spain was our final destination and we reflected how much we enjoyed and recognised the team effort behind this campaign. “This initiative has brought out a lot of creativity and talent among members of the team.” The Deputy Mayor of Surrey
Resident Joyce Kidd relaxes in the open spaces of Cheslyn Gardens.
Residents enjoy out-ofhome activities again Heath, Helen Whitcroft, was also in attendance to oversee the care home’s Heart & Soul Awards ceremony to celebrate their awe-inspiring team members. Congratulations were given to kitchen assistant Em Pun, activities team members Jane Cox and Andrea Jones and carers Kylie Tomlinson and Bodgan Constantin who each received awards. Meera added: “I am very proud to see the strength among the team in working together and to bring the best ambience and entertainment to all our residents and team members. The Heart & Soul awards in conjunction with the grand finale day was an excellent opportunity to recognise those team members who always goes above and beyond.”
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RESIDENTS at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Michael of Kent Court in Watford were delighted to be able to enjoy a sunny visit to Cheslyn Gardens following the recent easing of Government restrictions. Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure residents continue to exercise and keep active in the home and in their gardens and outdoor spaces. However, this is one of the first trips where residents have been able to safely leave the grounds and enjoy an activity outside the care home. To ensure their health and safety, residents were accompanied by staff members, kept social distance and remained outside at all times. Home manager Beverley Roberts said: “Throughout the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond to
care for our residents. “Now that they are able to meet their loved ones in person and enjoy out-of-home activities, we are very much looking forward to supporting our residents to reconnect with their local community and enjoy new activities.” In March, Prince Michael of Kent Court re-opened its doors to family visits in line with Government guidance. Prior to this, families were still able to meet their loved ones safely using the home’s visitor pod, which opened last year. All visitors must undergo the necessary health and safety checks, including receiving a negative lateral flow test result and wearing PPE before entering the care home.
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