The Priory Newsletter - December 2010
This Month's Topics
Activities Update
Social Networking Project
Profile of Glenda Roberts – Group Quality Consultant
Dear Friend
Welcome to The Priory newsletter keeping you fully up to date with news and events.
Activities Update
In October residents were delighted to meet around 30 children from the local primary school. The children arrived bearing beautifully presented hampers and gift boxes packed full of delicious fruits, vegetables and sweets from their Harvest Festival. In addition to the food parcels every child had written an individual letter to give to each of the residents in the home. The letters were neatly written and told each of the residents what their favourite colours were, how many brothers and sisters they had and what their favourite hobbies were. The residents were delighted by the children who stayed for a few hours enjoying drinks and biscuits in the dining room. As part of our reminiscence therapy a number of residents will be replying to the letters telling the children what they use to do when they were younger and responding to many of the questions that were asked.
In September Tina Stirling from the Alzheimer’s Society visited The Priory in order that we could present to her a cheque for £400.00 which had been raised at the Big Lunch earlier in the year. Many thanks to all of those who gave us their support on the day and helped to raise money for this worthwhile cause.
With Christmas fast approaching please keep Wednesday 22nd December free in your diary for our Christmas Party. With traditional party food and Doug Wake who is the resident’s favourite singer providing the entertainment it’s a date not to be missed! The party will start at 5.30pm and everyone is welcome.
We understand that visiting relatives over the festive period can be difficult to arrange. In light of this we will be setting aside the visitors room which can be used for a family Christmas Lunch throughout the month of December. The room will be traditionally decorated with a Christmas tree and festive decorations and we will provide a full Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings. For those relatives who would like to take advantage of this please contact me to make the necessary arrangements.
Social Networking Project
The Graham Care Group has adopted 'Relationship Centred Care' as the principle approach to care provision and recognises the importance of resident’s relationships to enable them to be fulfilled and happy, however, all too often admission to a care home means disconnection from a person’s family and social networks and it is at this time the person needs a high level of emotional support and validation from those closest to them. The proposed product will deliver a conduit for communication and empower residents to maintain or even enhance their relationships.
Aims
1)Enhance communication between residents and their family and friends
2) Facilitate residents and family and friends satisfaction of the services
3) Maintain or increase the level of interaction
4) Offer alternative modes of communication when face to face visits are not possible
5) Widen the sphere of relationships outside of the closet family and friends
Method
A Social Network Software System will be developed as the tool to facilitate communication. The system will be resident centric with all information relating to that resident to be available in one place.
There will be several kinds of communication channels to allow family and friends to use the most appropriate one for their ease: text, email, photographs, face book and blogs.
Additional features will include - a calendar to initiate communication on birthdays and anniversaries, a life story book which families and friends can add information to and sound and video libraries.
Implementation
Implementation of the system will be coordinated by Social Assistants. Each Social Assistant will be responsible for facilitating communication between the resident and their contacts. Most residents will be unable to use the system independently however adapted computer equipment will enable the social assistants to empower the residents as much as possible or they will act as proxy delivering the communication when received and communicating back the residents response.
Evaluation
The University of Kent will assist in the evaluation of residents, family, friends and staff views of the existing and proposed communication technologies together with evaluation of the impact of the new technology.
A final report will be shared with the care industry.
If you require further information relating to any of the above topics please email me.
Lorraine Cousins
Manager
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Profile of Glenda Roberts – Group Quality Consultant
I started my career in care as a care assistant for a large nursing home in Jersey whilst I was travelling across Europe. From that first day I discovered that my passion lay with providing good quality care for older adults and I stopped my travels to attend South Bank University and qualify as a registered Nurse. On qualifying I immediately returned to the care home sector and have developed my skills during the past 9 years holding a number of posts including my last post as Deputy Director of Nursing prior to joining the Graham Care Group.
Academically I have continued my studies and have gained post graduate qualifications in Gerontological Practice and End of Life and Palliative Care. I am currently studying at Stirling University for an Msc in Dementia Studies which has given me great insight into supporting our residents living with dementia.
Outside of work my main interests are my animals and before working in the care industry was a horse riding instructor. I have recently moved to the north Kent coast and am enjoying long walks with the dogs on the beach and even the recent bad weather has not put me off.
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