care and share

Personal recommendations of care homes

2010-07-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Personal recommendations about nursing and residential care homes from residents and relatives are invaluable for self funders. As a self funder you have a choice about which nursing or residential home you would like to live in and a personal recommendation from a resident or one of their relatives can make all the difference.

Comments such as "My mother has been in this Nursing Home for a year. Without a doubt, it has to be one of the, if not the best in the UK. Is there any more that I can say, other than it ought to be a model for other similar places and that I recommend it, it's people and it's management unreservedly to anyone thinking of needing such a place".

As a self funder you are unlikely to be offered much support from social services and this is where best-care-home.co.uk provides the information that you need to make an informed decision about the best nursing, residential or dementia home that will meet your needs.

Top tips include; taking a list of questions with you when visiting your shortlist of care homes, print off best-care-homes 'Questions to ask a care home' and take a look at our 'planning for the move' and the 'checklist of what to take with you'.

Make sure you get some professional financial advice about the best way to pay for your care. Statistics show that only 17% of self funders seek professional advice and that up to a third of people run out of money and have to turn to social services to pay their fees. In addition to this, speak to a solicitor about Lasting Power of Attorney - not designating somebody to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity can seriously impact your personal affairs.

best-care-home newsletter for self funders

2010-06-30T00:20:00.000-07:00

Information that every self funder needs to know - at best-care-home.co.uk we aim to help those people in particular who are having to pay for their own care, with our monthly newsletter.

It is very likely with the growing restrictions being placed on social care by the government that the number of self funders, which currently stands at 41% of those receiving care, will increase. In addition to this, recent statistics show that 75% of councils will now only provide support for those with 'substantial needs' or above and 10% of councils will only provide support for those with 'critical' needs (Laing & Buisson 2010/11).

As a self funder, somebody who does not qualify for local authority funding, it is generally accepted that you will receive very little help and support to find the care that you need and this is where best-care-home can help, we provide the information.

Once you have been assessed as a self funder you need information about what to do next and how to find the best care home at a price you can afford.

Legal information about a Lasting Power of Attorney and the importance of making a will are all areas that need to be considered.

Self funders - What do I do now?

2010-06-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

When you are classified as a self funder - somebody who is paying for their own care because they have savings and assets, excluding property above £23,250 in England and Northern Ireland, £22,000 in Wales and £22,750 in Scotland, you will be unlikely to receive very much help from social services to find the care that you need, or be offered information to enable you to make an informed decision. Facts about self funders
This guide will help you to make an informed decision.
When do I need care?
If there is a question over your safety within your current living arrangements you should start to look at what options are available to you that will either support you within your own home, or provide you with the support you need elsewhere.

Assessments
As a self funder you are entitled to an assessment - which is free, from social services . An Occupational Therapist will assess your needs and advise you what level of care you require. However, this assessment may take some time to organise and in addition to this you may find your needs are assessed in relation to the level of support that the council can offer - rather than the level of support you need.

Your alternative is to approach a care home or domiciliary agency to assess you. This can often be undertaken much more quickly.

Paying for your care
It is vital to establish how much you can afford to pay in care fees. Only 17% of self funders obtain specialist care fees advice about how they are going to pay for their care fees and studies suggest that a third of self funders run out of money and turn to social services to continue paying for their care. The problem with this is that many self funders are paying more for their nursing home or residential home than social services will pay. This leaves the self funder with the dilemma of either moving nursing home, ‘topping up’ the difference (asking family or friends to contribute towards the cost), or negotiating with the home over the fees or moving to a cheaper room.

Speak to a professional care fees advisor to establish how much you can afford and how long this will last.

How much will my care cost?
As a self funder you are responsible for your own costs whether or not you intend to live at home with the support of a domiciliary care agency, or whether you intend to live in a residential care home.

The average cost of care at home is £17.30. So two hours of daily home care could amount to more than £12,600 a year - not including higher rates for weekends and holidays. If 24 hour care is required costs could rise to more than £150,000 per year based on this hourly rate.
The average costs for residential care can vary depending upon the location and whether nursing is required. A general guide for a residential care home is £24,908 a year and £34,788 for a nursing home.

Allowances
As a self funder you are entitled to very few benefits, however Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need someone to help look after them because they are physically or mentally disabled. For full details of eligibility. If you are under 65 you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance and you may be entitled to Pension Credit.

A care home - or home care?
Moving into a nursing home or a residential home is a big decision to make and you may decide, regardless of the advice you have received from professionals, that you would like to try and stay at home. There are a variety of organisations that will help you to achieve this.

Finding the best care
Once you have established what type of care you need and how much you can afford to pay for it, you can begin to look for care homes or domiciliary agencies.

Domiciliary agencies
If you are choosing to stay in your own home and you are looking for a domiciliary care agency, or home help, there is a variety of support on offer. Ranging from a carer who will pop in and make you lunch, to full time live in carers. When choosing the agency remember that it is the staff you will be interacting with, ask whether you can choose your carer or change them if you do not get on. The Care Quality Commission regulates domiciliary agencies, so look for the 3 star ‘Excellent’ rated agencies.

Try and speak to other people who use the agencies as they will be a useful guide to the level of care being offered.

Residential care
When looking for a nursing home or residential home remember that as a self funder you are a preferred client. Statistics suggest that many social services placements in care homes are subsidised by the self funders within the same home. This is because social services set a maximum rate that they will pay. Visit as many nursing homes or residential homes as you can and begin with those that have achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating, 3 stars, from the Care Quality Commission. We have a full list of 3 star care homes in England and a checklist for people who are entering permanent residential or nursing care.
Planning the move
It is really important to prepare yourself and your family for the move into residential care as proper preparation can seriously influence your attitude towards your new home Planning the move.
What do I take into a care home?
Having a checklist of items that are not only essential, but will also help you to settle in is really helpful. Some items are very obvious, others less so - for example very few homes will allow you to have a kettle in your room. It is better to know this before you move in rather than have it taken away after you have moved in Checklist: What to take into a care home.
Give yourself time
As with anything in life change can take a little getting used to. So give yourself time and try and approach your new home with a positive attitude to give yourself the best chance of settling in and making the most of your new home.

Caring for dementia.

2010-03-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Keeping active and stimulated with dementia.

2010-03-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

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.

How to pay for your care.

2010-02-17T06:48:00.000-08:00

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.

The best care homes in England.

2010-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

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.

Video - an introduction to a care home.

2010-01-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Six things you should know about ‘Excellent’ rated care homes.

2009-12-14T23:50:00.000-08:00

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.

Moving to a care home – 10 ways to get it right.

2009-12-01T01:32:00.000-08:00

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.

The dilemma about dentists and opticians in care homes.

2009-11-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

How many care homes have access to dentists and opticians for their residents? There are no statistics that will answer this question, but when was the last time you heard of a resident having their teeth or eyes checked?
This is what you should know if it was longer than 12 months ago;
Dental Health.
i. Dental health is often an indicator of underlying health problems.
ii. Untreated dental health can lead to complications including heart and respiratory problems.
iii. Elderly people are more susceptible to oral disease.
iv. If your false teeth are loose not only is it difficult to eat - it’s really embarrassing.
Optical Health.
i. The NHS entitlement scheme means everybody over the age of 60 is entitled to regular free eye tests.
ii. The elderly require regular eye exams as their vision becomes increasingly important as other senses deteriorate.
iii. The elderly are more at risk of eye conditions like glaucoma, age-related muscular degeneration and cataracts.
iv. These conditions can be detected through early eye exams and treated with little or no loss of vision.
v. Untreated optical conditions can lead to loss of sight.
vi. Wearing the wrong prescription restricts an already limited environment.
Regulations.
The Care Plan that is put into place after an assessment will gauge the needs of the service user for; sight and hearing, oral health and foot care. Should the needs of the service user change over time then re-assessments should pick this up.
In reality it requires the conscientious approach of a vigilant care home to spot any of the tell-tale signs of deterioration and the need to see a specialist.
In addition to this, mobile dentists and opticians are not widely available or easy to access for care homes.
Having a correctly fitting pair of dentures that enable you to eat properly, or glasses that actually help you to see are surely fundamental rights in this age - and allow for a dignified existence.
If you know somebody who is unable to access these services independently and need some assistance – be their Dignity Champion.
If you know of any mobile dentists or opticians, or have any other suggestions on how to overcome this problem I would love to hear from you.

Are you making the most of the internet?

2009-11-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

During this time of change in health and social care public spending is likely to be reduced leading to cuts in funding. This leaves care homes trying to attract service users who are self funders and who currently number approximately 30% of those in care, although this figure is likely to rise.

At the present time there is very little information about how self funders find care. However, during 2007 90% of people in Britain, with access to the internet, searched for information about a product or service online - with a marked increase in the percentage of people searching for information relating to health.

Who makes the initial enquiry about care is often dictated by the type of care required, but if that enquiry is made by somebody of working age, 81% of whom have access to the internet, then statistically they are highly likely to have sourced their information online.

In addition to this, the more affluent the enquirer, the more likely it is that internet access is available at home.

There is therefore a clear link between self funders, their internet use and how they may search for care. A care home that does not have an online presence could easily be overlooked by this group of people.

Online directories and web sites offer easily accessible information and are rapidly taking the place of expensive paper brochures. The online directories in particular also allow independent homes to stand shoulder to shoulder with the larger care providers.

An impartial online register that has a personal approach is likely to attract the readers attention and create a level of trust in the information provided, such as linking to the CQC reports. Other additional benefits, such as Personal Recommendations can prove to be particularly helpful when making a shortlist of care homes to visit.

The larger care providers have for some time recognised the importance of an online presence and it is vital that independent homes, in order to compete in this changing market, promote themselves through online registers and make the most of the internet.

If you would like to take advantage of a free online website contact www.best-care-home.co.uk , submissions can be either online or by post.

Checklist: what to take when you move into a care home.

2009-11-02T07:28:00.001-08:00

The first thing you need to know is that everything needs to be labelled - absolutely everything. Losing clothes or somebody else wearing your relatives clothes can be a big problem.

-Underwear.
Most care homes suggest you take in enough underwear for several weeks, bear in mind space will be limited. A word about tights, they are difficult to get on and off if you are a little unsteady on your feet, consider pop socks.

-Everyday clothing.
Again think about how much space is available, the type of clothes your relative would normally wear and feel comfortable in and the general style of the other residents. Being over or under dressed can be embarrassing and make it difficult to fit in.
Care homes tend to be warm for us, but chilly if you are sitting for long periods, consider layers of various thicknesses - cardigans are always useful and easy to get on and off, enabling your relative to do dress without having to ask for help.

-Accessories.
Shoes should be comfortable as they are likely to be worn most of the time when your relative is not in their room. Outdoor shoes and boots are unlikely to be used and take up a lot of space - perhaps store them on your relatives behalf. Other accessories, for example scarves should also be considered if they tend to form part of your relatives usual dressing habits.

- Jewellery.
Precious items for your relative should be taken into the home. However, valuable items may need to be considered separately. Have a word with the Matron or Manager and see what their policy is.

-Toiletries.
Clearly this is a personal issue, but you will need to take in all of the normal day to day toiletries. It is probably worth having a look in your relatives bathroom to make sure you know what brands they like - when you have been using Colgate toothpaste all of your life it's a bit much to be asked to switch to Macleans! It is also likely that you will be buying replacement toiletries, so it's quite useful to know what the brands are.

Keep an eye on how much space there is for potions and lotions and consider a wash bag that you can hang next to the sink with everything in it.

-Towels and Robes.
If you want your relative to use their own towels then its time to sew on more labels. Dressing gowns and slippers are a must.

-Furniture.
How big the room is will be the governing factor here. Familiar items of furniture, tables, favourite chairs and cushions and paintings are all really important and will help your relative to feel at home. Do not underestimate the importance of photos as their link with the past and the present reinforce who we are and our sense of identity.

-Television.
If space permits and I hope it does, then a TV in your room can be a godsend - you will need a TV licence though, this can be transferred from the old house, but don't forget to keep an eye on when it runs out.

-Radio.
A radio or music centre might be important to your relative, particularly if they have failing eyesight. Ask how they would normally spend their evenings and try to recreate that.

-Clock.
Knowing when somebody is going to call or it is time to go to lunch can be worrying if you don't know what the time is. Make sure the clock is large enough to tell the time - particularly if the numerals on a wrist watch are too small.

-Telephone.
Keeping in touch without having to go via the Managers office can be important. Mobile phones are often either too small or too technological to be of use. Sometimes there is a telephone point in the room in which case you can use a land line. However, there is a new phone that has been developed that takes a sim card, looks like a normal phone, doesn't need any wiring and most importantly, if the handset isn't replaced it recognises that nobody is talking and hangs up for you - enabling the next call to get through, it's new so email me at debbie.harris@best-care-home.co.uk if you would like more information.

-Books.
Check your relatives bedside table for any current books they are reading and do bear in mind that books are like old friends, there may be others that they would wish to take - however many times they have read them. Don't forget newspapers.

-Calendar.
Keeping track of time and marking birthdays and special events on a calendar, along with perhaps a supply of cards and stamps might be useful. Ask the Manager or Matron what the postal arrangements are.

-Phone numbers.
Don't forget the address book with all of the telephone numbers of friends.

-Paperwork.
Decide where the paperwork will be kept, either with your relative in a secure cupboard or depending upon their level of awareness with a relative.

Look around your relatives home - in particular the places where they spend a lot of time; their favourite chair, in bed, on the porch - what items surround them, it is these that are most likely to be missed. Try and take as many into their new home as your can.

I welcome any suggestions that will improve this checklist.

Are you sure you need a care home?

2009-10-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

EIGHT WAYS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.

Moving into residential care is a big decision and sometimes it is clear that it is the best decision you can make, if this is the case visit preparing for residential care and discover how to make it a positive move.

Looking after somebody who is unable to care for themselves is exhausting, emotionally draining and isolating. Here are eight suggestions that might make life a little easier and help you, or the relative you are caring for to stay at home.

1. Get an assessment from Social Services.

Whether you qualify for financial help from Social Services or not, this assessment is free. The assessment will help you to recognise what your needs are and who might be able to help you.

The carer can also have their own needs assessed and may be eligible for help.

2. Home Improvement Agencies.

Concern about maintaining your house can be a great worry – poorly maintained homes can also create hazards; cold is a killer for the elderly.

Foundations is a government appointed national body of ‘home improvement agencies’. They will offer advice on keeping your home warm and safe and the types of equipment available to help you stay in your own home. They will also advise you on any grants that you may be able to apply for.

STEP 3. Help at Home.

Home help is called ‘Domiciliary Care’ and if you are relying on this to get out of bed, bathing, dressing or your meals you need to make sure that the agency is reliable and that you like your carers. This can be tricky if you are funded by Social Services.

Alternatives are Direct Payments, where money is paid directly into your bank account and you employ your own help.

Private or voluntary agencies also provide domiciliary care. All agencies need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), have a look on their website for a list – my advice would be to start with the agencies that have the highest rating – 3 stars.

STEP 4. Food.

Keeping well depends upon eating well. Everybody has heard of Meals on Wheels, well they still exist so get in touch. Alternatively there are many companies that are local to you that deliver high quality food, find one that offers the food that you like with reliable drivers.

STEP 5. Pets.

Having a pet can be enormously rewarding, especially if you life alone. However, it can also be very worrying – who will look after him if I am ill, how will I get food in? The ‘Cinnamon Trust’ is a national charity that holds hands with owners to provide care for their pets – if your pet needs it, they will do it.

STEP 6. Disability Register.

The disability register is a not for profit organisation and provides details of new and second hand equipment that may make life a little easier. Items are bought and sold on a direct one-to-one basis, no middle men or commission involved.

STEP 7. Day centres.

Day care centres provide the opportunity to spend time with other people, as well as offering a range of activities – they also give the carer a break and some time to themselves. Run by the local authorities and local voluntary groups a national register doesn’t exist, but your local Age Concern will have a list of day centres.

STEP 8. Loneliness.

Being lonely can be a big problem when you are trying to remain independent in your own home. ‘Contact the Elderly’ is a volunteer organisation that organises regular Sunday afternoon tea parties for people over 75, who live alone with little or no social support.

If you decide that a care home is the right option for you, make sure you know what to ask when you visit your short list of homes, Questions to ask a care home gives you a list of questions that you can print off and take with you.

Where are the Dignity Champions?

2009-10-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

I became a Dignity Champion about a year ago and recently attended a meeting at the Department of Health about their Dignity in Care Campaign. Among the 15 or so who attended there was only one other person, other than myself, who did not actually work in a care environment.

I must say they were all articulate and passionate about trying to make their care environment more dignified - but I couldn't help thinking, where are the members of the public?

Surely it is the public who wants to safeguard the dignity of their relatives when they are in a residential or nursing home? It is also the public who often witnesses undignified or unacceptable behaviour by health care workers.

Being treated with dignity is in my view a basic human right and never more so than when the individual concerned is vulnerable. So why aren't the public getting involved in the Dignity Campaign?

I think the answer to that is quite simple - they don't know about it!

So I am on a mission to inform members of the public that they can become dignity champions and help to influence how their relatives are treated within care homes and any other care environment. I have even got my mum and dad involved as they are the reason I feel so passionately about this - check out http://www.best-care-home.co.uk/dignity.php if you would like to meet mum and dad and see how I am trying to encourage people to become Dignity Champions. Are you one?

2009-10-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Personal recommendations about care homes are rarer than hen's teeth and yet it seems to be that most people rely on the views of others when they choose a care home. I have even seen statistics that suggest one third of people only see one care home when making their choice - presumably through lack of information about the others.

If you don't have access to unbiased information it is easy to see how the first one you see could become the ultimate destination.

My ethos as I explained in my first blog, is that if you have a problem with an area of care try and find a solution. So I have set up www.best-care-home.co.uk. Initially I simply wanted to provide an online register of the best care homes, with a lot more information that simply a name, address and telephone number - so I encouraged lots of photos, links to CQC reports, videos (more of that later). Anything that will really give a prospective resident and their family a realistic and valuable insight into the home, before they visit it; and I made this free to the care home so that there were no barriers to providing information.

I also encouraged personal recommendations of the homes; and if I believed everything I read in the newspapers, I wasn't expecting to receive very many - how wrong could I be. I have received hundreds in a few months and they are moving and genuine and would really encourage me to visit that home.

So congratulations to the homes and the staff that have received these pesonal recommendations and thank you to the members of the public, residents, health visitors and everybody else that wanted to share their positive experiences with others.

2009-10-12T02:28:00.000-07:00

A study led by the University of London's school of pharmacy has shown that 70% of care homes, incorrectly administer drugs. In some cases the prescribed drugs were not given at all. The consequences of these mistakes could obviously be severe. Newspaper articles that once again lay the blame (within their headlines at least) at the feet of the care home, complain of the situation but does not suggest a remedy.

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman said

' This shocking number of mistakes cannot be tolerated...The NHS should be made to declare when staff mistakes injure or kill patients so that improvements to standards can be made'.

A case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted in my view. A Department of Health spokesman said;

'We will work with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and others to take forward the important issues raised by this study'

Frankly that does not reassure me. The residents within care homes are our relatives and as such we have a responsibility to improve conditions and procedures - simply pushing this responsibility onto the CQC is not going to get the situation improved.

What can we do about medication that is incorrectly given, or forgotten entirely?

At the Care Show at Olympia last week I saw a company that provided weekly medication - for use within care homes or private homes, in what I can only describe as a large blister pack. It can dispense pills and liquids, is labelled with the drug and when it should be taken. In addition and perhaps most importantly, it has the name of the resident and their photo on it.

I will have a word with the company and see if they would like to tell you more about it.

2009-10-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

I was reading The Times last week and they were talking about private schools and the power of parents within the parent teachers association. It occured to me, that as far as I know we don't have an equivalent 'voice' within care homes.

I emailed the Residents and Relatives Association and asked them their view. The bottom line is that according to them, there is no requirement within the existing Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations that stipulates or even suggests the existance of a 'relative carers association'. They went on to say that they thought the poorer care homes would avoid this avenue at all costs - I am sure they would.

So, if it works for schools, why wouldn't it work for care homes? I think one of the reasons schools get more support from parents is that they meet in the playground and become friends etc. and obviously this doesn't happen in a care home. But if the care home set up an online association for the relatives or residents to participate in, what a voice. Sharing problems, concerns and praise could benefit everybody involved - the residents, relatives and the staff.

If the care home won't or can't establish an online association what is to stop the residents creating their own? I don't see this as a vehicle for being negative about a care home, but as a drive towards improving what is wrong, praising what is going right and sharing information.

I am going to suggest this to some care homes and some relatives to see what the response is - I will let you know.

My first blog.

2009-10-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first blog.

Care and share is about the people we care for; how we care for them and the information we can share to help each other. By sharing information we can join together in improving care for the elderly and vulnerable people in our society.

The care industry is massive and in the main receives pretty awful publicity - but I don't think we can only blame the care homes for this level of care. We should assume some responsibility for the poor care received in some residential environments because we don't do anything about it - and before you go ballistic; when you have read in the newspaper about baby P, or abuse in a nursing home, what have you actually done about it?

You have probably done the same as me, nothing. Until now. I invite comments from anybody that has an opinion on care homes in any form, let me know what you think - but if you have a complaint, suggest a remedy. Between us we might be able to come up with some answers and let's face it we won't know until we try and you never know where this blog might lead us.