• Helping residents with their daily lives such as assisting with feeding, personal hygiene, recreational activities, accompanying residents outside of the home etc
• Providing companionship, and support
• Putting together a plan of care and ensuring this if up-to date
• Giving emotional and practical support
• Supporting families with getting used to the changed in their relative
• Working with other professionals to provide individual care and development plans

Cookies

Analytics cookies

Important Cookies

Other Information We May Use

PrimeLife Nursing Homes in the UK

Residents

Relatives

Health and Social Care Professionals

News

Care Home Costs and Funding Options

Careers

As well as our specifically designed activity plans, which include reminiscence sessions, listening to music, singing and specially organised visits from animal therapy groups, we also ensure every small detail of the living environment is sympathetically designed for those with dementia.

For example, in our dementia homes our doors are pastel coloured. Pastel colours have proven to be easier to see for those with dementia and the use of single plain floor covering helps to prevent trips and falls. This helps as people suffering with dementia can often mistake a change in colour on the floor surface as a step.

Within many of our elderly care facilities we cater for individuals with different types of dementia, of different ages, and who require varying levels of support in order to assist them to live comfortable lives, and get fulfillment from each day. Our staff are trained specifically to assist people with dementia at every level, from short-term memory loss through to those with more complex behaviour.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia is a complex condition that can be caused by a number of factors or issues that affect the brain. Broadly speaking dementia is caused by some form of damage or deterioration in the brain. Over time the damage will often worsen which causes symptoms to become more pronounced and the impact on day to day life more severe.

The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. These forms of dementia are classified as neurodegenerative diseases where by brain cells degenerate and die far more quickly than normal. Whilst brain cell degeneration is part of the ageing process with these conditions the speed of that degeneration is far more accelerated and is caused by a build-up of irregular proteins within the brain.

Each circumstance requires its own palliative solution to be devised. Often palliative care can be provided in a patient’s own home, at hospital or sometimes within their own home. In addition there are specialist day care facilities that can help meet the care needs of that individual.

Many families take the on the responsibility for caring for a relative and take joy from the fact they are looking after their loved ones in their own home. Often they chose to care for a relative themselves to allow their loved one to stay in their own home and minimise the disruption in their lives. However this can place great emotional, physical and financial stress on the family providing day to day care.

Respite care is designed to give carers temporary relief from the challenging task of caring for a loved one. These much deserved time limited breaks give caregivers a chance to take time away from the day to day responsibilities of providing care. These breaks can range from just an afternoon once a week to a full week to allow the family to perhaps even take a holiday.

Individuals may require assistance and support with day to day tasks whilst still maintaining a sense of independence. Intermediate care is particularly beneficial for those recovering from illness or a stay in hospital. Care can include day to day support for everyday tasks, visits from nurses and therapists and other medical support. The assistance offered helps individuals focus on their recovery within a familiar and comfortable environment rather than entering or remaining in hospital.

PrimeLife care homes are tailored to respect and provide for the needs of the individual. All of our homes offer a comfortable living environment, with the knowledge that care and support is available 24/7. We are constantly updating and upgrading our accommodation to exceed national standards and to create living environments suitable for individuals with a wide variety of care needs.

There are many elements and support services that go hand in hand with caring for the elderly. Be it physical or mental deterioration, our highly trained care professionals work tirelessly to ensure residents maintain the highest standards of living and remain engaged with life.

Our residential nursing care homes are the perfect choice for those who have difficulty living alone. We provide nutritional and above all, tasty meals, our accommodation is second to none, and the personal care which our residents receive is done by experienced professionals who have been carefully selected based on their merits; ensuring that each resident is provided with the best care available.

Each residential care home is also fitted with an innovative new nurse call system exclusive to PrimeLife. This new system allows us to monitor each room through the use of sensors on beds, chairs, windows and doors which alert our carers to any unusual activity.

PrimeLife understand that patience is required when taking care of an individual with a mental illness. Our trained care professionals are familiar with various circumstances and mental health illness.

Most people with a learning disability are treated as ‘different'. They do not have the same control over their own lives as the rest of our society and face challenges and prejudice every day. Our Learning Disability Care services focus on integrating our adult residents into the community, and helping them to become an integral part of a PrimeLife home.

Our care programs are tailored to each individual, as each learning disability is different, and no case is the same.

How much does a care package cost and how is this funded?

In Britain everyone who needs care is assured the highest quality service irrespective of financial means. There are various allowances and funding support schemes available, on which the PrimeLife advisers can provide information and assistance in making claims, call 0116 270 5678 during office hours for expert advice.

Those who are perceived to be without personal means, typically less than about £25,000 of available resource, will receive the full cost of care based on assessed need. Those with more resource, will be asked to make a contribution to the cost of care, but will receive the benefit of allowances available towards the cost.  In the case of the care being required as a result of a clinical need or a health condition, allowances in addition to the above are available through the Primary Care Trust based on assessed need.

The above demonstrates the complex nature of funding care packages. To ensure that our clients receive the optimum support, we recommend that advice is taken from an advocacy service or a professional adviser or through the PrimeLife Helpline 0800 0463920. Please be assured, whatever your own financial means there will be a care package available for you in one of our homes.

Will the funding run out after a certain amount of years?

No, under current legislation care funding is available for life. PrimeLife operate a policy of a lifetime commitment, all clients entering the care facility will be guaranteed accommodation service for as long as it is needed, please be assured, whatever your own financial means there will be a care package available for you in one of our homes.

Paying for care homes can be beyond the financial reach of some but assistance is available from the NHS. If you are eligible, you can receive NHS Continuing Healthcare in any setting. In a care home, as well as healthcare and personal care, the NHS will pay for your care home fees, including board and accommodation. NHS Continuing Healthcare is free, unlike social and community care services provided by local authorities for which a charge may be made, depending on your income and savings.

To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, your main or primary need for care must relate to your health. Someone nearing the end of their life is also likely to be eligible if they have a condition that is rapidly getting worse and may be terminal.

To decide if you're eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, your care needs will be assessed by a health or social care professional. PrimeLife employ social care professionals that are able to carry out these assessments on behalf of individuals within our homes who might be eligible. If the assessment confirms that you're eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS will pay for your care.

What Care is Needed?

 What Care Will be Provided?

Other things to consider

• Does the care home provide entertainment and/or arrange activities in the home for their residents? If so, what and how often.
• Does the care home arrange day trips and outings for residents?
• How big are the rooms? Are they en suite?
• Do you have to share a room or do you get one to yourself?
• What are the arrangements for couples? Can they share a room?
• Can you bring your own possessions, such as furniture and decorative items?
• Can you bring your pets?
• Do you feel relaxed and at home in the care home?
• Does the home look and smell clean?
• What are the communal areas like? Do they have a quiet room and a TV room?
• How are the chairs arranged?
• Is there a homely or institutional feel to the home?
• Look and if possible try the food on offer and ask for sample menus
• Can other residents or family members offer recommendations to you?

Location

• How easy is it to drive to the care home?
• Is there local transportation close by?
• Is access to the care home easy especially for those with mobility aids?
• Is parking available?

You may also want to consider

• Can residents come and go as they please? If so, are there shops, cafes, places of worship and local entertainment nearby?
• Does the home have links with local clubs and day centres that residents can attend and make use of these facilities?
• Does the home feel like part of the community?
• What are the security arrangements of the home?

Communication

Level of Care

Get the Care You Need

 Become a Family Again

What is Respite Care?

Reasons Why Carers Opt for Respite Care

• It improves the sense of well-being for both carer and the person being cared for
• It reduces any stress which can occur between the carer and the person being cared for
• It provides additional support, which improves the coping ability of both parties
• Expert care, fun activities and short breaks increase the opportunity for social activities for the person being cared for
• It allows the carer to spend time socialising and interacting with their loved ones
• It strengthens the carers ability to care, and reduces the risk of neglect or abuse

Advice on Choosing a Respite Facility

• Location; make sure that the home is easy to travel to and isn’t too far away from where you live.
• Visit the respite care home; be sure to visit the care home with the person you’re caring for. It’s important that you both like it and you both feel comfortable.
• Activities, day trips and short breaks; make sure you know what kind of activities the care home provide and whether they arrange any day trips or mini breaks.
• The care home; it’s important that you both like the care home, for advice on what to look for in a care home click here.
• Meet the new carers; make sure you meet with the new carers and that you both like them and feel safe and comfortable in their care.
• Background check; double check the Care Quality Commission report to see how the care home was reviewed.
• Joint decision; this needs to be a joint decision and both of you need to like the respite care home.

Tips on Introducing the Subject of Respite Care

• While it’s always good to plan ahead and broach the topic early to give everyone time to adjust to the idea, don’t broach the topic too early. This can cause unnecessary distress.
• Refer to respite care as a holiday, a break for them. Speak about it in a positive and enthusiastic light, try not to let any doubts come across as this may cause undue distress. If you’re relaxed and excited about the whole thing, they are more likely to be more receptive.
• Try to remember that it is not selfish for you to want a break and it will benefit you both.

Whistleblowing Policy

1. 1.    Definition

Whistleblowing

1. 2.    Policy Statement

1. 3.    Aims of the Policy

The aims of the policy are to:

• Encourage all staff to feel confident in raising concerns.
• Question and act upon concerns about practice.
• Provide a way for staff to raise concerns in confidence.
• Ensure that staff receive a response to any concerns raised and how to pursue them if they are not satisfied.
• Provide reassurance that you will be protected from possible reprisals or victimisation if you have a reasonable belief that you have made any disclosures in the public interest.

1. 4.    Types of Concerns Covered

This policy document covers the following concerns but not exclusive to:

• Conduct which is an offence or a breach of law.
• Failure to comply with a legal obligation.
• Health and safety risks, including risks to clients, other employees and members of the public.
• Damage to the working environment and work equipment.
• Possible fraud and corruption including mis-use of client and company funds.
• Sexual, physical or other abuse of clients.
• Neglect of clients.
• Actions which are unprofessional, inappropriate or conflict with a general understanding of what is rights and wrong.
• Any other unethical conduct.

 Difference between Grievance & Whistleblowing

1. 5.    Confidentiality

1. 6.    Protection for workers

Protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA)

Internal disclosures

External disclosures

• If the disclosure is made to a ‘prescribed person’ (see Appendix 2), the worker must reasonably believe that the concern they are raising is one that is relevant to that prescribed person and that the disclosure is substantially true;
• A worker can also be protected if they reasonably believe that the disclosure is substantially true, the disclosure is not made for personal gain, it is reasonable to make the disclosure and one of the following conditions apply;
  • At the time the disclosure is made the worker reasonably believes that he/she will be subjected to a detriment by his/her employer if they make a disclosure to their employer or;
  • The worker reasonably believes that it is likely that evidence relating to the failure/wrongdoing will be concealed or destroyed if the disclosure is made to the employer or;
  • The worker has previously made a disclosure to his/her employer
  • Additional conditions apply to other wider disclosures to the police or media. These disclosures can be protected if the worker reasonably believes that the disclosure is substantially true, the disclosure is of an exceptionally serious nature and it is reasonable to make the disclosure.

1. 7.    How to Raise a Concern

Internal Disclosures

0333 313 1817

External Disclosures

1. 8.    Process for dealing with concerns raised

1. 9.    Support when you have raised a concern

10.Training

11. Monitoring & Review

12. Further Guidance & Advice

Why Might You Need to Raise Concerns?

• Be accountable for your actions and omissions.
• Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health & wellbeing of residents at all times.

How Can Staff Raise Concerns at PrimeLife?

• Report directly to your Senior or Manager
• Report to a Regional or Associate Director
• Report to Managing Director or other senior board member
• Use the dedicated, confidential, free phone 24hr Prime Life Whistleblowing Helpline 0333 313 1817

How Can Friends, Relatives, Visitors or Clients Raise Concerns?

What Happens After You Have Raised a Concern?

What sort of a care home is Stoneygate Oaklands?

How do people generally come to be referred to your home?

Do you also have people who are privately referred to the home, either by a friend, family member or themselves?

What would a care assessment cover and how are they carried out?

• Physical health  - how fit and able they are, whether they have any physical conditions or illnesses
• Mobility – how mobile they are, are they able to get upstairs, do they need a wheelchair etc.
• Eating – what are their eating habits like. Are they able to cook for themselves?
• Drinking – Do they suffer from alcoholism or have they in the past?
• Mental health – What mental health problems do they suffer with and are these currently being treated?
• Sleep – What are their sleep patterns like. Do they struggle with sleeping in any way?
• Personal hygiene – Are they able to wash and dress themselves? Are they aware of what is required to ensure they practice adequate personal hygiene habits?
• Communication – How are they able to communicate with others. Do they feel more comfortable in a group or a one-to-one conversation. Are they open to discussing their problems and feelings or do they tend to close down. Do they suffer from anger issues?

Once you have carried out your assessment how do you decide if your home is the right place for that individual?

Once someone has moved into the home, how long do they normally stay?

How do you go about keeping family and friends involved and informed?

Finally what advice would you give to someone looking to place someone with special mental health needs in a care home?

Achievements and Reflection

The National Living Wage

Long Term Goals