News

  • Marathon fundraiser

    Team members at Hallmark Care Homes raised more than £8,900 with a 26-mile charity walk for Alzheimer’s Society.  Hallmark managing director Aneurin Brown led his staff on the Trek26 walk, a wider challenge mounted by the Society to bring in much needed funds for the services it provides.  “I’m incredibly proud of my team for…

  • Sharing time

    Care home volunteers disappeared during the pandemic but are now re-establishing their position as an “important part of life,” Royal Star & Garter said marking Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).  The charity has three care homes for military veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.  Christine Mitchell, pictured (right) with resident Lillian, was a…

  • “Invaluable insight”

    An illustrated book of real-life stories of people with dementia as told by their carers has been written by Gina Awad.  The stories in the book, United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementia, described as “humorous, heart-warming and often heart-breaking”, reflect on situations like receiving a diagnosis, meaningful engagement and peer support.  Illustrated…

  • Working life in the pandemic

    Care workers are invited to take part in a survey on quality of working life and coping during the pandemic.  It is the fifth survey of a series of pandemic surveys to explore the health and wellbeing of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers across the UK. Reports from the…

  • Cyber security resource

    NHS Digital has launched a social care cyber security resource aimed at building awareness among staff in care homes and supported living accommodation.  Called Keep I.T. Confidential, the toolkit includes free campaign materials to improve staff knowledge of cyber security concerns such as phishing, data sharing, unlocked screens and weak passwords.   Among the materials are…

  • New chief executive at Belong

    Specialist dementia care provider Belong has appointed Martin Rix as its new chief executive. Rix will lead the next phase of the care village operator’s expansion as it prepares to open three new villages over the next three years. Previously chief operating officer at Norfolk-based Norse Care, Rix was responsible for services in 36 care…

  • Music in the care pathway

    Care provider Anchor has launched a dementia music therapy project with a university research unit to find out how best to include music in the care pathway. Funded by the Utley Foundation and conducted with Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, the project will also upskill care workers in using music in…

  • Creative ideas

    Four innovative products assisting people with dementia have been identified as part of Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme, which fosters creative ideas in the field. The products are Start Voice Control, which will help reduce distress among those experiencing communication difficulties; the Music Project, which will enhance life through music and meaningful activity; Smart Socks from…

  • Resource for young dementia

    The Young Dementia Network (YDN) has developed a resource to support implementation of the NICE guideline for young onset dementia.  Intended for commissioners and frontline health and care professionals, it provides guidance on how to meet the needs of working age people living with dementia.  YDN said that young onset dementia had significant differences from…