React To Home Rounds........Coming Soon
Our Registered Manager, Lynne, has been busy behind the scenes working with lots of our colleagues from the local CCG and NHS as well as the private sector. Collectively working towards a combined goal of improving care for people cared for in Care Homes across our local counties.
React To is a care home specific training resource which is developed by healthcare professionals. For more information on the “React To” training please see their website www.reactto.co.uk.
Lynne has been working with our local healthcare professionals to develop React To Home Rounds training package.
At Farthings we have found the relatively new model of a multidisciplinary ward round held remotely weekly to be extremely beneficial for our residents. It enables all healthcare professionals to discuss every resident in the home collectively creating a holistic approach. Previously lots of phone calls were made to various healthcare professionals as and when required, this approach took a lot of time away from our residents. With a scheduled weekly meeting any reviews can take place during the meeting and non-urgent medical concerns are able to be raised. Due to these meetings taking place virtually via video, video consultations are also able to be held with the resident and relevant professional as and when required. Of course, this approach does not replace urgent medical needs, but it most certainly aids healthcare needs and access to medical reviews promptly. Furthermore, our relationships with our healthcare professionals has developed further due to the regularity of such meetings. This gives the care team the confidence to raise ‘thoughts’ or ‘observations’ or possibly unusual occurrences with the wider healthcare team.
On 4 May 2022 we were delighted to welcome a film crew into the home to capture some footage for the React To Home Rounds training package. A huge thank you to our wonderful residents many of whom featured in our filming and to our newly appointed Deputy Manager, Louise, for supporting with the filming and of course her acting skills!
We will share the training package with you once it’s published…see if you can pick out any familiar faces!!
CQC Inspection
We had our first Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in March 2022 under our new legal entity (Ashall Care Ltd) at Farthings and are pleased to have achieved GOOD overall and GOOD across ALL five categories (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led) during the two-day unannounced inspection.
During the inspection the CQC spoke to several residents who use the service and their relatives, as well as staff members and the Registered Manager. The CQC reviewed a range of records including care records and records relating to the overall management of the service inclusive of staff files.
In summary the CQC reported that the premises were clean and staff knew and followed infection control principles. People were cared for by staff that protected them from avoidable harm. Enough staff were available to respond to people's needs in a timely manner. Systems were in place to manage and monitor medicines safely. People received their medicines as and when they needed them. Accident and incidents were investigated and measures were in place to prevent recurrence. People's needs were assessed and people were involved in their care planning. People's choices and preferences were adhered to. Staff completed an induction, received relevant training and supervision support for their roles. People were supported to eat and drink where needed. The service work well with agencies and other professionals to help provide effective care. The provider was working in line with the principles of the mental capacity act. People were supported, respected and well cared for. People were involved in making decisions about their life choices. The provider promoted equality and diversity, which was also reflected in people's care plans. People, their families and staff gave positive feedback about the quality and leadership of the service. Systems in place showed effective governance processes were available to monitor the service and drive improvement. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Furthermore, the inspection report observed a positive person-centred culture within the home, with a staff member informing the inspector “we make sure each and every resident is happy, making sure they have all their needs met and beyond. If they are feeling down, we do not ignore it we take time out to talk to them to cheer them up.”
We would like to say a huge thank you to the whole staff team for delivering such a great service and achieving this rating. It was heart-warming to hear all of the wonderful feedback the inspector had received about our services from residents, their loved ones and our staff team.
To see the full CQC report please click here
Birthdays
If you ask any resident at Farthings what they treasure the most, their response is likely to be ‘family’, ‘friendships’ and all of the many memories and events celebrated with their loved ones.
A Harvard study tracked hundreds of people’s happiness levels since 1938 and found that the happiest people were not the wealthiest or smartest, but that happiness was as a result of social wellbeing. The researchers found when looking for predictors of long and happy lives the links and ties people have with others was more influential than social class, IQ or even genes. Furthermore, it was found those with strong social support and relationships experienced less mental deterioration as they aged.
Dr John Rowe and Dr Robert Kahn wrote a concept of successful ageing (1997). The researchers ‘better than average’ ageing was namely contributed to three components:
- Avoiding disease and disability
- High cognitive and physical function
- Engagement with life
As a residents physical and cognitive abilities decline or they may experience disease or disability their engagement with life becomes all the more important. This is why something which is important to the resident becomes all the more important. For instance this could be a visit from a loved one, playing their favourite game, eating their favourite food or engaging in a social activity.
At Farthings we really get to know our residents and all staff and residents come together to create a ‘Farthings family’. Celebrating birthdays is one way that residents can have meaningful engagement with life. A resident’s afternoon can be brightened up by having their favourite dessert, just imagine their enjoyment from having a birthday celebration with delicious birthday cake topped with candles with banners and balloons around the room, it will probably make their week! Our team talks to residents and their loved ones to plan each celebration individually to ensure it is meaningful for the person celebrating, this in turn makes it a celebration to treasure.
April 2022 News
EASTER
Every resident and staff member were visited by the (Ashall Care) Easter bunny at Farthings, we hope all of our friends and family members also had a visit and a wonderful Easter!
Everyone was egg-cited for Easter! Our Activities Coordinator facilitated some Easter themed craft sessions along side some firm favourites, which were enjoyed by all.
Our fabulous Chef, Diane, put on a wonderful buffet for Easter tea and made a fabulous cake for the occasion.
VISITS
We continue to welcome family and friends into Farthings to visit their loved ones. We would like to thank everyone for continuing to adhere to our Company policies.
A very friendly family dog has been to visit our residents in the garden this month, lots of smiles all round!
GARDEN
One of our regular respite residents got stuck into our raised flowerbeds and did a fabulous job de-weeding.
Lots of residents have been enjoying the sun in our lovely courtyard area, the sunhats have been out!!
BIRTHDAYS
We have shared a lovely birthday this month too
March 2022 News
Firstly apologies we've been rather quiet on the news front recently, it has certainly not been because of a lack of activity, quite the opposite!!
As always March was a busy month, going into spring, getting the gardens ready for summertime enjoyment. The residents enjoyed playing various games, from cards to indoor boules! There has been lots of sharing this month, from memories to photographs to birthdays. We had a few birthdays during March which were celebrated in the home. Lots of delicious buffets and cakes were shared as well as singing and laughter.
