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We are a nation who keep pets close to our hearts - it is estimated that 1 in 2 households will own a pet, most of these are likely to be dogs or cats. Pets are not just cuddly and cute, but can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction, help with light physical activity (because you just can’t say no to those puppy eyes who clearly want to play in the park!), and help us keep a positive mind set by learning how to live in the moment. There are associations which help bring dementia dogs into homes to help individuals with waking, sleeping, keeping up an eating routine, being a daily reminder to take their medications, keeping them active, and engaging with the community around them - all of which results in improvement of confidence, and reducing anxiety and depression. Dogs also help the blind be more independent, and provide them with everyday help as well as companionship. Living with a pet also helps reduce loneliness in elderly people. As we age and go out less, pets like dogs and cats can provide us with unconditional love and companionship. It helps us feel more positive because we have something other than physical pain or the negative feelings about ageing to focus on, it’s even better when that something - or rather someone - has big bright eyes and fluffy ears. Pets themselves will also benefit from a companionship from an elderly person - there are many dogs and cats in rescue centres who have come to an old age and aren’t suitable for young, active families. From rags to riches, these pets end up in a loving and suitable home, with much needed attention from their elderly owners. There are a lot of us who live with our beloved pets, and when we grow older we shouldn't have to be faced with a choice of potentially having to give them up. When you opt for live-in care, your life doesn’t have to change and both you and your pets can stay at home. You’ll even have help walking and feeding them, so you have more energy to enjoy your pets company! If you or your loved one is receiving live-in care and are considering adopting a pet, there are some things to consider to make sure it’s a purrr-fect match: Pick an animal which will suit your lifestyle. If you are physically challenged you may want to look at pets who are smaller in size, do not require as much attention, or can be easily handled by a carer. Is the pet the right age for you? Puppies and kittens are adorable, but need a lot of care and attention. Choosing an older, calmer pet may be a better option - they will be more like to want to snuggle up with you in front of the TV! Is the pet healthy and from a good source? Rescue centres always conduct health checks on their animals so you won’t need to worry about underlying conditions, or defects which some sellers won’t tell you about. Can you afford to keep a pet? You need to think about food, toys, treats, accessories, insurance, vet bills. For more information visit Dementia Dogs Project, Guide Dogs For The Blind, and Pets As Therapy.

With a long weekend coming up, inspiration from the Chelsea Flower Show, and the sun due to shine, it would be a shame not to get out into the garden and enjoy the benefits of gardening, this is something a Live-in Carer can help with. Gardening helps enhance well-being, improve dexterity, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve relaxation and satisfaction; it also provides social entertainment for those who like to garden in groups, or with friends. And the best part is that you can enjoy family fun, good food, and a place to relax and take in the sunshine - all in the comfort of your own back garden. A home carer can help ensure your relative gets plenty of fresh fruit and veggies grown by their own hands - it’s a winner all round! Gardening helps keep elderly general health in a better state by strengthening bones, muscles and joints; it also helps the elderly with balance resulting in less falls; keeps blood pressure at bay; reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke; and of course helps keep our minds in a positive state. Being in the garden and caring for your plants involves your whole body, which for some people may be difficult so ask your carer to help you - this will be a fun exercise to do together to help you bond and enjoy the fruits of your labour together. If you have a condition like arthritis, or an injury, you can opt for a low maintenance garden and ask your private carer to take over on some days. You can enjoy activities such as: Planting herbs in pots or raised beds Repotting plants Tidying up plants which are in pots Planting vegetables which are in season Planting flowers which are in season Populating greenhouses Decorating the garden with sensory accessories which can help with conditions like dementia There are benefits in having flower gardens, or small vegetables gardens. If you opt to grow flowers, you can pick fresh flowers and have bright bouquets throughout the house or to give to friends and relatives - fresh flowers really do brighten up a room! And if you decide to grow herbs and vegetables in your garden, you can enjoy hosting family BBQs with produce grown by you! Make sure your gardening experience is pleasant by following a few simple rules: Wear a hat and sunscreen to protect from harmful UV rays Have a pair of gloves to protect fragile skin Stay hydrated! Take regular breaks to enjoy a lemonade and spend some time in the shade Have insect repellent handy to ward off mosquitos and any other unwanted insect friends

Is live-in care the perfect alternative to residential care? The concept of having a carer live with you in your own home as an alternative to having to move into residential care is not new. In fact, Access Care has been introducing qualified, vetted and professional carers to people in their own homes since 1994. The concept though is still not considered mainstream and it is surprising how many people are unaware of this option, thinking that a move to a care home and thus leaving their own home is inevitable. For some a care home is a perfect fit; for many, though their ardent wish is to remain in their own home – AND IT IS POSSIBLE! The option is “Live-in Care” – where, with our help, you can arrange for a professional, qualified and vetted carer to come and temporarily reside in your property providing the care and support you need to live your life the way you chose. The carer is then seamlessly rotated with another providing continuity of care. Our Rotational patterns provide the very highest levels of continuity as many carers look to stay for a good number of weeks at a time and we work hard to introduce a team of 2/3 carers who rotate throughout the year. This article looks at a couple of the ways ‘live-in care’ differs from choosing to move into a care home. A carer living with you in your own home will provide one-to-one care whereas in a residential home many carers work on rotation to share responsibility. Being supported by one person promotes a depth of professional relationship that enables a carer to instantly respond as necessary. She can recognise signs of a possible decline in condition, changes in mood, rapid onset health concerns as well as fully understand what makes a difference in her client’s day, what makes her laugh and smile, relaxes and soothes, eases discomfort and generally makes life as good as it can be. The majority of sons and daughters who phone us to arrange care for a parent tell us their main wish is that their loved one is ‘clean and well-fed.’ A carer living in will cook healthy, hearty, home-cooked meals carefully balancing nutritional needs with desires – after all, there’s no harm in a sneaky treat now and again! The main and most obvious difference is that live-in care enables you to remain living in your own home; there is no upheaval, no move to new and unfamiliar surroundings. You can keep much-loved pets whereas many care homes are unable to accommodate them. Links to your local community are maintained and life, for all intents and purposes can continue as normal. There is funding available for both options. Live-in care is comparable in cost to residential homes and compared to some of the more elite homes a much more cost effective option. In many instances one live-in carer can provide care for a couple, this is a far more viable financial option that the cost of two beds in a residential home. #liveincare #elderly

It’s now March and this means that Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Families across the UK will be celebrating the wonderful women in their lives on Sunday 26th March. The amazing ladies we help you to support with our live-in care services are certainly no exception to this. Here are some of our tried and tested ideas to show your appreciation this Mother’s Day: Enjoy the Outdoors If your mother is mobile and able to go outside, the perfect gift would be to spend time with her outside the home doing an activity that she enjoys, or a hobby that she used to love when younger. A trip down memory lane is good for the soul. If the weather allows, a relaxing picnic with all her favourite foods could be just the ticket to take in a bit of vitamin D and springtime fresh air. Even a simple stroll in the sunshine with some time to catch up on life will be enjoyed and appreciated. It is the time spent together that is precious. Take in a Little Culture If she adores live performances, you could take her to see a play at the local theatre. If history or art is her preference, consider visiting a local museum or art gallery. A trip to the movies for those film buff Mum’s could be the perfect gift to indulge her in a real blockbuster. If you are going to be going out and about take care not to plan too much, though, changes in usual routine can lead to Mum tiring more quickly than usual. Share Happiness at Home If your mother requires live in elderly care and is unable to go far from home, there are still countless ways that you can celebrate the amazing woman she is. No matter the situation, there are plenty of things that you can do to shower the woman who has done so much for you and your family, with love and appreciation. Simply spending time with her in her own home and making memories will be the best gift that you can give her. Cook up a tasty roast dinner, sit together and take in an old movie or indulge in a tipple on the patio. There’s always scrabble or dominoes if you are up for the challenge. Be careful though Mum’s years of experience could give you a run for your money. Being together, taking it easy and enjoying some quality time in each other’s company is what counts on this special occasion that is Mothers Day. Shower Mum with Gifts The need for some types of live-in care can sometimes mean that Mum is not able to leave home due to physical limitations. Should this be the case there are many wonderful presents that you can give to ensure that she feels loved and appreciated by her family, and to show her that you are thinking of her. Here are some of our favourite gift ideas: Spoil her with a luxury hamper that is filled with soaps and bath salts which will add a lovely aroma to her room - you can even include biscuits too if she has a sweet tooth! You have made lots of special memories share them by giving a digital photo frame showing precious photos of your mother and her family. If you fancy going the extra mile photograph-wise, you could recreate old childhood photos, adding a sentimental touch. We think all Mums love to receive new pyjamas, dressing gowns, or slippers. They add a touch of extra comfort to relaxing evenings, and a little bit of cosy to chilly mornings. Let’s not forget the classic gifts of flowers and chocolates. We can’t think of a mother who wouldn’t raise a smile at receiving beautiful blooms, tasty confectionery, or indeed both. Remember, no matter what you give to celebrate the amazing woman that she is, Mother’s Day is about spending time with her and showing her just how much you love and appreciate her. Have a great Mother’s Day on Sunday 26th March - she will definitely love what you have planned! Happy Mothers Day from all at Access Care.

“Today, we celebrate seven years together!” – the gleefully happy sentiment of a carer introduced by Access Care in 2010 to a lady in Hampshire living with Parkinson’s disease. This lady has two carers supporting her to live at home with her husband at any one time. Elizabeth cares for her alongside two other regular carers throughout the year, each staying with her for a number of weeks at a time. She sent us this wonderful picture to show their happiness. There are many wonderful benefits of engaging a home carer to live with you in your own home; but the extreme high levels of continuity that this care option allows is certainly one of the greatest. Unlike domiciliary care or a move to a care home where many carers work on a rotational shift pattern to deliver their service, often restricted by tight time constraints and other operational factors, one-to-one carers that live-in your own home have the time to offered a truly tailored service that is fluid. Continuity is an incredibly important factor in a Peron’s experience of any type of ‘care.’ The term ‘continuity of care’ typically refers to the quality of care services received by a person over a period of time. It could relate to repeatedly seeing the same GP, OT or District Nurse. In a homecare setting, it relates more to having the same hourly carers visiting at a set time each day. In this instance, continuity of care would be better named ‘continuity of carer’ and specifically refers to arranging the same carers to live with you in your own home on a regular and steady rotational pattern throughout the year. Here are some of the main advantages to having a ‘live-in’ carer: Private Carers have the time to truly understand their clients. They become familiar with patterns and routines enabling them to respond quickly to changes out of the ordinary which may signify a decline in health. Carers become familiar with their client’s favourite meals and learn how and when they would like them served. Families/Clients do not have to keep showing different carers around the home, telling them where items are stored or how the washing machine works for example. Peace of mind for the entire family that their loved one is being cared for by trusted carers that they really know on a personal level. Carers becomes known to friends, family and other relevant individuals such as Doctors, Pharmacists and District Nurses who work as a team to provide the very best service and care required. Continuity works both ways – carers like the stability that a regular client provides for them too and are at their best when they have a relationship with their client forged over time. When one carer goes home for a rest and another familiar one arrives, the changeover between the two is more like friends catching up with their client altogether. Striving to achieve true ‘Continuity of Care/Carer’ should be the aim of any care provider. It instils trust and confidence for those in receipt of care and their families alike. All that’s left to say is Congratulations to Elizabeth and her client. We celebrate with you. #liveincare #AccessCare

“Brrr”, is all I can say. As I write this, the view from my window is quite beautiful (at least from the warmth of the office). Tiny ice crystals glisten in the hues of the winter sun and the car park is adorned with bejewelled cars connoting the magic of Christmas is well and truly approaching. It’s cold! No two ways about it, this week has brought low temperatures, frost, and a true bite of winter. Keeping warm can help prevent illnesses such as colds, chest infections and flu, but it can also prevent far more potentially dangerous conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, depression, and pneumonia. So, who’s most at risk and how we help ourselves and others? Anyone can be at risk if your body temperature drops low enough but there are certain groups of people who will be more vulnerable: The elderly (or over 65’s – these days not so classified as elderly!) People with a long-term diagnosis such as kidney, lung, or heart disease The disabled Those who struggle to pay the bills/on a low income Now we know who’s at risk, what can we do to help ourselves and others? Here’s a few ideas that I hope will help broken down into sections for ease of remembering. Healthy Eating Delicious, nutritious meals are best practise anytime of the year but in winter this is especially important. Nutritious hot meals and hot drinks should be on your menu and in plentiful portions too. Much like a hibernating bear – this is the time to store a little extra to keep snuggly through the winter months. A Live-in Carer can help to prepare warm and nutritious meals and ensure their client is being well looked after. Moving Around Sitting in a chair or on the sofa all day long won’t do you any good at the best of times, but especially not if your home is chilly. Your body draws warmth through movement and even the smallest moves will help. If you struggle with mobility, try some exercises in your chair. Spread your daily chores through the day so you are not sat for more than an hour at a time. Make yourself walk upstairs (if you can) a couple of times extra through the day – or dance a festive, merry jig! Anything you can do which makes your body move will help raise your body temperature. Keeping your home warm How warm should my home be? Well, from reading a lot of information on this, best advice appears to be to keep your living room (or the room you spend most time in) at 21c and the rest of your home at 18c. However, if you feel cold and you can – turn up the heat! Close the curtains when it starts to get dark and close the windows at night too as the temperature will drop to its lowest just before dawn. Also, check you don’t have big items of furniture in front of your radiators or anything closely over them (like a shelf) – they need to be completely unobstructed to do their jobs. If you feel a draught somewhere – plug it up if you can and if not ask for help. Keeping yourself warm It’s time to crack out the thermals and layer up from there. Getting your base layer right will help no end and these days there are some gorgeous thermals in the shops! Whether you go for ‘long-johns’ /thermal tights, short or long sleeve it really doesn’t matter if you wear them outside and in – just if your warm. Buy some good socks too – you can go thermal here as well. Lots of layers on top will work best as they trap the air in between, wool, fleecy synthetics are better than cotton at this time of year. When heading outdoors (or in if you need too) wear a hat and gloves and wrap a scarf around your face, this will help warm the air you breathe and is hence entering your body. A good warm coat/jacket is vital too. Down Jacket, synthetic insulated or hybrid insulation are the warmest if you can afford them. Don’t forget your feet too – wear shoes with a good grip outdoors to help prevent slips and falls. Take a hot bath or shower will help too – but make sure your bathroom is toasty warm when you step out and you have clothes ready to jump straight back into. Snuggly extras These are good for the body and the soul, so go on – treat yourself if you can. Hot water bottles, electric blankets, hot chocolate, a log fire, lots of blankets, warm cosy socks, let your pet sit on your knee, cuddle someone! All of the above is easy if you have the means (financial or ability), but if you don’t please don’t sit in silence. Please ask a neighbour or a relative, even ask the postie to try and find someone that can help you. There are so many of us that will help you if we know you need us. Stay warm all and if you can - have a little fun! Our Live-in Carers are expert in live in elderly care whatever the weather!

Armistice Day is on the 11th of November each year. This day is also called Remembrance Day. It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. A two-minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars. We also have Remembrance Day on the second Sunday in November each year and on this day, our Royal Family and top politicians attend a memorial service where they lay wreaths of poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph in London. The poppy is the symbol of remembrance and its connection stems from being the flower that grew form the war-torn battlefields of the First World War. From such ugliness grew beauty, perhaps not unnoticed that the red colour may well be Mother Nature’s way of symbolising bloodshed. The artificial poppy proudly worn by so many of us today first appeared in 1921 and was manufactured to be sold on behalf of the Earl Haig Fund in support of ex-servicemen who had lost their lives in the fighting. Sales were so popular that the following year the British Legion founded a factory to manufacture them which is still in operation day. The poppy is now worn to commemorate all people that have died on behalf of their country and the money donated from people in return for their poppy is used to help those that need help following time served in the armed forces. Since 1945 more than 12,000 British servicemen and women have been killed or injured. This year it is estimated that over 45 million poppies will be given out by 150,000 volunteers. There is no right or wrong way to wear your poppy (although most wear it on their left lapel with the leaf pointing to 11 o’clock – The British Legion asks only that people wear their poppy “with pride.” Perhaps the story of the poppy is best relayed in John McCrae’s famous poem entitled “In Flanders Field” which you can read here: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. - We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. - Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. This coming Sunday (the 13th of November) is Remembrance Sunday. It is a day for the nation to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom. Each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, (this Sunday at 11am) we (as a nation) observe (take part in) a Two Minute Silence. The first two-minute silence in Britain was at the request of King George V who asked that everyone (including our locomotives) fall silent so that “the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead” http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/how-we-remember/two-minute-silence/ Our Live-in Care team and home carers will be paying our respects with a two minute silence for remembrance day.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November; the night where people gather to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at firework displays both large and small everywhere from back gardens to public parks to celebrate the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’s attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. It’s just around the corner and whilst the stunning displays light up the night skies across our fair land and millions of us stand and marvel at the sheer beauty – for some people (and indeed pets) the evening can cause heightened anxiety and may even be a frightening experience. The elderly is one group susceptible to feelings of discomfort around this time and with them in mind we thought we’d note down a few top tips to help: Health conditions. For those with and form of heart/mental condition and/or respiratory problems – it may be a better idea to enjoy the night from the comfort and warmth of home. Watching the firework displays from the window is just as fun and much safer. Top tip: Ask a Live-in Carer to turn the lights off indoors to help make the experience better and pop on some classical music to deafen the bangs! Loud Noises. If you do chose to go to an event this bonfire night (or even at home), it will help to wear ear defenders. You can buy these in many country stores on online. This way, you can enjoy the night without jumping every time you hear a bang! Firework displays and events. If you do venture out, then it is advisable to attend a professionally organised firework display. These events will be adhering to strict fire safety regulations and will provide a good/safe area where you can enjoy the display safely. Keep warm. It’s all over the weather - the temperature is dropping this week, especially towards the weekend and standing around at night can get very chilly! Make sure to wrap up warm with hats, scarfs and gloves and if you are wheelchair bound ask you Live-in Carer to take blankets and a warm drink to sip throughout the evening. Sparklers. If you are going to be lighting sparklers, then here are some safety tips to help. Always hold the sparklers at arm’s length away from your body. Only light one sparkler at a time. Have a bucket of water/sand for you to then put your sparklers in hot end down. Be aware of any loose clothing. Pets. If you do have pets who aren’t very keen on the loud noises of the firework displays that are nearby, they’re some tips that can help. Make sure all windows and curtains are closed to reduce the sound outside. You can turn on the television or radio. If you have any dogs, make sure you take them for a good long walk before the evening begins so they are tired and more likely to snooze the night away. Some pets may hide under furniture, make sure that you leave them; they are creating a safe environment for themselves and coaxing them out may provoke more stress for them. If your dog has a crate that is their ‘safe’ place it may be wise to pop them in during the evening (and pop the radio near It’s best to wait until the fireworks have stopped and then comfort them. To summarise, make the evening work for you and the people/animal you care for and love, a Live-in Carer can help you to safely enjoy the fireworks and the magic of the evening, however you wish.

As Halloween approaches, door bells will ring and the sounds of small fists thumping on front doors will be rife in cities, town and villages throughout the land. Taking a lead from our American friends across the pond, Halloween has become increasingly popular in the UK and these days the chances of a myriad of little beasts at your door is relatively high. For many families, the traditional ‘Trick or Treat’ ramble through the neighbourhood provides opportunity for families to spend ‘quality’ time together and have some fun; for others, though, particularly the vulnerable the evening and those surrounding it can cause anxiety, panic and considerable distress. For those providing live in elderly care there are things you can do to help minimise discomfort. Here’s a few ideas that may help: Ensure they are not alone on the evenings/nights over the weekend. Talk about the evenings and what may happen. Explain that families are out and about having fun and may well knock on the door. If the door knocking may cause anxiety, explain that it may happen but you will take care of it and it is nothing to worry about. If you are happy to accept visitors, then make sure the home is ready. Have sweets in a bowl and ensure there is an outside light so when you open the door you can see your spooky visitors to eliminate the fear. If you are decorating the house, even if not and you intend to open the door, ensure that the doorways and hallways are free of clutter and potential trip hazards. Keep pathways, hallways, porches well lit. Make sure you can see your visitors from a window and check you are happy to answer the door to them before you do. If visitors are going to cause distress pop a sign on the door explaining that you are ‘sorry, but no sweets this year, please don’t knock but have a fun evening’. If your road is noisy and there is disturbance suggest you watch the TV and turn up the volume. Be prepared, grab the family photo albums, or a puzzle, turn up the radio and distract in a room at the back of the house away from the front door. If you are one of the merry gaggle parading your mini-beasts through your neighbourhood, spare a thought for those elderly and vulnerable for whom a knock on the door could cause fear and anguish. Perhaps it is wiser and kinder to only knock on the doors that are adorned in spooktacular decorations and so are obviously extending an invitation. If your children want to knock on the dark, quiet homes, explain to them that there is probably a very good reason the house does not look inviting and help them to understand. Remember to be safe, whichever side of the door you are on this weekend - wear bright reflective clothing if you are on the roads/streets, stay clear of naked candles and keep your little ghouls on a tight leash, buy the sweets, talk about the evening with the vulnerable and reassure them. Happy Halloween to you all!

Access Care is proud to be a founder member of The Live-in Care Hub - The hub is relatively unique as it is comprised of a number of businesses that are all technically in direct competition with one another but whom ardently wish to promote the concept of ‘live-in’ care to the general public so they are fully informed of the choices they have when it comes to care and most importantly don’t think they have to leave their own home. The Hub is a not-for-profit organisation, committed to raising the quality of care in the UK by giving people the opportunity to be cared for at home by a private carer, where they can still feel part of everyday life. As the experts in live-in care, the hub exists to guide families through all your options in an honest, impartial way. For us, it’s all about offering an alternative way of life that challenges the traditional view that domiciliary care and care homes are the only answer. Founded in 2013, all the care providers listed on the hub website are members of the United Kingdom Homecare Association. They share a vision to enlighten everyone on the benefits of live-in care. and guarantee the very highest standards of care. Live-in care may be relatively unknown, but it’s a fast-growing alternative to residential, nursing care and domiciliary care. More than simply another option, it combines high levels of companion care with the added independence of life at home. On the hub website you can learn all about the physical and emotional benefits of live-in care. From how it works, to who to contact to arrange your care and how much care costs, including state funding.

Like many companies around the globe, our Live-in Care office team sit down together (admittedly, with freshly brewed, steaming hot coffee) every Monday morning to reflect on the week before and discuss our week ahead. Not surprisingly we talk all things ‘care’; from what the news is reporting regarding our industry, to which of our clients have birthday’s this week that we want to send a token gift to. The meetings can sometimes last a few hours as we chew the ‘care-cud;’ but none more so than when I walk in with a new idea! I am aware that my lightbulb moments can strike fear in to the heart of my wonderful home carer team as they create more work for them when already super busy doing what we do. My ideas push the boundaries of what Access Care ‘should’ do as a minimum, and what I want Access Care to ‘be.’ I firmly believe the Live-in Care agency should aim high and be the very best that we can be. I don’t want to run the agency that just introduces the perfect care worker (although that is very important), I want to be the agency that does this but that also works hard to build a sense of community between all our stakeholders; whether they be our wonderful live-in care workers, valued clients, their families or the office team. One particular weekend I pondered the notion of inclusion and wanted to find a way to bring about a sense of community to people that live across the UK and beyond – challenge on! I’d love an annual event; I’m a party planner through and through so the idea of organising a garden tea for everyone would fuel my event planning fire, but in reality people are not going to travel for hours for a cuppa, nor are many of our clients physically able to. So, the questions become – how can people feel ‘involved’ in a community which they may never see, let alone meet? How can care agencies and care businesses like Access Care create a sense of community from afar? We often hear of the big charities doing their wonderful fund-raising through coffee mornings and fun runs, and they do a marvellous job. It occurred to me that live-in care businesses such as ours that have clients nationwide are similar in make-up (although be it a fraction of the size). We are trying to engender a sense of togetherness for people that we are not in direct contact with, or often even reachable by car in a day! The big charities provide ‘Joe Public’ with the opportunity to have fun whilst getting involved and doing ‘his’ bit for society; and let’s be honest they vast majority of us could probably do more. After mulling over various ideas, I found myself focussing on just one - ‘The Big Live-in Care Tea Party.’ The idea was simple – we would use social media to create the sense of community we were striving for, and in so doing be able to offer our stakeholders a chance to ‘get involved’ whilst having a bit of fun at home. The Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations provided us with the perfect invitation. In brief we sent all our clients and their relatives a ‘party pack’ with flags, crowns and a couple of quintessentially British tea recipes and in return asked them to send in a picture of them having a fun tea party for us all to see and share on our social media pages. We asked for people to use the #tag #liveincare #Queens90th Access Care is a member of the Live-in Care Hub, a group of ‘live-in care’ agencies who are technically competitors, but have come together with an aim of informing the public that live-in care is a viable and cost-effective option for those that wish to remain living at home but need full-time support to do so. During one of our meetings I mentioned the idea of the ‘Big Live-in Care Tea Party’ and it was so well received I thought let’s try and go big and give not just the Access Care community a way to come together, but invite all the care agencies in the UK to join in too! Okay, so I’m an ideas girl, I always have big ideas, dreams and aspirations, and some (well many actually) don’t come to fruition but this one actually had some legs. In fact, it not only stood on those legs but also started to walk and then even run a little. The UKHCA (United Kingdom Homecare Association) of which we are a member were great and I’d like to thank them for promoting the idea to all their members. People were able to participate in their own tea parties whenever they wished but most joined the office gang here on Friday the 20th of June. We were so excited and pleased to see the pictures begin to roll in (you can see our main album by CLICKING HERE) and we were absolutely delighted to see the happiness on the faces of our clients and their care workers. Other care agencies, friends of ours and even a smattering of the canine contingent all donned their union jack paraphernalia and best smiles for the camera! In summation, I think there must be many ways in which homecare agencies could involve their individual communities even if they live spread across the UK or beyond; we just have to think a little more outside the box. So here’s to next years ‘Big Live-in care tea Party’ and the hope that all care agencies could unite to spread a little happiness in the social care and homecare industries. #AccessCare #Lifestyle

For many, the predicted soaring of temperature will bring excitement and optimism of fun times ahead over the next few days. For others, particularly the frail/elderly and those with medical conditions, the news of a heatwave can be cause for concern. The older generation is at particular risk of over-heating as naturally over time, the body loses its efficiency to regulate temperature. Health-related conditions such as poor blood circulation, heart, lung and kidney diseases and the taking of certain medications may all contribute to being prone to over-heating. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are especially dangerous for the elderly and can have very serious consequences and heat stroke may well require medical attention. Those living with dementia may be at particular risk, especially if they are at home alone; forgetting to drink fluids throughout the day may lead to heightened levels of confusion resulting from a rise in body temperature. All of us can feel the effects of over-heating but those living with MS may well experience changes such as fatigue, more difficulty with balance and even temporary visual impairments. Indeed, it is common for people with MS to feel the changes in heat more and so it is especially important to take precautions to keep the environment as cool as possible. A symptom of Parkinson’s can be excessive sweating and naturally this will increase in times of soaring temperatures and can pose really uncomfortable conditions. Although the heat can affect people in many different ways, there are common ways in which to try to keep cool and well-hydrated. Family carers and care workers across the country will be gearing up to keep an extra special eye on their loved ones over the next few days and in light of this we thought a few top tips for all would be an idea. How to prepare the home for the heat: Drink water throughout the day Dress is cool/light clothing Stay out of the direct sunlight Keep curtains closed (when the window is in direct sun) Open the windows on opposite sides of the house to create a through-draft Eat small, regular meals Take a cool/lukewarm shower Pop a fan in to the home Avoid caffeine and alcohol – drink herbal teas, juice & squash instead Symptoms to watch for of over-heating: Headache Nausea Fatigue Dizziness Muscle Spasm Strange behaviour Rapid pulse Flushed skin If you need to lower the body temperature quickly: Ensure the person is out of direct sunlight Turn on a fan/air-conditioning (if you have it) Run wrists under cold water A cool/wet flannel on to the forehead Remove any unnecessary clothing Ask them to sip on a drink (not alcohol or caffeine) – rather water & fruit juices Encourage the person to have a cool bath or shower If you suspect the person you are with has heatstroke, take their temperature. If they have a temperature of 40 c or more then call for medical help. Many of the tips and ideas for keeping cool in the heat are common sense; the trick is just to be mindful that you put some of them in to play around your home and the homes of the vulnerable before it gets too hot! A plea to all, to watch out for the well-being of your relatives, neighbours and anyone you care for or about over the next few days; and of course a wish too for everyone to have the chance to enjoy the weather too. #Lifestyle #wellbeing