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Friday, February 17
Gold Standards Framework
by
Zoe
on Fri 17 Feb 2012 18:35 GMT
I am pleased to say that Valerie Manor has commenced the Care Home
Training Programme for the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) to assist us to improve our
standards and provide a high standard of care for people nearing the end of
their life.
 My Deputy Manager Alison and I are committed to delivering the programme and implementing
changes in the home; Alison has been keen to be the Coordinator for the programme and will be utilising her high standards of clinical and theoretical knowledge.
We attended the launch meeting this week and are pleased that a lot of
the initiatives are already being used at Valerie Manor but are also excited
that there is so much that we can do to improve what we are already doing to
enable us to provide a ‘Gold Standard’ here at the Manor for our residents and
their families.
The GSFCH training programme is a
three stage quality assurance programme that enables care homes to provide
quality care for all residents nearing the end of life. By implementing
improved coordination and better organisation GSF helps care homes deliver
better patient outcomes in line with their needs and preferences.
"The fact that there is now a Gold Standard for palliative care means not
only that everyone now knows what can be achieved, but that patients and
families are beginning to know what they should be asking for - and expecting!"
Baroness Julia Neuberger, DBE House of Lords
You can find out more on the GSF website; www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk
Friday, February 10
Bud Whiteman
by
Zoe
on Fri 10 Feb 2012 10:34 GMT
We welcomed
Bud Whiteman (and his cowboy hat!) to Valerie Manor on Wednesday, who entertained
the residents with a great Country & Western concert as well as some ‘Old
Times’ favourites. This was Bud’s first visit, but it certainly won’t be his
last judging by the many great comments we have received. Bud encouraged plenty
of audience participation – which he received from both residents and staff!
You can find out more about Bud and his band on their website; www.budwhitemanband.co.uk
Thursday, February 9
Residents' Meeting
by
Zoe
on Thu 09 Feb 2012 10:33 GMT
It was lovely to get together recently with our residents to discuss their home over a glass of sherry. We talked about the gardens and we all look forward to the bulbs coming out again. We have had some good suggestions about the bird tables as we are sad to say that the birds do not seem to be enjoying the tables, but we will move them closer to trees and shrubs to see if this helps at all.
As always we discussed food; overall everyone is very happy and have seen major improvements since Chris joined us as head chef. There have been suggestions of cheese & biscuits being offered with coffee after supper, which we will start immediately, plus more fresh fruit but otherwise all are very satisfied.
Activities are enjoyed by most residents and we have had some suggestions for outings and some for activities at the home. A great suggestion is the use of the lounge – we are going to turn it into a library / quiet area for reading and board games. What a lovely idea!
The full minutes are available to read here.
Friday, February 3
Four Year Anniversary
by
Zoe
on Fri 03 Feb 2012 09:34 GMT
 Last week I celebrated another year at Valerie Manor with the residents, their families and staff and what a very special day it was. I can’t believe I have been at Valerie Manor for four years now, it has gone so quickly. Although 2011 was most probably the most difficult year with all the work involved in opening the new wing, it has been the most rewarding as well. If I look back now I am so delighted with what we have achieved and to be able to share the end result together.
It feels like the new wing has been open for years and that all the new staff have been with us for a long time as everyone has settled in so well together - I feel that we have such a happy community.
Thank you to Alan, Emma, Alison and Chris for organising the day and making it so special and thank you to all the staff, residents and their families for all my lovely gifts, cards, flowers and best wishes – it means so much!
Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
Thursday, February 2
January Activities Summary
by
Robin Bates
on Thu 02 Feb 2012 09:37 GMT
Hello
again
January
found us very busy at the Manor with our Activities and Celebrations.
Firstly
we enjoyed a lovely afternoon with residents and some families and friends
enjoying Chris’s wonderful canapés and bubbly to celebrate the fourth Anniversary of Zoe being at Valerie
Manor. A lovely time was had by all... please see separate article.
John and I would like to congratulate Zoe and Rob for working so very hard to
realise the dream, not forgetting the support of all the staff and
relatives who together work towards the wellbeing, happiness and comfort of our
Residents.
On
to the Activities...Analogies, The Name Game, Triads, Word Search and
Crosswords were among the ‘mind benders’ Target Toss, The Parachute Game,
Indoor Boules and the regular Exercise from the Chair got people moving.
 We've enjoyed some more physical activities such as table tennis and skittles, as well as resuming the ever popular outings in the Jalopy.
We
celebrated Elvis Presley’s birthday with his music and a video of his
Gracelands home, Australia Day... the decorations were out with an
Australian Quiz.  Chinese New Year was great... the year of the Dragon saw
us exercising to Chinese music and sampling Prawn Crackers with a sweet chilli
dip (too hot for some !) we enjoyed some fun opening Chinese
Fortune Cookies and reading out the messages inside. By asking resident’s
year of birth we found out which animal individuals they would have been in the
Chinese Horoscope. We had Goats, Dogs, Horses, Rabbits, Tigers and an Ox
and Rat ! One of our lovely young carers was happy to join in until we
found out that she was a Monkey... we decided it was apt as she is a lovely
cheeky young lady !
We
are celebrating The Oscars and St. Valentines Day in February as well as a
possible new venture of a visit from a Reflexologist. I’ll give you a
catch-up next month.
Bye
for now
Robin
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