Phase 2 Update
In our CE, Dawn McNally’s last briefing she said she would focus on the headlines from the changes we will make across the organisation from Monday 15 June 2020 which is when we will move to Phase 2 of our C19 Plan.
Infection Rate
The C19 infection rate is now decreasing each day in North Tyneside and the North East, and therefore we are ready to move to the next Phase..
Generally in Phase 2 all services will move to engaging and consulting with their customers to discuss changes to services, as well as carrying out a light touch ‘guided conversation’ to ensure we capture any changes where customers may require our help and support.
Key headlines and changes for Phase 2:
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Emergency Food Parcels-
As we have moved from an immediate emergency response to ensure older people had enough food, to now having arrangements in place to ensure older people have their emergency shopping done etc this service is no longer required. We’d like to thank everyone who supported the delivery of 850 emergency food parcels which were gratefully received by older people.
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Prepared Food & Snacks-
Our Catering Team based at Edith Moffat House will continue to cater for those customers who want meal. Keith Pott’s, Head Chef will process all orders.
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Essential Shopping-
this service will continue but will be supported entirely by volunteers from 15 June 2020, all staff supporting this service will have moved back to their substantive role. The service will continue to be free to customers and will be co-ordinated now by Caitlin Calvert, referrals should be made via the Customer Service Team
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Telephone Befriending-
this service will continue as it is currently with Beverley Swan. Customers who are being contacted by us for a wellbeing call can be referred into this service.
- Extra Care Housing Schemes– the schemes will remain locked down, but we will now encourage customers to meet with loved ones (in line with Government Guidance) outside of the scheme but not in the communal gardens. Families will be asked to meet customers at the front door of the housing scheme and care staff will be asked to carry out a dynamic risk assessment immediately before their customer is to meet with loved ones to make sure they have no C19 symptoms.
- Kerry Parker, Head of Professional Care Services will continue to communicate with customer families and Registered Social Landlords to remind family members etc not to go ahead with a visit if they are showing any symptoms of C19. Staff will remain extra vigilant to ensure we uphold all controls and report any concerns immediately to our Team Leader, Care Manager or Head of Service.
- Domiciliary Care in the Community there is no change and we continue as we are, we continue to uphold all controls and the use of PPE
- Wellbeing Centre- again there is no change and we continue as we are, we continue to uphold all controls and the use of PPE.
- Admiral Nursing- no change and we continue as we are, face to face visits will be held with customers in greatest need, otherwise we will continue to use telephone and video to support customers
- Dementia Connections- no change and again we continue as we are, we continue to use telephone and video to support customers
- EveryDay Living- no change and we’ll continue as we are, we continue to uphold all controls and the use of PPE
- Jarrett’s Coffee Shop- will remain closed during Phase 2
- Health & Social Activity Groups, including Active Age and Healthy Habits- no change and to continue as we are, we continue to use telephone and video to support customers
- Older Offenders- no change and to continue as we are, we continue to prepare and send Activity Resource Packs to local prisons.
- Information & Advice- no change and to continue as we are, we continue to use telephone and video to support customers
- Befriending- no change and to continue as we are, we continue to use telephone and video to support customers. See Telephone Befriending above.
- Care Plus– Team members have returned to their substantive service and are supporting existing customers for Care Plus.
- Strength & Balance– no change and continue as we are, our trainers continue to use telephone and video to support customers
- Customer Services – no change and to continue as we are, customers contact us, leave a message and our team returns their calls and triage where required
- Training- we are now increasing the number of training sessions we are delivering and also the number of staff who can attend. A Risk Assessment has been prepared to ensure staff safety at all times and PPE is available for use while at the Training Suite.
Bradbury Centre HQ Update
The Bradbury Centre will remain closed to the public and customers during Phase 2. Some staff will be able to work from the Bradbury Centre from 15 June 2020 but only as agreed with your Head of Service, to enable us to manage the numbers and keep everyone safe. Staff who can work from home will remain working from home. A Risk Assessment has been prepared for the Bradbury Centre, it includes the following controls:
- How we minimise the number of staff in the building at any one time
- How we minimise the use of shared equipment
- Consideration of staff individual circumstances
- Use of transportation to and from work
- Maximising handwashing and sanitisation
- New signage for maintaining social distancing
- Screening off areas for protection
- Introducing one way system where possible
Our Customer Service Team is available Telephone 0191 2877028.
Please leave a voicemail and we’ll call you straight back.
Older people living with Dementia horse around as miniature mare pays unexpected visit
Customers including some living with Dementia were able to ‘horse around’ with a very special visitor to our wellbeing centre at Cedar Grove when they were surprised by equine visitor Taz last week.
Our wellbeing centre, one of three in the North Tyneside, provides a vital service as a place for older people to socialise and stay physically and mentally active, as well as giving respite for their family carers.
And the visit of Taz, a 5-year-old, leopard-spotted, appaloosa mare, shows just how different EveryDay centres are, according to manager Michelle Clement
Centre Manager, Michelle Clement
Michelle said: “Having Taz visit was absolutely fantastic – you could see straight away the impact it had on our customers. They loved it especially those who have had experience of horses in their younger lives!
“We provide a vital service for older people, and ensure sure we give them a place to socialise and enjoy themselves – we are a world away from what you might consider traditional ‘day care’.
“Age UK North Tyneside and EveryDay are focused on ending loneliness for older people in North Tyneside, and our centres are a huge part of that. They also enable us to give respite to family carers, which is extremely important.
“We would encourage any older person who is keen to continue to enjoy life and make friends to come along and see what we do. Our centres really are very special places that make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Taz’s visit happened as part of an initiative called Pets As Wellbeing, where animal ambassadors visit older people, including those living with Dementia, to help with stimulation, interaction and exercise.
It is part of a wider series of EveryDay programmes to keep older people active in body and mind.
EveryDay runs three wellbeing centres in North Tyneside – Cedar Grove in Wallsend, Rowan Croft in Killingworth, and Linskill Park in North Shields.
We provides a range of services at our centres, including podiatry, seated exercise classes, and pop-up music sessions.
EveryDay even offers mini wellbeing checks to keep an eye on customers’ health, something it says is completely unique to the private care sector.
Customer Audrey Pym, 93, from Wallsend, loves her visits to Cedar Grove.
She said: “It was a lovely idea to bring a horse in to see us. I love animals!
“The staff here are always trying to keep us entertained and doing interesting things. I love coming to Cedar Grove.”
For more information, or to book a free taster session at a wellbeing centre, call the Bradbury Centre in North Shields on 0191 2877028
Useful Links
https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/
Recent research suggests there is a link between higher levels of anger and ill health in older people.
In our Wellbeing centres, we offer a wide range of activities proven to have a positive impact on anger levels.
The Research
The American Psychological Association has concluded in a recent study that high levels of anger in older people is associated with inflammation. Whilst inflammation – the body’s reaction to perceived threats, such as infection – is generally a helpful and healthy bodily response, long-lasting inflammation can ultimately lead to chronic illnesses. These might include heart disease, arthritis and cancer.
Meaghan Barlow, lead author on the study, examined the reasons older people might experience anger;
“As most people age, they simply cannot do the activities they once did. They may experience the loss of a spouse or a decline in their physical mobility and they can become angry.
Higher anger levels can become especially pronounced in older men. So-called ‘irritable male syndrome’ arises from the common drop in testosterone levels that occurs as men age. Doctor Ridwan Shabsigh, head of the International Society of Men’s Health, explains;
“Patients with low testosterone tell me they feel less capable of concentration. And they feel less capable of tolerating the nuances of everyday life – from family, friends, colleagues and customers. Whatever you do, you have people around you, and you get irritated sometimes. The ability to tolerate or deal with it is reduced when the testosterone is low.”
How We Help
The NHS has a number of ideas and advice on how we can manage anger in our everyday lives. Many of their suggestions are included as standard in our wellbeing centres in Wallsend, Killingworth, and North Shields .
One suggestion is maintain a regular exercise routine, with clinical psychologist Isabel Clarke noting that ‘exercise as part of your daily life is a good way to get rid of irritation and anger’. In our wellbeing centres, we’re looking to keep older people physically engaged through ‘exercise snacking’. These short bursts of light exercise have been found to improve muscle mass, as well as mental wellbeing, and falls prevention.
Another NHS proposal is to engage with creative hobbies such as painting, musical instruments or singing, or craft activities. Seasonal crafts are a regular activity in our wellbeing centres, and always well received. Anger management expert Anna Martin states;
“There are many creative options to explore when looking for effective ways to channel your anger. Listening to soothing music, dancing to favourite tunes or painting all induce a relaxing effect on us.”
All of our wellbeing customers enjoy the chance to socialise with friends and staff given to them within the wellbeing centre setting. Regular socialisation is also recommended by NHS experts, and mental health charity Mind, as a way of managing anger;
“Talking to a trusted person who’s not connected to the situation, such as a friend, family member, counsellor or peer support group, can help manage an anger outburst.”
Two customers enjoying socialising at our wellbeing centre.
Researchers from Westminster and Essex universities have also established a link between gardening and anger management. They found that working in an allotment, for example, can have a positive effect on warding off depression, low self-esteem, and anger. Our wellbeing centres have landscaped and accessible gardens, enjoyed by our customers in nice weather.
As demonstrated by this emerging research, activities that allow us better control over our anger are integral to keeping healthy in later life. Such activities are offered not only through our wellbeing centres, but through our parent charity, Age UK North Tyneside.
For information on how you can secure a free half day trial in one of our wellbeing centres, please visit: https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/, or call 0191 287 7028
Plans to tackle loneliness set to hit the right note
New plans to help tackle loneliness and isolation in North Tyneside are set to hit the right note – as concerts for over 50s are rolled out across the borough.
EveryDay has teamed up with charity Music in Hospitals and Care to provide free entertainment at pop-up music cafes across our three well-being centres.
We believe that older people, including those living with dementia, will benefit from the monthly, themed sessions at Cedar Grove, Wallsend, Rowan Croft, Killingworth, and Linskill Park, North Shields.
EveryDay is wholly owned by Age UK North Tyneside, and provides support to older people to live in their own homes, as well as respite centres and other care and support services in North Tyneside and Newcastle including specialist dementia care.
EveryDay Wellbeing Tackles Loneliness
Kerry Parker, Head of Professional Care services at EveryDay, said: “The Music in Hospital concerts will further increase wellbeing and reduce isolation in older people, including our customers living with dementia.
“This forms part of a huge and exciting metamorphosis taking place in our three wellbeing centres in North Tyneside and sits perfectly with one of Age UK North Tyneside’s campaigns to end loneliness for older people.”
The centres’ first ‘gigs’, which each last an hour, will launch on Monday 4th March in Wallsend, Tuesday 2nd April in North Shields and Tuesday 7th May in Killingworth.
EveryDay already provides a range of services within its wellbeing centres, including hairdressing, podiatry, exercise classes, mini wellbeing checks and pets as wellbeing.
We even offer personalised driver services, to ensure customers are transported by personal support assistants who build a relationship with the families and customers.
The three-year Music In Hospitals and Care project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, with performances open to anyone over 50.
Musician Alan Jones, from Wallsend, will be one of the artists taking part in the scheme. The 39-year-old said: “I love performing and this is something a little different – we are bringing music into people’s lives.
“We will play different sounds – from rock and roll to sing-a-long classics – it’ll be a bit of everything for everyone.”
Jess Ingham, Director North of MiHC said:
“Our musicians are carefully chosen by audition to ensure that they not only demonstrate great musicianship, but they also have the ability to connect and engage with people. Our aim is to create joy through live music, to raise mood, boost feelings of wellbeing and to bring people together for a high-quality musical experience.
At Music in Hospitals & Care, we are continually developing and building our programme of therapeutic concerts throughout the UK. This is a great opportunity to tackle loneliness by providing regular music events for local communities. We are delighted to be working closely with a number of Age UK centres in the North of England to achieve this. ”
To hear more about our Music in Hospital Concerts or our wellbeing services in general why not give us a call? You can even book a free taster session by calling our Customer Coordination Team on 0191 2877028
Useful Links
Dementia UK
EveryDay Wellbeing https://everydayuk.org/wellbeing/
Age UK North Tyneside
Intergenerational Project engages young and older at EveryDay
We’re delighted to announce that EveryDay will be working in partnership with Jo Jingles, the UK’s largest provider of fun and interactive music, singing and movement sessions to deliver intergenerational sessions within two of our centres in North Tyneside.
Engaging all generations in song and movement.
Initially Jo Jingles will introduce it’s fun and educational music, singing and movement classes within Crossgates Extra Care Scheme and Cedar Grove Wellbeing Centre. Kerry Parker. Head of Professional Care Services said “we’re delighted and proud to welcome Jo Jingles to our customers. EveryDay as a care provider wants to be at the forefront of innovative new ways to reduce social isolation, loneliness and of course bring joy, happiness and a sense of wellbeing. Music provides positive mental stimulation for both young and older generations and we feel that our customer’s motor, communication, cognitive and social/emotional skills will benefit from this interaction with the young ones and their parents”
In recent year Jo Jingles has brought children and parents into care settings to provide intergenerational music and singing sessions. These activities help to generate a music centred environment enabling participants to feel part of the community in which they reside.
Research tell us
There is an abundance of research available supporting the claim that providing activities involving different age groups has significant health benefits for those involved. Growing older doesn’t necessarily mean having to lose an interest in activities enjoyed as a child and hearing music can often stimulate very strong and meaningful memories. For many young children, exposure and familiarity with the older generation may, for a variety of reasons, be infrequent or non-existent. The same applies to the older generation who may not have regular contact with their grandchildren or families for one reason or another.
EveryDay is working hard to support the #endlonelinessinnorthtyneside campaign by introducing more activities to engage older people. Loneliness is a bigger problem than simply an emotional experience. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to health.
According to a study by the Red Cross in partnership with Co-op, more than nine million adults in the UK are often or always lonely. Research from the Office for National Statistics also found that about one in 20 people always or often felt lonely.
There are currently over 850, 000 people living with dementia in the UK. It is more vital than ever to find effective activities to enhance the quality of life of people who are living with dementia. This along with the suite of activities already in place for EveryDay customers looks to unlock memories and reach the parts of the brain which other forms of communication cannot reach.
The Jo Jingles sessions will begin at Crossgates Extra Care Scheme from August 6th and Cedar Grove Wellbeing Centre from August 14th.
www.jojingles.com/newcastleupontyne
www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
Contact Lindsay on 07503 919452 to learn more about the Jo Jingles sessions within EveryDay or e mail lindsayjojingles@yahoo.co.uk