The Carer

Derby’s Oldest Nursing Home Ends 2024 on a High After Winning a String of Awards Brookfields is Derby’s longest-running private nursing home having been converted from a house by Joan and Peter Turner who bought it in 1968. The first resident was Alfred Bowmer, of Bowmer + Kirkland. Since 1994 the home has been managed by Joan and Peter’s daughter, Celeste, with the help of a large team of 58 employees. The Brookfields’ team includes qualified nurses and is well established with long serving staff members. The home caters for residents with all kinds of needs, from those with simple social requirements to patients with a degree of dementia. It also has a specialism in neurological conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease. Imaginative staff have come up with video tours of faraway destinations complete with matching food and drink specially sourced so that residents get the feel of a holiday abroad, and activities include  quizzes, exercises, bingo, gardening, flower arranging, cheese and wine tasting, plus trips that residents have asked for during their regular meetings. Owner Celeste Turner said: “We’re very proud to be recognised for our continuing good work through these awards. At Brookfields it’s central to our ethos that we will look after people to the full until the end of their journey. “We pride ourselves on providing a very bespoke and comprehensive package for residents which includes social care, nursing and personalised services as needed – and in doing so, we facilitate people to continue to live their normal lives as much as is possible. We want people to enjoy living here as much as in their own home and to live as fulfilled a life as they can. “We make sure every moment of people’s time here is spent as fully as it can be, doing what they want to do. We treat everyone with respect and dignity and we have people from all walks of life living here. “I’m delighted and extremely proud that the nursing home started by my parents is still flourishing today – these awards are for all our brilliant staff who come to work with a smile every single day.” Read More:

AGE UK Urges Older People to Get COVID-19 and Flu Jab “As Soon as They Can” With the roll out of the 2024 winter flu and covid vaccination programme underway, Age UK urges older people to do all they can to stay well this winter by having the vaccinations for which they are eligible as soon as they can. By having a vaccine those most at risk from respiratory illnesses can be protected through the colder months, preventing nasty winter bugs from developing into more serious illnesses and helping to minimise hospitalisations. Studies show that older people and particularly those managing health conditions are among those most at risk from the serious impacts of flu, COVID-19 and respiratory virus. The UKHSA weekly flu and covid surveillance reports show those aged 85+ had the highest hospital admission rate for influenza between December 2023 and May 2024. This was followed by those aged 75-84 who had the second highest rate. The weekly rates of hospital admissions for older people with RSV has risen sharply since October 2024, leaping from 0.3 per 100,000 patients on October 14, to 2.92 on November 25 for the 65-74 age group. For the 75-84 age group, those figures have risen from 0.5 to 5.95 per 100,000 patients (almost 12 times as many) during the same period. For those 85+, the admission rate for RSV has risen from 1.27 to 14.05 (over 11 times as many) during the same period. Despite the risks across eligible groups, influenza vaccine uptake in the UK has generally lower during the 2024 to 2025 season, compared to the previous 2023 to 2024 season among the 65+ age group. However, estimates show the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine against hospitalisation was 30% in those aged 65 and above, making it a vital tool in protecting ourselves against serious winter illnesses. For the first time, the NHS is also offering vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people. The jab, introduced earlier this month, is being made available to all adults turning 75 on or after 1 September. In the first year of the programme, there will also be a one-off catch-up campaign for adults already aged 75-79 years old on 31 August 2024 . Influenza and Covid vaccines will be available and are considered safe to have at the same time, but the RSV vaccine will be offered on a different day to the others. Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: “This winter is shaping up to be another worrying one for many older people as they struggle to balance keeping warm this winter with the cost of energy, changes in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, and the rising cost of food.  But having our vaccines when they are offered is something we can all do to help avoid serious illnesses, particularly as the weather turns cold. There are also other preventative steps that older people can take to help keep them healthier this time of year too, including proactively managing long-t…

Southport Care Home Cooks 50 Meals to Support Homeless People this Christmas The team at Connell Court, on Weld Road near Birkdale Village made home-made chicken curry and chilli con carne along with caramel shortbread for dessert. They then delivered the meals to the New Start homeless shelter on Leyland Road in Southport. Connell Court Care Home Manager Anna Harvey said: “We wanted to give back and do something for our local community.  “There is no better way of doing it than providing home cooked food. “We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a brighter new year.” Earlier this year, Connell Court became part of the Crestview Care family, with the new owners already investing to make improvements to the facilities on offer. Crestview eagerly engages with the local community and increase its involvement in local activities which is a key focus for the team as they believe that care extends beyond the walls of the home. Read More:

Bake Off Star Judges Christmas Cooking Creations at Parkstone Care Home A Great British Bake Off star visited residents at a Parkstone care home to judge their Christmas baking competition. Maggie Richardson, who appeared on the famous show in 2021, was invited to Alexandra House care home to taste test a range of cakes and bakes whipped up by the staff. With the help of two residents, Margaret and Joan, Maggie tried a traditional Christmas cake, coffee and Nutella gingerbread man cake, snowman sponge cake, chocolate yule log, and chocolate orange Christmas tray bake, with the treats being judged on appearance and taste. Maggie said: “I loved meeting the residents and staff at Alexandra House and judging their Christmas Bake Off. The cakes were delicious, and the effort from the staff was incredible. It was great fun working with the residents to pick a winner, but honestly, they all deserved an award.” Afterwards, the staff cut up the cakes and shared them with the residents and team across the care home for everyone to enjoy. Georgie Powell, Home Manager at Alexandra House, said: “The residents were thrilled to meet Maggie and help judge our Christmas Bake Off. It was wonderful to have Maggie on-hand to offer some of her top tips on baking and to talk about her time on the show. At Care South, we love enabling the residents to pursue their own interests. Baking is a much-loved activity here, especially at Christmas, as it brings back fond family memories." Read More:

PRESS RELEASE Crewe Comes Out in Force for Ivy’s 105th Celebrating another year is always a joyous occasion but perhaps few birthdays are as special as sharing one with your hometown, as Crewe’s Ivy Hart marked her 105th surrounded by a haul of well wishes from the community.   Ivy enjoyed her big party on Sunday 15 December with her family, friends and a heartening 270 cards after carers at her home, Belong care village, put a callout to locals in a bid to make the centenarian’s milestone day her best one yet. After the request spread via social media and word of mouth, the team surprised their resident with the remarkable outcome of the appeal.    Speaking of the moment, Ivy said: “For me, my age is just a number, and the number just keeps getting bigger. I’ve lived a very long life, and I believe it’s all about being happy and enjoying what you do and what you’ve got.”  More contributions came from young friends at nearby Pebble Brook Primary School, with pupils providing their rendition of Happy Birthday. Live entertainment followed, as did the presentation of gifts and a special cake whipped up by the village’s in-house bistro team. Also joining the fun, Crewe Town Mayor, Cllr Dawn Clark dropped by to share her favourite Ivy stories, having known her for a number of years.   Born into a world coming to the terms with the impact of WWI, Ivy has seen no fewer than five monarchs and 23 prime ministers, and perhaps most befitting of her character, just days after her birth came a new act of parliament enabling women to join professional bodies, sit on juries and be awarded degrees.   Fiercely independent, it was following the sad and sudden death of her husband George when Ivy moved to Abergele, north Wales, dedicating her time to her dogs and singing in local choirs. She later returned to Crewe to train as a teacher, supporting boys with learning difficulties. She resided in her home until earlier this year, when she chose to move to Belong Crewe, the not-for-profit dementia specialist on Brookhouse Drive.   Ivy joins a very small club of approximately 600 people of the same age or older in England & Wales1, the last surviving of those born before the 1920s.    Organiser of the event, Belong Crewe experience coordinator, Jessica Butler, commented: “Our beautiful Ivy is very dear to us, and we wanted everyone to share in her day and give her a nice surprise.     “Her sight and hearing aren’t what they used to be and so she was delighted to receive so many with bold colours and some even featuring music. We’ve had a fantastic response and we’re very grateful for everyone who's made Ivy’s day special for her.”   Read More:

NHS Highlights Dementia Symptoms to Look Out for Over Christmas as Numbers Diagnosed Soar As family and friends gather for the festive period, the NHS is highlighting the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for in loved ones. Common early symptoms of dementia that may appear some time before an official medical diagnosis include: - emotional changes such as irritability - forgetfulness - struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word - being confused about time and place The symptoms reminder comes alongside new NHS data showing more people than ever before have a dementia diagnosis with November figures showing 499,068 people in England have received a dementia diagnosis – a jump of 19,416 in a year. England’s top dementia doctor has said this is a “positive step forward” as a timely diagnosis can mean patients and families can get the right support in place at an earlier stage. NHS staff across the country are working hard to diagnose people with dementia, and pilot programmes in 14 sites have been set up to assess care home residents to support identification of people who may have dementia so that everyone can get the care and support that they need, regardless of where they live. England has one of the highest dementia diagnosis rates in the world: as of November, 65.8% of people aged 65 or over who are estimated to have dementia had a recorded diagnosis. High-income countries are typically in the range of 20-50%. While dementia diagnosis rates are the highest since the start of the pandemic at 65.8%, the NHS is working hard to meet its ambition to diagnose 66.7% of the total number of people living with the disease. Ahead of the Christmas period, Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS England national clinical director for dementia, said: “Dementia often develops slowly and might not be apparent during a brief interaction, but with family and friends gathering at Christmas perhaps for the first time in months, there is an opportunity to spot the signs of this condition. “There are lots of reasons why people might be forgetful or absent-minded at such a busy time of the year, but it could also be the sign that something is wrong. “Issues that may not have been obvious previously such as forgetfulness, difficulty making plans, or word-finding problems can come to the surface or be easier to spot when families or friends across the country get together over the festive season. “Thanks to patients and families coming forward, and the hard work of NHS staff, we have a record almost half a million people diagnosed with dementia, most of whom are living in their own homes with support from family and friends. “Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services able to help. “If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment – the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can help.” Former GP Dr Matthew Alexander, 7…

Festive Fun at Connell Court Residents at Connell Court care home in Southport have been getting into the Christmas spirit by enjoying lots ‘festivities’ over the past few weeks. A lot of goings-on for our residents this December, including Alice in Wonderland Pantomime, annual mince pie baking competition, our big evening quiz, and a chance for residents to show off their creative flair with Wreath Making, and our regular crafting of sock snowmen. As part of our intergenerational initiative we were very pleased to an afternoon visit from St Johns primary school choir in Ainsdale. Our residents joined in with the wonderful singing with lots of clapping and smiles around. The highlight of Connell Court’s programme of festivities so far has been our Annual Christmas party. With music provided by guitarist/singer Eddie James, amazing food from Connell Courts catering team, with amazing effort put in from staff for their costumes making the atmosphere truly joyful.  Our Christmas raffle which was drawn at the party, raised £191 for our resident amenity fund. Still to come we have our Christmas Bingo, our Christingle-service and festive seated sports with Caz from Rise, with residents reminiscing of Christmases celebrated in years gone by. Anna Harvey, manager at Connell Court, says: “We have had such a busy December, where everybody took part in our wonderful activities, thank you to the whole team for all of the efforts. It was such a delight for our residents, families and friends to get together for a wonderful party, here’s to many more. Evelyn Daniels Resident said ‘December has been absolutely lovely, the staff have made such a lovely effort’. Read More:

Ruth Langsford to Spread Dementia Awareness this Christmas in Partnership with ITV As families cosy up in front of the TV to watch Christmas listings this festive season, ITV viewers may notice some differences to the messages they see and hear between programmes over the Christmas period as Alzheimer’s Society partners with ITV to run a special campaign, which will run around some of their show announcements, from 23-31 December for the first time. ITV Loose Women panellist and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, Ruth Langsford, who is the voice behind this year's campaign said: “I’m delighted to be voicing the important messages for this year’s campaign. Christmas should be a happy time filled with loved ones, laughter and memories. But sadly, for around one million people in the UK, dementia will strip these precious moments away. “Having lost my dad Dennis, and currently seeing my mum Joan live with dementia, I know how this time of year can often heighten the heartbreak and loss we feel, coupled with added challenges to manage ongoing caring responsibilities. “With one in three people born today developing dementia, it has never been more crucial to shine a light on the condition and bring it from behind closed doors. “So don’t be alarmed, when images and sound suddenly don’t seem quite right between some of your ITV programmes this Christmas but do share with family and friends the messages heard.” Read More:

Castle School Students Spread Holiday Joy with Festive Singing Cambridge Manor Care Home delighted in an incredibly special Christmas singing performance when Castle School students visited the home to give a loud and lively performance and deliver handmade gifts for the residents. The school was keen to visit the residents at Cambridge Manor again for Christmas as they did last year in the lead up to the festive celebrations and they did not disappoint! Located just a short distance from each other, the school and home have enjoyed previous visits and were delighted to take time together in the busy end of term period. Castle School provides education for children with special educational needs, and along with teaching staff, a group of 15 students with a wide variety of learning, behavioural and sensory needs, many with autism, sang for the residents at Cambridge Manor. Leading them through back-to-back Christmas songs, Castle School teacher and choir leader Sofia Hunt, played the home’s grand piano at full pelt and everyone was invited to accompany the music-making with – what else? – bells to jingle of course! The pleasure that intergenerational engagement such as this brings to both parties was easy for all to see, and the hard work the students had put into putting on a polished performance was recognised and greatly appreciated. Retired teacher and Cambridge Manor resident Angela Roberts understood exactly the effort and commitment from both the pupils and their teachers, and commented, “I was completely in my element being around the children and its hard to express the amount of pleasure their singing bought to me. I spent my professional career in the teaching environment, and it took me back to how much I loved it. I felt so uplifted from their singing and dancing. We’ve had lots of lovely visits recently for Christmas, and this was by far my absolute favourite, it was wonderful.” The occasion was so successful, regular trips to Cambridge Manor will be planned for 2025 to bring the two communities together. Choir leader and piano player, Sofia, bought a level of contagious enthusiasm to the home and explained, “It means so much for our students to have opportunity to socialise with members of the wider community and build links with people of all ages. We absolutely loved visiting the residents at Cambridge Manor Care Home. The students remembered our visit from last year and were so excited to return. They were proud and excited. We hope everyone enjoyed the performance and we look forward to fostering more links with the care home going forward.” Read More:

Care Group Launches ‘The Lounge’! Saint Cecilia’s Care Group is launching ‘The Lounge’ a new, vibrant and accessible community hub for Scarborough and surrounding areas. The Lounge, at Eastway, Eastfield, [previously Saint Cecilia’s Day Care] is to expand its current daily activities, companionship and care for older and vulnerable adults, offering sessions up to seven days a week, if required. It is also working in partnership with a local charity, to host sessions for people living with dementia and their families. The Lounge is already a regular meeting place for Andy’s Man Club, which holds weekly sessions each Monday for men with mental health issues. It is also the new home for The Eastfield Community Free Fridge, which collects supermarket food and distributes it to local people every Thursday. The centre is being re-named The Lounge to reflect its new uses and because it is designed to be a home from home, somewhere warm and welcoming where people can relax, enjoy themselves and make new friends and connections. The Lounge roadshow – including a distinctive crimson settee – will be popping up at various unexpected venues in the coming weeks to tell people what the new hub has to offer. Saint Cecilia’s would love anyone seeing the roadshow to share a picture on social media, using the hashtag #stceciliaslounge Saint Cecilia’s Executive Chairman Mike Padgham said: “In this, our 35th anniversary year, I am delighted to open this new chapter for the centre and look forward to welcoming more people to an ever-wider range of activities and facilities at The Lounge. “As well as the sessions we already have we are open to suggestions for other uses that could be beneficial to our local community. The Lounge is a flexible space which lends itself to different activities and uses, seven days a week. It is on bus routes and private transport can be arranged. “I would very much like to invite people to call in for themselves, have a coffee and a look round and see what The Lounge has to offer – everyone is welcome.”     Read More: