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Altogether Care expands its high street presence

We have received a positive response to the opening of our three latest Care at Home offices in West Moors, Poole and Yeovil.

Our ‘Care at Home’ branches offer local people an opportunity to explore and arrange care services for their loved ones by popping into see our specialist staff, who can assist in arranging a wide spectrum of care services for people who wish to remain in their own home but may require regular assistance.

We have been astonished by the high take-up of our care service and the high degree of customer satisfaction and happiness. This, we believe, is due to the scope and reliability of our local service for local people and its pick and mix characteristics. The engagement of our staff and their commitment to providing the best service is so rewarding and exciting to be part of. Care at Home is an important part of the local health and social care infrastructure, and for many people it provides a lifeline and a chance to remain safe at home for longer.

Mara Celebrates 90th Birthday

Mara McGregor celebrated her 90th birthday recently at Steepleton Manor Care Home. On her birthday she was presented with a chocolate cake, a bunch of roses and a plant and card signed by all staff. She also enjoyed listening to a live harp and flute music performance.

Born on 10th March 1927, Mara – Marigold McGregor, was born in Penang, a small island close to Malaysia. She grew up in Africa and met her husband in East Africa. They moved to England in 1950 and have two daughters and a son.

She worked as a portrait artist and was privileged to Paint the Queen Mother, the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in live settings. She later took an interest in painting animals and has painted some famous racehorses and went on a wildlife tour to Africa with David Shepherd.

Mara came to live at Steepleton Manor in 2012 and is a much-loved resident.

St. Patrick’s Day unites care home residents

Weymouth Care Home, Steepleton Manor, and Sherborne House united last week and joined forces on St Patrick’s Day to celebrate all things Irish.

Residents and staff from all three care homes enjoyed live Irish music as Accordionist Louise Dukes led the way with Irish tunes such as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Molly Malone’ and ‘The Galway Shawl’, and residents enjoyed making Shamrock shaped collages. Over 35 people clapped and sung along to old Irish favourites such as ‘Edelweiss’ and ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’.

Irish flags, balloons and decorations were put up especially for the day. All staff and residents thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations!

PJ Day at Care Home

Many people wish that they could wear their pyjamas to work… and recently that wish came true for staff at Sherborne House, where both residents and staff participated in a pyjama day to raise money for charity.

The event was held to raise money for the Children’s Heart Foundation, in honour of Sebastian Leader who has undergone three heart operations. Residents and staff enjoyed a comfy day in their pyjamas, onesies and slippers, raising a total of £66.06.

Well done to all those involved!

Understanding Dementia Care

Understanding how to care and support a person suffering from Dementia can be a challenge. Dementia is the umbrella term for a wide range of symptoms linked with the decline of memory to a level which then affects a person’s ability to independently function as they once did. The most common form of Dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease but there are also many other forms of dementia which are less common but display similar symptoms and will have similar effects upon the person suffering.

Living with dementia can have a big emotional, social, psychological and practical impact on a person especially as the disease develops. Forgetting short term memories and finding themselves very confused can upset, frustrate and anger someone suffering. In some cases their long term memories will be their strongest and nostalgic environments, pictures and music can be the triggers to open them up.

As the disease develops and the person begins to forget more this can affect:

• Personality
• Confidence
• Social ability
• Independent abilities and skills – at the beginning this could include driving and cooking but as the disease is progressive can develop to feeding themselves and controlling bodily functions

Despite the biggest impact being on the person suffering from this disease, their carer’s, family and friends will also face a huge challenge adapting to support and care. This video portrays one man’s struggles coming to terms with how his wife has changed from suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease. Often families wish to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible, in familiar surroundings, where they can care for them. But as a progressive disease it often comes to a point where professional care is required in the form of a specialist care home.

It can be difficult to choose which care home will be most beneficial to your loved ones care needs. Altogether Care’s specialist dementia care home is Sherborne House. Person-centred care is principle in our philosophy, believing that those living with Dementia who are well supported by a professional team giving them their time and energy are more likely to lead fulfilling lives for longer. Sherborne House has been furnished and decorated with Dementia in mind, incorporating sensory touches and memory triggers that research has shown really benefits the cognitive process. Clinical care is supported with a healthy diet, using fresh ingredients and menus to suit all tastes and requirements and at times we will also call upon various alternative therapies such as; physiotherapy, reflexology Reiki and aroma-therapy to complement clients care needs.

We understand how difficult it can be to entrust a care home with a loved one who you have watched suffer from the changes of Dementia which is why we offer you to spend the day with us to really get a feel for our homes.

To find out more about the tailored care that we can offer you, get in touch 01305 300 161.

William Woos Residents

William the miniature donkey from Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary visited Steepleton Manor Care Home recently and took advantage of some extra fuss and attention from staff and residents. Daphne Morrison, 99, (pictured) made the most of meeting him.

For some residents, it stirred up memories of the past and for others it simply provided the chance to stroke an animal usually found in fields, on beaches or in Christmas Nativity events.

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary is a charity so all proceeds from their visit will go directly to help rescue donkeys. The charity rescues and cares for donkeys both in the UK and worldwide and was formed in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, MBE.

 

Verwood Team Score Success

We are proud to sponsor the team kit for Verwood Ladies football team, who play on Tuesdays at Potterne Park. The team have won a number of matches since they formed in 2015, and despite finishing one from the bottom of the league last season, they are now fifth place in the Dorset Women’s league.

Karla Jordan, defensive midfield, said, ‘We currently have around twenty players and the club is looking to enter the South West Women’s league next season. We have fantastic training facilities and a great pitch. We are working closely with Verwood Girls, and always looking to grow our squad. It’s important to develop the future of women’s football locally and beyond’.

Photo: Verwood Ladies Football Team

Gracie is a hoot with the residents!

Animal therapy for care home residents has been proven to enhance wellbeing and positively encourages interaction. Regular contact with animals can not only aid sensory stimulation but also brings smiles to many faces. Here at Altogether Care, we regularly receive visits from furry four and two-legged friends to enhance the lives of those who live with us.

Last week residents at Steepleton Manor Care Home enjoyed some animal therapy when Gracie the owl from a Dorset based Owl Sanctuary dropped in. Everybody enjoyed stroking Gracie, who seemed to be quite at home despite the fact that it was not night time!

Photo: Anne Dixon with Gracie.

Some recent day to day activities