John’s Campaign

Peninsula Care Homes is pleased to support John’s Campaign, which supports the rights of people living with dementia to be supported by their family carers. Named after Dr John Gerrard, who died in November 2014 after a catastrophic stay in hospital.  Following his death his daughter wanted to improve life for those living with dementia who need to stay in hospital.

The campaign was launched with a single, simple principle: We should not enforce disconnection between carers and those who need care. When someone with dementia is hospitalized, the medical staff should do all within their power to make access easy for family carers and utilise their expert knowledge and their love.

Throughout the country over 400 wards and hospitals have made pledges to improve the care to those living with dementia, being more open, welcoming and supportive of carers.  More recently the campaign has been adopted by residential and nursing homes across the company.

By joining the campaign we are reiterating our commitment to provide the best possible care to those living in our homes and support to their carers. Carers/families are more than “visitors” to a person with dementia; they are an integral part of that person’s life and identity and often their best means of connection with the world.

At Peninsula we do not have visiting hours and welcome visitors at any time.  Families and friends are encouraged to be part of the life of the home.  Many help with the gardening, arts and crafts, attending parties, and joining us with outings. Families join our meetings and contribute to sharing ideas, experiences and improvement plans within the homes.

It is well documented that knowing an individual’s life history enables Homes to care for them in the best possible way.  We rely on families to offer insights and help us learn about a resident’s preferences, hobbies, past life stories.  Whilst attending Eden Alternative training recently we were asked to share a small pleasure….for many it was the first mug of coffee, served in their favourite mug and made with just the perfect amount of sugar and milk.  It is these small pleasures that family can share and make such a difference to us delivering quality care personalised to the individual.

We look forward to seeing John’s Campaign continue to grow momentum and help make a positive difference to those living with dementia in our care and when they have to visit hospital.

http://johnscampaign.org.uk/#/

World Down Syndrome Day 2017

If you visit bramble Down on March 21st don’t be surprised if you see everyone wearing odd socks, short socks, long socks, t-shirts with socks on.  This is all part of campaign to raise awareness of Down Syndrome during its 12th anniversary of Word Down Syndrome Day.

The day hopes to improve awareness of Down Syndrome and enable people with Down Syndrome to speak up, to be heard and influence government policy and action and to be fully included in the community.

For our Bramble Down Manager Sue, the campaign is very close to her heart as her grandson Luca has Down Syndrome. Luca’s mum says “When we first heard Luca’s diagnosis we were sent into a whirlwind of questions and emotions.  With such little knowledge and understanding of Down Syndrome it was difficult to comprehend what the future might hold for him and for us as a family. If I knew then what I know now there is no way I’d have been so petrified of what lay head.  We believe in the work that the Down Syndrome Association (DSA) do.  With such a huge variety of information and resources from new parents through to adulthood, the DSA is always my first port of call with any questions I might have or help we might need.”

Sue says that like all her grandchildren “every milestone he has achieved has been celebrated just as any other child, it has just taken him a little longer but he achieved them and that’s what matters. As a family, Luca has enriched our lives and we have supported the Downs Syndrome Association. Some of our fund raising efforts have included a sponsored sky dive, organising a Father Christmas grotto as well as a Christmas Faye to name a few.”

Every year on 21st March we all wear our odd socks and encourage our work places to raise money for the World Down Syndrome Day. It is time to do this again so we will all be in our bright fun coloured odd socks.

#wdsd17 #MyVoiceMyCommunity

National Pie Week

It’s National Pie week this week in Britain and we’ve been discussing pies in our homes.  One interesting debate was what makes a pie a pie?  For some it has to have pastry somewhere in the dish whether it be the base, the topping or all over.  For others it’s something cooked in a “pie dish” so could be cottage pie, shepherd’s pie.

There was a petition in recent years to define a pie as “a baked dish of fruit, or meat and vegetables, typically with a top and base of pastry” anything without a pastry base should not be classed as a pie. One resident said it was only a pie if it had some booze in the sauce naming steak and ale pie as the winner.

With all the talk of savoury pies it’s important not to forget sweet pies like traditional apple pie or mince pies at Christmas.  Both are favourites with many of our residents.

According to research 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month.  Whatever your view we hope you enjoy National Pie Week…. The Homes menu’s include Steak & Kidney Pie, Cottage Pie and Chicken & Mushroom pie along with fruit pies for dessert.