Deeside Care Home in Aberdeen is taking part in the ‘Walk 100K in March Challenge 2024’ for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

Staff from the care home will be walking this March for a good cause and to help raise much needed funds to keep our air ambulance crews saving lives in Scotland! We wish them all the best of luck for this challenge!

Once upon a chilly December evening in the cosy town of Hawkhill, the community gathered in anticipation for a magical event as the staff prepared for a Cinderella Pantomime on December 22, 2023.

This enchanting production wasn’t just about dazzling costumes and lively performances; it was a heartfelt initiative to support a local charity, Aberdeen Foyer, a charitable organisation supporting young people in the North East of Scotland towards independent living, learning and work.

The stage was adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating an atmosphere of holiday cheer.  As the curtains rose, the magic of Cinderella unfolded on the stage, transporting the audience into a world of fairy godmothers, glass slippers, and charming princes. The energy and passion of the performers, all staff members of Hawkhill House, shone through, making it a truly memorable experience for everyone present.

As the final curtain fell and the performers took their bows, the sense of accomplishment was palpable. Our residents, their families, our staff, and guests expressed their joy, stating that they thoroughly enjoyed the show and the fundraising efforts had not been in vain.   The Cinderella Pantomime had successfully generated a total of £230 for Aberdeen Foyer, funds that would go towards providing second chances, learning, and development opportunities for the young people of the North East.

The spirit of giving and community solidarity lingered in the air, turning this Cinderella Pantomime into a heart-warming tale of generosity and goodwill.

Aberdeen Foyer will visit Hawkhill on the 8^th January along with some of the young people they support to meet us and discuss how we can work closer together.

And so, as the town of Hawkhill bid farewell to this magical night, they did so with the knowledge that their support had help create a brighter future for the youth in their community, proving that the magic of Cinderella went far beyond the confines of the stage.

Professor Alex McMahon, Chief Nursing Officer for the Scottish Government, recently paid a visit to two Oakminster Healthcare care homes for a ‘meet and greet’ with their team and residents.

Oakminster were able to share their vision for Social Care and explored the amazing outcomes that they continue to achieve for both their team members and those residing in the communities, alongside the post COVID-19 impact on the social care sector.

They also spoke about the requirement for greater collaboration in the funding process of acute and the social care sector and the development and the recruitment and retention of Registered nurses, and the importance of upskilling of Senior support worker/Senior Carers.

The visit provided an invaluable platform for Oakminster Healthcare to voice their perspectives on critical matters within the social care sector.

The Neilston Sting Orchestra had a everlasting performance at the Westerfield Care Home last month.  Leaving an indelible mark of joy and reminiscence among residents, families, and dedicated care staff.

The orchestra’s visit was a resounding success, residents and their families thoroughly enjoyed the performance.  The lively and energetic tunes brought back cherished memories, evoking smiles and heartfelt sing-alongs. The resounding applause and beaming faces were a testament to the profound impact of the music, leaving a lasting impression that lingered in conversations for days.

For many residents and their families, the performance served as a reminiscent journey, bringing back memories and eliciting emotional connections through the power of music.  The event not only uplifted spirits but also highlighted the profound joy and fulfilment that comes with creating meaningful experiences for those in care.

Staff were delighted to see their residents so engaged and happy, saying that it’s moments like these that makes their work fulfilling. The anticipation for the orchestra’s return and their next performance is real among everyone at Westerfield, eager to create more unforgettable moments with the Neilston Sting Orchestra.

In a groundbreaking move, Elder Homes Ltd, a family-run care home group in Edinburgh, has embraced cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to revolutionise the way they care for their residents. Utilising PainChek’s innovative AI-powered facial recognition system, the care homes have implemented a pain monitoring app that interprets subtle facial expressions, ensuring residents’ comfort and well-being.

The PainChek app, employed across both of Elder Homes’ facilities – Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain Care Home since July 2022, uses AI to analyse facial cues through smart devices’ cameras, detecting pain indicators like grimaces and winces. This innovative approach has empowered caregivers to assess pain levels more accurately, especially for residents dealing with cognitive challenges such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. This groundbreaking technology fills a crucial communication gap, allowing residents to express their discomfort effectively.

STV News recently did a piece on this at Cluny Lodge which you can access here.

Cheryl Henderson, Education and Dementia Coordinator at Elder Homes, has spearheaded the implementation of PainChek, ensuring staff members are proficient in caring for residents diagnosed with dementia. Henderson emphasised, “Using this technology, and other technologies across our homes has been extremely rewarding. We’re excited to see how the use of technology continues to develop and the benefits it can bring to care home residents across Scotland.”

Elder Homes Team, Cheryl Henderson is second left

The app’s success has resulted in enhanced pain detection and treatment, leading to reduced reliance on pain medication and more precise treatment plans. Additionally, Elder Homes employs various other cutting-edge technologies, including electronic medication systems and electronic charting, to provide comprehensive and efficient care to their residents.

PainChek, which is currently used in 18 care homes across Scotland, has proven instrumental in the Care Inspectorate’s Quality Improvement Plan. Fifteen more care homes are set to trial this transformative technology. Tandeep Gill, PainChek’s Head of Business Development UK&I, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “Reaching over three million pain assessments is a real milestone for us – each one brings more objectivity and consistency to evaluating pain, whilst making a difference to care home residents and enhancing their quality of life.

“We’re delighted to see staff at Elder Homes leading the way in adopting PainChek and embracing innovation to improve pain assessment and deliver person-centered care.

“By achieving positive outcomes for care home residents and the care staff involved in the Care Inspectorate trial, we hope to gain the opportunity for a broader government-funded rollout across Scotland.”

Founded in Australia in 2016, PainChek stands as the world’s first regulatory cleared medical device for pain assessment. Elder Homes’ proactive adoption of this technology exemplifies their commitment to providing the best possible care to their residents. The Elder Homes group, including Cluny Lodge and two Morningside care homes, continues to set an exemplary standard in the field, ensuring that the elderly receive the care they deserve.

At Boclair Care Home, the residents have discovered a newfound passion for art, thanks to the initiative led by their Activity Co-ordinator, Scott Grier. Scott, a retired architect and a skilled painter himself,  who has painted many wonderful paintings and raised phenomenal amounts of money for charities close to his heart. He recognised the residents’ fondness for arts and their love for Glasgow’s art galleries. Inspired by their enthusiasm, he encouraged them to explore their creativity.

Engaging deeply with each resident, Scott discovered their unique styles and approaches, empowering them to express themselves through painting, sketching, and even clay modelling kelpies and dogs. For many, this was their first venture into the world of art since their school days. Scott initiated the creative process by providing paints and paper, which led to the creation of some amazing artworks.

Boclair Care Home celebrated its first birthday, and in anticipation of this joyous occasion, Home Manager Maxine Kinnoch proposed transforming the lounge into an art gallery, showcasing the residents’ creations. This artistic transformation not only became a focal point in their café bar at the reception area but also enchanted visitors and residents alike.

Among the talented individuals at Boclair is James. James had a hobby of painting water colours for many years, however his progressing Alzheimer’s has  meant that his painting hobby was left untouched until he came into the care home. James painted some wonderful landscapes in his past and with reduced motor skills he still manages to paint some outstanding landscapes.

Meanwhile, Ella used to paint the “odd thing” but took the paper and brushes, showing the most immense concentration while painting. Ella has a wonderful sense of humour and has named her pictures with names to suit her personality. She titled her artwork of a hydrangea “A Pink Riot” as does not believe in her talent.

Ella painted the artwork below to recall her days as a child in Dumfries and Galloway, many a happy memory shared. Ella recently has been working on a painting, commissioned for a staff member of her childhood memories.

96 year old Ken, had never drawn in his life but his work has similar style to David Shrigley (who has made millions though his ‘basic’ artwork). This piece is called the ‘Wonky Donkey’ as it was drawn the day of the Scottish Grand National.

Next up is Joan, who is an amazing artist. She is registered blind and has only minimal vision in one eye with a prosthetic eye since early childhood. She draws and paints her pieces through memory. Joan continues to draw still life and faces, but also has a love of trees and hills. Joan was previously an art teacher but since having a stroke, she felt that she would never be able to draw or paint again, having this class has given her huge purpose and she is delighted to share her pictures.

Paddington Bear is an old favourite and Boclair’s home mascot which sits in mangers office. Dot, who is 99 ¾ years young,  sketched this wonderful bear while eating his marmalade sandwiches with a well-deserved cup of tea

The team at Boclair would love to make these into post cards or greetings cards available to purchase. The artistic journey continues, with weekly sessions dedicated to nurturing these masterpieces, reminding everyone that creativity knows no age or limits.

In a heartwarming event, residents from Braehill Lodge recently enjoyed a delightful trip to the Dundee Ice Rink. Accompanied by the warmth of companionship, two residents had a fantastic time, creating cherished memories and relishing the experience of ice-skating.

Take a look at the amazing pictures from this outing below, looks like so much fun!