It is estimated that over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia, with this figure to rise to a million within 20 years. How can we help both the sufferer and the carers to maintain both a dignified and for as long as possible, an independent life?
I have been searching for products that will help anybody who is involved with or suffering from dementia and I would be grateful for your feedback, you can email me at debbie.harris@best-care-home.co.uk.
Keeping interested in hobbies can help with confidence and boredom;
- Reminiscence bingo
- Make a card
- Board games
- Knitting
- Gardening
Art and music has proved to be beneficial in recent studies;
- Music and audio books
- Your own TV
- Art prints
- Radio
- Headphones
- Specialised picture books
Aids to help make life easier and more independent for you both;
- Wander alert
- Keeping keys safe
- Personal GPS
- Inflatable bath lift
For more information on gifts for residents of care homes click here.
I will keep searching for new technology and useful gadgets and will keep you informed.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Friday, 12 March 2010
Keeping active and stimulated with dementia.
As a person's dementia develops, it is likely to have an impact on some of their abilities but there will still be lots that the person can enjoy doing. Maintaining existing skills, as far as possible, can give the person pleasure and boost their confidence.
The Alzheimer’s Society gives the following advice;
Keeping occupied and stimulated can improve quality of life for the person with dementia as well as those around them.
Facts
• Remaining physically and mentally active can have a significant impact on a person's well-being
• Carrying out simple everyday tasks can help the person feel better about themselves.
• Some types of activity can help the person to express their feelings − for example listening to music, doing a sketch or writing something down.
• Boredom and frustration are the two most common causes of challenging behaviour in people with dementia.
• Sharing an activity that both parties enjoy may bring them closer together, and help them find new ways to relate to each other.
Exercise
• Exercising together will be beneficial to the person with dementia and anyone accompanying them. Exercise burns up the adrenalin produced by stress and frustration, and produces endorphins, which can promote feelings of happiness
Reminders of the past
• People with dementia can often remember the distant past more easily than recent events. If you can find a way to help trigger the more distant, pleasant memories, the person may become more animated and interested
• Dementia damages the memory and the thinking and reasoning parts of the brain, but the emotions still remain intact. It is not necessarily a bad thing if the person becomes emotional, but if they do make sure you allow them to express their feelings, and acknowledge them.
• Avoid asking very specific questions that require factual responses and could put the person on the spot − the main aim is to enjoy the memories rather than to make the person feel tested in any way.
Activities during the early stages of dementia
Someone in the early stages of dementia may probably want to continue doing the things they have always done. People with dementia retain memory for some activities, depending upon which part of the brain has been damaged.
Activities such as reading, typing or playing the piano are not always affected.
If you are close to someone with early dementia, be aware of the danger of taking over jobs and tasks too quickly in an attempt to minimise your own stress
Involving others
Consider inviting other people (including paid workers, family members or volunteers) to spend time with the person to do something they both enjoy − for example, going for a walk or playing a game of cards
Activity ideas
• Craft activities − These might include simple craft activities, such as creating collages from magazines, or knitting. Someone who has been a skilful knitter may still be able to knit squares for a blanket.
• Puzzles − Someone who has enjoyed doing crosswords may still enjoy a puzzle book.
• Doing things together − The person may like to play cards or board games, or do some gardening or baking together.
• Activities around the home − Men and women alike can enjoy helping with washing and drying up, setting the table or making beds. Again, the end result may not be perfect, but it can give an important sense of achievement. The person might be surprisingly interested in odd jobs, such as sorting through a drawer or a toolbox.
• Music − Even when other abilities are severely affected, many people still enjoy singing, dancing and listening to music.
• TV and radio − Many people with dementia enjoy listening to the radio. Television, however, can cause problems. Some people with dementia lose the ability to tell the difference between what is real and what is on screen, and can become distressed. They can also become confused by too much noise.
• Communal activities − If the person has a connection with an organisation within the local community, whether it is a church, a pub or a club, then continuing to visit this place might be very important
Activities during the later stages of dementia
As a person's dementia advances, they will still be able to carry out some tasks that are very familiar to them, but will probably be more interested in the process of doing the activity than in the end result. If this is the case with someone close to you, look for 'magic moments' throughout the day rather than trying to carry out sustained activities.
Sensory stimulation
During the later stages of their dementia, people often develop severe difficulties with reasoning and language, but they will still have their sense of taste, touch and smell. There are various things you can do to stimulate these senses − for example:
• Encourage the person to touch or stroke pieces of fabric, dolls or cuddly toys.
• Try giving the person a hand massage, using a scented oil such as lavender. This can be very soothing for those who enjoy touch.
• Continue to take the time to sit and talk to the person or to read out loud.
• Enable the person to see a fish tank, mobile or a window with a nice view.
• Make sure the person has a regular change of scene and the stimulation of the fresh air and the outdoor environment.
Specially selected gifts for people with dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society gives the following advice;
Keeping occupied and stimulated can improve quality of life for the person with dementia as well as those around them.
Facts
• Remaining physically and mentally active can have a significant impact on a person's well-being
• Carrying out simple everyday tasks can help the person feel better about themselves.
• Some types of activity can help the person to express their feelings − for example listening to music, doing a sketch or writing something down.
• Boredom and frustration are the two most common causes of challenging behaviour in people with dementia.
• Sharing an activity that both parties enjoy may bring them closer together, and help them find new ways to relate to each other.
Exercise
• Exercising together will be beneficial to the person with dementia and anyone accompanying them. Exercise burns up the adrenalin produced by stress and frustration, and produces endorphins, which can promote feelings of happiness
Reminders of the past
• People with dementia can often remember the distant past more easily than recent events. If you can find a way to help trigger the more distant, pleasant memories, the person may become more animated and interested
• Dementia damages the memory and the thinking and reasoning parts of the brain, but the emotions still remain intact. It is not necessarily a bad thing if the person becomes emotional, but if they do make sure you allow them to express their feelings, and acknowledge them.
• Avoid asking very specific questions that require factual responses and could put the person on the spot − the main aim is to enjoy the memories rather than to make the person feel tested in any way.
Activities during the early stages of dementia
Someone in the early stages of dementia may probably want to continue doing the things they have always done. People with dementia retain memory for some activities, depending upon which part of the brain has been damaged.
Activities such as reading, typing or playing the piano are not always affected.
If you are close to someone with early dementia, be aware of the danger of taking over jobs and tasks too quickly in an attempt to minimise your own stress
Involving others
Consider inviting other people (including paid workers, family members or volunteers) to spend time with the person to do something they both enjoy − for example, going for a walk or playing a game of cards
Activity ideas
• Craft activities − These might include simple craft activities, such as creating collages from magazines, or knitting. Someone who has been a skilful knitter may still be able to knit squares for a blanket.
• Puzzles − Someone who has enjoyed doing crosswords may still enjoy a puzzle book.
• Doing things together − The person may like to play cards or board games, or do some gardening or baking together.
• Activities around the home − Men and women alike can enjoy helping with washing and drying up, setting the table or making beds. Again, the end result may not be perfect, but it can give an important sense of achievement. The person might be surprisingly interested in odd jobs, such as sorting through a drawer or a toolbox.
• Music − Even when other abilities are severely affected, many people still enjoy singing, dancing and listening to music.
• TV and radio − Many people with dementia enjoy listening to the radio. Television, however, can cause problems. Some people with dementia lose the ability to tell the difference between what is real and what is on screen, and can become distressed. They can also become confused by too much noise.
• Communal activities − If the person has a connection with an organisation within the local community, whether it is a church, a pub or a club, then continuing to visit this place might be very important
Activities during the later stages of dementia
As a person's dementia advances, they will still be able to carry out some tasks that are very familiar to them, but will probably be more interested in the process of doing the activity than in the end result. If this is the case with someone close to you, look for 'magic moments' throughout the day rather than trying to carry out sustained activities.
Sensory stimulation
During the later stages of their dementia, people often develop severe difficulties with reasoning and language, but they will still have their sense of taste, touch and smell. There are various things you can do to stimulate these senses − for example:
• Encourage the person to touch or stroke pieces of fabric, dolls or cuddly toys.
• Try giving the person a hand massage, using a scented oil such as lavender. This can be very soothing for those who enjoy touch.
• Continue to take the time to sit and talk to the person or to read out loud.
• Enable the person to see a fish tank, mobile or a window with a nice view.
• Make sure the person has a regular change of scene and the stimulation of the fresh air and the outdoor environment.
Specially selected gifts for people with dementia.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
How to pay for your care.
The argument rages on between the political parties about how social care will be paid for in the future. But this does not alter the fact that today somebody is looking for a care home and that they need to pay for it. I have put together a simple ten step guide to make sure that you don't forget any of the important points. You can also request a free detailed guide from this page, that will give you more specific information.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
The best care homes in England.
Finding the best care homes in England is a difficult and daunting task. However, as a result of a competition that http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/ began in July 2009, that encouraged residents, relatives, visitors and professionals who visit homes, to vote and leave personal recommendations about the homes that they believe are doing a wonderful job - I have this week presented awards to four care homes.
These homes won their awards because members of the public think they are the best care homes in England. Having visited them, I think they may be right - but judge for yourself.
The overall winner of the award and the winner of the Midlands region was Morton Grange in Alfreton Derbyshire http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5313-morton-grange.php
The winner of the North was Red Rocks Nursing Home in the Wirral, http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-6465-red-rocks-nursing-home.php
The winner of the South West was Chatsworth in Plymouth http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5401-chatsworth.php
and the winner of the South East was St Vincent on the Isle of Wight. http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5950-st-vincent.php
With each of these homes you can see a video that really shows you how the Manager and staff feel about their residents - take a look, it's worth it.
These homes won their awards because members of the public think they are the best care homes in England. Having visited them, I think they may be right - but judge for yourself.
The overall winner of the award and the winner of the Midlands region was Morton Grange in Alfreton Derbyshire http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5313-morton-grange.php
The winner of the North was Red Rocks Nursing Home in the Wirral, http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-6465-red-rocks-nursing-home.php
The winner of the South West was Chatsworth in Plymouth http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5401-chatsworth.php
and the winner of the South East was St Vincent on the Isle of Wight. http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/care-home-5950-st-vincent.php
With each of these homes you can see a video that really shows you how the Manager and staff feel about their residents - take a look, it's worth it.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Video - an introduction to a care home.
The Department of Health 'Dignity in Care' campaign is looking for initiatives to help to promote dignity within our care homes by offering a small grant to people who have an idea that can benefit those who live in resiential care.
I have been a Dignity Champion for about a year and passionately believe that dignity in care is not an optional extra, it is a basic human right and it is not enough that care services are efficient, they must be compassionate too.
I have proposed an idea to the Dignity in Care team that aims to improve a residents control and choice of the care home they wish to live in.
I have suggested that care homes provide a video of their home - hosted on YouTube or their website that introduces the staff, building and the local environment to any prospective resident and their family. This would be particularly useful for somebody who is housebound or in hospital and therefore unable to visit a care home before they move in - this is the case for a substantial amount of people.
The video would allow the prospective resident to familiarise themselves with their future home and enter their new life with more dignity and confidence than would otherwise have been felt and having exerted some control over their living arrangements.
If you think this is a useful initiative please vote on the Dignity in Care website and click on the stars at the bottom of the article.
The cost of creating a video need not be a prohibiting factor for the care home. A professionally shot 'vodcast' would take between one or two days to film, edit and upload onto YouTube or a website and cost in the region of £900. The alternative would be an amateur video, a common feature of YouTube, that would cost nothing and still provide an introduction to the care home for a prospective resident.
I would be interested to her from anybody who has done this or who has any ideas on how this could be improved.
I have been a Dignity Champion for about a year and passionately believe that dignity in care is not an optional extra, it is a basic human right and it is not enough that care services are efficient, they must be compassionate too.
I have proposed an idea to the Dignity in Care team that aims to improve a residents control and choice of the care home they wish to live in.
I have suggested that care homes provide a video of their home - hosted on YouTube or their website that introduces the staff, building and the local environment to any prospective resident and their family. This would be particularly useful for somebody who is housebound or in hospital and therefore unable to visit a care home before they move in - this is the case for a substantial amount of people.
The video would allow the prospective resident to familiarise themselves with their future home and enter their new life with more dignity and confidence than would otherwise have been felt and having exerted some control over their living arrangements.
If you think this is a useful initiative please vote on the Dignity in Care website and click on the stars at the bottom of the article.
The cost of creating a video need not be a prohibiting factor for the care home. A professionally shot 'vodcast' would take between one or two days to film, edit and upload onto YouTube or a website and cost in the region of £900. The alternative would be an amateur video, a common feature of YouTube, that would cost nothing and still provide an introduction to the care home for a prospective resident.
I would be interested to her from anybody who has done this or who has any ideas on how this could be improved.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Six things you should know about ‘Excellent’ rated care homes.
There are more than 24,000 care homes in the UK and only 13% have been awarded an ‘Excellent’ 3 star rating.
Six things you should know about ‘excellent’ 3 star care homes:
1. What are star ratings?
2. Star rating categories.
3. How are star ratings decided?
4. What makes an ‘excellent’ care home?
5. How many care homes are rated ‘excellent’?
6. How often are care homes inspected?
1. What are star ratings? Star ratings work in a similar way to the hotel rating system. They aim to differentiate between the level of service and facilities offered in a care home. The star ratings do not reflect the price being charged by the care home.
2. Star rating categories. Care homes are categorised from 0 to 3 stars, with 3 stars being the highest. 0 = poor, 1 = adequate, 2 = good and 3 = excellent.
3. How are star ratings decided? Until April 2009 inspections of care homes were carried out by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI). This has now been taken over by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The inspection includes; interviews and surveys of residents, families and staff, an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) and the inspectors observations.
To ensure that ratings are consistent across the country the inspectors follow the Key Lines of Regulatory Assessment (KLORA). The CQC is introducing new regulations that will be implemented after April 2010 and will affect all care homes in England.
4. What makes an ‘excellent’ care home? The national minimum standards for care address 7 categories within care homes; choice of home, health and personal care, daily life and social activities, complaints and protection, environment, staffing and management and administration.
An ‘excellent’ rating will be awarded if at least half of these areas are rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and no area is rated as poor.
5. How many care homes are rated ‘excellent’? There are over 24,000 care homes in the UK and 13% have been rated ‘excellent’ – approximately 2,600.
6. How often are care homes inspected? A 3 star care home at the present time would expect to be assessed every 3 years. The homes that do not perform to this standard will be assessed more frequently to help them to improve. However, the new regulations which will be enforced in 2010 have not yet outlined if this procedure will alter.
As with any governing body the rating system is not infallible and it is important to personally visit and make your own judgment about any care home you are considering.
In addition to this, any personal recommendations from the residents, relatives or visitors to the home will be an invaluable source of information.
http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/ is an online register that only lists 3 star 'excellent' rated care homes. It also publishes personal recommendations from the residents, relatives and visitors of those homes to help you identify the home that will most suit your needs.
Six things you should know about ‘excellent’ 3 star care homes:
1. What are star ratings?
2. Star rating categories.
3. How are star ratings decided?
4. What makes an ‘excellent’ care home?
5. How many care homes are rated ‘excellent’?
6. How often are care homes inspected?
1. What are star ratings? Star ratings work in a similar way to the hotel rating system. They aim to differentiate between the level of service and facilities offered in a care home. The star ratings do not reflect the price being charged by the care home.
2. Star rating categories. Care homes are categorised from 0 to 3 stars, with 3 stars being the highest. 0 = poor, 1 = adequate, 2 = good and 3 = excellent.
3. How are star ratings decided? Until April 2009 inspections of care homes were carried out by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI). This has now been taken over by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The inspection includes; interviews and surveys of residents, families and staff, an Annual Quality Assurance Assessment (AQAA) and the inspectors observations.
To ensure that ratings are consistent across the country the inspectors follow the Key Lines of Regulatory Assessment (KLORA). The CQC is introducing new regulations that will be implemented after April 2010 and will affect all care homes in England.
4. What makes an ‘excellent’ care home? The national minimum standards for care address 7 categories within care homes; choice of home, health and personal care, daily life and social activities, complaints and protection, environment, staffing and management and administration.
An ‘excellent’ rating will be awarded if at least half of these areas are rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and no area is rated as poor.
5. How many care homes are rated ‘excellent’? There are over 24,000 care homes in the UK and 13% have been rated ‘excellent’ – approximately 2,600.
6. How often are care homes inspected? A 3 star care home at the present time would expect to be assessed every 3 years. The homes that do not perform to this standard will be assessed more frequently to help them to improve. However, the new regulations which will be enforced in 2010 have not yet outlined if this procedure will alter.
As with any governing body the rating system is not infallible and it is important to personally visit and make your own judgment about any care home you are considering.
In addition to this, any personal recommendations from the residents, relatives or visitors to the home will be an invaluable source of information.
http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/ is an online register that only lists 3 star 'excellent' rated care homes. It also publishes personal recommendations from the residents, relatives and visitors of those homes to help you identify the home that will most suit your needs.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Moving to a care home – 10 ways to get it right.
Moving into a care home can be as traumatic as bereavement –it is a life changing experience and its impact should not be underestimated.
Here are 10 ways to help you make the right decisions.
1. Most importantly - do you really need a care home or could you manage at home? Contact Social Services and get an assessment, this is free and everybody is entitled to one. You will get a professional opinion on whether staying at home is an option and if not, whether a residential or nursing home would be more appropriate. Carers are also entitled to an assessment.
2. How are you going to pay for the care? This is worth considering early on as quite simply it could affect which care home you are able to live in. If your assets are in excess of £23,250, including your home (unless you leave behind a spouse or dependent under 16) then you are classified as a ‘self funder’ and will need some financial advice to work out what level of fees you can afford and what allowances you may be entitled to.
3. Now you are ready to start looking for a care home that most suits your needs. Care homes are rated by the Care Quality Commission, the independent advisor for Social Care. They are rated by stars, 0 -3, with 3stars being the highest rating. The rating does not reflect the price of the care home but the standard of care being offered and I would recommend you start with the 3 star care homes.
4. Take a list of questions to ask the care home and visit as many as you can that cater for your needs. There is a lot to be said for instinct and how the home immediately makes you feel – a welcoming smile and fresh smell are good starting points.
5. Preparing for the move is an important task, both for the prospective resident and their relatives. Be aware that a move into residential care changes your identity from ‘householder’ to ‘resident’ and removes you from your usual day to day activities. If you are looking on behalf of somebody else, make sure you include them in as many decisions as possible so that they feel in control of their situation.
6. When you have chosen the home that most suits your needs it might be useful to spend a little bit of time getting used to it before you move in. If circumstances permit go for lunch a few times in order to orientate yourself and meet the residents and staff.
7. Make a list of items that need to be taken into the home; clothes, toiletries, radio, TV, favourite chair, photos – the list is endless and of course depends upon the size of the room – make sure you know how much space you have before packing. If you are helping somebody else ensure that you talk to them to find out exactly what they would like to take in with them. Look at where they usually sit and on bedside tables, the items that are positioned nearby may well be the items that would be most missed if not taken to a new home.
8. When moving in try and introduce yourself to the other residents. It is also useful to work out, if you have been unable to do this prior to your move, where all of the facilities are and what time lunch and supper starts. Make sure you have a watch or clock that you can read to ensure you don’t worry in the early days that you are missing a meal or event.
9. When your relatives visit you encourage them to get to know other relatives and residents – sharing experiences or concerns, or simply having another face to chat to all work towards a more positive experience.
10. Finally, embrace your new home. Make the most of the activities and new friends. The success of your new home will be reflected in your attitude towards it.
Debbie Harris is a Dignity Champion who owns www.best-care-home.co.uk an online register of 3 star care homes, including information on Questions to ask a care home, Preparing for the move, Are you sure you need a care home? Her site also publishes personal recommendations of the homes.
Here are 10 ways to help you make the right decisions.
1. Most importantly - do you really need a care home or could you manage at home? Contact Social Services and get an assessment, this is free and everybody is entitled to one. You will get a professional opinion on whether staying at home is an option and if not, whether a residential or nursing home would be more appropriate. Carers are also entitled to an assessment.
2. How are you going to pay for the care? This is worth considering early on as quite simply it could affect which care home you are able to live in. If your assets are in excess of £23,250, including your home (unless you leave behind a spouse or dependent under 16) then you are classified as a ‘self funder’ and will need some financial advice to work out what level of fees you can afford and what allowances you may be entitled to.
3. Now you are ready to start looking for a care home that most suits your needs. Care homes are rated by the Care Quality Commission, the independent advisor for Social Care. They are rated by stars, 0 -3, with 3stars being the highest rating. The rating does not reflect the price of the care home but the standard of care being offered and I would recommend you start with the 3 star care homes.
4. Take a list of questions to ask the care home and visit as many as you can that cater for your needs. There is a lot to be said for instinct and how the home immediately makes you feel – a welcoming smile and fresh smell are good starting points.
5. Preparing for the move is an important task, both for the prospective resident and their relatives. Be aware that a move into residential care changes your identity from ‘householder’ to ‘resident’ and removes you from your usual day to day activities. If you are looking on behalf of somebody else, make sure you include them in as many decisions as possible so that they feel in control of their situation.
6. When you have chosen the home that most suits your needs it might be useful to spend a little bit of time getting used to it before you move in. If circumstances permit go for lunch a few times in order to orientate yourself and meet the residents and staff.
7. Make a list of items that need to be taken into the home; clothes, toiletries, radio, TV, favourite chair, photos – the list is endless and of course depends upon the size of the room – make sure you know how much space you have before packing. If you are helping somebody else ensure that you talk to them to find out exactly what they would like to take in with them. Look at where they usually sit and on bedside tables, the items that are positioned nearby may well be the items that would be most missed if not taken to a new home.
8. When moving in try and introduce yourself to the other residents. It is also useful to work out, if you have been unable to do this prior to your move, where all of the facilities are and what time lunch and supper starts. Make sure you have a watch or clock that you can read to ensure you don’t worry in the early days that you are missing a meal or event.
9. When your relatives visit you encourage them to get to know other relatives and residents – sharing experiences or concerns, or simply having another face to chat to all work towards a more positive experience.
10. Finally, embrace your new home. Make the most of the activities and new friends. The success of your new home will be reflected in your attitude towards it.
Debbie Harris is a Dignity Champion who owns www.best-care-home.co.uk an online register of 3 star care homes, including information on Questions to ask a care home, Preparing for the move, Are you sure you need a care home? Her site also publishes personal recommendations of the homes.
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