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Fred is an unsung hero

Fred Snelling, 96 from Yeovil had a double celebration recently when he scooped a special award at the Care Focus (South West) Awards and also raised a glass to his 75th Wedding Anniversary with wife, Connie, 97, who is a resident at Sherborne House Care Home.

Fred won ‘Unsung Hero’ award at a glittering ceremony that took place in Taunton on Friday 6th April. The awards are open to all individuals involved in care, support, health and housing either employed or voluntary.

Staff at Sherborne House nominated Fred, who visits his wife Connie every day and insists on supporting the team of care staff in various ways including making cups of tea and spending time talking to both staff and residents.

Caroline Sharp, Manager at Sherborne House said, ‘Fred is amazing and enjoys being part of our family here at Sherborne House. He brings a smile to our faces every day
when he visits. Whilst the care awards generally recognises excellent care that staff provides, it has a special category
for somebody that makes a positive difference to everybody and Fred is definitely that person’!

Planning for the future

As we age, we understand that our needs are going to change and our circumstances will change with this but when it comes to that time, the emotional impact of all these changes can hugely affect our outlook, personality and health. Many individuals will experience the downsizing of space and boxes – after living in a good sized family home, which is then reduced to a small bungalow or flat and then downsized again to fit within a room in a care home. This can be difficult to deal with; changing your environment, in some cases sharing your environment for the first time and accepting that you now need assistance.

So when it comes to choosing the right care home or nursing home it is likely to be a very difficult decision.

What to consider when choosing a care home?

There are many things to consider, ask and check when looking into care homes. Everybody will have different priorities, but some considerations are likely to include:

• The type of care required for your loved one, can it be provided at this care home?
• The cost of the care home?
• Does the home offer stimulating activities and common living areas for social interaction?
• Can all your food and dietary requirements be met?
• Is there enough room to make the space your own, with possessions?
• Do you have easy access to services, such as GP’s, hairdressers, opticians etc?

How can the transition to a care home be eased?

Having a mixture of homely private space, spacious shared environments and the escape of outside facilities will provide the options of finding a space that suits an individual best – making this transition easier. Some will be excited by the prospect of sharing environments with others and having new company, others will find this initially overwhelming, craving private space instead.

Staff within any home should encourage all residents to continue living and enjoying life in their new home, whether that is keeping up a hobby, socialising with other residents, or keeping active with a range of activities and events. The more ‘normal’ the home can feel, the easier the transition is, leading to more relaxed residents.

The person-centred approach

At Altogether Care we see the person first not the age. We call it ‘person-centered care’. Our range of care options are based around best fitting your needs, to encourage you to continue living the life you love, just with the assistance you now need.

With this in mind, we have recently completed a major refurbishment and extension to Sherborne House. This brand new extension wing offers nursing care alongside the current Dementia care that we already offer at Sherborne House. This home features spacious living areas and access to landscaped gardens to enhance resident’s facilities inside and out.  To find out more about Sherborne House visit our website, or for more information on how to reserve a room within the new wing opening on May 1st contact us on 01935 423210.

Major refurbishment at Sherborne House – nursing care now available

We are delighted to announce that a major refurbishment at Sherborne House has been completed which will accommodate a brand new nursing care wing alongside dedicated dementia care. The new nursing care wing extension will mean that Sherborne House increases its capacity to 38 bedrooms, with spacious living areas allowing residents access to landscaped gardens.

Admissions are now being taken for the new wing which opens on the 1st May 2017.

For more information please contact us on 01935 423210 or visit the Sherborne House website.

Mad Hatters!

Residents and staff at Steepleton Manor Care Home enjoyed a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and spent an afternoon making and decorating hats using cardboard templates, with feathers, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, ribbons, paint, stickers, jewels and buttons.

Home-made jam tarts went down well and residents helped staff decorate the hall with large tissue paper pom-poms, balloons, bunting and posters the residents had coloured, as well as some quotes from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

A table was also decorated in a suitable style for a ‘Mad Hatter’s type of tea party – with a chess board in the middle of the table, daffodils, pinwheels, a white rabbit and an array of teapots and cups and saucers.
For the tea party, everyone enjoyed being entertained with some card tricks by one of the residents, Peter Bentley, and had a go at ‘pin the grin on the Cheshire Cat’. Special name labels with ‘nonsensical names’ (names backwards), were worn to add to the occasion.

Testimonial letter

We recently received a testimonial letter from the family of one of our Sherborne House residents who recently passed away – we are so happy to hear that our staff made such a difference to Doris’ life. Thank you to the family of Doris Britton for such kind words.

On behalf of the family of Doris Britton, We would like to express our gratification to Sherborne House Care Home, Yeovil. Once we as a family accepted that Mum/Nan was unable to return home after a long stay in Hospital, we were able to see the positives to this environment and how this Care Home could meet the individual needs of our beloved Mum/Nan.

The professional Care started at the assessment stage, where the Care Home took time to consider if their environment was the most appropriate to meet Mum/Nan’s needs.

Thankfully for us, this Care Home was felt to be a suitable match.

Mum/Nan transferred to Sherborne House Care Home and on her arrival the staff had already supported in preparing her room, making sure this was a welcoming place for her to spend time, a room which could be described as Home from Home.

Sadly for us, Mum/Nan quickly became unwell, meaning she was classed as End of Life. This proving to be a sad time for the family, however, this time was made more bearable with the care and support we as a Family witnessed for our Mum/Nan and also for us as her Family.

During this time, Family spent time within the home 24/7. All family members were made to feel comfortable and welcomed. A bedroom was provided for us to allow us a space to rest, sleep and gather our thoughts, this room was available for the duration of the time Family were at Mum/ Nan’s bedside. This amounted to 7 days in total. During this time refreshments were frequently offered and provided.

Mum/Nan received excellent personal care and all elements were documented in the appropriate way. This resulting in Mum/Nan being comfortable and having her personal care needs met.

What quickly became apparent was the knowledge all staff have in regards to all aspects of the care sector. Whenever questions were asked, the responses were always clearly explained, leaving us with an understanding of the situation.

The atmosphere within this home is very welcoming and this is down to the staff being able to work effectively as a team. Staff members support each other and embrace their roles showing a passion for their jobs.

Care staff knew when to report concerns to the Nurse in Charge and Mum/Nan was promptly seen, the situation assessed and dealt with effectively at all times.
The Manager, Caroline showed us she is hands on in providing the care, as well as effectively managing the Home.

Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff, they all frequently went above and beyond and often asking how we as a Family are coping and feeling.
The Home registered Mum/Nan with an excellent compassionate GP, Dr Steven Wood and made contact with the Vicar to visit. Pets were also welcomed.

Staff members sat with Mum/Nan to ensure she was not alone and all said Goodbye to her, even shedding a tear, as they saw Mum/Nan as part of their extended family.

Sherborne House Care Home recommended AJ Wakely &Sons (Sherborne) as the Funeral Director. We would like to thank them for the Care and Love they have shown to Mum/Nan and the Family. They are a very professional company with compassion and empathy.

Finally, we as a family would like to thank everyone at Sherborne House Care Home for the love, support and Care our wonderful Mum/Nan received and for how you made us feel welcomed and valued throughout this difficult time.

Your love, support, and compassion throughout was very much appreciated and always will be.

-The Family of Doris Britton.

Dorchester Dancers are fantastic!

Residents and staff at Steepleton Manor Care Home were treated to a special dance performance when Dorchester Ballet and Dance Club visited in late March.  The dancers aged from six to sixteen performed a variety of routines including ballet, tap and modern.

A packed audience including the dance teachers, parents of the dancers, residents and staff clapped and cheered and are hoping for a repeat performance soon.

Dorchester Ballet and Dance was founded in 1958 by Ann Hannay and Elizabeth Goodchild MBE, who wanted to “make dance available to all, regardless of age, wealth or ability”. Dorchester Ballet and Dance are a family-friendly not for profit organisation committed to providing dance classes for children and adults at an affordable price and maintaining standards of excellence in teaching for dancers of all abilities.

Some recent day to day activities