The Team Leaders at Social Care Alba recently gathered to discuss and address the various challenges faced by staff and service users.
Following comprehensive supervision sessions and performance reviews of all staff members, the meeting provided a platform to address issues and strengthen our commitment to quality care.
Our care team just completed a training session on Stress and Distress. We discussed challenging behaviour, how to identify and manage it, and learned about addressing unmet needs. With practical examples and prevention strategies in hand, we’re committed to providing excellent care for our service users.
For those like me who need a gentle reminder from time to time, we are introducing our new digital clocks, designed with care for those who appreciate a little extra assistance in managing daily routines. Whether you’re managing dementia or simply prefer a small nudge now and then, our clocks offer more than just the time of day.
Equipped with features tailored to support daily life, these clocks display the current time, day, and date in clear digits. They can also send reminders for important tasks such as medication schedules, staying hydrated with a drink or snack, or even noting upcoming appointments or visits.
One heartwarming feature is their ability to double as a digital photo frame, displaying cherished memories right on the screen. Designed to be user-friendly, our clocks minimise frustration and confusion, allowing you to easily tailor settings to your preferences.
We understand the importance of maintaining independence and dignity while managing the challenges that come with memory loss or cognitive decline. That’s why our clocks are designed to be intuitive, promoting autonomy and well-being.
We’re excited to offer these clocks as a tool to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families facing dementia or similar conditions. Our goal is to provide practical support that promotes autonomy and well-being, allowing you to focus on what matters most. We welcome your feedback and suggestions as we continue to refine and improve our products to better serve you and your loved ones.
Our new care staff recently completed a Continence Promotion Workshop and are now equipped with valuable skills to enhance the quality of care we provide.
Our staff knows how to mix business with pleasure! At our recent medication workshop our team not only delved into crucial learning but also savoured some delicious pizza and biscuits 🍕🍪
Learning never tasted so good!
As the crisp bite of winter air settles in and the city is enveloped in a shroud of bad weather, we at Social Care Alba are on a mission to ensure that our carers stay safe, warm, and comfortable throughout the colder months. We are doing this through delightful treats, engaging events, and thoughtful presents designed to make the winter experience more enjoyable.
In a world where staying connected is paramount, the dark winter nights and the constant need to keep in touch can quickly drain your mobile battery. Fear not, for we have the perfect solution. In the upcoming month, we are excited to deliver battery packs that can recharge your mobile devices multiple times. Stay charged, stay connected, and let the winter worries melt away.
There’s nothing quite like a hot drink to ward off the winter chill. Whether it’s a steaming cup of tea, a robust coffee, or a comforting bowl of soup, our thermos flasks are here to keep your beverages warm no matter where you are. With two sizes available — 500ml and 1 litre — there’s an option for every need. Say goodbye to cold drinks and hello to a portable source of warmth.
As temperatures drop and rain clouds gather, keeping warm and dry becomes a necessity. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our cosy fleeces and jackets. These stylish additions to your winter wardrobe have been popular in the past, and we’re confident that you’ll love them as much as we do. Embrace both fashion and function as you navigate the cold and wet weather with ease.
Carry your winter essentials with style in our specially ordered backpacks. With a capacity of 20 litres, they are spacious enough to accommodate all your personal protective equipment (PPE) and other goodies without being overly bulky. Available in a variety of colours, these backpacks add a touch of vibrancy to your winter ensemble while ensuring you have everything you need wherever you go.
Placing the people we support at the centre of the services we deliver, and designing services that meet their needs, is a fundamental aspect of the ethos of Social Care Alba. That’s why we are inviting our service users and families to participate in staff recruitment and training. We believe that involving the people we support when we are recruiting new staff can be crucial to ensuring that the “right” people are employed within our organisation. The “right” people have the skills, qualities and characteristics that those who will be in receipt of their support have identified as being important.
There are a number of benefits to involving service users in the recruitment and selection of staff:
There are many ways to become involved and will be defined based on the replies we receive. Examples of participation can be: Taking part in meetings or focus groups, one-to-one discussions or by providing feedback and replying to questionnaires. At Social Care Alba we believe your input matters and we are confident that this involvement will enrich our services, foster trust, and empower individuals within our community.
If you or a member of your family is a service user, we are inviting you to join us on this journey. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can be a part of this transformative process. We look forward to hearing from you.
Recently, Social Care Alba staff have undertaken a comprehensive Dementia Training program, which covers various essential aspects of caring for individuals with dementia. This training reflects a commitment to providing the best possible care and support to those affected by dementia, recognising the unique challenges and needs of this population.
At the heart of this training is the development of dementia-informed and skilled practice. This entails equipping our staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the intricacies of dementia, its progression, and its impact on individuals. By becoming informed about dementia, they are better prepared to provide empathetic and effective care.
The inclusion of a Dementia Assessment Tool is a valuable addition, as it allows our staff to systematically evaluate and monitor the cognitive and functional abilities of individuals with dementia. This tool enables a more personalised approach to care and ensures that interventions are tailored to the specific needs and capabilities of each person.
Moreover, the focus on attitudes towards dementia is crucial. It encourages our staff to adopt a compassionate and person-centred approach, which is essential for maintaining the dignity and well-being of individuals living with dementia. Effective communication skills are also emphasised, as clear and empathetic communication can greatly enhance the quality of care and the well-being of the individual.
The practical aspects of caring for physical and mental stimulation are essential for maintaining cognitive and physical function in individuals with dementia. The hand-over-hand support and positive approach, as demonstrated to the team with informed practice videos, provide practical insights into caregiving techniques that can enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with dementia.
Addressing distressed behaviour is another critical component of this training. By identifying triggers and causes of such behaviour and engaging in group discussions, our staff is better equipped to manage challenging situations effectively. This approach not only improves the well-being of individuals with dementia but also reduces stress and frustration among caregivers.
Finally, the competency questionnaire serves as an important assessment tool to evaluate the staff’s understanding and proficiency in providing dementia care. It ensures that our team is continually developing their skills and knowledge, ultimately leading to improved care outcomes for individuals with dementia.
The dementia training program our staff has completed encompasses a wide range of essential topics, from understanding the condition to practical caregiving techniques and communication skills. This comprehensive approach will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the care and support provided by Social Care Alba to individuals with dementia, enhancing their quality of life and well-being.
In our commitment to providing the best care for our service users, we recently held a Personal Care Skills training session for Social Care Alba staff. This training was designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of our caregivers, focusing on key aspects of personal care and professionalism. We covered essential personal care tasks, including shaving assistance, oral care, proper washing and drying, and dressing. These tasks may seem routine, but they are crucial in ensuring the well-being and comfort of our service users.
Throughout the training, we spoke about the importance of building trust with our service users and understanding what constitutes good personal care. By the end of the session, our staff had a better understanding of these vital principles, along with practical implications and the consequences of incorrectly administered personal care.
In our group discussions, we delved into the core values that should guide personal care. Dignity, choice, participation, communication, and respect were highlighted as fundamental principles. We also emphasised the significance of attention to detail, from buttoning clothing correctly to styling hair as per the service user’s preferences.
Our training highlighted professionalism in delivering care. Effective communication was identified as the foundation of good personal care. Additionally, we stressed the importance of continually developing proficiency, adapting to service users’ needs, and using the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Organisational skills were discussed, stressing the importance of preparing equipment and products before initiating personal care. We emphasised the need to allocate sufficient time to each task, ensuring that service users never feel rushed.
Maintaining the dignity and respect of service users at all times is a non-negotiable principle in our care approach. Consent is paramount, and no personal care can be administered without it.
Lastly, our training underscored the significance of seemingly small tasks. These details can make a world of difference to our service users, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in their appearance. By taking time to ensure that our service users appear the way they wish to appear and have all care carried out in the desired manner leads to a positive and constructive relationship that in turn builds confidence and trust within the service user.
By focusing on technical skills, professionalism, ethics, and communication, Social Care Alba aims to build trust and confidence within our service users while ensuring that our caregivers are well-equipped to meet their needs. Our commitment to excellence in personal care remains unwavering, and this training is a testament to that commitment.
Within social care, stopping infections before they start is incredibly important. By looking at what can happen if infections spread and focusing on ways to stop them early, this blogpost explains why it’s so crucial to work hard on preventing infections and keeping everyone healthy by following Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).
You can find all the information below as well as additional resources and scenarios at rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk 🔗
You may come into contact with blood and/or body fluids during routine care, and these should all be considered potentially infectious. Viruses/bacteria (germs/bugs) in saliva, urine, faeces, or blood can be passed to another person via cuts or abrasions, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. Not all contact will become a spillage, but in the case of unexpected spills see the section on management of blood and body fluid spillages for more detailed information.
Infection prevention is one of the most important components of effective wound management. There is a risk of infection from wound leakage/oozing which should be managed using SICPs.
During routine care you are in close contact with those that you care for, and coughs and sneezes are common causes of cross infection. Viruses/ bacteria (germs/bugs) can easily spread from care giver to care receiver and vice versa.
The skin is an essential protective barrier to infection, but skin conditions can also pose infection risks. During routine care you may encounter people with skin conditions. Some skin conditions can be easily transmitted through contact with others during routine care.
Many personal care tasks such as washing and dressing or household type work can bring you into contact with blood or body fluids; sharps; care equipment and the care environment which may present cross infection risks.
Some procedures you carry out when caring for others may require you to handle equipment that has crossed the skin barrier. This can be a potential route of infection into the body. When using this equipment you may need to consider the risk of exposing the person you care for to microorganisms (germs/bugs).
Assess and monitor those who are in or going to be coming into their place of care so that correct infection prevention and control precautions are followed.
Wash hands with liquid soap and warm water if available. Alcohol Based Hand Rub (ABHR) can be used for visibly clean hands where care is being delivered and when entering or leaving the area.
Cough and respiratory hygiene should be used by everyone. Cover nose and mouth following sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, using tissues and safely disposing after use.
The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as disposable plastic aprons and disposable gloves, is a requirement of health and safety legislation. PPE protects you (your uniform/personal clothing) from direct contact with any potential blood and/or body fluid.
Ensure equipment is maintained, cleaned, disinfected and/or disposed of appropriately.
Ensure the care area is kept clean and dry and free from clutter and equipment.
All clean, used, or infectious linen should be handled with care to prevent potential spread of infection.
Prompt and safe cleanup of blood and body fluid spillages.
Management of all household and healthcare activity waste.
Action to take in the event of an injury or exposure to infection at work, particularly those found in blood or body fluids.
This offers learning opportunities related to the application of the Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) outlined in this guide. The scenario takes place in a care home setting, however, throughout the scenario it is encouraged that you relate the key learning points to your own practice setting and note any points for discussion within your care team.