mental health Archives - Altogether Care

Altogether Care Bridport Branch Shines a Light on Mental Health and Dementia Awareness Week

Posted on 30 May 202330 May 2023 by Access Performance

Altogether Care Bridport branch is making waves with their proactive team and trained Mental Health First Aider (MHFA). Their recent initiative aimed to recognise and support Mental Health and Dementia national Awareness Week, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.

To demonstrate their unwavering support and raise funds for these important causes, the team organised an enjoyable bake sale. Perfectly coinciding with the national bake day, this event was a testament to their dedication and compassion. Leading the charge was Sheelagh, whose role as a Mental Health First Aider and social butterfly made her the ideal candidate to spearhead this event. Registered manager Kellie Gumbrill eagerly enlisted Sheelagh’s expertise, and she embraced the responsibility with enthusiasm.

To ensure the bake sale’s success, the team sought guidance from the Dementia Awareness website, utilising their fundraising pack to decorate the exterior of their Bridport office. The decision to hold the event on a Wednesday, coinciding with Bridport’s bustling market day, ensured maximum participation. Bridport’s market is renowned for its lively atmosphere, attracting a multitude of local market traders and a supportive community. Carers from Altogether Care enthusiastically contributed by making, buying, and donating baked goods. Some even involved their families in the baking process, creating a truly enjoyable experience. The resulting cakes were not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious.

Kellie has strong connections with her team and nurtures an inclusive culture, recognised the isolation that can be faced by international carers. Angelo is a carer who has come over from Sri Lanka and who has recently moved his wife Sharmila to Bridport, and Sheelagh went above and beyond to show kindness and compassion to her. Understanding her limited social interactions, Sheelagh extended a warm invitation to Sharmila, providing her with an opportunity to engage with others and lend a helping hand at the bake sale.

The pictures captured during the event tell the tale of an overwhelming success. Sheelagh, as an MHFA, interacted with numerous local individuals who were captivated by their stall and the treats on offer. This fostered open communication, with many feeling comfortable enough to share personal stories about their experiences with dementia and mental health. Such genuine interactions perfectly align with Altogether Care’s main objective of encouraging open conversations, showing kindness and care, and raising much-needed funds.

In the end, the team accomplished a remarkable £110.38 for these worthy causes. Equally important, they significantly raised Altogether Care’s profile and showcased its family-based values within the community. Congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement!

By championing Mental Health and Dementia national Awareness Week, Altogether Care Bridport branch has left an indelible mark on the community, offering hope, support, and a delicious way to make a difference. If you’re ever in need of someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to drop by for a cup of coffee and a chat – we’re always here and happy to help.

How Can You Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life?

Posted on 9 October 2019 by dukadmin

World Mental Health Day on October 10th is designed to promote greater awareness of issues around mental health and to help remove the stigma that can surround it.

Mental health problems are more common than many people imagine, particularly in later life. The Mental Health Foundation estimates that 22% of men and 28% of women over 65 suffer from depression. So, what are the most important factors in maintaining good mental health in later life?

Relationships

Good personal relationships are well known to promote better mental health. All normal human interactions affect the levels of chemicals such as serotonin and oxytocin.

Serotonin is important for general mental wellbeing as it helps the brain to function normally. Oxytocin is sometimes called the ‘love hormone’ as it affects our ability to form personal relationships. Human interactions help to boost the levels of these healthy chemicals, which is partly why isolation and loneliness can be so harmful to mental wellbeing.

Participation in Meaningful Activities

Keeping active, doing something purposeful and interacting with other people have also been proven to help maintain good mental health. This won’t surprise anybody; but it can be a challenge to find the right types of activities that are accessible in later life. You have to wonder how much health spending could be saved by investing in more community activities for older people.

Physical Health

Physical health and mental health are closely linked. A good diet helps to boost the levels of healthy chemicals in the body and also provides the energy to take part in activities. Regular exercise is also important, whether that’s walking, gardening or a few gentle stretches with friends during the day.

Care providers have a vital role to play in promoting better mental health in older people. We need to work closely with health services and ensure we support people in our care with the right nutrition and activities. We’re also aware that we may be the first to notice the signs of mental health problems – so we need to make sure our people are trained in what to look for and what to do.

At Altogether Care, resident’s health and wellbeing are at the focus of what we do. If you would like to find out more about either our care homes, care at home or our live-in care services please get in touch.

Mental Wellbeing – We All Deserve the Fullest Life Possible

Posted on 10 October 2017 by dukadmin

According to the British Council for Counselling and Psychotherapy, 22% of men and 28% of women aged over 65, experience depression. Mental wellbeing for the older generation is a serious issue that doesn’t always get the attention it should.

For most, this stage of life should be a period of contentment, free of the pressures of work, with plenty of time to do what you want and enjoy. Often, the reality is different. Without a sense of mental wellbeing, many opportunities to lead a full and satisfying later life become closed off.

Isolation is one of the biggest risks. Lack of social interaction is highly detrimental to mental wellbeing. In a residential care setting this is something that can be easily monitored. We would always know if people were becoming withdrawn and we’d spot the tell-tale behavioural changes that go with increasing isolation or deteriorating mental health.

The need for social interaction is addressed through activities designed around residents’ interests. These offer different experiences and opportunities to interact with people both within and outside the care home community.

When people receive home care support, care workers have a vital role in watching out for signs of poor mental health and social isolation.

Whatever the care setting, care providers need to work closely with health services to promote healthy mental wellbeing and ensure the necessary support or therapy is provided. There is no stage in life when simply sitting and watching the world go by is the best thing. Giving people the support they need to continue living as full and active a life as possible is the least they deserve.

Naturally, mental wellbeing is closely interlinked with both physical and emotional wellbeing and we’ll look at these aspects in future articles.