dorset Archives - Page 2 of 7

Lack of Dementia Friendly Housing is a Major Issue in the UK

Posted on 5 November 2018 by dukadmin

One feature of the UK’s housing crisis that rarely gets attention is the severe lack of dementia friendly housing. Compared with countries like Australia, France and the Netherlands we have a major lack of options for people with dementia once their condition makes their existing home unsuitable.

There are modifications that can be made to most homes that would make them more suitable for a person with dementia. Age UK has published a range of helpful ideas on their website. Modifications will be easier and cheaper to carry out in some properties than others.

Sometimes, modifying a home sufficiently may not be feasible. And sometimes the particular impairments experienced by a person with dementia may make living in their home (even with modifications) unsuitable.

And here’s where life can get difficult. Even many retirement properties have not been designed, decorated or equipped with dementia in mind. Residential care may become the best, or in some cases, the only viable option. But even here there can be problems if the home is not set up to cater for dementia residents.

The Dementia Friendly Care Home

The environment within the care home is critical. Without careful thought and adaptation, a care home could become a bewildering and unsettling place to live, particularly for a new resident who has to get used to new surroundings, people and routines.

The interior decor makes a huge difference in making the living space calming and manageable. Avoiding busy patterns will make the environment easier to deal with and colour contrasts can be used to help residents easily find their way to the toilet or their bedroom. Additionally, memory triggers and familiar images from a relevant era help residents feel more at home and relaxed and can help with navigation.

Sherborne House specialises in care for people with dementia. We’ve specifically designed and decorated the interior to ensure that our residents with dementia feel at ease and supported, and able to live as independently as possible. To find out more, contact us today on 01305 206 140.

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.

What Will More Technology in Care Mean for Service Users?

Posted on 23 October 2018 by dukadmin

Like most walks of life, the care sector is experiencing technological change. The pace of change is likely to increase rather than decrease.

For some, more technology and automation conjures up an image of a world where social care becomes dehumanised, where conversations are with computer applications and chatbots rather than people. Or where a friendly robot takes care of domestic duties. We believe the reality will be very different, and much more human.

If we look at the technology we are currently using it actually creates more human interaction rather than less. It enhances personal care rather than replacing it.

Care staff use handheld PDA’s to make sure they have instant access to information about service users, their care plans and personal preferences, wherever they are working. Record keeping and observations such as food and drink intake are made in a few clicks.

Real Time Information and Enhanced Care

Care staff have better information to work with and have to spend less time updating or sharing it. Which leaves more time to talk and to develop relationships. Using real-time information enables the delivery of better-quality care that is more focused on the needs of each individual.

Relatives are able to access information for greater peace of mind and have an involvement in care where relevant.

On a grander scale, technology opens the way to even more advancements in care. Artificial intelligence and machine learning ought to do a better job of predicting and planning care needs within an area. Virtual Reality is already helping to improve wellbeing for dementia patients by allowing them to experience environments they knew from years ago.

Good social care has always been, and will always be, something that has human interaction and relationships at its core. Technology will not change this; it will enhance rather than replace those interactions. It will also bring the entire ‘team around the person’ closer together, which includes care staff, health professionals, family and carers.

For anyone interested in better quality, more personalised care, technology is something to be embraced rather than resisted.

To arrange a visit to one of our care homes to see how we are delivering better quality care focused on individual needs, contact us today on 01305 300 161.

30 Years in Care Celebration at Steepleton Manor – a Great Success!

Posted on 15 October 2018 by dukadmin

On Saturday 6th October, Steepleton Manor Care Home near Dorchester opened its doors to the local community to celebrate 30 Years in Care.

The event was a great success, providing a chance for guests to look around the newly refurbished luxury assisted living rooms and facilities and raise money for local charity Hangers Heroes.

The Dorchester Town Cryer opened the event, following a performance from traditional Highland piper Piper 2000. Live music was provided by Poole Borough Band with songs from the likes of Oklahoma, Singing in the Rain and The Beatles, and Wessex FM broadcasting live from the home. Dorchester Classic Vehicle Club’s display of classic cars took pride of place in front of the home.

Residents, staff and guests enjoyed a performance of ‘The Gold Old Days’ Pantomime from Party Time Productions, with younger guests being entertained with balloon modelling from Totally Twisted and face painting from About Face. Jester Patch provided two lively performances for everyone to enjoy – complete with audience participation! We even managed to fit some Alpacas and Owls into the main hall for everyone to meet.

Altogether Care CEO Steve Knell said: “It was a real pleasure to showcase Steepleton Manor at such a special event celebrating 30 years as a family run care provider. It was great to see so many faces from the past and present – staff, residents, clients and entertainers. It made for a really special day.”

A total of £486 was raised for Hangers Heroes – we would like to extend a huge thank you to all performers, guests and care home staff for making the day a huge success.

You can view the photos from the day from visiting our Facebook page.

Employee of the Month – September

Posted on 4 October 2018 by dukadmin

We are delighted to reveal our Employees of the Month for September 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 September are:

Sherborne House

Paul Parker

Paul is an absolute Superstar who helps out at the drop of a hat covering day or night shifts. He sings and dances with the residents and has no trouble raising a few smiles!

Weymouth Care Home

Stacey Williams

Stacey has worked at Weymouth Care Home for five years and continues on a daily basis to make a difference to so many resident’s lives with her hard work and caring nature.

Steepleton Manor

Alan Mead

Alan joined the team in 2016 and is simply a great nurse. He demonstrates care, compassion, competence, courage commitment and great communication.

Congratulations to all Employees of the Month!

Forget Residential Care, think of it as Assisted Living Instead

Posted on 2 October 2018 by dukadmin

Everyone has their own idea of what life in a residential care home would be like. That view isn’t always based on fact or experience and often isn’t accurate. To help get over some of the preconceptions we like to talk about assisted living rather than residential care.

Care sounds a bit passive. But for most of our residents, living is anything but a passive experience. Assisted living means that we see our role as helping our residents live the most active and fulfilling life possible, free from the day to day tasks and concerns of running their own home. Personal care needs, if any, are taken care of by skilled and qualified care staff, but that is far from the whole picture.

Easy Access to Activities

One of the biggest advantages for our residents is that it’s so much easier to take part in a wide range of activities and excursions. It’s possible to end up with a busier and more active social life than when you lived in your own home. There are always people to go with and somebody takes care of the arrangements and transport.

A glance at a monthly activity programme for Steepleton Manor reveals a wide range of excursions and events. Many of these are free and some have a small additional charge to cover entrance fees, transport and so on.

The programme includes theatre trips, pub lunches, a balloon festival, food festivals and trips out to museums and local attractions. This is in addition to the regular craft and exercise activities at the Manor. How many of these would have been available and accessible without assisted living?

Even if you don’t fancy a trip out, there is plenty on offer. If you just want a pleasant stroll, Steepleton Manor is set in beautiful grounds for you to take advantage of, with picturesque landscaped gardens right outside your door.

For an increasing number of people, assisted living is far from being the last resort. It’s the result of a positive choice to get some assistance with everyday life while getting on with things you really want to do.

Awards at Sherborne House

Posted on 25 September 2018 by dukadmin

Two members of staff at Sherborne House received an Altogether Care five year award badge this month.

Martin Middleton, a Carer, was given some Harry Potter memorabilia and Chelsie Spicer, a Senior Carer, some Addams Family items at a special presentation with their manager, Caroline Sharp.

Well done Martin and Chelsie.

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.

Assisted Living – Help to Live Later Life the Way You Want to

Posted on 10 September 2018 by dukadmin

As we get older, routine tasks such as cooking and housework or even bathing and dressing can get harder and more time-consuming. Getting to social events and activities can become a chore. All of which can start to get in the way of living the life you want to live.

At Steepleton Manor and all of our care homes, we see a vital part of our role as providing assisted living rather than just delivering care. We aim to make the basics as simple as possible so that our residents can spend more time doing what they like.

An extensive refurbishment programme at Steepleton Manor is providing residents with new high-quality modern accommodation. Here they can live independently with all the reassurance that assisted living support and care. Living in a luxurious Grade II country house, set in beautiful grounds and surrounded by friends is also a wish fulfilled for many.

Companionship, social activities, and trips are always close to hand. In addition to our activities programme, we can also provide chargeable custom events to meet resident’s needs- such as a trip to the pub for lunch, fishing, or a trip to the theatre, all of which can be arranged with or without support from care staff.

Care Homes Redefined

As people live longer and stay healthier, we are seeing a redefinition of old age as simply another phase of a fulfilling and enjoyable life. The role of the care home is changing to suit.

In the past, it may have been seen as somewhere you go when you can no longer cope. Now it is increasingly seen as a positive choice where people might opt to use some of the wealth they have earned to make later life easier, more fun, and less like hard work.

If there are specific medical or care needs it also helps when these are provided in the place people live, and that trained care staff are on hand to make sure that the care given is adapted as needs change.

If your picture of a care home is of an austere setting where people count off their remaining days, pay a visit to Steepleton Manor or any Altogether Care home – you’ll see a very different picture. Contact us today on 01305 300 161 or visit our website.

Altogether Rocks find their way around Dorset

Posted on 7 September 2018 by dukadmin

Residents at Weymouth Care Home recently had great fun painting rocks and placing them at random locations around Dorset. ‘Altogether Rocks’ is a community event for local people to place and find decorated rocks around their local area.

First, residents paint the rocks and then put them in secret locations for other participants to find. When the rocks are found they can then take a photo of them and hide it in another location for the next person to find. The event has already bought lots of smiles to the faces of residents at Weymouth Care Home who have painted their rocks in a variety of colours and symbols.

Elaine Galliott, Activities Co-ordinator from Weymouth Care Home said, ‘It’s a fun event that appeals to those of all ages. Anyone interested can follow the event at #AltogetherRocks on Twitter.

Pub Trip brings back happy memories

Posted on 31 August 2018 by dukadmin

Three residents from Steepleton Manor enjoyed lunch at The Kings Arms this week. The Kings Arms Pub is in the West Dorset village of Portesham close to the Jurassic coast, and has been a pub since at least 1900. It’s a favourite with local people and tourists who enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Bill, Reggie and Helen relaxed with a tipple and remembered some happy times in the past when they lived locally. Bill worked as a farmer in Forston and Reggie, a retired Army Colonel, lived at Litton Cheney.

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: An Environment Designed Around Health and Wellbeing

Posted on 8 August 2018 by dukadmin

The links between environment, wellbeing and good health are well established. We put a lot of thought into the physical environment and surroundings at all of our care homes for this reason. The right environment not only reduces stress and anxiety but also offers more opportunities for physical and leisure activities.

Steepleton Manor is probably the best example of this. It is a very attractive grade II Victorian manor house set in 6 acres of landscaped, parkland grounds. Residents never need to go far to experience a tranquil green space.

The grounds provide a perfect, safe, off-road area for walking and exercising, with a variety of features, including mature trees and landscaped gardens. The overall feeling is one of great open spaces and calm. The house is set well back from the road in the quiet village of Winterbourne Steepleton so there is hardly any noise to spoil the peace and quiet – apart maybe from birdsong.

The grounds also feature a kitchen garden where residents can grow their own vegetables to enjoy with their lunch or dinner. Again, gardening and growing vegetables is highly therapeutic. It’s an opportunity to take part in meaningful activity and to be more independent.

And there can be few better places to relax on a sunny day than the lovely patio area outside the house.

Healthier, Inside and Out

The importance of environment is brought into the interior of the home. Bright, spacious rooms continue the light and airy feeling as does the large open plan lounge area. For ultimate peace and quiet there is a smaller lounge and a well stocked library.

Good company is also important and the common rooms provide a great place for social activities and informal, relaxed interaction with fellow residents.

Private space matters too. So rooms feature en-suite facilities to provide a fully self contained living space for each resident – a space they can truly call their own.

We believe that Steepleton Manor provides an unrivalled life-enhancing environment for our residents in their later years. If you’d like to see it for yourself please arrange a visit, or call us on 01305 300 161.

Verwood Ladies sponsorship

Posted on 8 August 2018 by dukadmin

Verwood Ladies Football Club would like to thank Altogether Care for sponsoring their training tops this season.

Additional new players and media coverage from The Echo has boosted the team morale. Next season is set to be an exciting one!

Employee of the Month – July

Posted on 30 July 2018 by dukadmin

We are delighted to reveal our Employees of the Month for July 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 July are:

Sherborne House

Dean Greenslade

Dean is always willing to help whenever he can and demonstrates efficiency at work. He is a valuable asset to Sherborne House.

Weymouth Care Home

Alan Stevens

Alan has been nominated for his cheery disposition, winning smile and for how attentive he is to the resident’s needs, providing mouth-watering, nutritious meals.

Steepleton Manor

Deborah Stanford

Apart from being a good carer, Debbie is kind-hearted, considerate and cheerful. She brightens a room when she walks in with her sunny smile and cheerful greetings. She is reliable with great time keeping skills and a great asset to the team.

Congratulations to all Employees of the Month!

West Moors Award

Posted on 27 July 2018 by dukadmin

Congratulations to Laura House and Charley Blackburn from Care at Home, West Moors. Both ladies received a 5-year service awards this month. Ami Vine presented the awards along with a big ‘well done’!

Getting the Balance Right with Care Home Food

Posted on 24 July 2018 by dukadmin

Food is an important part of life. It’s not just the fact that we need the right food to survive and be healthy, there is also an emotional aspect. Good care home food is essential for good care.

For many of us, a good tasty meal makes us happy. Happier still if we can enjoy it with people that we like and care about. At Altogether Care, the importance of good nutrition and fresh food has always been understood, and medical science is continuously uncovering new knowledge about the importance of certain foods and how our optimal nutrition can change with age or with certain medical conditions.

At Steepleton Manor, food and nutrition are central to the ‘life at the manor’ approach, which is why from July 2018 we are excited to be working with Apetito- a leading provider of Care Home nutrition. We are looking forward to experiencing their expertise in the form of an in-house dietitian and nutritionists, and the benefits that this will provide for our residents.

Nutrition and Wellbeing in Elderly People

As we get older we usually need more calcium and vitamin D to help maintain bone health, for example. Older people find that they often don’t synthesize as much vitamin D from sunlight as younger people. And older bodies often find it harder to absorb nutrients such as vitamin B12 and B6 that may help reduce the risks of strokes and dementia.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help protect against heart disease, they may alleviate some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and preserve eye health, prevent cognitive decline and improve how our immune systems operate.

Taste and Smell

Sense of smell and taste can also become less acute in older people. Consequently, the notion of what constitutes an appetizing meal may be different. Older people may also prefer smaller meals; so less substantial but more frequent meals may be appropriate.

There’s plenty to consider when it comes to individual care and nutrition. Best of all, at all of our care homes, residents enjoy catering that looks and tastes fantastic, as well as being good for you.

The quality and nutritional value of the catering is just one of the features that makes life at Steepleton Manor such a special experience.

For more information on Steepleton Manor, or to arrange a visit, click here.

Gardening Club at Steepleton Manor

Posted on 6 July 2018 by dukadmin

Residents saw the re-launch of Ian’s Gardening Club recently at Steepleton Manor. Taking advantage of the lovely weather, everyone sat outside and planted seeds and beans in the raised beds and Nepeta and Fuchsia seeds in planters.

The club will meet every Tuesday with a different green fingered activity each week.

When is Care at Home the Best Option?

Posted on 4 July 2018 by dukadmin

The simplest answer to that question is probably: when it is what suits the care needs and wishes of the individual concerned. Naturally, things are rarely that simple.

There are many reasons why a person might need either temporary or long-term care. And, for many, their own home is where they would prefer to receive that care, rather than in a residential setting. Receiving care at home can result in more independence, a better quality of life and speedier recovery from major illness and accidents.

Having good quality home care services available can help to bring about earlier discharges from hospital. This frees a hospital bed and usually helps people recover more quickly when all they really need is some help with housework or personal care while they regain the strength and mobility needed to perform these tasks safely for themselves.

Familiar Surroundings

For some, residential care would also mean becoming more distant from family, friends and a familiar environment. Being able to remain in their own home for as long as possible is important to them and improves their quality of life.

The critical thing is that there are good quality home care services available that can be moulded around individual needs. This could help with simple everyday tasks such as cleaning, washing and ironing, shopping, cooking and collecting pensions. In other cases, the need is for a transport and escort service for medical appointments, day care attendance, and general outings.

No two people’s situations are identical. The care delivered must, therefore, fit with their circumstances and their goals. The care package will often include activity therapy, which plays a vital role in helping people to recover skills and independence following an accident or stay in hospital.

And sometimes it’s the carer who needs a break if, for example, they are helping to look after with somebody who has dementia. A short period of care from a specialist dementia nurse can offer the opportunity for a much-needed rest.

Altogether Care offers a wide range of Care at Home services. To find out more and discuss the care needs of you or a close relative call us on 01305 300 161.

What is Quality of Life in a Care Home Really Like?

Posted on 2 July 2018 by dukadmin

Although people’s understanding is improving, there are still some lingering myths about life in a care home. There used to be a view that a care home was simply an option when you couldn’t cope with living on your own any more.

Step inside one of our care homes and you will see a different reality. Here you will find people who are getting on with life full of activities, rather than sitting around rather than sitting around a badly tuned television.

People Need People

For old people living alone, loneliness and isolation are often major issues. The effect this has on emotional wellbeing has huge knock on effects for mental and physical health. Companionship and social interactions are the most obvious benefits of residential care.

Not having the burden of running your own home leaves more time to do things you enjoy. In many ways it is swapping a struggle to get by with more time and opportunity for greater enjoyment and fulfillment.

Help and Support

Good care homes are set up to help residents enjoy the best possible quality of life. There is a support structure in place to promote physical and mental wellbeing through fun activities, and well thought out varied nutrition and appropriate therapies. But there’s no doubt that being part of a community with friends and support always on hand is the foundation for an enjoyable later life.

There’s also the reassurance that experienced care staff are at hand, not just to deal with immediate care needs, medication and so on, but also to keep an eye on overall health and wellbeing. It’s more likely that any health issues are picked up sooner so care plans can quickly adapt to any changing needs.

If you are interested in reality rather than myths, the best option is to arrange a visit to Sherborne House, Steepleton Manor, or Weymouth Care Home to see for yourself.

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