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.

 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.

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.

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

Heanton Nursing Home Wins Italian-Themed 'Armchair Day Out'

Heanton Nursing Home in Barnstaple was recently named 'Care Home of the Day' by Creed Food Services during an off-site training day at Nisbets in Bristol for their fantastic culinary skills.

Their reward was an Italian-themed celebration held at the care home featuring Italian cuisine, themed decorations, and the joyful company of residents (referred to as family members), their friends, and families.

Following a vibrant mocktail party the day before, the family members were in for another treat — this time with an Italian twist, filled with the colours red, white, and green! The team created an unforgettable day starting with transforming the lounge with vibrant honeycombed balls, flags, and table settings, before inviting families to join in the festivities. There was something for everyone, from dancing and postcard writing to playing a variety of instruments — all leading up to the main event of pizza and ice cream, giving the chefs a well-deserved break.

Tracy Grant, Group Catering Lead for Evolve Care Group whom Heanton are a part of, praised the team’s efforts; “Katie, John, Gerry and Danielle were brilliant at the catering training.  They are a credit to their home, and I hope they got as much out of the day as I did!”

Heanton Nursing Home, rated OUTSTANDING by the CQC, is committed to supporting its family members on their unique and complex journeys, honouring their individual values, beliefs, and identities. The Italian-themed 'Armchair Day Out' is a wonderful example of this commitment to enriching the lives of those in their care.

HEANTON NURSING HOME MEDIA RELEASE

To read more about the Catering Day please visit https://www.heantonnursinghome.com/evolve-care-group-catering-training-day/

Evolve Care Group “Driving” Excellence In Elderly Care

In a meaningful move towards supporting the standard of care and encouraging a continuation of life among residents, Evolve Care Group recently invested in a fleet of new cars for its care and nursing homes across the Southwest region. This initiative goes beyond providing reliable and comfortable transportation; it demonstrates the group’s commitment to ensuring that residents, whom they affectionately refer to as family members, continue to experience life as fully as possible.

Upon the arrival of the 6 new cars and 2 mini-buses at Evolve’s central support office in Bristol, a team member from each care home collected the keys and brought the vehicles to their new homes.  When asked by Car Company Wholesale, the supplier of the vehicles, why Evolve didn’t choose to fix marketing signage on to their cars, the response was clear "where is the dignity in that?" said Mark Reed, COO for the group. "These cars aren’t purchased for advertising purposes; they are for our family members."

Getting out into the community is key to boosting social and emotional health and supporting cognitive function. This aligns perfectly with Evolve’s philosophy of supporting a continuation of life, Mark went on to say that “if our family members were living at home, engaging with the community would be a normal part of their daily life. Our goal is to keep that sense of continuity, ensuring that even though they are now living in a care home, they still get to enjoy the connections you form in a community life.

 

EVOLVE CARE GROUP MEDIA RELEASE
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To find out more about Evolve Care Group, visit https://www.evolvecaregroup.com/

Dementia Voices Matter

As the results of the 2024 UK General Election are in and a new government is in place, opinions on the outcome are plentiful. However, amidst the continuing discussions on policies and leadership, there remains a crucial yet often overlooked topic. Adult social care, particularly the best interest of individuals living with a Dementia who choose to vote, or don’t have a voice is not often discussed.

When researching more on this subject and what the 2024 General Election might mean for individuals on a Dementia journey, I found that a person living with a cognitive impairment can cast a valid vote if they choose to, which is an encouraging and empowering aspect of our democratic process. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 outlines that having a cognitive impairment does not automatically disqualify someone from voting.

Living with early or middle stages of Dementia and having the ability to vote could mean no support is needed, but what about individuals who are on a later Dementia journey? The Mental Capacity Act 2005 emphasises supporting individuals with Dementia in making decisions based on their identity.

Imagine if …

You are voting via postal vote, a piece of paper with boxes, words, and logos that you don’t understand being put in front of you, a pen that you don’t recognise but is placed in your hand. Someone then gently supporting you, guiding you to hold the pen and mark the paper where you want to because this is your choice. 

This could be encouraging independence, engagement and a person-centred approach, giving someone on a Dementia journey the choice to participate in democracy as an equal citizen. But what if the person offering support sees the vulnerability as an opportunity? What if that person voted Labour but the person they are supporting is, and has always been, a staunch Tory? There could be a question of integrity, as the supporter could take advantage of the situation and influence the person to vote differently. What if you simply scribbled an X in the wrong box? You wouldn’t understand, you wouldn’t know you have voted for an opposite party, something that is part of your identity.

Voting is a fundamental part of democracy, supported by principles of equality and non-discrimination. The challenge is to ensure that the person voting with Dementia is protected.

The Ability to Vote

While the right to vote is clear, the ability to vote can be compromised. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, about 850,000 people live with a Dementia in the UK, a number that is expected to rise. The Alzheimer’s Society states that decisions made for a person who can’t decide must always be in their best interests.

Complexity of Voting Processes and Lack of Support

Support is crucial for helping those in the later stages of Dementia engage with the political process. Unfortunately, many don’t get the support needed to understand candidates and issues, leaving them confused and unable to make informed decisions. Processes we take for granted, like registering to vote, understanding manifestos, and going to polling stations, can be overwhelming for those living with a Dementia. The requirement for ID to vote also adds extra barriers.

Liz Thompson, Registered Manager of Sundial Care Home, mentioned that two residents (fondly referred to as family members) usually opt for postal voting. One lady typically receives help from her husband but has decided not to vote this time. Liz explained, “Although someone living with a Dementia has the right to vote, it can be really difficult. It’s ultimately up to the individual to decide what they want to do, regardless of our opinions.” Liz added that whether family members choose to vote in person, by post, or by proxy, their care team supports them by helping them vote. With the 2024 UK General Election now behind us and a new government in place, we need to start talking about the unseen issue of giving a voice and protection to individuals living with a Dementia in care homes.

Despite their right to vote, the reality is that most people with a Dementia living in care do not cast their vote. Given that many of them were active voters before their diagnosis and that voting should still be important to them, this brings up some important questions: Where is their voice? Who is thinking about and protecting them? Who in our society is advocating for social care and protections that our elder generation needs – and let’s not forget that one day, our elder generation will be us. 

It’s up to us, as a society, to ensure that their voices are heard. We need to find ways to support their participation in our political system, protecting their rights and ensuring that their interests are considered in the decisions that shape our society.

Link to Alzheimer’s Society: Making decisions for a person with dementia who lacks mental capacity: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/can-people-with-dementia-vote

Evolve Care Group Media Release

For more information, please contact: https://www.evolvecaregroup.com

International Nurses Day. Social Care Nursing: Bringing Humanity to Care

In the NHS, nurses are often faced with the overwhelming task of looking after the physical needs of a large number of patients at once. Unfortunately, this means they sometimes are not gifted the time to be able to provide the same level of individualised care that meets their emotional needs. This can lead to sedation being used to manage difficult situations, however, in social care, nurses are encouraged to take a more holistic approach in a more natural environment.

Today is International Nurses Day and we spoke with Lucy Hernaman, one of our Social Care Nurses at Heanton Nursing Home in Devon which is a part of Evolve Care Group. Lucy speaks from experience and teaches us how a nursing career in the care sector gives nurses the time and opportunity to deliver care steeped in compassion.

Putting an End to Institutionalised Care

I would love to see Nurses that have only worked within the NHS having placements in care homes like Heanton. What an education it would be, that they could take forwards into their careers with them. I know I wish I had been offered a placement like Heanton when I trained 15 years ago. I did have a caring background, but it was in a home located locally to me that was very institutionalised. Heanton is about as far from institutionalised as it could possibly be.

This is because Evolve Care Group have created their own model of care, which is probably the most holistic approach I have seen in my 20 years working in the care sector. Sadly, I feel that the NHS is behind the times with how we look after “at risk” people. The NHS are good at fixing a physical condition, but they have stayed with the same principles for decades and people just aren’t trained in how to look after someone with a Dementia. Evolve wants to change this and are challenging the status quo.

The Importance of Meeting Emotional and Social Needs in Dementia Care

When I first started at Heanton I had very little Dementia knowledge. I had worked in a home which had Dementia floors but I had not been taught to really stop and consider the person. I can think of so many incidents that involved people I have looked after before I came to Heanton where we never stopped to look at their behaviour and consider why they were behaving that way, it makes me quite sad. This is why the right education is so important in social care.

As a nurse at Heanton, I have been given so much more time to observe people and their behaviours. I soon found here that a person behaved a certain way for so many reasons, and that it was important to identify those reasons as people often don’t have the capacity to tell us themselves. This in turn has led to our residents, who we call family members, being able to live fulfilling lives without judgement or ridicule, and sometimes people have been turned away from other care settings due to being “too complex”, however will go on to lead fulfilling lives here with us.

Breaking the Mould of Social Care

In some homes I have worked in, people have been expected to fall into the homes schedule. For example, be up by a certain time, have breakfast, lunch, dinner and be in bed by a certain time. Heanton works the way it does because we allow our family members to live their lives as they wish. There is no strict routine here and they aren’t made to fit into a mould like many other homes I have worked in.

The fact that Evolve are prepared to break the normal mould of care is a big plus for me. Not everyone fits into the normal care home narrative. I know I certainly wouldn’t if it were me coming to live in a care home. If the team have a reason for going against the grain and can show why and how, then with risk assessments Evolve will support it.

Care without Sedation

I love Evolve’s stance towards medications and that it is always used as a last resort only. I also love that we NEVER restrain or “safe hold” a person as I have seen in previous jobs which created such a negative perception towards the team. Some of our family members have had hospital admissions and have been deemed difficult, physically aggressive and verbally aggressive. As a result, they are given sedation and are watched 24/7 by security services who are neither appropriate for this role or trained in mental health conditions. They will often make the situation worse and so it goes on.

I know there are perhaps times when restraint techniques might need to be used in order to keep someone safe, but in my two years at Heanton I have never once seen restraint used on a family member. It is very much our ethos to find out why an expression of behaviour occurred and to minimise the chances of them escalating rather than act once it has already happened. That isn’t to say that accidents and incidents don’t happen, they do, but our team are trained to understand why they happen so that in the future we can prevent them.

We have a team that have been given time to learn about each person, who can recognise risks so that these can be avoided in such a way that the family member isn’t even aware that they are being distracted from a situation. Sadly, this often creates a rod for our own backs, because in other homes and in funding worlds it is often called ‘a met need’. But what funders don’t realise is that far more work and skill goes into meeting that persons need than simply mopping up the after effects of an incident.

A Human Approach to Care

Overall, the thing I most love about my job is that I am allowed to love the family members as if they were my own family. Every job I have ever had has always called those we look after ‘residents’, ‘service users’, ‘patients’, such horrible titles, so impersonal and uncared for. It’s also so taboo to hug and kiss those we look after, “keep it professional”, but that is so old fashioned and is often what makes a person’s day. The people we look after are our equals and this is how we should care for them.

Evolve want to change the whole future of care, make it better and allow people to be better understood on a basic level. Every day I go home feeling as though my job and my life has been worth it because I have made someone feel loved and cared for and not just on a ‘social care’ level but on a psychological and emotional level.