A Very Merry Christmas
Whilst this year has been a year like no other, we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Our team continues to provide support to our clients throughout the holidays, and we hope you will join us in thanking them for their continued and unfaltering support over the past few months. Christmas is most definitely going to be an unusual event this year with many left in isolation through the changes in tier restrictions, but we hope to bring some joy to those we’re able to visit.
If you’re not able to be with your loved ones, please remember to make this year special in other ways that are available to us. Give them a call to break up their day. Drop off supplies if they’re unable to leave the house. Call via Facetime / Zoom or similar so they can see a smiling face. Or even send them a card to open in between Christmas and New Year.
Our offices remain open throughout December (closed only on Bank Holidays) so feel free to get in touch with us should you require assistance. Call us on 01638 561100 or email contact@cambridgecarecompany.com
Above all, stay safe!
Does loneliness affect mental health?
Loneliness is often a subject avoided by many. Whether linked to the current situation, a fleeting feeling or something that’s been lingering, it often has a dramatic impact on your life.
Thought to be associated with the older generation, loneliness is actually three times higher for people aged 16 – 24 with one in 10 people becoming affected.
Research from the Marmalade Trust also states that the UK is said to be the loneliest country in Europe, with around 200,000 people going a month or more without speaking to a friend or relative.
Loneliness is an area our carers are here to help with. Our services cover everything from personal care and general assistance, through to simple companionship. We can pop by for a cup of tea, a chat or to sit and play games providing clients with company and support as often as they require it. We can even arrange to stay overnight if a family members needs to go away and would like someone to be on hand in their absence.
We work with a wide variety of people, of all ages, needs and disabilities. And our team is qualified within a wide range of specialist care for those with learning disabilities, physical ailments and mental health issues, including Alzheimer’s and dementia.
We understand that the whole year has proven tough for many, and we’re pleased that our team are able to continue to provide services for many in a safe and reliable manner.
If you or your loved one are suffering from loneliness please call our team to find out how we can help you. Our packages are tailored to every client to ensure you have the right assistance you need. Call us on 01638 561100 to find out more.
A Career In Care
Health and social care can be both a challenging and rewarding job. We caught up with one of our valued team members, Lauren Day, to talk about her career path and the benefits of working as a care professional.
Lauren began her career here at Cambridge Care Company at 17 years old. Now she is one of our managers and an inspirational figure in our team.
She first heard about Cambridge Care Company through a friend and thought that it would be a good job to have before heading off to university. Although Lauren had no previous experience in care, we provided full training and support.
“The employment process was simple and straight forward,” said Lauren,
“I had a full week of training and on-going support whilst out in the community.”
“I had regular meetings with Penny who supported me whilst I was learning the job role. The team made me feel very welcome and supported me when I was out working.”
Lauren progressed within the business and advanced from her role as a carer to team leader, before being promoted to care co-ordinator. She is now a manager and continues to enjoy being part of the supportive team.
“I have regular meetings with Penny and other managers within the company. We hold a monthly meeting with our staff to discuss any issues and address these as a team.
“Working in care is a very challenging but rewarding job. You will go home feeling proud that you have helped someone.”
Lauren believes that you don’t need to have experience to become a carer. A desire to learn and help people is just as important.
If you’d like to find out more about working for Cambridge Care Company. Visit our recruitment page.
How Home Care Can Improve Mental Health
Research suggests that home care can improve mental health, and even goes as far to say that those with higher levels of social interaction are proven to be healthier overall.
Companionship has been proven as a key, with studies suggesting that loneliness can affect a wide range of health conditions. Our home carer can not only provide domestic assistance and medical attention, but also build a bond with users. Carers can accompany your loved ones on walks, visits to the shops and trips to the theatre. They can also play cards and games at home or provide companionship when the service user is taking part in other hobbies that they enjoy.
Employing an at-home carer also frees up the time of relatives, allowing you to spend quality time with your loved one. Relatives and friends often have to help with errands and tasks around the house, leaving little time for enjoyable activities. A carer will relieve them of these duties allow a more balanced relationship to return, benefitting the health of both of you.
When someone lives alone, they can have a tendency to neglect certain tasks around the home, such as cleaning or cooking. This can be a sign of declining mental health. A carer can instil motivation and provide a gentle nudge to complete tasks safely.
Prevention is also a key part of mental health. A carer can also keep a lookout for early signs of underlying issues. They can make sure that the person receives the help that they may need and continue to record their progress.
We are proud to provide a comprehensive range of services that help clients to stay in their homes as long as they wish. Offering services across Newmarket, Haverhill, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding villages, we’re proud to offer every client a personalised care plan that our friendly team puts together for you. Whether it’s a 30-minute visit or full 24 hour care, we are able to help. Call us today to discuss your requirements: 01638 561100 or click here.
Benefits Of Care At Home
In the UK, 6.5 million people care for a loved one. This is often on top of busy work and family life. Caring for a loved one can be deeply emotional and tiring, but you don’t need to do it alone. We’re here to help, with as little as 30 minutes care to full 24-hour support. It really is ok to ask for help.
Benefits of care at home:
Quality time for both service user and care giver
Asking for help allows the family carer some much-needed time off, while providing peace of mind that their loved one is being looked after safely. It also means that when the family are all together, they can focus on quality time rather than having to carry out tasks or domestic chores.
Companionship
A carer that visits the home can also provide companionship and friendship. They can accompany the service user on walks, visits to the shops, trips to the theatre or play cards and games at home. Research suggests that those with higher levels of social interaction are healthier overall.
One-to-one care
An at home carer will provide one-to-one care and complete focus during the time they are with the service user. They can support the client with daily task such as washing and dressing, administering medication and domestic services. A lasting bond can be created between a regular carer and the client.
Medication management
The carers at Cambridge Care Company are trained to administer medication and can ensure that the client receives the prescribed medication at the correct times. It can be worrying for family members if their loved one is forgetting to take doses, but the home carer can take responsibility for the client’s medication management.
Help around the home
A carer can help to maintain a safe and healthy living environment by taking over some of the light domestic tasks. This can include washing up, laundry, dusting and vacuuming.
Here at Cambridge Care Company we provide a comprehensive range of services that help clients to stay in their homes as long as they wish. Every service user receives a personalised care plan tailored to them and their needs. Call us on 01638 561100 to discuss your requirements.
How To Choose A Care Provider
The process of choosing a care provider can be a daunting task, as well as an emotional one. Whether you’re looking for care services for yourself, a partner, family member or loved one, it can be a big life decision.
Here are three things to consider when looking for a care provider:
- Check that the company is registered and regulated.
Cambridge Care Company is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is an independent regulator that ensures an organisation is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. The CQC rates services on a four-point scale; ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good,’ ‘Requires Improvement’ and ‘Inadequate.’ Ask the providers you are considering for their most recent ratings to compare and make an informed decision.
- Confirm that staffs are well trained, as well as kind and compassionate.
It’s essential that care staffs have relevant skills and are professional, but it is also important that they are kind and compassionate. The staff members will become regular faces in your life, so it’s key that the service user, and their family, feels comfortable and supported by them. Meeting as many members of staff beforehand can give you peace of mind and ease the service user into the new care set up.
- Ask your local council’s social services department for recommendations.
If you are unsure where to start when choosing a care provider, contact your local council for support. They will make an assessment of your needs and recommend suitable local organisations. The council can also help you to access financial help if eligible.
Local authorities recognise Cambridge Care Company as providing an excellent standard of care and social services often recommend us.
We’re proud to provide a wide range of services for people in their own homes. From personal care to administering medication, cooking meals to offering companionship, light domestic chores and respite care. With our care packages starting from a minimum of 30 mins, our team is here to help. Call us today to discuss your requirements on 01638 561100 or email contact@cambridgecarecompany.co.uk.
We Are Recruiting Support Workers
Full and part time support workers urgently required to support adults with learning and physical disabilities in their own homes. Contracted hours 37 per week x2 positions and 1x 30 hour per week
Working mainly 7-3, 8-2, 9-3, 3-10 (including alternate weekends and sleep in duties) shift patterns on a one to one basis to promote and enable independence. Duties include providing support with personal care, administering medication, supporting to find work placements and supporting to go to work and leisure activities.
Experience is not essential but the right attitude is.
The people we support told us they would like to be supported by people who have:
The ability to develop relationships built on respect and trust and who are effective communicators
Employ person centred approaches to work and who are able to work on a needs led basis
Have a positive, can do attitude and are aware of people’s different needs and the needs of all around them
Employ sensitivity and who treat people as individuals – valuing their input and things that are important to them
Possess a genuine interest in the welfare of the people they support and who believe in each person’s potentials and strengths
Empower each person they support to become more independent and involved in their local community, who are flexible and open minded and who are willing to adapt and change according to the situations that arise
Never make assumptions and are able to work as a team
Are good problem solvers, with the ability to work through difficult situations – who are honest with others and themselves
Are aware of their own cultural values, attitudes and knowledge and how this affects their work
If you feel you have the above skills and qualities we would love to hear from you
Full training and on going support provided.
To apply or for more information please click on the recruitment page and ‘apply’. We look forward to hearing from you!
Health and Social Care Apprenticeships
We are pleased to announce that 26 of our team have been enrolled with West Suffolk College to the Health and Social Care Intermediate Apprenticeship. This is a vocational qualification and staff will also have the option to take the Learning Disability or Dementia pathway. The framework of the qualification incorporates five elements; competence, knowledge, transferable skills, personal learning and thinking skills and employee rights and responsibilities. The apprenticeship programme has been designed to be delivered within the workplace and by the end of the apprenticeship staff will have gained Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care, Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care, Level 1 Functional Skills Literacy and Numeracy, Personal Learning and Thinking Skills and Employee Rights and Responsibilities.
Focus on Specialist Training
Well done to all of our team who have been working very hard to achieve their level 2 qualifications in their chosen specialist subject. Subjects have included Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Supporting People with a Learning Disability and Prevention of Diabetes. The feedback from the tutor has been fantastic commenting that it has been refreshing to see such a dedicated team.
Skills for Care Project
We are working with Skills for Care on a project called Skills Around The Person – a person-centred approach to understanding the skills that are needed to support someone to live more independently in their local community.
We are working with a small group of individuals with learning disabilities to start with and we’re looking into a few ideas including;
- Enabling one of our clients, a young man with severe learning disabilities who is really passionate and knowledgeable about gardening, to help another of our clients to do her garden. He is getting a great sense of achievement and renewed self-respect from helping another person with something he enjoys and they have become firm friends through the project.
- We’ve helped another of our clients to choose, buy and learn to use a tablet and, through skills sharing, she has learnt how to use social media on the tablet and can now interact with her friends and followers on social media!
- We are also working with a group to organise a holiday and by sharing the skills of the group they will do it all themselves, choose the destination, when to go, how to get there and what to do when they are there. It’s been great for them to have a real-life project for which they can practise and hone their money skills, meal planning and numerous other skills while making friends and having a holiday to look forward to at the end of it!
These sorts of projects enable us to power health and Social Care forward in the region and we learn a lot from them too. We can’t wait to roll this out across a wider group once the pilot scheme is complete!