Uncategorised Archives - Page 3 of 6

A Loved One Has Been Diagnosed With Dementia – What Happens Next?

Posted on 19 April 2021 by dukadmin

When somebody is told that they have dementia, it will trigger all sorts of thoughts and emotions. Responses can be a mix of shock, sadness, fear and sometimes even relief that there’s an explanation for some of the changes they have experienced.

The inevitable question is, ‘what next?’. Living with dementia changes your life, whether you are the person with the diagnosis, a loved one or a carer. There are practical issues to consider as well as those related to care and emotional wellbeing. A carer’s life can be stressful and challenging, so it’s best to be prepared.

DEMENTIA CARE OPTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Wellbeing

Dementia inevitably changes close personal relationships. It helps to talk openly about what this will mean for everyone concerned. If your spouse or partner is diagnosed with dementia, it will mean a huge adjustment for both of you. Inevitably, your main concern will be for your partner but don’t forget that you will also be affected and that you need to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing.

You may be able to find training and local support groups to help you in your role as a caregiver. Support and online discussion groups – such as the Alzheimer’s Society Talking Point – are also available to help your loved one cope with the adjustment.

Above all, it will take time for your loved one to adjust to the diagnosis. You could suggest counselling, perhaps at a memory clinic, which can be a big help. Charities such as Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK provide services that may also help. These include helplines, support groups, day centres, shopping services and home care.

A diagnosis brings an entitlement to a care and support needs assessment from your local council. You can arrange this by contacting social services or through your GP, consultant or other health service professional.

ACCESS MORE USEFUL RESOURCES

Carer’s Assessment

If you care for someone, you can have an assessment to see what help could make your life easier. The types of help you could get include:

Respite care so you can take a break
Training in how to lift safely
Help with housework and shopping
Access to local support groups

This is definitely the time to look after your health and that of your loved one – including regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet. If your loved one is feeling depressed after their diagnosis they may need plenty of encouragement and cajoling to take good care of themselves.

Practical Considerations

There are inevitably some practical issues to plan for. Here are the main things to consider:

Register as a carer with your GP.
Make sure that your loved one has an up-to-date will and has assigned lasting powers of attorney for when they are no longer able to make financial or healthcare decisions for themselves.
Claim any benefits that you are entitled to. These could include a Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance. As a carer you may be eligible for a Carer’s Allowance.
Make sure that papers relating to your loved one’s bank accounts, mortgage or rental documents, insurance policies, tax and pension details, bills and guarantees are in order and easy to find.
Think about advance care planning so that your loved one’s wishes for their ongoing care are written down.

At some stage in the future, it’s likely that care support will be needed – either care at home or residential and nursing care. Contacting a care provider such as Altogether Care will help you understand the options available and how your loved one’s needs might change in the future.

For information on Dementia Care options, call 01305 206140 or email info@altogethercare.co.uk.

Covid Shouldn’t Prevent You Getting The Care You Need

Posted on 16 February 2021 by dukadmin

Many older people find everyday life an increasing struggle. They experience isolation and their health or care needs place a growing burden on over-stretched care givers. In normal times, moving into a residential care or nursing home would have been an obvious step to explore.

The pandemic changed this. But we are now one year on from the first wave of Covid-19 infections and we are in a much better place. The vaccination programme for care staff and older people is well advanced. By the time this article is published everyone over 70 should have had at least one dose of the vaccine, which is enough to protect against serious illness.

Even without vaccines our care homes are in a strong position to continue protecting our residents. There’s regular testing for staff and clients and no new residents are admitted or transferred from hospital without a negative test. Altogether Care has also invested in the highest standards of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff and residents. Alongside this we maintain rigorous cleaning and hygiene measures.

VISITATION POLICY

Distancing

For the time being we are still not allowing any visitors to our homes. As the vaccination programme rolls out further this will be reviewed. But, in the meantime, it’s safety-first. Our residents are supported to use tools like Zoom and Facetime to stay in touch with friends and family while we maintain distancing – which we want to be physical rather than social.

Naturally, we can’t run the full range of activities and outings that our residents have become used to. Life in our homes is still a little different. But there’s the reassurance that personal and medical care needs are being looked after and that there’s regular contact with other people in a safe environment.

READ COVID-19 DIDN’T TAKE THE CARE OUT OF OUR CARE HOMES

Arguably, care homes will soon be among the safest places to be, thanks to vaccinations and strict protective measures. Above all, they are places where people are well looked after and not alone. Moving into a care home remains a positive step for many older people that will help them to enjoy a better quality of life. Perhaps now is the time to reconsider that ‘next step.’

To find out more about our care homes or to organise care for loved one, contact 01305 300 161 or email contact@altogethercare.co.uk.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CARE HOME

Choosing A Care Home – What Do You Need To Think About?

Posted on 13 January 2021 by dukadmin

A new year is often the time for taking stock and making plans. For older people it’s maybe an opportunity to think about whether they need extra help with everyday tasks or perhaps more extensive care. Depending on your needs there are plenty of options, ranging from personal care in your own home to full time nursing care.

The starting point is usually a care needs assessment carried out by your local council. The assessment is to identify and document your needs. It isn’t there to tell you what to do, it’s to help you choose the type of care that suits you best.

It might be that you can continue living in your own home with a few modifications, perhaps supported by a care at home service. For some, residential care will be the best option. Here too, there are choices.

The most suitable care home will depend partly on the type of care you need. This could be personal care such as help with washing and dressing, through to round the clock registered nursing or specialist care. Most importantly, the care home you choose should be somewhere that you will feel at home and well cared for.

How to Choose a Care Home

Choosing a care home is a big step. It’s important to do your research to be as sure as possible that you’re making the best choice. Points to consider include:

Funding support. You may be eligible for some financial support, depending on your circumstances. Most people will need to pay for some or all of their care so financial planning is important.
Recommendations and online reviews. It’s helpful to see what families of care home residents say about the home.
Your own impressions. Does it feel like somewhere you’d be happy to live?
The type of care you need.

All Altogether Care homes provide nursing care to meet most people’s needs. Sherborne House also has specialist nursing care for dementia, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, stroke victims and behavioural difficulties arising from a loss of mental awareness. Each home is friendly, welcoming and caring and makes it a priority for you to maintain as much independence as possible.

Find out more about our homes.

Alternatively, call 01305 300 161 or email contact@altogethercare.co.uk for more information.

This Christmas, the Elderly Will Be Even More Affected by Loneliness

Posted on 16 December 2020 by dukadmin

Even in normal times, winter can be a difficult time for the elderly. Colder weather and short days mean that there are fewer opportunities to get out and meet people. This winter, we have the added factor of Covid-19 restrictions. These make it harder for people to receive visitors or go out and socialise.

There is hope around the corner with the first vaccine being approved for use in the UK. Even so, the virus will be with us for many months. As we look forward hopefully to a return to normal living we can’t afford to forget life as it currently exists for many elderly people.

Loneliness and isolation are major concerns. The ongoing pandemic can only heighten these feelings with the added fear of possibly contracting the virus. Age UK estimates that around one third of elderly people are finding life particularly difficult.

What Can We Do To Help Combat Loneliness?

Probably the simplest thing we can all do is to be kind and considerate. Take a few moments to have a conversation, offer to help with collecting prescriptions or shopping. Don’t underestimate how powerful it is just to know that somebody cares enough to ask if you need help. According to Age UK a survey conducted for their No One Should Have No One campaign, two million people said they wouldn’t have got through the pandemic without ‘the kindness of strangers.’

Zoom, Skype and other video conferencing technology are helping people to feel less cut off. Having the technology available is one thing, taking the time to use it to contact an elderly relative is even more important. Altogether Care has worked hard to make sure our residents can use the latest technology to keep in touch with family and friends throughout what has been a difficult year for us all.

Maintaining physical visits, as far as we are able, is a priority. We recently updated our Visitation Policy to help us take care of the emotional wellbeing of our residents while also keeping them as safe as possible.

VISITATION POLICY

Hopefully, normality is around the corner. Until then, let’s do all we can to help prevent elderly people from feeling lonely and isolated.

For more information about anything mentioned in this article, email contact@altogethercare.co.uk.

Is Now the Time to Consider Live-in Care?

Posted on 18 June 2020 by dukadmin

While the number of cases is declining, the battle against COVID-19 in the UK is far from over. A vaccine is, at best, many months away. Most health experts are still concerned about the possibility of a second wave of the virus when we move into autumn and winter. These are the seasons when viral infections spread most easily.

Fortunately, medical science is learning more about the virus every day. Even so, the most effective measures currently available are physical distancing and good hygiene. And for older people with care needs, distancing presents difficulties. It is more difficult and stressful for relatives and informal carers to visit to help with personal or medical care if we are in lockdown.

Even as most of the country eases its way out of lockdown, the advice for vulnerable people with underlying health issues is to be cautious about going out or receiving visitors. In these circumstances the problem isn’t just lack of caregiving, it’s also lack of companionship.

Residential or Live-in Care?

So, if friends and family are not able to help with care, or are not willing to visit for fear of infecting a vulnerable person, what’s the best option?

Care homes could be a less attractive option for many people than before the pandemic. A recent poll showed that 40% of over 65s are less likely to consider moving into a care home due to the pandemic. While many homes have had zero or very low numbers of cases, the sector as a whole was severely affected. It will take some care homes a while to recover.

Perhaps Live-in Care offers a more suitable option.

Live-in care means that a carer lives in the client’s home. It is an effective way to make sure that older people with care needs are looked after and that there is always somebody around for the equally important aspects of companionship and conversation, that play such an important part in someone’s mental wellbeing.

You can find out more about our Live-in Care service on our website. Or call us on 01305 206 140 to discuss your needs and options.

Care At Home – Here to Support You Now and in the Future

Posted on 18 June 2020 by dukadmin

The coronavirus pandemic hit the care sector hard in many ways. The emotional cost of dealing with people who became infected and of staff putting themselves at risk to continue delivering care was huge.

Some care providers were already finding life hard before the pandemic and several are starting to worry about whether they will be able to stay in business.

Expanding at a time when others are contracting

But, despite what many papers print, it’s not all doom and gloom in the sector. Altogether Care remains in a strong position both in terms of performance and of the wellbeing of our teams. This is important, because we know that the thing that people who use care services value most of all is stability.

Choosing an organisation to look after your care needs is a big decision. The relationship with your home care provider is both important and personal. The last thing anybody wants is to keep changing care providers when their current one is no longer able to provide a service.

We have grown by over 50% in the last 3 years and are a preferred provider for numerous local authorities. We are continuing to develop our services and expand our network of Care at Home branches to meet the growing demand for care in the UK. The fundamentals of an ageing population with more disparate family units means that more people will continue to seek support in their lives to a lesser or greater degree. And we are ready with more staff, more local offices and more services to help with the house and garden as well as care.

Financial Stability Brings Reassurance

In a recent survey, three quarters of directors of adult social care said they were concerned about the financial stability of home care providers in their area. Some of these concerns were there before coronavirus came to the UK but they are now more acute. Enquiring about the financial stability of a care provider you are thinking of using is more important than ever.

For people living in Dorset, South Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire who are considering care there is the flexibility of using a care at home service where a carer visits on a regular basis to help, or Live-In Care for full time support. Altogether Care will be able to meet your needs now and in the future as a stable, family run provider with over 30 years experience. Call us to discuss your care needs in more detail and find out what type of support will suit you best.

For more information about Altogether Care and our care services, click here. Alternatively, speak to our team on 01305 206 140 or email contact@altogethercare.co.uk.

Covid-19 Didn’t Take the Care Out of Care Homes

Posted on 17 June 2020 by dukadmin

How quickly COVID-19 changed the lives of our staff and care home residents. Almost overnight, things we had taken for granted, such as outings and family visits, were no longer possible.

Naturally, the priority was to help everyone stay healthy and protect residents and staff at our three care homes against the virus. But care is a much bigger picture. As well as taking care of physical health and providing personal care, a care home is also there to promote good emotional and mental wellbeing. Our care teams were determined to carry on doing this despite the changes forced on us by both of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Good nutrition is the foundation of good physical and mental health. The early days of the lockdown emptied supermarket shelves and led to national shortages of some foodstuffs, Altogether Care worked closely with our suppliers to ensure we could continue serving healthy meals to the residents of our three care homes.

Keeping the Activities Going

A normal week in our homes would feature a range of activities such as art, crafts and music. We have been pleased to welcome organisations into our homes to run these activities for many years. The pandemic meant that this was no longer possible – so our staff stepped in to make sure these highly valued activities could carry on.

Some of our staff brought other skills into play so that residents could still experience the feel-good factor of having their hair and nails done.

Family visits were, of course, much missed. Like many organisations across the world, we’ve become experts in using Zoom. A video call is never quite the same as seeing a loved one in person and getting a big hug. But until the hugs make a comeback, helping our residents to make Zoom calls is a vital way to help them stay connected with family, friends and the world outside.

Hopefully the UK can get on top of the virus and everything can get back to normal soon. In the meantime, you can be reassured that we’re doing all we can to look after the wellbeing of our residents.

For more information on COVID-19 and Altogether Care, find out more here. For any other queries, contact the team at Altogether Care on 01202 894 925 or email contact@altogethercare.co.uk.

Hello from everyone at Weymouth Care Home.

Posted on 24 April 2020 by dukadmin

We wanted to say hello and let you know we are thinking of our family and friends. Whilst you have been away we have been making rainbows and flowers that have been put on our windows, the staff are helping us with exercises and we have been singing too.

All these things cheer us up and nothing helps more than spending time in the garden. Many of us are able to use Skype and remain in contact with our families and friends which makes us feel much closer to them at this time.

The staff and residents want to thank the local community that have been donating masks/shields and supplying much-loved chocolate and biscuits to keep us going! We look forward to seeing you all soon. Take care and stay safe.

Best wishes from the residents and staff at Weymouth Care Home

Winter 2020 Newsletter

Posted on 31 March 2020 by dukadmin

Our Winter 2020 Newsletter covers a wide range of articles and topics such as a review of 2020 from Altogether Care’s Chairman; how we helped tackle loneliness over Christmas 2019 with Wiltshire Farm Foods, why care is more than just a job, and what we have been up to on social media.

Read our newsletter by clicking the button below.

Looking After Each Other – a Message From Our CEO

Posted on 19 March 2020 by dukadmin

We know that many of you may be experiencing the impact of the Coronavirus already or will be worried about what it could mean over the coming weeks. As always, our priority is taking care to keep our residents, our clients and our colleagues safe and well.

Given the evolving situation, we wanted to let you know how we are responding and to reassure you that everything is being done alongside health authority guidelines to maintain the health and wellbeing of all our residents and clients remaining in their own homes.

In doing our bit to protect each other and our communities from the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, we have restricted all but essential emergency visiting to our Care Homes and then by appointment only. This policy is under constant review as the situation changes. Please don’t visit if you have any symptoms and need to stay at home, stay in contact by phone and skype. The Home Manager can assist you with the skype contact details for each individual home. If you have recently visited and have been advised to self-isolate in keeping with the Government guidelines, we would ask that you let us know on 01305 206140. We can then discuss what additional measures we may need to put in place.

We maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene in all our homes and on home visits. In the face of the current Coronavirus outbreak we are taking additional measures to ensure the protocols are even more rigorous and doing everything we can at this critical time to keep everyone safe and well. It is an extremely busy time, which has been made more difficult by supply chain difficulties.

Care services are at the front line of the fight against Coronavirus and this is the time we need you to help us win that fight. We have many opportunities for people wishing to consider a role in care, with flexible working and the chance to make a real difference, right now. Full training is provided and we have completely revamped our training to streamline the process for new people to care. To see all the different types of roles and locations we can offer, to get you earning and helping the fight back for our residents and clients during challenging times, visit our opportunities page here.

We are determined to ensure that in these uncertain times we continue to provide the highest standards of care and support for our residents, clients and colleagues, whilst responding to the evolving situation. We also plan to keep you updated as things progress and you can visit our website for more details at www.altogethercare.co.uk.

Lastly, I would like to personally send my on going thanks to all our staff, who are fully committed to the care and wellbeing of our residents and clients. You really are all amazing people, and we will face many challenges in the weeks and months ahead united together.

Stephen Knell
Chief Executive Officer

Maintaining Health and Wellbeing: Why Care at Home May Be the Best Option

Posted on 9 March 2020 by dukadmin

There is sometimes an assumption that having significant care needs automatically means residential care. But that needn’t be the case. There are plenty of options for receiving the care you need in your own home. For many people, care at home can even help them stay healthier for longer.

Good health and mental wellbeing are closely linked. And sometimes wellbeing comes from familiar surroundings and familiar routines. This can be particularly important for people with dementia. Being independent also helps people to feel more active and engaged, which also helps to keep them healthier for longer.

Living on Your Own

If you have a spouse, partner or family member living with you, staying in your home is easier. But even if you find yourself living alone it doesn’t mean that residential care is your only choice.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, people with dementia, ‘often feel happier if they can remain independent and in their own homes as long as possible.’ They list a few important factors for continuing to live contentedly in your own home:

Have a good support network of family, friends and care professionals.
Keep up with social activities and pastimes.
Make a point of calling people regularly and consider using a video calling service such as Skype.
Investigate local befriending groups.
Consider online forums and support groups if you don’t have friends or family you can talk to regularly.

The other important aspect of continuing to live a healthier and happier life in your own home is to find the right home care provider. Even if you need around the clock care to carry on living at home, it is possible to arrange this through a live-in care service. For many more people, it’s likely to be finding help with simpler tasks such as washing, dressing and housework.

Whatever the level of support you need, you should always be able to live at home if it’s where you feel happier and more independent. Talk to the team at Altogether Care and we’ll help you find the home care solution that works best for you. Contact 01305 206140 or email contact@altogethercare.co.uk for more information.

Caring for a Loved One: How to Lift & Handle Safely and Properly

Posted on 9 March 2020 by dukadmin

Being a caregiver is a demanding task. It is likely to be a role that you never asked for and maybe one that you never expected to have. It can be thankless, and it can sometimes feel like you are on your own.

Fortunately, there is help and support available from organisations such as Carers UK where you can find advice, guidance and online forums so you can share experiences and learn from other people in a similar situation.

As a family-run and socially responsible care business, Altogether Care also likes to support unpaid caregivers where we can with advice and occasional training courses.

Moving and Handling

One of the trickiest aspects of caregiving can be when you need to help somebody with restricted movement. Moving and handling comes with the risk of personal injury if you don’t do it correctly. You must also keep the dignity and self-respect of the person being moved in mind. Safe moving and handling are important aspects of the training that all our care staff go through.

Free Training Course

To help, we are offering free training to caregivers on how to move people safely. You’ll be provided with a certificate upon completing the course. It will take on Wednesday 18th March at 2pm and Thursday 26th March at 2pm.

The courses will be held at 13 Carlton Road North, Weymouth, DT4 7PY.

Booking is essential to secure your place. Please email ellief@altogethercare.co.uk or call 07881 802196 to book.

We’ll also give you free tea, coffee and cake. As well as the training you’ll have the chance to meet and talk to other caregivers.

Top Tips

If you can’t make the training here are a few moving and handling tips that will help:

Take account of the weight of the person. If you don’t think you’re strong enough don’t attempt it on your own.
Always get somebody to help if you can.
Make sure there are no obstacles or ‘slip and trip’ hazards.
Never lift above shoulder height
Space your feet to give you a firm and stable base.
Have a firm hold and keep any weight close to your body
Lift from the knees keeping your back straight
Lift as smoothly as possible

Obviously, it’s better to be shown how to do this than read about it. So, if you can, please come along to our free training session. We look forward to seeing you.

For more information, please contact us on 01305 206140 or email contact@altogothercare.co.uk

Getting Into The Yoga Flow at Steepleton Manor

Posted on 5 March 2020 by dukadmin

In our mission to aid health and wellbeing among residents in our care homes, we have introduced regular yoga classes , which offer a gentle by effective workout. The yoga sessions are designed for wheelchair users but anyone can join in on the fun!

Taught by Leah Miles, a Yoga Instructor based in Bridport, the classes are tailored to stimulate many of the muscles that are used in walking, to help build strength and support the immune system. The classes are also calming and relaxing, providing residents with a relaxing way to get exercise.

To find out more about Steepleton Manor care home, contact 01305 300161.

Bea and Peter enjoying a Yoga class with Leah at Steepleton Manor

Do you want to find out about the likely costs for living in a care home? Try our care calculator here.

Care Calculator

Apetito – Food and Drink for People With Dementia

Posted on 2 October 2019 by dukadmin

Apetito has been established since 1928; they employ their own in-house dietitian and registered nutritionist to create and ensure that all meals are not only delicious but that they also meet the nutritional standards required by the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the National Association of Care Catering and the Hospital Food Standards Panel. In 2016, Apetito won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for the second time for our texture-modified meals for people who have difficulty swallowing or chewing.

Altogether Care recognises that good nutrition and providing an enjoyable dining experience are central to promoting good health and well-being among our residents, values we hold dear at Sherborne House.

In September, Sherborne House held a food tasting afternoon delivered by Apetito. The afternoon was a resounding success with residents, family members and staff enjoying an array of mouth-watering dishes; with cleared plates all round.

Following on from this successful afternoon with everyone having the opportunity to fire questions fielded by a team of staff from Apetito; the question was asked whether Sherborne House should adopt Apetito? The decision by all was a resounding yes.

So, what does this mean for our residents?

We can now offer our residents a choice of over 200 delicious meals and desserts, so there’s something for everyone, with a wide range of meals tailored to every taste, dietary and cultural requirement.

For residents who have dementia, we acknowledge that the enjoyment of their meal starts with the eyes, with every mealtime a highly sensory experience, the visual aspect is essential.

We wanted to make a difference for all of our residents but faced our biggest challenge was the presentation and taste of our texture modified meals for residents with swallowing difficulties. Typically, these meals were shapeless, somewhat tasteless, not to mention visually unpalatable. We are now delighted that the meals we now provide are visually appealing; with clean plates all around proving the success of the new recognisable shaped foods.

Most importantly, using Apetito means that all of our meals meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) and National Association of Care Catering (NACC) standards and are in line with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) guidelines. The meals carry the optimal nutritional value, all while catering for dietary requirements and conditions such as dysphagia.

What do CQC Inspection Reports Really Tell You?

Posted on 12 September 2018 by dukadmin

First of all, Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections are a good thing. It is important that there is accountability so that people placing their trust in care services can have confidence that the system is properly regulated.

Accountability also helps providers with common performance benchmarks and guidance on where we can improve.

To make best use of CQC inspection reports when choosing a care home or home care provider, it can help to understand a bit of background and context. Inspectors report on whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. There are four possible ratings: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate. There is no category for ‘satisfactory.’

Some of the inspection rating is based on documentation such as procedures and record keeping and some of it is essentially a snapshot of what inspectors saw and who they spoke to. So, there could be some subjectivity in the findings- there’s also potentially some randomness based on exactly when the inspection happened.

There’s no doubt too, that some providers are better at the process of preparing for inspections than others. Although you could argue that this is what you’d expect from a well-managed organisation.

What do Ratings Mean?

Don’t dismiss homes simply if they are not Outstanding or Good. Care providers, and more importantly, care users are highly individual and other factors should also be considered.

For example, a home with a lower rating may be a better choice for an individual if the location makes it easier for relatives to visit and for the resident to maintain links with the community they come from. It may be that the facilities and activities on offer are more in line with what a particular person wants.

Similarly, you shouldn’t necessarily be put off a care home because its CQC rating at its last inspection was ‘Requires Improvement.’ There may not be that much practical difference between a provider that just got over the threshold to be rated ‘Good’ and one that didn’t quite make it.

If a home or provider is said to require improvement, it’s important to understand what this means. It could be that they provide essentially safe and effective care but need to tighten up some of their management processes. Even a provider with an ‘Inadequate’ rating shouldn’t be discounted out of hand if the management is taking urgent and purposeful action to correct the shortcomings found in the inspection.

The best way to identify the most suitable care home is to arrange a visit during a normal day to see for yourself whether residents look happy and well cared for. By all means, take along a copy of the most recent inspection report and talk through any concerns with the manager. More importantly, go with an open mind and ask: ‘is this a place where I or my loved one could live the life they want to live. To arrange a visit at any of our ‘Good’ care homes, contact us today on 01305 300 161.

Steepleton Manor Open Day 6th October

Posted on 13 July 2018 by dukadmin

On the 6th October 2018, between 12pm and 4pm we are opening our doors at Steepleton Manor care home to celebrate 30 years as a family business in care.

Steepleton Manor is our luxury care home, specialising in assisted living and residential care, set in the picturesque village of Winterbourne Steepleton near Dorchester. Surrounded by six acres of mature landscaped parkland, it features its own walled kitchen garden where residents can grow their own produce. At Steepleton Manor you will find a vibrant living environment with a range of social and exercise activities, a library, tailored nutritional food and therapies to support a healthy and high quality lifestyle.

We want to celebrate our commitment to providing quality care for 30 years and demonstrate what life at the Manor is really like by opening our doors for the day. The event will feature information on the events programme we run, a tethered hot air balloon, classic car display, nutrition information and catering, music sessions, and some freshly made cakes and cream teas to enjoy. Plus, there will be an opportunity to have a look around the manor and learn more about what we do to provide a family feel with our care environment.

For more information, please call us on 01305 300 161.

Steepleton Manor,
Winterbourne
Steepleton
DT2 9LG

A Concise Guide to Direct Payments for Social Care

Posted on 14 December 2017 by dukadmin

Direct Payments are based on the view that you are the best person to decide what care is right for you. We agree that you and your loved ones are the best people to decide what care is right for you. This principle has shaped our care services for nearly 30 years.

Under certain circumstances, instead of your local council choosing your care provider and paying for that care, you can receive money yourself to use with who you choose.

Direct Payments are optional. If you prefer for your council to arrange and pay for care on your behalf that is your choice.

Direct Payments are available to the following people:

Older people who need community care services.
Disabled people over the age of 16.
A parent of a disabled person.
A disabled person who needs help being a parent
A carer or somebody looking after a person who cannot take care of the money themselves.

Before claiming direct payments, you will need an assessment of needs by your local council. You can only buy equipment or help using your Direct Payments if the assessment says you need it. You must keep records of what you spend. Anything you spend on items not included in your assessment may have to be paid back.

What you can buy:

Equipment or help needed so that you or somebody you care for can carry on living at home or leave long-term residential care.
Short-term residential care (if your council agrees).
Employing a helper. This cannot be your husband, wife or a close relative who lives in the same home.

Direct payments cannot be used to buy care from your council or for long-term residential care.

To receive Direct Payments, you will need to prove that you are able to manage the money and spend it on the right things. The amount you get will be sufficient to cover only the care or equipment identified in your assessment of needs. If you would like additional support, you can buy this without it affecting your Direct Payment.

Direct Payments will not affect any benefits you receive such as child support or independent living fund payments. The amount you receive may depend on your income, but payments are not taxable.

We hope this guide will help you understand whether Direct Payments are the best option for you or somebody you care for. You can see an infographic of this guidance here or to find out more about how Altogether Care could help you contact us on 01305 300 161.

Employees of the Month – November

Posted on 29 November 2017 by dukadmin

We are delighted to reveal our Employees of the Month for November for each of our care homes. Each month, care home managers at Sherborne House, Steepleton Manor and Weymouth Care Home will hand pick team members who demonstrate a passion for their role and go above and beyond to provide excellent standard of care and support to residents.

Our Employees of the Month for November are:

Steepleton Manor

Iain Adshead

Iain is Steepleton Manor’s Employee of the Month. Iain works hard throughout the grounds of Steepleton Manor to ensure the gardens are bright and beautiful for the residents.

Sherborne House

Amy Navey

Amy is Sherborne House’s Employee of the Month. Amy is a true asset to the team who is always happy and covers shifts in any department when she can. Nothing is a problem for Amy, who goes above and beyond to brighten up the resident’s days with her bubbly personality and smile.

Weymouth Care Home

Elsa Peneyra

This month’s Employee of the Month for Weymouth Care Home is registered nurse Elsa. Elsa is always ready to go the extra mile for Weymouth Care Home. She has embraced all the new changes that are happening in the home with enthusiasm and a good sense of humour.

Many congratulations to all of our Employees of the Month!

Taking to the sky for charity

Posted on 13 November 2017 by dukadmin

We held an internal competition this year to see which of our colleagues could raise the highest amount for our chosen charity, Hangers Heroes. This charity raises money for local charities in Dorset through many different events and fundraising activities that are thrown throughout the year. Just some of their supported charities include Dorset Search and Rescue, Stella Hayward Rising for the Disabled, Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund and Weymouth Street Pastors.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of this competition is Jessica Thompson!

Jessica braved the skies and completed a tandem 15,000ft skydive raising over £500 for Hangers Heroes. We are extremely proud of her fundraising work; this money will help support Hangers Heroes vital work with local charities.

As the winner, she will receive £150 alongside the incredible memories and stories that she can now share about her brave and exhilarating experience.

Find out more about Hangers Heroes here and like them on Facebook.

Firework Art at Steepleton Manor

Posted on 10 November 2017 by dukadmin

Residents at Steepleton Manor enjoyed sketching a variety of fireworks to mark bonfire night this November.

Although sometimes tricky to capture in the form of a drawing, residents created accurate and life-like pictures.

Drawings pictured are by Margaret, Anne and David.

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