As a care company today’s big task was to phone around our customers and find out who has had a COVID19 jab.  This is required by the local authority, and presumably the government.  Encouraging most of our customers have had at least one jab.  The conversations at first were…. Who has had a jab, and who is still waiting?”  The conversation with our clients and their families has now moved onto “Whether you had the Astra Zeneca, or the Pfizer jab!”  and “Did you have any side effects?” I’m sure the next question will be “When are you having the second jab?”

What all this means of course is that the older groups the government targeted first for a vaccine appears to have worked well.  Our phone around suggested that most of our customers have already had at least one vaccination.  The main difficulty seems to have been people who are largely housebound because the Pfizer vaccine could not be used as it  needs to be stored at -70C, this led to worry as people they knew others who could get out and had better health got vaccinated before them.

After a short delay our carers have also been offered a vaccination.  We have all had to travel to the Preston Royal Hospital this week.  Whilst its a bit of a drive none of us have been too concerned because we know it is important to protect ourselves, and this in turn helps protects our customers through lower transmission.

For those who really want to know…. I had the Pfizer vaccine!

Back to work again after the Christmas and the New Year.  It is has been a strange and difficult Christmas- some people have sadly spent Christmas alone, or without the people they really wanted to spend it with.  Just before Christmas I dropped off a present to a former customer who resides in  care home.  Although I regularly telephoned the lady  it was the first time I had been to the care home since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place last March.  I found it quite upsetting just only being able to go to the window and wave – it brought it home to me just how difficult it has been for older people, and their next of kin.

As I write, the Oxford vaccine is being rolled out today which is great news.   However, I don’t know about you but often the media do not help the situation – a few days ago the newspapers were full of stories that there wouldn’t be enough vaccine, then the companies came back and said there was!  The latest negativity is whether or now the vaccine will stop the so-called “South African Strain” of COVID.  However, it does seem there will be enough vaccine so lets hope that by Easter we are starting to see some positive results.

I do think that many more people in the future will consider taking home care.  Many people have appreciated the carers both providing them with practical help, and company when their relatives cannot visit due to COVID19 rules.

Hopefully by Easter we will all be able to visit friends and relatives in care homes (and elsewhere) safely!

Stay Safe

Despite COVID 19 having a huge impact on every day life as we know it, our services are still operating as normal as possible throughout the pandemic. The safety of all our clients and care staff remains of upmost importance, and this will not be changing at any point.

We have dealt with cases in which our services are limited due clients being at a higher risk than others, but also dealing with cases in which the need for our services have increased due to clients getting less general interaction with friends or family.
With an increased worry in elderly relatives being kept at care homes, despite the new rollout of the vaccine, many people are wary of the situation and are now turning to home care services instead.

We offer a great range of services, from bathing or making meals for clients, to overnight care and/or 24 hour care. We also have very strong experience helping with memory loss/dementia support and other illness orientated services.

It’s clear to note we are equipping all our staff with the required PPE to keep both themselves and the ones they are supporting safe, in order to keep providing our high quality services despite all the problems currently circulating across the country. We understand, especially now, how it’s difficult to anticipate the level of support you may need. That is why we offer a flexible service plan which means you can change your given plans to tailor for different needs.

Get in contact today and we will be sure to help in any way we can.

In the press at the moment is a great deal about professional footballers who head the ball and dementia.  Given the time lag between playing football in your 20s it was not obvious at the time that 40-50 years later you might get dementia.  In addition when you are playing competitive sport in your 20s these types of illnesses are things that happen “to someone else a long time in the future”.  However, it is becoming clear that a link between heading footballs and dementia does exist and many no need round the clock care.

The PFA (Professional Footballers Association) the union is under fire from families of former England internationals for not doing enough to support families or conduct research.  PFA Assistant Simon Barker denies this  stating a taskforce is in place, research is taking place and he talks to families who come forward.  The PFA has announced a Neurodegenerative Disease Working Group to drive the issue forward.  It has been found that footballers are 2-5 times more likely to die from degenerative brain diseases.

One thing being promoted is to reduce heading in training, and to consider temporary substitutions in games.  This will obviously result in changes to the laws of the game.  The PFA stated that is cares deeply about the issues and it has not abandoned families of former players.

Independent Living Owner (Mark Booker) commented “when I was younger I played football and the impact of heading the ball must have consequences.  This must be the case for those who made a living from football who headed 1000,s of times in their career.  These footballers will require support and care in their later years”

Relatives of dementia patients should be classed as key workers according to charities such as Dementia UK and the Alzheimers Society and people with dementia have been the hardest hit in the pandemic.  The are asking Health Secretary (Matt Hancock) to make visitors to care homes “key workers” so that they can be tested regularly.  There is a “hidden catastrophe” as care homes have been closed to visitors since March and some residents do not understand the situation due to their condition.

COVID-19 In Care Homes

Thousands have died in Care Homes during the COVID19 pandemic and others have been left isolated from their families and friends.  The charities praised care homes that have been innovative such as trying to organise virtual visits.  Relatives are frustrated that the rules are not clear and they are being interpreted differently across the country.  The Department of Health state they will issue guidance shortly on how we can carefully and safely allow visiting in care homes”.

Mark Booker (Independent Living) stated ” care homes are clearly a concern, people want to see their loved ones but of course no one wants to spread COVID19 to vulnerable people.  Care homes have probably had the brunt of COVID19 but its only recently their plight has made the headlines.”

If you have a loved one with dementia in need of some professional care in their home, please read our page about our dementia service and get in touch with our friendly team today.

Reading in the papers today the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated “too many” care homes did not properly follow the procedures during the COVID19 pandemic.  In response care home providers have said the comments by the Prime Minister are “neither accurate nor welcome”.

The Prime Minister did say care should be funded properly and support needs to be organised.  The National Care Forum (NCF) said he should turn up the dial on reform, and down on the blame”.  Vic Rayner speaking on behalf of the 120 members of the NCF said guidance came in “stops and starts – with organisations grappling with over 100 pieces of additional guidance much of which was not accompanied by an understanding of the operational implications of operating care services.” Mike Padgham operating care homes in North Yorkshire said Health England in February said is was very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home would become infected and that homes didn’t need to do anything differently.  It was many weeks later after most homes had already lockdown that the advice changed.”

Mark Booker (Owner, Independent Living) stated “in my opinion at the start of this care was the poor relation of the NHS.  This is probably because the public has great affection for the NHS whereas care is a silent and an under valued service.  In our experience Lancashire County have been helpful asking us daily how the service was coping , and providing some PPE.  However, government guidance has often come in the form of long emails rather than verbal communication.  I believe when COVID19 deaths in care homes rocketed the Government panicked and realised they had neglected this sector, but clearly they could not undo the damage.

In our experience the home care sector has not been hit like care homes probably because it is harder to spread infection but I do worry what support we would have received if things had been different.”

COVID19 has affected people and businesses in many different ways.  Home care is no different, customers we took to supermarkets, garden centres, hospital appointments suspended their service whilst they self isolated.  On the other hand because some people have not been getting visits from relatives they have increased their care.  Whatever people choose we are here to support our customers and their families.  Throughout the crisis the safety of our customers and our care staff is paramount.  We have used personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitisers throughout the pandemic, this includes: face masks, aprons and gloves.

Now we are moving to the so called “new normal” we are finding self isolating customers are now returning.  We are also seeing a demand for home care as people start to make decisions about care for elderly relatives.  We the high number of COVID19 care home cases and an inability to visit relatives many more people are considering care at home as an alternative.

Independent Living Owner (Mark Booker) commented “care homes have had a bad press around COVID19 and this is not their fault.  However, it is left people wondering how to support their elderly relatives in the future.  We believe that care in your own home is a great option for most people – any survey conducted consistently  shows that the overwhelming desire of older people is to remain in their own home as long as possible – it is where they feel comfortable, surrounded by their memories and possessions,”

The media is currently full of COVID 19 stories!  I don’t know if you are like me but after a few months of reading the press about COVID19 I’ve given up!  First to annoy me is the miracle cures: Vitamin D, Anti-depressants, rabies drugs……………….yesterday it was even mouthwash!   The next bug bear is the “experts”, one Professor saying a lockdown achieves little and the numbers were falling before it, whilst another Professor saying it is vital to save the NHS and “flatten the curve”.  Then we get experts saying 40% of people have had COVID19, others saying its just 5%.  They don’t even know if you are immune from COVID19 in future if you have had it!

Given the above we would just like to reassure you that it is business as normal here at Independent Living.  The office is open in normal working hours to deal with issues.   We are continuing to care for our customers in their own homes.  We are providing our carers with hand sanitizers and our carers are issued with personal protective equipment (PPE).  If any of our carers do exhibit possible symptoms of COVID 19 they will self isolate for the period of time required by the Government.

If we can help please call us in normal office hours on 01257 696 050.

Doctors have welcomed a treatment which may slow down the condition if it is caught in its early stages.  Biogens drug “aducanumab” has seen success in clinical trials.  The manufacturer is in talks to seek the opinion of the US regulator.  A trial has been given to 3,000 patients at higher doses than previously given and it does appear to slow down the disease.

Anton Portsteinsson from the University of Rochester stated “there is a tremendous unmet need and the Alzheimers disease community has been waiting for this moment”. The news comes after 5 years which drug companies have watched promising treatments fail in their final stages, leading to some firms to pull entirely from the field.”

Independent Living Owner (Mark Booker) commented “we hear an awful lot about miracle cures and promising clinical trials but up to know many drugs have not lived up to their hype.  However, with an ageing population more people are experiencing memory loss issues and if we are to provide quality care in the future more investment is needed in this area”.

Massage and music therapy are more effective than sedatives at calming people with dementia according to a study by authors from the University of Toronto who believe it is time to move away from drugs. If patients become aggressive or agitated it is more humane and more patient centred to use non-medical treatments.  A hand massage for just 5-10 minutes can calm a person down.  Also music can be used, for example giving a person a headset with their favourite type, this could be as diverse as jazz or classic rock!  In Britain the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that carers first try to deal with upset patients with non-drug therapy such as massage, exercise or aromatherapy.

Mark Booker owner of Independent Living commented “the use of alternative techniques does seem a great way forward, it is perhaps more time consuming and labour intensive but surely it gives older people a better quality of life.”  In the home care sectors where people have one-to-one care we do try to find activities which interest people with dementia, this may be cooking, gardening, puzzles etc