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Scottish Care launches initiative to connect people through technology

Scottish Care, today launches the Tech Device Network – an initiative to help connect individuals supported by Scotland’s care services with their loved ones.

 

With social distancing measures in place and visits to care homes being suspended to protect staff and the elderly, we need to be looking at smart ways to bridge the gap and bring people together.

The idea was started when publicist Jenn Nimmo-Smith, Director of Electric Shores, was concerned about her mum during the coronavirus lockdown. She was able to video call with her mum on an iPad but was aware that not all residents would be able to have face-to-face communication. While social care workers are doing what they can to maintain connections, this initial approach has led to today’s appeal to help ensure that more families and loved ones can stay in contact.

We are looking for

Any device which can be used to enable social connection e.g. through apps and internet connection. This includes tablets, laptops, smart TVs and larger models of smartphones.

Device condition

For security and safety reasons, devices should ideally be in new/unused condition or have been minimally used. Devices should be donated with any required accompaniments e.g. chargers or remotes.

Protecting privacy

To protect people’s privacy, donated devices should be cleared of any personal information/data and protected against malware.

Can I lend rather than donate?

Ideally, we’d be looking for devices to be donated to services at this time. However, we may be able to help with the loaning of devices in certain circumstances – please get in touch with us to discuss this.

Is it safe to donate?

We ask all donors to follow current infection control and hygiene guidance to ensure that donated devices are, as far as possible, clean and safe. We will also liaise with donors and recipients around the safest way to collect or deliver devices.

How will my donation be used?

Any donated device should be used for the sole purpose of improving the wellbeing of individuals receiving support. We will be asking people to use the hashtag #TechConnectsCare on social media to share the ways in which devices are making a difference to their service!

 

Social care workers are at the front line of protecting the most vulnerable age group right now as health and care services unite to fight coronavirus. They will play a critical role in relieving pressure on hospitals over the weeks ahead. Residents of care homes and people supported in their own homes may feel anxious and the ability to see a familiar face and talk to their loved ones will help alleviate some of the anxiety they will be feeling.

Jenn Nimmo-Smith, said:  “I’m super happy to have partnered with Scottish Care to launch this Tech Device Network. As my Mum is in a care home, now more than ever video calling is going to be our lifeline to connect. My hope is that this will help other families and those with loved ones who they can’t visit given the current Covid-19 pandemic to stay in contact and enable that connection that is so important and vital to our relationships. I’d also like to send my love to all the people going through this just now, you’re not alone and we can get through this together.”

Becca Young, Policy & Research Manager at Scottish Care, said: “The current Covid-19 pandemic is impacting all of our lives in unprecedented ways and making us think differently about how we remain connected to each other whilst physically distanced. We are delighted to partner with Jenn to launch this Tech Device Network, supporting the wellbeing of our older and vulnerable citizens receiving care here in Scotland through access to technology. Many are likely to be experiencing significantly reduced physical contact and social engagement as a result of the current pandemic and this initiative is a positive way in which we can keep our communities connected.”

If you can help keep families connected during this crisis, join our appeal today.

For more info and to donate a device please go to: https://scottishcare.org/techdevicenetwork

 

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Covid-19 Webinar: open to members & non-members – 26 March

Our next Covid-19 webinar will take place on Thursday 26 March at 3:00 pm, our CEO, Dr Donald Macaskill and our National Director, Karen Hedge will be able to answer your questions on this subject matter.

Please note, this webinar is open to Scottish Care members and external partners, colleagues and organisations and requires registration to access the webinar link.

If you are interested in attending please click this link to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3oN1BocQQ1SVAGd6ixpvhw

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Citation Covid-19 & Good Work Plan Webinar

We were delighted to have Gillian McAteer, Solicitor from preferred supplier Citation to guest host a webinar last week.

In this session, Gillian gave a brief update regarding coronavirus (Covid-19), particularly given the questions this raises regarding employment status, rights and sick pay entitlement.

Click here to read Citation’s answers to some of most frequently asked questions they’ve had around both the Health & Safety and HR and Employment Law implications of coronavirus, plus their practical steps on how to move forward safely and keep your people and premises safe.

Gillian also spoke about The Good Work Plan, which is dubbed as ‘the biggest overhaul of employment law in 20 years’. She focused on changes incuding an increase in the holiday pay calculation period, increased protection for agency workers, a written statement of particulars of employment from day one.

You can view a recording of the webinar by clicking the button below.

Citation: Covid-19 & The Good Work Plan Webinar – 20 March 2020

Free guides and resources 

Here are some popular relevant resources that are free-to-access from Citation :

Citation’s complete archive of free guides and resources can be accessed here.

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Luminate@Home – launch of new online creative programme

Today Luminate – Scotland’s creative aging organisation – in partnership with Scottish Care will be launching Luminate@Home, a new programme of short online films demonstrating creative activities for you to do wherever you are.

The activities will be presented by professional artists and will feature different arts forms including crafts, poetry, music and dance.  We’ve developed the films in partnership with Scottish Care, and they are aimed at people living in their own homes, as well as care home staff who are looking for ideas of activities for residents.

Join us at 2pm today for our first activity, led by visual artist Christine Hilditch.

We understand that this is a worrying and difficult time for everyone, especially if you are having to spend the next few weeks isolated at home or in your care home, and we hope that you will find the activities enjoyable and engaging to do over the next few weeks.

Films will be posted every Tuesday and Friday at 2pm on our website and Facebook page as well as on our Vimeo and YouTube channels. Once posted, the films will be left online so you can access them at any time.

Enjoy the films and stay safe from all at Luminate.

 

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Our CEO speaks to the Telegraph about the use of tech in care homes

How care homes are using tech to  ward off loneliness for the elderly

As the older part of the population get ready to isolate for months on end, technology can play a key role in keeping them connected

They were the images that touched the heart of a nation at a time when it needed it the most. 

Over the weekend, carers at Bentley Manor Care Home in Crewe created uplifting clips and photos of elderly residents sending virtual well wishes to their family of friends amid the coronavirus lockdown. 

“[The images] went mad on Facebook,” says Home manager Andrea Fjodor, 52. “Everyone kept commenting ‘please keep putting the pictures on!’ because they love the messages.

“We just wanted to keep up with communication because without it, it would have a detrimental effect on our residents, and to send out messages to tell their families we’re ok.”

Bentley Manor is just one of many care homes using technology to help its elderly residents stay connected with the outside world. 

Donald Macaskill is the chief executive of care sector representative group Scottish Care. He says that some care homes have been using technology for some time to keep people in touch but that its necessity now was more paramount than ever before.

“We’re hearing of family members coming in with iPads and tablets once they’re cleaned and appropriately checked. There are people giving spare tablets into different care homes across the country.”

Such is the generosity of people across the country that a centralised tablet bank system is being considered in order to manage the donations and equally benefit the care community.

He explains that calls are made to loved ones predominantly using tablets and through apps like FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom.

“Given the age of the individuals we’re talking about it’s mainly the tablet. Phones aren’t really useful because of visual impairments,” he says.

“It always amazed me that we have this presumption that older individuals can’t cope with technology. But I’ve met very few who, once are supported and understand how to use it, don’t find it a benefit and asset to them.”

Loneliness is often cited as a hidden “killer” among older people. With stunted mobility and being typically less connected through the internet like the rest of us, social interactions can be more taxing.

Isolation and loneliness are already considered to be an epidemic among the elderly in the UK. Estimations from Age Uk suggest that around two million people in England live alone, and that more than half of them go without speaking to a friend, neighbor, or family member for a month.

As Health Secretary Matt Hancock has flagged, people over the age of 70 will be asked to self-isolate themselves from society for up to four months to protect against the virus.

But with that enormous ask comes a big chance for technology to address a social issue that has plagued society for generations. Can it bridge the gap between loved ones, distant relatives, old friends?

The looming isolation has forced families into planning sessions around how they’re going to care for their loved ones during this unprecedented period. New plans have been hatched and new responsibilities formed as the country’s most vulnerable are kept away from the deadly virus.

Cera Care is a high-flying home care start-up. In February it raised £53m to fund the expansion of its business. It uses technology to monitor patients’ conditions and match them with the most-appropriate carer. It also uses artificial intelligence to detect a problem with a patient before it develops into something more serious.

Co-founder Dr Ben Maruthappu says that its staff have been covered up with face masks, aprons, and gloves while checking in on patients on a daily basis.

“The health system is obviously under tremendous pressure but I think social care providers are in a brilliant position to look after people who are now on the verge of facing quarantine for a number of months,” he says.

“There are over a million people in this country over the age of 70 who stay in their homes and will need some help. Some of them will need groceries and all sorts of amenities and some will require support in their living to allow them to be protected at home.”

Dr Maruthappu says that technology has allowed the company to become much more “rapid” in its response to queries. Loved ones can also be updated on the status of their elderly relatives regularly. 

Similarly Anchor Hanover, one of the country’s largest care home providers, is using other technologies to keep people entertained. One of its systems, Memoride, connects Google Street View to a motion sensor to allow residents to cycle along roads they know, thus stimulating memories.

“Even though the doors are shut, there are other ways to keep them open,” says Ms Fjodor. “Technology is brilliant.”

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A front-line care worker’s story on Covid-19

This was sent after the Prime Minister’s speech on Monday evening when obviously carers were rightfully scared.

Tracy is a carer on a double up run who works with Lucerne Scotland. These are her words:

“Just a little word from me with having this virus.

I found out last Saturday I had it, it was confirmed at the hospital.

I have never felt so crap in my life, a really bad strain of the cold or flu, depends how each individual reacts to it, well mines was pretty serious.

I’m still getting over it and hope to be back at work next week, symptoms are now starting to subside so there is light at the end of the tunnel, which is the important thing.  

I’ve followed all the advice there is and can honestly say as long as you don’t let all this pandemic and lockdown get into your head you will be fine. 

Stay strong, stay safe and remember why you do this job. We are naturally caring people that can deal with difficult situations, don’t let the virus win even if you are unfortunate to come down with it. Positive thinking is the key to progress and our clients will need us more than ever now. 

People will see carers differently after all of this passes and you should be proud of yourselves to be what is essentially going to be in the history books! 

I’ve been reading the constant shift cover messages since I’ve been off and the support you are giving each other and working extra hard to ensure the client’s needs have been met is just amazing. 

 It’s ok to feel scared but there is so much support out there just now for these circumstances you won’t be alone. 

I’m happy to give advice separately from this chat if it will help anyone that is feeling anxious. Telephone …….. if you need a chat, confidential of course.  

Take care all.”

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Scottish Care statement on food shortages during Covid-19

Care homes and care workers across Scotland are facing food shortages. We all know that nutrition is important, so at this critical time we are calling to supermarkets and food suppliers to include social care when they are prioritising access to food and supplies.

Many of our care homes have relationships with local shops who sadly are unable to support them because their own stock is diminished as a result of overzealous ‘stock-pilers’ and other supply chain issues. We heard about one supermarket who insisted on applying a ‘2 items per buyer’ rule despite the shopper needing to buy food for over 50 people.

Our social care workers continue to go above and beyond, working long shifts to support our vulnerable and loved ones in care homes or in their own homes at a time of need. At the end of such a day, they need access to food to provide them, with the energy and nourishment to continue in such a role which is why they must be included in any offering of support.

We are hoping this call will also stimulate networks which could benefit both social care providers and the hospitality industry. Last week in reaction to a supply shortage of hand sanitiser, a movement on social media initiated by Mike Bain of Ardent Spirits led to an overwhelming response by distillers to divert some of their alcohol production to make hand gel. A similar community-led response could mean that local hotels and restaurants deliver meals to care homes. This would mean continued employment for hospitality staff, and that their fridges of food do not go to waste because of social distancing instigated as a result of Covid-19.

Coronavirus has brought out both the best and the worst in people yet it is clear that whilst we are facing many challenges, new connections and collaborations, and our recognition of value will remain. This is time for us all to become part of history and support those most in need.

Karen Hedge, National Director

20/03/2020

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Citation Webinar – Updated agenda: COVID-19 & The Good Work Plan

Webinar:  COVID-19 and how this relates to The Good Work Plan 

First identified in Wuhan City, China, you’ve no doubt been following the rapid rise in cases of coronavirus in the news over the last few weeks.

In light of this, Citation will be giving a brief update regarding on the topic, particularly given the questions this raises regarding employment status, rights and sick pay entitlement.

Click here to read Citation’s answers to some of most frequently asked questions they’ve had around both the Health & Safety and HR and Employment Law implications of coronavirus, plus their practical steps on how to move forward safely and keep your people and premises safe.

Gillian McAteer – experienced solicitor and the Head of Employment Law of Preferred Supplier, Citation – will be hosting a webinar discussing The Good Work Plan, dubbed as ‘the biggest overhaul of employment law in 20 years’. This webinar will take place on Friday 20th March at 11:00am. It will specifically discuss how the programme of reforms will affect care providers in Scotland.

As the news agenda of 2019 was been dominated by Brexit and the general election, these legislative changes have somewhat gone under the radar – with research carried out by Citation suggesting one-third of employers are still unaware of the Good Work Plan, some are incorrectly calculating holiday pay, and many are not prepared for the changes.

Notable changes that Gill will discuss include:

  • An increase in the holiday pay calculation period;
  • Increased protection for agency workers;
  • A written statement of particulars of employment from day one.

Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/694995065

Webinar ID: 694-995-065

Free guides and resources for Scottish Care Members

Ahead of the webinar, Scottish Care members are free-to-access Citation’s most popular relevant resources:

Citation’s complete archive of free guides and resources can be accessed here.

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Message from our CEO on Covid-19 guidance for community & residential settings

Last week, the Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Scottish Care,  issued further guidance for social or community care and residential settings on Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our CEO, Dr Donald Macaskill has recorded a vlog regarding this guidance. Please see below for vlog and guidance.

 

See further guidance for community & residential settings here