no.311
incorporating
December 2022
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Home teams up with university for research A LIVERPOOL care home has been helping Manchester University researchers looking at the future of care. Oak Springs was one of four care homes to be approached by the University who wanted to interview a number of residents about what gives them a sense of purpose. They also wanted to know to what extent they would like to engage in purposeful activities and the role of care staff in helping to achieve this. Dr Laura Brown is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Manchester, whose research focuses on cognition, health and wellbeing in later life. She said: “I am interested in characterising the patterns of psychological functioning that are associated with ageing and in developing interventions to help improve health and wellbeing in older populations – particularly those in residential care home settings.” The results of the survey showed that many residents experienced a loss of a sense of purpose when entering a care home and found it hard to make friends. Care home staff are seen as integral to fostering a ‘tailored approach’ to activities to help get it back. “Purposeful activities tailored to the resident’s previous life work best,” added Laura.
“For example, a resident who was very good at sewing when she was younger would enjoy craft activities put on by an activity coordinator that encouraged that skill in others. This would help to create a sense of purpose for the resident. “Research shows that residents who are given a ‘job’ in a care home, such as gardening or DIY, found that it can improve their quality of life. But it has to be built into the culture of the care home as an important part of people’s care.” Andrea Lyon, registered manager of Oak Springs, which has created an initiative called ‘Project Busy’ to encourage residents to get involved in daily life activities, said: “As part of our admission process our activities coordinators chat to each new resident and complete a ‘this is me’ document. “This captures everything from their likes and dislikes to their hobbies and interests and really informs their personalised care plan. “Our team encourages residents to complete little jobs if that’s what they would like to do. “For example, a recent resident used to run her own sweet shop so we asked her if she would like to set up and help us run a tuck shop in the home. She loved it. Laura’s research will be read in the UK as well as in America.
Great night promised at CUK Awards
Agnes Kaye has become the oldest person to climb a 15-metre sycamore tree at a Thirsk activity centre. The 98-year-old outdoors-lover, who lives at Hambleton Grange, grew up on a farm in Kipling, Scotland, where she would ‘climb every tree in the area’ as a child. During her daily walk with the home’s care team, Agnes spoke of the joy she felt when she would get to the top of a tall tree in her youth, and expressed how much she wished she could climb a tree once again. Eager to fulfil her wish, the care team got in touch with Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, who were delighted to invite Agnes to take on their climbing tree challenge free of charge. After being lowered down on her harness, the team at Carlton Lodge presented Agnes with a certificate, naming her the ‘most spritely and mature person to climb this tree’.
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TICKETS are selling fast for the 2022 Caring UK Awards; with shortlisted care homes, sponsors and guests all looking forward to a great evening. Organised by Script Media in partnership with Caring UK and headline sponsor Virgin Money, this annual celebration of success will culminate in a glittering ceremony – taking place at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday December 1 – where host Dean Andrews will reveal the lucky winners. We received a record number of entries from all over the UK with so many stories of the wonderful work that is being done and we want to thank everyone who sent in nominations. Shortlisted entries from far and wide have made the finals, now progressing to the next stage of the judging process. Event organiser Dominic Musgrave added: “The standard of entries has been higher than we could ever have imagined, and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone on the night. “It was difficult enough for us to narrow the number of entries down into a shortlist so I don’t envy our judges who are going to have to choose the winners. “The event itself will be a celebration of all that is good in the industry and the perfect party to start Christmas.” Tickets to the industry’s party of the year are available at https:// script-events.co.uk/cuk-awardstickets
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