Just a care home girl
@Justacarehomeg1
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Small town girl with a big passion caring for older adults! Nursing in care homes since qualifying as a nurse in 2002! All OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.
Bishopton, Scotland
Joined September 2019
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A lady who is on her final journey, unable to swallow, asked for a whisky. Oral care is important but so is comfort that can be provided by moistening the mouth with a favourite flavour. Her smile said it all ❤️🥃
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I don't think we can underestimate how distressing moving into a care home is for many. Imagine never going home again from hospital, imagine feeling like the new kid at school again, imagine all the strange faces/ places/ sounds, feeling alone. Do we think about this enough? 🤔
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I'm not going to lie, nursing in a covid-19 outbreak has been tough. I've been jealous of other parents getting to spend so much time with their kids. I've been tearful, exhausted. We got through as a team. I am so proud to be a nurse right now ❤️
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Evening thought...
If you want to make sure I drink enough, don't come around with a tea trolley and offer me a drink, but not my visitors who are sat beside me. I will not drink alone in company.
This should be a lesson for all health and care environments!
#fancyacuppa
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We're going to get nursing students soon! Very excited at the prospect of creating learning opportunities whilst showcasing social care staff and the individuality of our residents. I strongly believe that every student can learn so much from our care homes. ❤️🎉🎓
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Health care professionals, please do not assume a 90yr old lady is unable to understand and talk over her, do not go to 'turn her' and talk about your shift pattern to each other, do not assume she cannot drink because she'll choke and ignore her when tea trolley goes round 🤬
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Absolutely disgusted at the amount of care home bashing on twitter tonight. So much blame for residents dying of covid-19 being placed on care providers. Sheer ignorance of how covid-19 spreads and a lack of respect to the skilled, hardworking staff in social care.
#shameonyou
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This evening, a resident came to look about our office, she does this often. She paused to try and clean the logo off my jacket and then lay her head against my chest and stood there, eyes closed, wrapping her arms around me. These are the moments that I treasure in care homes.
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I am super excited to say that I have been successful in being selected for the
@QNI_Scotland
Queens Nurse Development Programme this year.
There are a lot of big 😃 around
@rashielee
this afternoon, staff and residents who have been following my journey so far.
#carehomenurse
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Care home life is so about relationships. We have the privilege of really getting to know individuals. Knowing who needs a hug in the morning,who lives for the banter, who's going to make a face when you turn your back, who loves to sing that song. I love my job ❤️
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As a care home nurse you care for the dying a lot, you see a lot of death. You don't harden to it as each person is an individual, a character who has contributed to your life as you have theirs. Each resident and their family are part of our community.
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There's a lot of guidance being put out by external agencies to advise care home staff how to look after residents wellbeing during covid-19.... I find a lot of this extremely patronising. We know how to adapt care daily, that's being person centred and it's our skilled job!
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Absolutely love how care staff know one lady can be distressed by personal care but ❤️ bagpipes, so every morning they play the pipes whilst assisting her to wash and dress. Every morning she passes my office 🥰 on the way to breakfast accompanied by the pipes on a smart phone ❤️
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Just finished my shift! Working on xmas day is always special.
3 special moments for me:
1. Being sincerely thanked for working at xmas by a relative.
2. Singing a xmas carol to a lady in bed.
3. Helping a gentleman get his xmas bowtie and cufflinks on for his wife arriving.
🎅
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Is there enough support out there for relatives of those moving into a care home to help them through guilt or grief - you can grieve the loss of someone who is still alive, the lost opportunities, the loss of the person you knew. If there is, do people know where to access it?
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Now that isolation time for general population is reduced to 7 days (pending neg lfd), we MUST consider why we still make those in care homes isolate for 14 days (minimum). It is unfair, disproportionate to current risk and causes distress and deconditioning for all residents.
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A resident displaying distress today, became calm with a prolonged hug and an opportunity to play with my hair. Touch can be incredibly important in caring for people living with dementia. Grounding, comforting, connecting, healing ❤️
#dementia
#carehomelife
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A resident just asked to see me to whole heartedly hand in her resignation. She was a nurse. She feels she is failing and can't perform her duties. I told her I know she is struggling but appreciate every little nursing act she still performs. She thanked me for understanding. 😭
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My nanna died this lunchtime surrounded by peace and love in
@rashielee
. I am indebted to all
#teamrashielee
who not only cared for nanna allowing her short stay to be comfortable and dignified, but also supported the whole family through this emotional time. Thank you all ❤️
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Today we are having a 'Chinese New Year' theme at work. I was born in a year of the Rooster so I'm dressed as a rooster 😂🐓. We are going to be playing Chinese NY themed bingo, making dragon masks, researching the Great Wall and enjoying chefs grub....🎎
#ChineseNewYear
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Delighted to have received the title of 'Queen's Nurse' tonight at the
#QNISAwards
, following a nine month leadership development programme. So happy that my 'actual other half', and my 'work other half' could share this moment with me. Flying the flag for
#carehomenurses
🩵
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Residents were discussing the covid vac they had seen on TV. I joined their chat, adding that it would be offered soon in the home. We had a conversation about their hopes, fears & the impact of the vac on their lives. Residents in care homes are not passive recipients of care.
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As I was leaving work tonight, a resident called me over, asked for a hug and told me that I'll never know how much I mean to her. That just made my day 😊
#relationships
#carehomelife
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We must never forget that people often move to care homes by an act of love. An incredibly brave decision made by them, or someone they love. That decision costs dearly - emotionally and financially, but it's made in the spirit of love and in that spirit, we'll be there for them.
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Heard from a lady today who is assisted to bed each night at 7pm - she spends hours lying awake in bed before sleeping. This lady then waits until 9am to go to the toilet again as she doesn't want to use a continence pad - her carers can't come earlier. The system can't cope 😥
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I have been emailing families every week to keep them informed both of our covid status and of what is happening in the care home. This time I asked the families to reply with how they feel they have been supported, how they feel we have cared.... All 100% positive so far! 😊
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This
#NursesDay2023
let's bust some myths....
◾Nurses don't all work in the NHS
◾Nurses don't only work in hospitals
◾Nurses don't all wear uniforms
◾Nurses come from every walk of life
Let's make sure the image we have of nurses is built on values, not stereotypes.
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I was leaving work & a resident beckoned me over. She took my hand & asked if I was going home. I said that I was & she hugged me, kissed my cheek and said, 'God bless you dear'. She always looks out for me, and takes comfort in me saying I'll say a wee 🙏 for her and I do.
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Out of sight, out of mind. I see the amount of people blatantly ignoring social distancing and feel that the residents of our care homes have been forgotten. Care homes are still in the midst of covid, trying to keep it out. We are part of your community too, think of us!
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Here's a thought, why don't we invest more money in care home staff improving themselves (if necessary) rather than funding ++ layers of external 'collaborators' and 'oversight' who seem to want to turn us into NHSesque units rather than be the unique care homes that we are. 😬😬
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Attended a funeral today and heard a really touching comment about
#dementia
...the dementia years likened to waving someone off as they drive away, the distance increasing until you can no longer see the person, but you're still there, waving. Very poignant moment.
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Several staff told me they were nearly moved to tears seeing the joy on residents faces as indoor visits commenced again
@rashielee
. So happy to be moving forward and to do so on such a mild day allowing walks outdoors too ❤️
#safevisiting
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Seriously wondering why I put myself through this. I adore working with the residents but I can't handle the constant pressure of the blame game, the talking about and not with care homes, the double standards between social care & NHS. If it weren't for the residents, I'd quit.
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I heard a carer gently advising a resident that another resident had died. They shared memories of her dancing in the halls. Others joined in to mourn and remember. It's important to have this space in care homes, for relatives, staff and residents.
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A resident was upset, crying to herself. Another resident, who finds difficulties communicating, walked up to her and stood stroking her hair. People don't lose their humanity when dementia comes along, they still feel themselves and for others. 🥺
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This evening as I left work, one of the residents was lying on the floor waiting on an ambulance. Jennifer, our student nurse, lay beside her which both comforted the lady and ensured the safety of others. This is being person centred! Thanks Jennifer, top work!
@Jenni62931990
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Precious moments in care home life. A nurse reduced to tears by a resident's bravery. A husband visiting his wife and lying beside her. A resident holding court with dirty jokes and a dirtier laugh. An unexpected smile and hug from a resident lost in herself. ❤️
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We must always be mindful that covid-19 effects all staff in care homes, not just those providing personal care, both physically and emotionally. I comforted my housekeeper today and she comforted me too, she also cares deeply about the residents.
#teamwork
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I heard a resident banging on my door, I opened it and he shouted at me to 'come on'. I followed him to his room which had been refloored that morning. He wanted to show me. I asked him if he liked it and he beamed 'aye'. Little things become big things in social care ❤️
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This photo popped up on my memories today. My daughter was always welcomed at the CH my nanna lived in. She was comfortable being there and loved to help with nanna's care and talk to all the residents. We need to ensure children aren't scared of CHs, of older adults, of ageing.
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Today has almost been the day that broke this camels back. Someone stop the bloody ride and let me get off. I'm sick of this covid merry go round, sick of days at work that I should be with family, sick of constant worry, firefighting off duty BUT eternally grateful to my staff😭
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@Occams_Blazer
This makes me remember when the silence was broken in public loos at that time of the month as my toddler shouted 'mum, why are you bleeding?' 🤣
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More musings on the current covid-19 situation. Care home residents are at risk but that doesn't give us the right to dictate their lives. Risk assessment is supposed to be about collaboration but who is asking the residents what they want and listening to their replies?
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At the end of
#carehomeday20
, let us hope that the wider public realise that there is a lot of life, love and laughter in our care homes and a lot of excellent person centred care.
I would also like to thank the twitter care home community for all your daily inspiration ❤️💪
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Sick of wearing a mask all day, sick of rejigging the off duty, sick of working extra hours, sick of testing, sick of bloody covid. But, I keep the mask on, I work long hours and I test for the residents. I enjoyed visiting residents this afternoon, almost felt normal.. almost.
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Isn't it important that we recognise caring doesn't stop when a loved one moves to a care home. Carer stress can still exist because it's a tough life choice, because there are expectations which sometimes can't be met, because that wife/son/grandaughter still cares!
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So happy that we've got the all clear today, after a Christmas we'd all rather forget!Residents popped out their rooms tentatively after a few weeks in isolation. Most happy to see each other but we're easing out gently so as not to cause distress to others. Visits again Wed!
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The expectation for residents in adult care homes to wear masks in communal areas is concerning. This is their home, if there is no covid-19 present, is it fair to put frail residents under the added strain of not being able to communicate with their friends? And in this heat???
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Thanks to everyone who has congratulated me on my
#carehome23
award Leadership Award last night. Too many to thank individually but much appreciated. Absolutely love my job, love
#carehomes
and love making a difference in the lives of residents, relatives & staff in care homes.
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We've reached the perfect storm in social care. Staff off sick, staff isolating, staff with covid from care home outbreaks, staff in same homes off with covid caught in community, staff with childcare issues, staff shielding, staff on well deserved a/l... Who's left?
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Today a resident reached out to me. I knelt beside her and as she looked upset, I used my hand to cradle her cheek - like a mother would. She then lifted her hand and started stroking my cheek as a mother would. Mouth and eyes breaking into a smile.
#connection
#carehomelife
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Life of a care home manager just now - always waiting on bad news e.g. staff calling in sick, illness in the home, critique and scrutiny. You can't switch off, always thinking about work, the what nexts. Feeling inspired but then frustrated at lack of resources. Is it just me?
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A really powerful little story from
@AnneLouiseAvery
... I remember both my nannas, becoming confused about cards and gifts at Xmas. People getting the wrong ones but never saying, just silently swapping them. It's the act of giving that's important, all that need given is love.
The Twenty-second Window. Wolf was sitting in his warm bedroom surrounded by his Christmas shopping - perfumes and talcs and soaps and books and fountain pens and diaries and boxes of chocolates. He sat there and looked at them and he simply couldn't remember who they were for.…
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So happy! Thank you so much! ❤️
#careaboutcare
And the winner of the Leadership Award is... Kirsty Cartin
@Justacarehomeg1
@Rashielee
🍾🥂! A well-deserved win!
Thank again to Meallmore for sponsoring this award! 🙌
#careawards23
#celebratecare
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I can never emphasise this enough to
#carehome
colleagues- listen to family carers! They know the tiny changes that we might be too busy to notice, they know the weird symptoms that we'd never consider, they have valuable lived experience of the resident's life. Listen!
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Reconsider the resident who 'buzzes all the time'! Ask yourself if that person needs company? Are they scared? Can they not sleep? Do they need emotional care? Not every use of a nurse call is for physical care. Sometimes people just need someone to be there for them!
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A lady, not long moved to the care home, was absolutely delighted to get a cut & blow dry and a perm off our lovely hairdresser today. She said she felt a million dollars. These little things, matter so much.
#carehomelife
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#IamACareHomeNurseBecause
I love living within people's stories. I love the relationships formed when helping someone to live well and often to die well. I love the variety of care home life, care home nursing is holistic, the perfect combination, looking after body and mind.
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I have come to the conclusion that caring for someone in your own family, especially someone with full capacity is so bloody difficult compared to work. The emotional investment is harder when things get personal & there are disagreements on life choices. Feeling very frustrated.
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Emotional day today. A young staff member brought to tears by anxiety about the whole covid-19 situation - the home life and her home life. Many of our staff have issues with their mental health and the burden of covid-19 is taking its toll. We must ensure we make 'safe' time 😢
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I cried reading this. What a brave testimony, a brave act for someone who wanted ultimately to retain control of her life. God bless Wendy 🥺
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I feel social care nursing is still seen as the poor relation of the NHS, by public/professionals/ government.
I see passion in the sector which must be shared with the future of social care - all of us.
I imagine social care being valued as an integral part of our communities.
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Not working today but happy to get the message from my dep that all staff routinely tested were negative this week. 🤞🤞🤞
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Helped a lady to the toilet today. She asked me to wait for her. I stood outside. She shouted 'are you still there'...several times. I assured her that I was & I would be until she finished. Imagine that fear of being lost, abandoned. I couldn't break her trust.
#carehomelife
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👇👇👇 This is sensible risk assessment, enabling people by considering risk not being lead by risk 👇👇👇
Grace loved ironing, it helped her relax. Just because she now lives at Spencer Grove
@MilfordCare
she’s still supported to do what she loves.
#positiverisktaking
#extremeironing
#dementia
#montessori
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Tomorrow night is the culmination of nearly a year's worth of developing my
#leadership
but also my
#self
. I have been privileged to get the opportunity to complete the
#qnis
Leadership Development Programme & look forward to receiving the title of 'Queen's Nurse' tomorrow night.
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There's recently been a promotion of the need for people to talk about their future in terms of death & dying but what about encouraging people to talk about the care support they may wish/ need in future, before a crisis hits? Let's address the 🐘 in the room at an early stage.
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I see this often in care homes. Grief for the loss of the person once known, physically, cognitively, spiritually - especially when caring for a loved one living with dementia. It manifests in similarity with feelings of grief encountered on death, sometimes more profound.
Many caregivers report feelings of “anticipatory grief” while caring for a loved one whose condition declines slowly. Such feelings can begin long before the actual death of a loved one.
#FamilyCaregiving
#Grief
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@PDarbyshire
The residents in our care home love the novelty of staff who have coloured hair, tattoos and bright socks. It's conversation provoking. We harp on about treating people as individuals and that goes for staff too.
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Just a wee thought...care homes are people's homes. Each and every one of us lives with beliefs, values, opinions that are important to us. This may be
#Coronation
weekend and some folk are very excited...but some aren't. Leave some safe spaces for them too.
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I don't do Xmas cards anymore, but a resident gave me one and cards seem hugely important to her. She kept asking reception if she had any cards yet, so I rummaged through my Xmas boxes and found a card. I gave it to her this morning, her face was like I'd given her the world ❤️
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A colleague's daughter was on placement today, she's super proud of her social care nurse mum and was telling a nurse this on the ward. The nurse asked where her mum works. She told her that she works in a care home. Nurse replied, 'Aaaw that's a lovely wee step down' 🤬🤬🤬
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We said goodbye to a resident today, we also welcomed open anticipatory care conversation with the loved one of another. We continue to assist in the rehab of another resident so she can go home as we dance and sing along. Life in a care home is full of variety, every day ❤️
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Heard today that a dear friend of the home has died. His beloved wife needs care and her family want her to come to the home. A place where she's known. Thankfully we have room. This is what good community care is. Keeping people local even when home isn't an option.
#bonds
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Waiting in anticipation to see how the easing of some restrictions in the wider community will affect care homes. Our residents don't just want to live, they want a life worth living, especially when most do not have time on their side 🤔
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There's often debate about using terms of endearment with residents but this morning I'm saddened that one remarkable lady will no longer call me 'darling' or 'my love' again. She made everyone around her feel special despite her own concerns. 😥
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Sitting in my office listening to the banter of residents outside my door. Bursting with pride as one lady calls out to ask another if she is new here and then invites her to sit amongst her group♥️... And then warns her that she may hear some dirty jokes 😂
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Had to reassure a relative today, who was extremely worried that her mum would be asked to leave the care home as her private funding was nearing an end. She never would here, but why should anyone fear being evicted because they can't afford care...this happens and it's wrong!
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So many people calling the
#carehome
desperately seeking respite care for their loved one. Literally crying on the phone because they can't get a break despite having respite budget. What's the answer? These
#unpaidcarers
need support to prevent
#crisis
in their health.
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Just came across this Welsh term...it made me think about the homesickness people living with dementia may feel, where home is not the physical bricks and mortar of their previous dwelling but somewhere steeped in their past.
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Absolutely gutted that we have to close to visits until 26th December due to one asymptomatic positive case in the home. Everyone else negative. Very emotional morning telling residents and families. Covid-19 sucks!
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A lady seemed upset, I sat beside her & asked what was troubling her?
"Nobody likes me" she said tearfully.
"I love you" I said.
She smiled widely and hugged me, "Thank you for loving me" she said.
This lady needs to feel loved, it's incredibly important to her.
#carehomelife
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Saying goodbye to those we care for is never easy. Today a familiar face and huge character made his final journey. I walked home full of fond memories and pride for the staff who ensured his wishes were met, his family and his fav carer by his side. ❤️😢
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Hugely honoured to be a finalist in the Leadership category of
@scottishcare
Care Home Awards 2023 and eternally grateful for the support of residents, relatives & staff
@rashielee
☺️
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Always saddened by how much we learn about people at their funeral. Share your stories, visit your loved ones & share. These stories are full of valuable nuggets, they speak of who you are - priceless information. We can only tap into memories that we know of.
#carehomelife
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How many routine checks in care homes are unnecessary? How many of these checks would have been done if a resident was still living at home? Do they have negative effects? I'm thinking monthly obs, breathing checks overnight, weekly weights...are we stuck in routine?
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Why do we really not talk much about the Health & Social Care Standards anymore? Who, outside of social care, actually know about them? Watch this space for a standard a day in January!
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Going through the belongings of a gentleman who died with no family was very emotional. He kept letters, diaries, photos, driving licenses, passports and even job references since he was a young man. I love learning people's stories, only wish he could've shared them with us 😥
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Thought...what if people got to stay together where 24hr support was available but not intrusive to personal space. Like sheltered housing for couples, the carer and the cared for. Nurse on site, carers on site, option for time out, in the mid of town to continue inclusive life..
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Some heartwarming comments received about the team today from a grieving daughter. Incredibly humbling to know we've not just been a part of her mum's life over the past few years, but a huge part of hers too. This is
#carehomelife
, building relationships that support everyone!
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In the darkest days of our covid outbreak back in April, I spent time comforting a tearful young carer.
Mid-shift, new to care, feeling helpless, with grandparents she worried for too, covid overwhelmed her.
Today, I was told, she is going to pursue a nursing career. ❤️
#proud
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I absolutely love
@AnneLouiseAvery
snippets into the lives of Old Fox and Wolf. So beautifully written, a wee bit of escapism.
Mouse's mother was coming for a nice lunch at the cottage. Old Fox had laid the table in the Morning Room with a white damask tablecloth & the best silver & the Viennese plates & Babcia cut some roses from the garden. Very fancy, said Wolf.
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We need to stop the narrative that nurses in care homes are deskilled and that all nurses work in NHS. We need to improve the working conditions for nurses in social care and recognise that this falls wider than individual providers.
I am doing some work on the 2nd Ed of the
@ScotSCnurses
journal, due Jan 2023. Stats for WTE
#nursing
vacancies Dec 2021 16.2% up from 8.0% 2020. We need to
#changethenarrative
we need
#nurses
for our
#carehomes
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Truly disappointed in those families lobbying for better care home visits who are now increasingly calling care home managers cruel and inhumane. This is not helpful. We are stuck in the middle, fighting for residents needs whilst adhering to formal guidance.
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Met a man this week who hasn't been out of bed in over a year. No facilities for this in his house. He wants to move to a care home because he wants to get out that bed and start living again. Absolutely heartbreaking but also heart warming knowing that his needs will be met!
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