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A Heatwave Level 3 Heatwave warning was issued for our area at 0904 on Thu 25 Jun 2020.  This means that temperatures are likely to rise to levels that increase the risk of ill health among vulnerable adults, particularly the very young and older people and those with long-term health conditions. Met office notice

Caring for someone with dementia in a heatwave.  For many people, warmer weather can cause discomfort, dehydration and distress.  Those with dementia may find it difficult to take the steps we all take to help us cope in the heat.  Here is some advice about caring for someone with dementia in a heatwave, to help make things a little safer and more comfortable.

Caring for someone with dementia in a heatwave.

Dress appropriately

People with dementia might follow wear their usual clothes and forget to dress for the weather.  Leave out (or encourage them to wear) light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres along with a hat for outside.  This can help keep people comfortable and prevent overheating.

Keep the house cool

Check that the central heating isn’t on.  Get a fan and turn it on. Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day on the sunny side of the house.  In the evening, open the windows to let the warm air out and colder air in.

Avoid the midday sun

Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. When outside, seek out shade. Keep a bottle of sunscreen on you, and make sure it’s reapplied regularly.

Cool off

Encourage to take a cool bath or shower to cool down.  A cloth soaked in ice to dab or place on one’s forehead can really help.

Arrange extra visits

It is a great idea to organise extra care visits during hot weather.  The carer or visitor can check that they have a drink and that everything is ok.

Avoid dehydration

It is  key when caring for someone with dementia in a heatwave, to avoid dehydration.  Memory problems mean someone with dementia can easily forget to drink enough water.  As we age, we sometimes don’t feel thirsty.

Read the Gardiner’s post on hydration

Ways to help prevent dehydration:

• Leave drink water within easy reach.
• Make drinking easier – make sure the glass or bottle is easy to see and use, perhaps provide a straw.
• Make drinking enjoyable – make it a social occasion, stay and chat.
• Provide reminders to have a drink.
• Give food with high water content.

For more information about water, drinks and your health, please visit the NHS choices website

If, as a Gardiner’s Staff Member or Service User, you have a question about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in relation to our service, please do contact us by calling 01183347474.

The Thames Valley Health Protection Team covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire.  Their telephone number is 0344 225 3861 (option 1 to 4 depending on area) or for Out of hours advice 0844 967 0083.

The Care Workforce App has recently been launched by the Government to help support the adult social care workforce.

The CARE branded app provides access to:

• the latest guidance for protection against COVID-19 and keep themselves well
• learning resources on important areas such as infection control
• offers available to Care Workers, including free car parking and discounts
• practical advice and support for mental wellbeing

Click here to sign up

Recent posts on the Care Workforce App include:

NHS volunteers extend support to all Care Workers

Care Workers can now get help with tasks such as shopping and collecting prescriptions.  This help is available from NHS Volunteer Responders.  Access to this service is designed to help staff working at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hold Still

Hold Still is a photography competition which will document life during lockdown.  Deadline for entry 6pm on Thursday 18th June

Black Lives Matter

We have all been shocked and horrified by the death of George Floyd.  The website highlights two blogs on Black Lives Matter.

Wellbeing Support Helpine

With COVID-19 oi ball our minds, it is natural to be feeling stressed or anxious.  Many of us will be feeling worried or overwhelmed or may have things on our mind that we want to talk through. The Samaritans have a confidential emotional support line…

A Message from the Duke of Cambridge

The Duke of Cambridge personal message to all frontline workers, thanked them for their work during this difficult time.  The recorded message also raised awareness for the initiative which provides mental health and bereavement support to those working on the frontline …

Bereavement and Trauma Support Line

If you need support, there is a team of fully qualified and trained professionals ready to help you at the Bereavement & Trauma Line. This assistance is available in England and is provided by Hospice UK. Specialist counsellors and support workers are available to …

COVID-19 Essential Training

Skills for Care have identified training that remains a priority during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure staff are skilled and competent. Managers can access advice and guidance via the link below:

Advice Line for Registered Managers

Skills for Care have launched an advice line for registered and frontline managers, managing CQC regulated adult social care services through the COVID-19 crisis. This advice line can help managers access the latest information, resources, funding, online learning and …

Our Frontline — Toolkit

‘Our Frontline’ offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, along with a collection of resources, tips and ideas chosen to support care workers and other frontline staff. It can be hard to prioritise your own mental health when you’re caring for others in …

Finding Our Strength in Unusual Times

Text Support Service

SilverCloud

NHS volunteers extend support to frontline …

Discounts for Carers

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Have you heard about jelly drops?  They are a sweet that is designed to make it easy to help people boost their daily water intake.

We think that Jelly Drops are a fantastic idea and a great way to combat dehydration, especially amongst those with dementia.

These fantastic sweets are the brainchild of Lewis Hornby.  His inspiration came following his grandma Pat’s admission to hospital with severe dehydration.  Pat had dementia and Lewis wanted to find a solution that might help to prevent dehydration.

The sweets are presented in an inviting box, similar to a box of chocolates.  They are an easy, low calorie and tasty way to boost water intake.  Jelly drops are 95% water but solid when you eat them, easily breaking apart in the mouth, although if you have swallowing difficulties you should consult a Speech and Language Therapist prior to use

The Jelly Drop water sweets don’t need to be kept in the fridge and have a shelf life of up to 3 months.

Do you want to find out more?  Visit https://jellydrops.shop/

For other great hints and tips for those who receive care at home visit https://gardinersnursing.co.uk/news/

Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it’s not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.

Symptoms of dehydration:

• feeling thirsty
• dark yellow and strong-smelling pee
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• feeling tired
• a dry mouth, lips and eyes
• peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day

Sometimes people you care for do not have a sense of how much they’re drinking.  To help them:

• make sure they drink during mealtimes
• make drinking a social thing, like “having a cup of tea”
• offer them food with a high water content – for example, soups, ice cream or jellies, or fruits like melon

A pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration sachets. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink.

In Hot weather home security can often be overlooked due to the need to keep cool.

Here are some top Hot weather home security tips from the Thames Valley Police about how to help protect your home against burglary in warm weather:

• Fit window opening restrictors to all easily accessible windows – this will allow ventilation while restricting access.
• Close and lock all windows and doors, even if just out in the garden.
• Remove window and door keys from the locks, store out of reach and away from your letterbox.
• Keep valuables out of sight, along with any visible signs including charging cables.
• Hide the keys to your vehicle, and if you have a keyless entry, store the fob in a RFID pouch to block the signal.

For more guidance on how to protect your home, read the  the Thames Valley Police website and read their Home Security Guide

Did you know:

• Burglars tend to avoid homes with security systems.
• Most burglaries take place between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• The majority of break-ins are committed by burglars who live nearby.
• Most criminals can burglarize a home in less than ten minutes.
• Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window.
• An astonishing 34% of burglars enter through the front door.
• Burglars usually go to the master bedroom first.
• Someone is home during nearly three out of every ten burglaries.

Home Security post from Gardiner’s

It is really important not to underestimate the importance of good hydration for those receiving care at home.

How much water should we drink each day?

The amount you should drink each day depends on several factors including climate, physical activity and diet.  The UK Food Standards Agency recommends that “in a moderate climate, such as the UK, we need to drink at least 6 -8 cups or glasses of water (or other fluid) to prevent dehydration.”

To maintain good hydration for those receiving care at home, it is important to meet the 6-8 glasses of water per day target.

How can we identify dehydration?

You can monitor hydration levels by observing urine colour.  Urine should be clear or pale colour.  Observing lighter coloured urine throughout the day is an indicator a person is drinking enough and is well hydrated.

As we age we become more at risk of dehydration

Elderly people can often be physically frail with reduced mobility & activity.  This makes it harder not only to get a drink but also to go to the toilet.  Some people may decline drinking sufficient volumes of water in order to avoid need to go to the toilet later.

Those with poor memory or other mental issues may needed prompting to drink a sufficient amount.

As we grow older our feelings of thirst reduce.  As a result we drink less which can lead to dehydration.

Our kidneys don’t work as well as we grow older.  We also may develop any of number of medical problems (or / and take medication) which make it very important to stay well hydrated.

Dehydration is dangerous.

Dehydration causes dizziness which can lead to falls.  It can cause tiredness, lethargy, confusion and constipation.  The kidneys don’t produce urine so well increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.

How can you promote good hydration for those receiving care at home?

• Encourage those who you provide care for to drink a little more.
• When you visit, offer a drink when you arrive.
• Encourage sips during your visit.
• Leave them a drink for later.
• Find out what the person you are caring for likes to drink.
• Sometimes it can help to be aware of and record how much they are drinking.
• Let those that you care know that by having another glass of water they are helping to keep themselves well.
• Encourage drinking water even when people don’t feel thirsty; by the time you feel thirsty your body has lost between 2 and 5 cups of water.
• Suggest starting the day with a cup of hot water with a good squeeze of fresh lemon.
• Discourage caffeine and alcohol, drink water.  Caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics and cause the body to lose water.  You could also suggest a glass of water with coffee and tea?
• Throughout the day make water constantly available, keep a bottle of water within reach.
• Perhaps create a daily schedule; drink a glass after breakfast, one before lunch etc.
• Suggest to people to keep a drinks diary which will help to raise awareness about how much they are drinking.

Some great reason to stay well hydrated

• Concentration – When you are dehydrated your attention and concentration can decrease by 13% and short term memory by 7%.  Stay well hydrated helps to improve your concentration.
• Are you really hungry? – People often confuse mild feelings of thirst with mild hunger.   Drinking water can help manage weight by curbing the appetite and it is calorie free.  Also eating more fruit and vegetables can help because they are good for you and are 80-90% water.
• Active today?  – Drinking water before, during and after any physical activity will help keep your heart rate and body temperature lower.
• Hot? – In hot temperatures your body loses more water.  Drink additional water each day to compensate for this loss.
• Look great! – Dehydrated skin looks older. Drink lots to keep your skin looking younger and vibrant.

Perhaps Gardiner’s can help?  A daily visit from our care workers may be all that is need to help encourage your loved want to drink more.  Equally the reassurance of knowing that someone is coming to help assist to use the bathroom or change pads can give those with mobility issues the confidence to maintain good levels of fluid intake.

For more information about water, drinks and your health, please visit the NHS choices website

Friday 8th May 2020 was the 75th Anniversary of the VE Day (Victory in Europe. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic and the whole country being in lockdown, VE Day was still celebrated!

Main nationwide events may have been cancelled but many residents held street parties, whilst still following Government guidelines and abiding social distancing rules.

Houses were decorated in red, white and blue. Bunting adorned many properties or gardens and Union Jack flags were flying high. Some arranged household picnics on their front gardens with their neighbours, and some also arranged a street sing a long.

We loved hearing about and seeing images of everyone’s events but one video of a Service User that was shared by a Care Worker really stood out for us.  It is of Mr Beck thoroughly enjoying leading some war time songs and memories of his time in the war. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did, he is an inspiration at 99 years young!

https://www.veday75.org/

75 years since the end of the war in Europe

On 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the end of the war in Europe.  Years of war came to an end and millions of people took to the streets to celebrate.

The 75th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice and courage of those who saw us through this terrifying period.

We will remember the members of the Army, Navy and Air Force from many countries who died or were injured in body and mind, as well as those who kept the country running at home.

Read more about Gardiner’s

Friday 8th May 2020 was been designated by the Government as a Bank Holiday.  Licensing hours extended to allow us all to celebrate!  Sadly plans changed due to Corona Virus.  We still took the opportunity to help our clients pay tribute to the millions at home and abroad who gave so much to ensure we all enjoy the freedom we share today.

If you or a loved one have been targetted by nuisance calls or scammers, you may which to consider using a call blocker.

What is a call blocker?

Call blockers deter or prevent cold calls from telemarketers and fraudsters.  The call blocker service intercepts call and will check the caller’s number.  If the call is from a trusted caller then the phone will ring as normal.  Depending upon the level of protection that you want, call blockers may block calls from unknown numbers altogether.  Alternatively, some systems play a message which asks the caller to hang up and not call back if they are a cold caller, or to leave their name if it is not a cold call.

What are nuisance calls?

Nuisance phone calls are any unwelcome call that a person receives.  It is now cheap for call centres to make huge numbers of calls, it is estimated that in the UK we receive over 3 billion nuisance phone calls each year.  Malicious callers that want to scam and steal also operate often from their own calls centres.  Simple precautions can help to protect you from their calls.

Will I notice a call blocker?

Call blockers are unobtrusive, the user will notice no difference in how their landline telephone usually works, other than the nuisance calls will be filtered out.  Indeed, over time, they may even forget that they have a call blocker installed!

The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team has secured some government funding to supply a limited number of trueCall Secure call blocker units free of charge.  Alternatively, these can be purchased privately.

Please click here to read more information about scams and what action you can take.

You may be interested in the following organisations:-

• Ofcom
• Information Commissioner
• Action Fraud
• Telephone Preference Service
• Which?
• Think Jessica
• Alzheimers Society
• Age UK
• The debt charity Step Change
• Consumer Action Group
• RNIB
• Computer Room Services 
• Advice to prevent Elder Fraud
• tellmenow.com – a comprehensive directory of telecare and assistive technology products
• Dorset ‘My Health, My Way’ initiative
• Radfield Home Care – Richmond Kingston and Hounslow
• Techsilver

Gardiner’s Homecare has won the award for being one of the Top 10 home care providers in South East England.

There are 1,060 home care providers in South East England.

The top 10 home care providers in South East England received an award from the leading guide to home care www.homecare.co.uk

The award was based on the home care provider’s reviews from the people they care for, plus their friends and relatives.

Davina Ludlow, director of homecare.co.uk, said:

“Good quality home care enables people to stay in their homes and keep their independence, with their home care worker often becoming their friend as well as a lifeline to the outside world.

“Our reviews are given by those receiving home care as well as their family and friends. This helps people to search for the right care home provider, where trust and dignity are paramount.

“Gardiner’s Homecare has shown that it provides high-quality care and we’d like to congratulate it on being one of the top home care providers in South East England!

“Looking for the right home care provider can be tough. We hope our awards will help to make people’s search that little bit easier.”

John-Joe Cottam of Gardiner’s Homecare said:

“We are delighted to receive this award.  It really does mean so much to all of our team.  We know that together we are making such a difference to the lives of our service users and their loved ones.

Gardiner’s is now in our 50^th year providing care.  We are a local and family run business.  We are so proud that we continue to be recognised for providing superb care to people in their own homes.

This award is entirely due to the efforts of our team, I am so proud of them all.  Our care workers are determined to make a positive difference to lives of those people that they support.  They listen, they are dependable, organised.  Our team are able to respond to the unexpected.  They are supported by a fantastic office team who really do manage the care we provide brilliantly.  Thank you to all of our team from myself and also on behalf of those they have supported.

We are always looking for new people who share our approach to join our team.  If this sounds like you, please do get in touch.” 

To see Gardiner’s Homecare reviews, go to: https://www.homecare.co.uk/homecare/agency.cfm/id/65432193076

Please follow this link for the full list of winners in South East England.

https://www.homecare.co.uk/awards/

If you would like to enquire about care from Gardiner’s Homecare, please do contact us.

We have added lots of lovely homecare photos of the Gardiner’s team and the things we get up to our team to our Google profile.

Why not take a look by clicking on the following link to the photos on our Google business page

We have included everything from photos recent and old of our beautiful office to homecare photos of our team at the office.

There are also homecare photos of our team attending training sessions as well as celebrating success having completed various qualifications.

Some of our most special photos and memories are those where we get to help Service Users and are allowed to share those memories with you.  It might be a trip to the river, or perhaps the garden centre.  Perhaps lovely photos from Christmas or indeed the very special occasions that we are sometimes asked to help at such as weddings.

We are lucky enough to often receive thankyou letters and gifts, we always try to share photos of these with our whole team.

We think Gardiner’s is a very special place to work – the values of our team are what makes this such a special team.

Dignity & Respect

Our team accept and respect people’s individuality.  We take time to listen.  We respect people’s right to make their own decisions and choices.  We communicate in an open and straight forward way.  We allow people to maintain their dignity, especially during personal care.

Professional & Transparent

Our team accept are committed to learning and developing.  We regularly reflecting on our approach.  We are honest.  We provide support to those of our team who need help. We seek feedback from colleagues, service users and their families.  We know our limits and when to seek support and advice.  We are open to learning as well as warm, kind, reliable, empathetic and compassionate

Working together

Another focus for our team is to empower, encourage and enabling people who need care and support to do things for themselves and to make their own decisions.  We offer realistic choices and discuss the options.  We build trust with colleagues and service users.  We will communicate effectively and work with others as part of a team.  We will understand and respect other people’s priorities and adapt the approach we take according to the individual and situation.

If you are interested in joining our fantastic team, please click here to learn more.

Regal Picturehouse in Henley-on-Thames is a Dementia Friendly Cinema.  Once a month they have Dementia-Friendly Screening.  The cinema is open to all but especially for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers.  There is a chance to socialise for 30 minutes before the film and enjoy free tea, coffee and biscuits.

During the film, lights are left on low.  Viewers are welcome to talk, move around and sing along as they wish.  There is also a 20 minute interval halfway through the film.  As you will see from the list below, the films selected are films which many people with dementia may well be familiar with from years gone by.

Tickets are £4 and free for carers.

Next Dementia Friendly Cinema film showing …

White Christmas (U) Sing a Long on Weds 4th December 2019 at 1030-1245 – free tea and coffee from 1030, film starts at 1100

115 minutes + 20 minute interval.

WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of Two talented song-and-dance men (Crosby and Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. It is a treasure trove of classical musical numbers, among them ‘Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep’, ‘Sisters’, ‘Blue Skies’, and the beloved ‘White Christmas’. At this special screening the lyrics to the songs appear on screen for you to join in.

Click here for more information about other Dementia Friendly Cinema films showing at Henley Picture House

Perhaps Gardiner’s could help you or a loved one to visit a Dementia Friendly Cinema screening, please click here to learn more about us.

At Gardiner’s we feel that supporting people to vote  is important.  Ahead of the General Election on 12th December, this post provides information about supporting people to vote and how to make the provess easier.

Registering to vote

The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is midnight on 26 November.  Gardiner’s can support our cleints to register to vote if they wish.  Help with Supporting people to vote is also available from staff at the local council’s electoral services department.  Click here to apply to the voting register, you will need to have your National Insurance number available.

Assisting people to get to polling booths.

Gardiner’s are very happy to assist our clients to attend the local polling station to vote.  Help with supporting people to vote is also be available from the local council.

When you vote at a polling station you will be required to produce one of the following documents to confirm your identity:

• A UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photographic part) (provisional accepted)
• A UK, Irish or EU passport (note: EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
• An Electoral Identity Card – How to apply for a free Electoral Identity Card
• A Translink SmartPass

Postal votes

Everyone who is entitled to vote can apply to vote by post.  This is particularly helpful for people who may struggle to get to a polling station.  The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 26 November 2019.  Their postal vote must arrive at their Electoral Office by 10pm on 12 December 2019.  Click here to apply for a postal vote

While everyone should be free to decide which form of vote to use, the possibility of adverse weather in December may make opting for a postal vote a safe opiton for the upcoming General Election.

Mental capacity and the right to vote

The Electoral Commission’s guidance states that ‘Everyone, regardless of their capacity, should be registered to vote.  It is important that vulnerable people do not lose their right to vote’.

The Electoral Commission’s assisted applications guidance gives detailed advice for care staff and those holding a power of attorney, can go legally to assist people to register and exercise their right to vote.

Easy-read and accessible manifestos are usually available from the main websites of the political parties, Gardiner’s staff can support our clients to access these.

Proxy votes

A proxy vote is where someone goes to the polling station to vote for another person who is unable to attend to vote themself.  Where an individual appoints a proxy, they ask someone they trust to vote on their behalf.  People can only apply for a proxy vote under certain circumstances, including being away on polling day, having a medical issue or disability or not being able to vote in person because of work or military service.

The deadline to request a proxy vote for the upcoming General Election is 5 pm on 4 December 2019. 

A proxy postal vote can also be requested – the deadline for requesting this is 5 pm on 26 November 2019.

Click here for more information about applying for a proxy vote

It is also possible to ask for an emergency proxy vote, for example if someone becomes unexpectedly ill or incapacitated, also reasons relating to their occupation, service or employment, mean they cannot vote in person.  The applicaiton to do this must be made by 5 pm on the day of the election.

A word of warning

To avoid potential conflicts of interest, Care Workers should not be asked to act as proxies.  Any wrong-doing, for example, unduly influencing or voting on behalf of a service user could be a safeguarding matter.

More information

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections in the UK – vist the ‘I am a voter’ section of it’s website to read about registering to vote, casting votes in the ballot.  There is information on voting at GOV.UK at: information about voting.