Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Apples, Broccoli, and the Impact of Touch in Care

Evolve Care Group has been delivering its own bespoke training programme for over 800 team members through their Evolve Care Academy since 2015. The academy recently continued its year-long training series, "The Alice Years," with its third course, focusing on "Touch" and manual handling. Drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, this engaging and immersive programme aims to deepen understanding and practical skills while ensuring that the training feels meaningful and impactful. The previous course in the series, titled “Control,” has now been CPD accredited, further highlighting the group’s commitment to quality and continuous development. Evolve’s approach is centred on enhancing care through thoughtful and accessible training, built with the unique needs of its residents, who are referred to as family members, in mind.

The course which was repeated over 4-days to ensure all team members could attend started with Clinical Director, Eve Carder, highlighting the significance of touch in care settings, particularly for family members living with a Dementia. She posed thought-provoking questions: Is touch merely a task? Is it something we “do” to someone? Team members were reminded that every interaction could feel like the first time for individuals living with a Dementia, and it’s essential to approach them as though they've just stepped into their own "Wonderland", and to join them in their world.

The session delved deeply into the principles of manual handling, by highlighting the importance of maintaining a person’s mobility. Far from being a mechanical task, proper movement helps people keep their "world and wonderland as big as possible for as long as possible." Team members were asked to reflect on the profound impact that declining mobility has on an individual’s world, likening it to a bridge gradually shrinking, which in turn, affects mood and well-being.

The Science of Touch

The training also touched on the scientific research around the critical role of human touch. Beginning from infancy when skin-to-skin contact helps regulate a newborn’s vital functions and emotional state, the natural interaction lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels while triggering the release of oxytocin, nurturing emotional bonds (Ferber, Feldman, & Makhoul, 2008). In care environments, the right touch can provide similar benefits, helping family members feel grounded and connected.

Bruising, Broccoli and Apples

The delicate nature of supporting individuals living in a care home was crucial to the training day, particularly regarding bruising. MAYBO certified trainers for Evolve Care Group, Mark Reed (COO) and Jay Carder (Social Care Trainer), emphasised the importance of using flat hands rather than fingers when moving family members, comparing it to the difference between gently holding an apple versus bruising it by squeezing too hard. Never one to shy away from making training unique, 800 apples were purchased as a concept idea to emulate a person's body.

Broccoli was also used to represent capillaries under the skin during the training. This visual made it easier to explain how capillaries can be compressed and damaged, causing them to break and blood to pool, which then leads to a bruise. Mark and Jay both demonstrated this by gently running their hands over the top of the broccoli, making some of the florets break off and fall onto the table, showing exactly how a bruise forms.

Effective Touch

The team practiced touch and safe manual handling using beds, armchairs, and low-friction sliding sheets, focusing on techniques to prevent bruising while ensuring safety. The day ended with shared experiences and discussions, leaving team members with a stronger sense of responsibility and confidence in using touch effectively.

Mark Reed closed the day by asking, “When designing our training, we always ask ourselves how would we want our own parents to be treated if they were in this situation? This simple yet powerful question serves as the ultimate standard, guiding us to create training that emphasises dignity, compassion, and the highest quality of care.” With this approach, we are hoping to improve emotional well-being, physical health, and mobility, as well as developing awareness around how bruising can occur through touch and how taking time is not a cost but an essential investment in care.

Apples, Broccoli, and the Impact of Touch in Care. Evolve Care Group

 AN EVOLVE CARE GROUP MEDIA RELEASE
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 For information about Evolve Care Group’s career opportunities, please visit www.evolvecaregroup.com/contact-us.

Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Heanton Nursing Home Hosts Vibrant Mocktail Party

Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple recently turned up the energy with a vibrant Hawaiian-themed mocktail party, celebrating the spirit of community with its residents, affectionately known as family members. What began as a fun conversation about favourite cocktails soon evolved into an exciting event, fuelled by the family members' enthusiastic responses: “Oh yes, please, I’d love a cocktail if they’re going!”

The idea quickly gained momentum as the team envisioned a tropical-inspired gathering, filled with colourful, fruit-infused drinks, festive decorations, and Hawaiian music. The North Devon home was transformed, complete with decorations - including mini umbrellas for each mocktail, giving everyone a full, festive experience. Safe, washable shakers were brought in so that family members could mix and shake their own creations, adding a fun and inclusive touch to the afternoon.

The kitchen team prepared vibrant fruit platters that were as beautiful as they were delicious whilst team members dressed up in Hawaiian attire, including some borrowed shirts from team member Robin’s own collection.

Sabrina Stell, Home Administrator of Heanton Nursing Home said, “even though there was no alcohol, everyone agreed that the atmosphere and creativity made the event a huge success!” The mocktail party saw team and family members alike getting involved and sharing laughter and dancing - along with a few spills and plenty of smiles.

Heanton Nursing Home’s Hawaiian mocktail party highlighted the power of community and connection, showing how a shared vision and a little creativity can bring people together and brighten spirits. This event is just one example of the home’s dedication to the continuation of life, whilst building friendships, and celebrating every moment together.

Heanton Nursing Home Hosts Vibrant Mocktail Party
A HEANTON NURSING HOME MEDIA RELEASE
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To find out more about Heanton Nursing Home please visit: https://www.heantonnursinghome.com/

Saturday, 9 November 2024

Remembrance Day. Your poppy shows you care

 Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Festival Hall

"This year's festival pays tribute to those who served in the decisive battles of 1944. From the Normandy landings and the subsequent campaign, to Monte Cassino and Kohima and Imphal in the Asian theatre.

We also recognise the 75th anniversary of the founding of Nato, and closer to the present, we remember the 457 serving men and women who lost their lives during operations in Afghanistan."

You can watch it live on BBC One at 9 pm on 9 November. -  CATCH UP BBC iPlayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024ywv/royal-british-legion-festival-of-remembrance-2024

The Royal British Legion provide support for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. By making a donation, you’re helping us to help those in need within the Armed Forces community." 

SUPPORT THE POPPY APPEAL

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

By donating to the Poppy Appeal you’re helping us provide ongoing vital support to the Armed Forces community, ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.

Your poppy shows you care.

Poppy Illustration by Pat Adams @patsfocus North Devon Focus

The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope, including hope for a positive future and peaceful world.

John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields which inspired the use of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance

 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER