care homes Archives - Page 2 of 2

Weymouth – A Care Home Near the Sea is a Wonderful Place to Be

Posted on 2 May 2019 by dukadmin

Thirty years ago, Weymouth became our first care home. As a family-run business, this will always make it a special place for us, once our family home, today it is where our Head Office is still based so we all still have a daily connection with the home, residents and staff. It’s also a special place for the many residents who have stayed with us over that time, and for their families who’ve had the peace of mind of seeing their loved ones well cared for.

We know there are many considerations when people choose a care home. The first of these is to make sure that the home offers the range of care and services you are likely to need. Weymouth care home offers nursing care, holiday or respite care and assisted living.

Above all, a care home has to be inviting, both for potential residents looking for a suitable home and for families and friends when they come to visit. The first impression should always make you feel welcome and at home. Friendly staff and a good standard of both living and communal accommodation are important factors when you make your decision.

Family values still shape our care and the home from home atmosphere we cherish. Each resident has the opportunity to have favourite photos and keep-sakes as a reminder that they are an important part of their own family as well as ours.

Staying Active and Engaged

Our welcoming communal spaces and garden are all about encouraging residents to be as active and engaged as possible. And our location, not far from one of Dorset’s finest beaches and seafronts, is another incentive for people to get out in the fresh air.

Dorset also has a wealth of local places of interest for days out and visits, either on one of our organised trips or with your visitors. Because of our location our residents are never stuck for something to do or somewhere to go.

Weymouth has proved to be an excellent location for a care home. It’s a pleasant place to live with plenty to do. It’s also easy for visitors to get to. We work hard to make sure our home lives up to the rest of the experience. If you would like to find out more about Weymouth Care Home or even spend the day with us, please contact us.

A Time for Looking Forward, as Well as Back

Posted on 20 March 2019 by dukadmin

Older people living in care homes need a number of things to maintain their physical and mental well-being. The opportunity to take part in meaningful activities and to have family and friends still actively involved in their lives are crucial.

Wherever possible, a positive and forward-looking approach is particularly beneficial. Later life is a good time to try out new experiences and learn new skills. You have the time to try out activities you maybe always wanted to have a go at but were perhaps too busy to do in the past. It’s an important role for care homes to ensure that later years are as active and fulfilling as possible.

The Wishing Tree

One of the new features we’ve introduced into our care homes is the Wishing Tree. Our activity coordinators ask each of our residents what they would like to achieve over the next twelve months. Each ambition is written on a label and hung on the tree. We then work with our residents to help make their wishes become a reality.

The intention is for the tree to become a focus for residents and that their families will encourage them to come up with ideas that could help them reconnect with their past and recall significant memories and emotions.

Creative Minds

Our extensive activity programmes also include Creative Minds art classes. These are tailored for care residents and involve visits from tutors each month to take classes in a range of art forms.

As well as being fun, these classes boost self-confidence and esteem. Learning new skills helps to keep the mind healthy through cognitive stimulation and maintains and improves motor skills.

We aim to help all our residents to remain physically and mentally active, and to get the greatest number of positive experiences possible from their later years by continuing to look forward, not just back.

Red Nose Day at Steepleton Manor

Posted on 18 March 2019 by dukadmin

Staff at Steepleton Manor enjoyed dressing up for Red Nose Day on Friday 15th March to show their support for Comic Relief.

Altogether Connect – Now You Can Take Advantage of Our Recruitment Expertise

Posted on 15 February 2019 by dukadmin

Running multiple care homes and care at home services across Dorset, South Somerset and Hampshire means we have a wealth of experience in recruiting staff for a wide range of roles. As well as our excellent care staff we also recruit commercial and domestic cleaners, handymen, chefs and nurses.

Our reputation for excellence is built on our people so we’ve become adept at finding and selecting people with the skills and personal attributes needed to succeed in a service environment.

Our staff resourcing process is highly developed and effective. So, we thought, why not share that expertise? Within the communities we work in there are countless businesses who need to recruit people with similar skills. These include hotels, pubs, restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, offices, schools and other care homes. Individual home owners also sometimes need cleaning and handyman services.

Introducing Altogether Connect

Altogether Connect is a new service to help a wide range of organisations find the staff they need. Now there is a simpler and cost-effective way to source temporary and permanent staff for the roles mentioned above. Our specialist recruitment team can help with everything from creating job descriptions and advertising through to pre-selection of candidates.

For smaller businesses, recruitment can eat up time that could be spent more productively elsewhere. It might not be something that you have been trained to do. And making poor recruitment decisions can be costly.

Altogether Connect takes the stress and uncertainty out of recruitment. Unlike a standard recruitment agency, we have first-hand experience of how people tend to perform once appointed. This gives us an additional insight into the individuals who are likely to be the best fit for your needs.

So, if you’re a hotel, pub, restaurant, school, surgery, or indeed a care home, and you’re looking for staff in Dorset, South Somerset and Hampshire, give the Altogether Care Connect team a call today on 01305 235 500. See how we can help save you time and the costs of making the wrong recruitment decisions.

Christmas Traditions at Steepleton Manor

Posted on 5 December 2018 by dukadmin

Each family and individual has special Christmas traditions – the same applies to care homes. Steepleton Manor has their very own tradition which allows every resident to add a bauble of their choice to the Christmas tree. This year, the families of residents will be joining in with the tradition. The tree was put up, as always, on the 1^st December.

Whilst this may seem like a small thing to do, it’s important for residents to keep the traditions alive. Carol singers from the local primary school will be singing songs of joy to the residents and staff on the 23^rd December.

On Christmas Eve, there is mince pies, sherry and more carol singing. Christmas Day will see families joining their loved ones to enjoy their Christmas meal and Santa visits in the afternoon with special gifts for the residents.

SO, You Need to Find a Care Home? – What Are Your Options?

Posted on 30 October 2018 by dukadmin

The need to choose a care home normally follows a care needs assessment carried out by your local social services department or a discharge from hospital. In either case, you will have an assessment of your needs that will be used to create a care plan.

The Age UK website has plenty of useful information about how care assessments work and the support you are entitled to.

Following the assessment, there will be a means test to determine how much you will have to contribute to the cost of your care. If you are planning to move permanently into assisted living the means test will include the value of your property, but not if you will be receiving care at home.

If it is decided that residential care is the most appropriate option, the local authority will give you a list of local care homes. This may not be a complete list, particularly if the local authority is funding all or most of your care. It is usually a good idea to carry out some additional research yourself.

The internet is a good source of information and a simple search on Google will give you an extensive list of local care homes. You will also find online reviews to help you narrow your choice. Other things to consider are whether a home is convenient for friends and family to visit and how easily you will be able to access leisure facilities, a place of worship or whatever else is important in your life.

Paying for Care

If you have assets (normally savings and property) of more than £23,250 you will be expected to pay the full cost of residential care. The value of your property may not be included if you live with a partner, child, or a relative who is disabled or over the age of 60. This process can get quite complicated so getting help from a friend, family member or carer can be helpful.

When choosing a care home or care at home provider it can be helpful to look beyond your immediate care needs. If it’s likely that care needs will become more extensive over time, will you be able to get the extra help you need without having to find a new provider?

If you are in hospital, any care needs should be assessed before you are discharged and a suitable care plan should be put in place. Sometimes this may be a question of temporary or reablement support while you fully recover from your treatment. Again, this can be either care at home or assisted living. This care will normally be free of charge for up to six weeks.

We have published a number of easy to follow guides covering many aspects of arranging and funding your care. Subjects include funding your care, direct payments, knowing your rights and more about your care options. We would also be delighted to show you around any of our care homes, so you can see for yourself what supported living in a caring environment looks like. Contact us today on 01305 300 161 to arrange a visit.

Active and Socially Connected – Health and Wellbeing in Later Life

Posted on 13 August 2018 by dukadmin

There is a wide body of evidence to show that being physically and socially active in our later years leads to fewer health problems and may well prolong life. Among the many advantages of assisted living is the fact that company is always easy to find, and that leisure and physical activities are easier to access than for many older people.

Activity programmes play an important part at all our Care Homes. And because we know about care so well from 30 years in the sector, it’s easier to provide activities that residents will enjoy and find the most beneficial.

The setting of the home can provide plenty of opportunities. A stroll around the beautiful grounds at Steepleton Manor, for example, is a delight in almost any weather- the Tuesday gardening club is a great time for socialising, as well as the opportunity to do something practical and meaningful. All our homes feature outside spaces for residents to enjoy the fresh air whenever they want.

Physical Activity

Further physical activity is provided through ball games and chair aerobics, with plans to extend the programme further. Craft and art activities are proven to have emotional and cognitive benefits, and residents can take part in art classes, jewellery making and pottery decoration. There are also guided meditation sessions, which can be beneficial physically and emotionally.

We also have an active film club as well as regular visits from musicians and singers and regular trips out.

For too many older people ageing means increasing isolation and reduced participation, which inevitably impacts on physical and emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to ensure that our residents are able to enjoy and lead a full life in their later years.

We are also keen to ensure that our residents remain connected to the outside world. So we are currently working on increasing community involvement by liaising with the local school and church. This will be very beneficial to all.

At Steepleton Manor and our other care homes, physical and social activity is part of everyday life.

Why not visit us to see for yourself what life at the Manor is really like? Contact us 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

Sharon wins five year service award

Posted on 4 June 2018 by dukadmin

Congratulations to Sharon Curtis from Care at Home, West Moors who was awarded her five year service badge in May. Sharon is a valuable and much loved member of the team.

Stacey wins Long Term Service Award

Posted on 31 May 2018 by dukadmin

Congratulations to Stacey Williams at Weymouth Care Home who celebrated a Long Term Service Award with her colleagues recently. Stacey (Head of Care), is sent a big hug from everyone in recognition of her award.

Care Homes Open Day at Altogether Care

Posted on 16 April 2018 by dukadmin

Altogether Care will be taking part in National Care Home Open Day this Saturday 21^st April.

The nationwide Open Day event is a chance to celebrate all the different people, cultures and relationships in local areas, and show the community that care homes are friendly, happy and exciting places to be.

Our Care Homes – Sherborne House in Yeovil, Steepleton Manor near Dorchester, and Weymouth Care Home will open their doors this Saturday with an array of activities, information and events available.

Activities include:

High tea
Live music
Care Home tours
Singalongs with the residents

And much more- so what are you waiting for? Come along and meet our residents and staff and to find out why we have been supporting the local community for 30 years.

Little Horse is a Star!

Posted on 6 March 2018 by dukadmin

A visit to a Care Home from a miniature horse provided an extra special treat at Sherborne House in Yeovil.

‘Star’ met each of the residents at the dementia home earlier this year, and made a big impression for a little horse.

April Kibby, from Lofty Therapy Horses said, “Each visit throws up new ‘experiences’ which they are ready to deal with and learn from. We bought our first American Miniature Horse called ‘Lofty’ as a companion for a larger horse and thought we would show him. That never happened as we took him to visit my father in law in a nursing home and the rest as they say, is history.

Star is the only female therapy horse and is an American Miniature Horse that was donated to us for therapy use. She came from a farm in Cheshire. She originally came from Texas as a 6-month old foal. She is 8.5 years old and 32 inches high, our smallest therapy horse”.

Miniature horses can live up to 30 years and like regular sized horses enjoy a roam in a field and a warm stable at night.

Lofty has made several TV appearances and continues to visit nursing homes, hospices, nurseries, hospitals and schools.

Special little trainers are made for the horses which enable them to trot around indoors whilst on their visits. They are also trained to go in a lift making them easily accessible to all floors.

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.

Owl is a hoot at Weymouth Care Home

Posted on 23 June 2016 by dukadmin

A barn owl proved to be popular at Weymouth Care Home when he dropped in to visit residents. The visit was one of many planned activities at the care home which is owned by Altogether Care.

Manager, Paula Hartley said, ‘We like to organise lots of interesting events and visits for our residents and birds and animals are always very popular. We have an Alpaca coming to visit soon. We’d like to thank The Owl Academy for allowing our residents the pleasure of seeing such a beautiful bird’.

Why family-run care homes are often the best choice

Posted on 10 May 2016 by dukadmin

Making the decision to move into a care home – and choosing the right one – is never easy.

Usually, you’ll be saying goodbye to the house where you’ve spent many years of your life. And leaving familiar surroundings where you feel safe and secure.

That’s why it often makes sense to choose a family-run care home.

While they’re subject to the same quality standards as any organisation, family-owned care homes also have a personal stake in the businesses and its reputation.

As well as helping to drive up standards, this also makes them more accountable. After all, if there’s an issue over quality, they can be held to account straightaway. As opposed to a big company where the complaint would probably have to be passed through numerous members of staff.

Also, family care businesses are almost always smaller than those owned by corporate companies. And they’re not beholden to shareholders in the way large businesses are.

This means the owners have more freedom to create the kind of homely, close-knit environment they’d want their own relatives to live in.

It’s easier for them to focus on the small details, which often makes all the difference. Like the meals they cook, the outings they organise or entertainment they put on. Rather than stick rigidly to decisions made by corporate bosses hundreds of miles away.

They can run homes according to their own family values, and make the dignity and comfort of residents their highest priority.

And because they’re often smaller, staff and residents get to know each other better. As a result, residents often receive more personalised care and maintain more of their individuality and independence.

Family-run homes will often have been part of the community for many years. The owners will be locals themselves, know the area, and sometimes the residents’ families. This helps residents relate to the owners, and makes the move into a home as comfortable and stress-free as possible – for them and their families.

Tag: care homes