Tag Archives: Older care

Stamford care home receives reward for dedication to dementia care

July 31, 2012   Carers, dementia, Older care

When I get older

July 29, 2012 | By |

Whitefriars Care Home in Stamford

The recent BBC programme When I Get Older has raised some interesting issues about dementia, the cost of elderly care and life in a care home.

The programme followed four elderly celebrities who moved in with pensioners at home and then also experienced life in a care home to help better understand the lives of older people in today’s society.
But for one care home in Stamford its continued commitment into the provision of dementia and elderly care for their residents has resulted in success.
Whitefriars, part of the Orders of St John Care Trust, is the first care home within the Trust to receive a dementia accreditation as part of its internal audit tool.
The tool measures performance across a number of areas, including personalised care and support, management of medication, prevention and control of infection and staff training. There is also a specific section relating to dementia care.
In order to meet the criteria outlined in the audit, which has received approval from Dementia UK, Whitefriars care home has implemented a series of initiatives that provide both choice and fulfillment to each resident.
Home manager Helen Finlay, said. “Our focus is on providing a home from home environment for our residents and delivering individualised care to each person.
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Family and friends’ needs when you Care for someone

July 28, 2012   Carers, family, Older care

Being a carer can put pressure on your relationships with your partner, children, extended family or friends.

You may feel like you’re constantly juggling your time and trying to keep other people happy. Time off from caring can help to redress the balance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_01hGlBWjXw

Your partner

Your caring responsibilities can put pressure on all your relationships but especially that of you and your partner. If you care for someone who perhaps has complex needs, you may find that you don’t get to spend valuable time together. You could discuss these feelings with a social worker who should inform you of a carer’s assessment, which will look at your need to nurture your relationships, and may be able to offer you respite care if appropriate.

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Loneliness rife among older men

July 26, 2012   Carers, Depression, internet, Older care

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Many men over 75 suffer from lack of social contact and depression

190,000 British men over 75, who live alone, are lonely according to WRVS research, which identified 36 per cent spend more than 12 hours of the day on their own.

The research found that these men are more likely to be lonely than women, however they are less likely to confide in friends and family about their feelings (11 per cent men, 24 per cent women).

The findings also highlight the extent to which these men are socially isolated with 41 per cent typically having two or less face to face conversations a day and one in 33 (three per cent) having none.

There is widespread agreement amongst experts that loneliness is a serious health issue because it makes it more likely that older people will develop illnesses that reach crisis level and need hospital care.

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