The coronavirus pandemic is tough for everyone. However, for those in care homes, it’s vital that we take significant steps to reduce their risk of exposure to a virus which is proving to put the elderly at greater risk. Therefore, care homes in North Devon and Somerset, across the country, and indeed the world, have taken the difficult decision to close their doors to visitors.

For care home residents, as a group, they fall into a highly vulnerable section of our society during coronavirus. As a result, steps are being taken to ensure whole care homes are adhering to the government guidelines regarding isolation, as far as possible. This includes limiting visitors, trips out, and external activity providers.

With babies and young children, it can be referred to as ‘the witching hour’. In dementia and old age, this time of evening restlessness and agitation is referred to as ‘sundowning’. Anyone who works closely with dementia sufferers, as we do in our specialist dementia care home in North Devon, knows there’s definitely something about the twilight hours that post a challenge.

The coronavirus has led to care homes around the world restricting visiting for the safety of their residents. It makes sense to protect our most vulnerable, but it can leave relatives concerned about making sure their loved one in a residential care home feels remembered, loved and not isolated.

We have some incredible landscapes within a short distance of our North Devon care homes. Ideal for spending time with an elderly relative out of their usual setting, many of these views can be accessed by the frail or wheelchair dependent. With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to wrap up warm, pack a thermos of tea, and go and enjoy these North Devon views together.

In our North Devon and Somerset care homes, we are experts at communicating effectively with those with dementia. However, for you, as a loved one of a dementia sufferer, it isn’t only a bewildering and confusing time for them. The relationship you had with them previously needs to adapt and change. This takes communication, but your previous methods may flounder.

Six in 10 dementia sufferers wander. When someone wanders they are put at greater risk. Confusion can worsen and they can become lost. Falls and accidents are more likely. It can cause distress in the individual but also for their loved ones and caregivers. Furthermore, while wandering tends to become more prevalent as dementia progresses, it isn’t limited to the later stages of the disease. In fact, it is most commonly experienced in the middle stages. However, sometimes wandering can be prevented, or at least predicted. Knowing what causes someone to wander and what can help is vital.

We are often asked by relatives what they should pack when their loved one is moving into a residential care home. This article is intended as a guide to help you prepare with confidence. Before your loved one moves in, it can be helpful for you to visit the particular care home they are moving to and see their new room for yourself. At Eastleigh, we have different residential and nursing homes in North Devon and Somerset. While each room is spacious and well-furnished, the dimensions and facilities differ slightly from one to another. By visiting the room you can get a sense of the available space as well as get to ask any questions of the on-site staff. Always ask what furniture and items are included. It’s important that if you do decide to bring items of your own furniture that they do not unduly crowd the space and form a trip hazard. Questions to Ask Before you Start Packing Don’t make assumptions, but do ask questions! This way you can find out what is included and what you need to pack. Good questions to ask include: Is bedding provided? Are towels provided? What is the laundry service and […]

Whether it is because Christmas is just around the corner, or because there’s a birthday coming up, or you simply want to show you care, you may struggle to think of gifts for a relative in a care home. Here are our favourite suggestions for gifts which will be appreciated by those in a care home.

We often hear in the media about the importance of healthy eating. However, rarely do we hear about its importance in later life. However, what we eat becomes even more important as we age. Our diet can impact our cognitive function, determine our energy levels and help us fight off illness. Indeed, eating well can be seen as vital in our care of the elderly.

The festive season is nearly upon us. With it come excited children, decorations in our homes, gift buying, feasts and entertainment. However, celebrating Christmas when a loved one is in a nursing home can feel complex, bewildering or anxiety-inducing. This guide is designed to address the main concerns surrounding Christmas and nursing homes or residential care, including when your loved one has dementia. We look at ways to celebrate, adjustments you may need to make and even gift ideas.

We don’t generally think about the changing needs we have of our furniture as we age. Indeed, for many there’s a lack of knowledge about how and why furniture can help. There’s also the associated cost and upheaval of change. However, the right furniture can help to reduce the risk of falls, provide greater support and comfort and even help to reduce anxiety in a dementia patient. At our care homes in North Devon and Somerset, we understand the vital importance of furniture when providing care for the elderly and those with dementia. At our Raleigh Mead home particularly, we use innovative and pioneering research regarding furniture design and provision. However, there are also changes you can make at home for a visiting elderly relative, or in their own home for one seeking to retain their independent living. Furniture for the elderly – Key Points Changes in mobility or health bring challenges in the daily living environment. Before we come on to furniture for the elderly itself, there are some good general rules which will help you to get the best from your space and furniture. Size: It is generally easier to keep a space functional and maintain good flow […]