What is Home Health Care?

Many of us have heard about in-home health care and know that at some point in a person’s life, it could become the difference between struggling just to get everyday tasks completed and enjoying an afternoon with friends doing what you like. Today’s in-home health care may be very different than what many people perceive it as but it is still designed to help seniors live independently for as long as possible and within the limits of their medical condition.

Home health care covers a wide range of services and can often delay the need for long-term nursing home care. It can include both occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy as well as highly skilled nursing duties. With a reliable home health care agency, you can expect assistance with everyday personal activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. It would also include assistance with cooking, cleaning and other tasks that could become difficult for those who are need the extra help. Many home health care workers also provide prescription monitoring as well as overseeing the dosing of over-the-counter medications.

As you can see, home health care can be divided into two very similar, yet different disciplines. On the one hand, you have health care that is designed to keep the client healthy and assist them with therapy, prescription use and other medical related issues. On the other hand, we see a home health care worker providing a wide range of personal and home related duties such as cooking, cleaning and various other home chores. Social Care Alba offers all of these services and more and they have a staff that is highly trained and fully attentive, often caring for clients for many years which attests to the level of care and support they provide.

If you, or someone you know, need some extra help getting through their day due to old age, injury or a handicap, consider home health care services and get your life back to normal. There are many excellent home health care service providers available, find one today and start living your life again.

Dementia Friendly Edinburgh

Last year we spent a month focusing on how we can make a positive difference to the lives of people
with Dementia.  Some of the things we did included:

• Becoming a Dementia Friend
• Creating updates to our Communication Tool
• Raising awareness of Dementia
• Offering training on Dementia
• Getting involved to make Edinburgh Dementia Friendly

All round the city you will start to see adverts and changes aimed at making Edinburgh a Dementia Friendly City.  You can follow the changes on Edinburgh Councils Website by following the LINK HERE

You can help cure the stigma of dementia by doing six little things.  To find out more about the six easy ways to help someone with dementia you can read the dementia stigma leaflet.  It's just about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things you can do to help people with the condition.

You can join the conversation on Twitter at #dementia6littlethings.

Stephen

Hello Mrs Robison

A few months ago I wrote to Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport.  To be honest I didn't expect a reply, but there it was sitting in my inbox.  Shona was more than happy to meet and chat about the future of Health and Social Care in Scotland.

So this Wednesday saw me unconsciously humming the Simon and Garfunkel tune "Mrs Robinson" as I approached the Scottish Parliament.  I know the spelling is different but I just couldn't get it out of my head.

If you haven't been to see the Scottish Parliament, then I would recommend a visit.  Fans of design, architecture or history won't be disappointed.

I was brought back to reality by a full body scan, and my clothes and belongings being x rayed. My visit to parliament looked to be over before it had begun as I was pulled aside by security.   A thorough search and a few minutes later revealed the culprit. It turned out to be nothing more than a car remote.  Que the music.


Shona and her team were welcoming, informed and interested to hear what Nataly and I had to say on behalf of staff, families and service users.  They understood the dilemmas faced by all of us and were taking action to improve the Health and Social Care provision in Scotland.

Some of the areas we discussed included:

• How we could improve provision to allow people to receive support in their own homes rather than be admitted to hospital.

• Raising the profile of the sector to encourage people to choose Health and Social Care as a career.

• Creating a single set of training standards for staff across the country, irrespective if they work in the community, NHS or care home.

• How Social Care Alba can become involved in new developments within Health and Social Care
• Accessing training resources from the NHS

• The imminent merger of Health and Social Care from April 1st.

We left with the promise of more information and details of how we could be more involved in shaping the future of Health and Social Care in Scotland.  I will keep you updated on how we take some of the ideas forward and how you can get involved.

Stephen

A Date with George Clooney

What price do you put on happiness?  If you had asked me this question last week, I wouldn’t have a clue.  This week, I can tell you down to the penny.

All around me women are smiling, talking about shoes, hair, makeup and new dresses.  Being honest I can’t take all the credit, this goes to the one and only Mr George Clooney.  Little did he realise that when he accepted an invitation to come to Edinburgh, that it would turn my life and that of many others upside down.

My story starts just 7 days ago with an innocent comment “I see George Clooney is visiting a sandwich shop in Edinburgh”.  My wife leapt from her chair with the grace of a gazelle and subjected me questions which the Spanish inquisition would be proud of.  Within minutes, she had found out everything about the coming visit, barring George’s planned toilet breaks. 

It turns out George is not only an Oscar-winning actor, director and Hollywood living legend, but also a committed humanitarian.  His visit to Edinburgh coincides with raising awareness for his charity “Not on Our Watch” which he co-founded with Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon. As if I didn't have enough to live up to.

Skip forward a bit and I find myself on the phone, bank card in hand being reassured by the nice man that the content of my bank account is going to a good cause.  My brain awakens from the fog to screams of joy from my wife.  I had agreed to buy:

• 1 Table for 10 people at the Scottish Business Awards (Read dinner with George)
• 3 Course meal for 10 people (Who are already swapping diet tips for the big night)
• VIP photo-line with George and other celebrities (Read snogging)
• Champagne reception for all (They really won’t need it)

Of course if you ask Nataly, she will tell you all about her dinner date with George.  I have suddenly become very popular at home and with the rest of the women at work.  Whether it lasts until George visits in November we will see.  So what price do I put on happiness.  Well I could tell you, but looking at my wife’s smile, it’s priceless.

Stephen

P.S. Watch this space for more updates on "Dinner with George"

Local Hero Awards

Social Care Alba is delighted to sponsor this years Local Hero, Carer of the Year Award. NOMINATE NOW

As Scotland’s foremost Care at Home provider – independently awarded top marks in all categories by the Care Inspectorate – we’re aware of how having the right support can transform peoples’ lives.

Our own energetic and passionate team includes personal assistants, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and occupational therapists. Through recommendations, our list of clients is growing and we are looking for caring and reliable individuals to join our team.

Our Gold Investors in People award shows the commitment we have to improving the working lives of our staff and well as those we support.  At the same time we are also keen to help those who are ambitious and seeking promotion. APPLY NOW

Being able to make a positive difference to someone’s life is rewarding. Having the confidence to do
so because you know you have a great support team behind you is essential. At Social Care Alba you’ll experience both.

For more information visit  www.Social-Care.org or phone 0845 0945 279.

A Great Opportunity

You cant turn on the TV or search the internet recently without being aware of how much coverage is being given to Health and Social Care. 

The Scottish Government recently announced a further £100 Million over three years is to be invested in the NHS to help reduce the numbers of people waiting to be discharged from hospital.

This funding will be used to support health boards and local authorities deliver good quality care and support for people at home or in a homely setting.

This is aimed at preventing delays in discharge and preventing admissions to hospital and attendances at A&E. Combined these actions will reduce pressure across the system.

I am delighted that Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has agreed to meet with me to discuss "The Future of Care Services in Scotland"  

Ahead of my meeting I would like you give you the opportunity to pose a question to Shona.  Whether you work with us are receive support from us, now is the chance to have your voice heard.

I won't have time to ask everything, but will try and reflect the most popular questions that you send me.

To get involved please email the office with your question.  If you work with us please ask the people you support whether they would like to get involved.

Stephen

Stephen Wilson, Director

NEW COMMUNICATION TOOL

In 2012 we were proud to be the first to design, develop and release an app specifically to help overcome communication difficulties.  

Since then our Communication Tool has been a huge success and is used in more than 27 countries worldwide by families, health care professionals and hospitals.

Now updated for 2015 it remains FREE to use with unlimited ability to upload your own images.

COMMUNICATION TOOL

For many people the ability to communicate with those around them is hampered by conditions such as Dementia, Stroke, Brain Damage or General Ill Health. The communication tool is designed to bridge that gap. Whether you are a care giver, professional, family member or have yourself a difficulty communicating, this tool helps overcome some of this barrier.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and this app does just that. With over 500 possible images from which to select, communicating your needs, choices or feelings is easy. With just 3 simple taps on the screen you can choose from any of the pictures you desire. You don't have to worry about being limited to the stock images, because you can swap any image for one of your own in seconds. By creating a library of images personal to you, the app allows meaningful communication, reminiscence, memory prompts, memory exercise and more.

The uses for the app are only limited by your imagination. We hope that the frustration and isolation experienced by people with communication difficulties are replaced by experiences of inclusion, dignity and choice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR FREE HERE

Nataly Wilson, Director, Social Care Alba

www.social-care.org