Blogs


31 Aug, 2023
Your Data Matters to Windrush Care Windrush Care use a software called OneTouch OneTouch Health that is a multi-functional platform allowing Windrush Care to manage every aspect of our clients needs simply through sharing relevant information with the key people involved in the care delivery circle. Care providers can manage a range of topics such as Care Planning, medical and personal information. So you may be worried about your personal information being lost, or stolen. Windrush Care make sure the system we use is assessed across all facets of its care support capabilities, strict data security standards, availability, and reliability measures, as well as effective customer support. The platform’s ease of use also passed detailed scrutiny. OneTouch Health, the single platform care management system for Windrush Care, has been approved by the NHS England Transformation Directorate as an Assured Supplier. To gain approval by NHS England, OneTouch Health was assessed across all facets of its care support capabilities, strict data security standards, availability, and reliability measures, as well as effective customer support. The platform’s ease of use also passed detailed scrutiny.
11 Jul, 2023
What is Domiciliary Care? Domiciliary care, or as it is also known as, home care, is the term used for the different types of care support that you can receive in your own home. Domiciliary care providers, like Windrush Care, can offer different levels and intensity of care depending on the individual’s needs. Domiciliary care can include; companionship care, personal care, respite or home from hospital care and even specialist care such as dementia care. With that being said; domiciliary care can be appropriate for almost anyone who is looking for care. But you may be wondering, what exactly are the benefits of domiciliary care over the traditional care home? We hope that in this article, you will gain a better understanding of the differences between care homes and domiciliary care, as well as the benefits of receiving care at home. Advantages of Domiciliary Care Maintaining Independence Perhaps the most important benefit of domiciliary care is that you, or your loved one, are able to maintain independence. Even with more intensive care, you are still at liberty to choose when you wish you eat, sleep, drink, bathe or even when to leave your house. This is something that is restricted when opting for a care home. Flexibility One of the biggest benefits of choosing domiciliary care over a care home is the flexibility to choose how much, or how little care you would like to receive, as well as what times and how often you want to receive it. In a care home, you simply don't have this option, it is an ‘all or nothing’ package. Financial benefits Due to the flexibility of care as mentioned above, it is likely that choosing domiciliary care over a care home will save you, and your family money over time. You simply pay for what you need, and nothing more. That being said, it is important to choose the right domiciliary care provider over the cheapest one. The top priority is finding a care provider you can trust and rely on. Personalised, One-to-One Care With domiciliary care, the client’s needs are always put first, simply because you are one-to-one with the carer. In care homes, more often than not, the ratio of staff to residents is very low. Domiciliary care is quite the opposite clients are cared for on an individual basis, allowing for a more bespoke and personalised level of care. No matter what you and your loved ones choose to do when exploring their care options, it is important to gain an understanding of the benefits home care can offer. We always recommend picking up the phone and having a chat with a health care professional or a regulated care provider, to find out what will be best for you. Windrush Care is always ready on the other end of the phone to offer you the best advice we can. Give us a call today on 01242 226020 or email enquiries@windrushcare.co.uk . Visit our contact page here .
by Gabriela Vilela 14 Oct, 2022
Dementia
domiciliary care benefits windrush care cheltenham home care
13 Oct, 2022
We hope that in this article, you will gain a better understanding of the differences between care homes and domiciliary care, as well as the benefits of receiving care at home. Advantages of Domiciliary Care. Maintaining Independence. Perhaps the most important benefit of domiciliary care...
Regulated and non regulated domiciliary care
10 Mar, 2020
Windrush Care are proud to be a fully regulated care provider. But, what does this really mean? In this article we hope to clearly explain what a regulated care company is, as well as the differences between regulated and non regulated care. When the time comes for you or a loved one to think about receiving care, we understand that most people have never gone through the process before, and it can be a little overwhelming, especially with so many service providers to choose from. We hope that the following article will help provide appropriate information, for you to make an informed decision when the time comes. Comparing Care Providers More often than not, people compare care companies based on price. Something even more important, however, is whether or not the care provider is fully regulated. In the UK, Care providers are monitored by the Care Quality Commission (or CQC). The CQC is responsible for carrying out regular inspections to ensure that providers meet the standards of quality, compassion, effectiveness, and safety of care are met. Any care provider registered with the CQC must adhere to their strict guidelines and procedures at all times. You can find out more about CQC here . Non-regulated services Some care service providers or self employed personal assistants aren't regulated by the CQC, there can be several reasons why this may be. For example, if a care provider only offers services such as; household tasks, shopping, and cleaning - the CQC would not need to regulate such providers. More often than not, these companies often act as personal assistants and do not carry out any 'hands-on' care services. However, if a care provider offers any of the following; personal care, showering, continence care, dressing, medical care, or anything which requires training - they must be regulated by the CQC. When deciding on what Care provider you use, always ask to see a copy of their CQC report . If they cannot provide you with one, they are likely non-regulated. The benefits of a regulated care service Peace of mind As we previously mentioned; regulated care companies are monitored and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. These regular inspections ensure that regulated care companies are always meeting requirements for the safety and quality of care. For a non-regulated care provider, you can never be sure that they are meeting these requirements. Registered Manager All regulated care providers must have a registered manager who is responsible for monitoring the compliance of all activities within the standards of the CQC. In other words, it is the registered manager who makes sure the care provider is working safely, compassionately and effectively. Care Staff With non-regulated care providers, you will be the one responsible for paying your carers, essentially making you an employer. With this comes complications such as employer insurance. On the other hand, regulated care providers employ their carers directly, taking that stress off your hands. Training Most regulated care providers provide in-house training for all of their care staff, no matter their experience. This usually includes regular update training in line with any regulatory changes - giving you peace of mind that you're in good hands. The Bottom Line Whether you choose a regulated or non-regulated care provider, is ultimately your choice. If you're looking for a care provider you can trust - especially in times of emergency - it is best to opt for a fully regulated care provider to give you that peace of mind. If you would like more guidance or information, we are always happy to help. Contact us today and we can answer any queries around care you may have. Click here to contact us or call us on 01242 226020. You can find our CQC report here . Alternatively, you can visit the Care Quality Commission website here .
Best Foods for Good Bone Health osteoporosis nutrition windrush care cheltenham
31 Jan, 2020
Looking after our bones is vital to enjoying a healthy life, especially as we age and our risk of developing Osteoporosis increases. When it comes to good bone health, some foods are better than others. In this article we hope to educate you on some of the best foods we can eat for good bone health, so you can take control of your nutrition and help your body fight and prevent osteoporosis. We have created an info-graphic to easily 'digest' the information. Feel free to download and share the infographic with your friends and family!
17 Jan, 2020
Loneliness is a big problem amongst the older generations in the UK. It is estimated that there are 1.2 million people suffering from loneliness in England. With this many people suffering, it's likely that we all know someone going through it. However, it is not easy to spot. So how can we tell if someone we know may be suffering from loneliness? The person may be not eating as they usually do. The person may be talking and acting very negatively, including negative thoughts about their self worth. The person may be neglecting their personal hygiene or not keeping up their daily hygiene routine. The person may have an irregular or changing sleeping pattern e.g. late to bed, late to rise. The person's appearance may have changed (e.g. they could be looking paler or more tired than usual). What should you do if you notice these signs? If you notice a friend, a loved one or a neighbour showing signs of loneliness, the first thing is to talk to that person. At first, they may not even realise they are lonely, and may also be blaming their change in behaviour on external factors, such as a lack of sleep. It's important to remember that someone may also be experiencing signs of loneliness, even if they are surrounded by friends or family. What causes loneliness? There are many factors that can cause a person to feel lonely or isolated. A few examples can include; losing a loved one, moving away from family and friends, being out of work and out of contact with colleagues and experiencing health problems that prevent them from leaving the house. Choosing Care as an option to fight loneliness For a person dealing with loneliness, having someone to talk to is the most important thing. If you know someone who may be experiencing loneliness, take some time to talk to them. If it is a family member, you can also consider getting care for your loved ones such as arranging a carer to visit a couple of times a week to chat with them, and make sure they are ok. Together, we can help fight loneliness in the UK.
17 Dec, 2019
Ageing Well: Five foods to eat this Christmas Despite its reputation, Christmas dinner can be a healthful meal, providing its packed with delicious & traditional Christmas vegetables. It is vital that, as we age, we learn as much as we can about the food we eat and how they can benefit our health; keeping us strong, fit and healthy. We are looking at 5 foods you should eat this Christmas - especially for those of us who are a little older - and digging deep into their health benefits! 1. Brussel Sprouts Love them or hate them? We often see these crop up over the Christmas period, making them a great vegetable to eat this Christmas. Brussel sprouts are high in Fibre, Vitamin C and Vitamin K (responsible for blood clotting and good bone health). 2. Cranberries Cranberries are another staple food at the Christmas dinner table. These sweet Christmas berries are healthy and packed with vitamins and minerals. High levels of antioxidants in Cranberries have been linked to improving and alleviating symptoms of UTI, a common problem among ageing men and women. 3. Parsnips Whether you like them or not, these little white root vegetables are packed with goodness. Parsnips are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, as well as several other important micro-nutrients. They are also a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber - increasing your fiber intake has been shown to aid in treating digestive conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and intestinal ulcers. 4. Chestnuts Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... These aren’t just a tasty Christmas snack, they are filled with goodness including; fibre, Vitamin C and Copper (that supports the production of healthy red blood cells, nerves, immune system, and bones as well as assisting in iron absorption). 5. Red Cabbage Red cabbage contain Anthocyanins (antioxidants that are found in purple-coloured fruits and vegetables). Anthocyanins play a positive role in cardiovascular health and that those who eat foods with anthocyanins have a lower risk of heart attacks and heart disease-related death. With all this new knowledge, we hope you can enjoy your Christmas dinner even more! Please feel free to share this with friends, family and your loved ones.
Care at Christmas. Noticing a change in loved ones at Christmas.
13 Dec, 2019
With many people seeing family members for the first time in a while, changes in a loved one can be more noticeable than if you were to see them every day. Changes you may notice in their mood and behaviour can be one of the first signs of dementia. If you and your family members feel that the time has come to source some outside help, you will need to consider your options. Whether a family member is prepared to care for a loved one and needs some occasional support, or perhaps you are looking for full support and peace of mind, home care can be a great option.
Prevent Falls in Winter
by David Chalk 25 Nov, 2019
If you liked this, please feel free to share with friends and family.
by David Chalk 29 Oct, 2019
Windrush Care is very pleased to announce we are the Winners of the Gloucestershire Care Providers Association (GCPA) Team of the Year Award 2019! Gloucestershire Care Providers Association is a membership body open to all independent providers of social care (private, not-for-profit and charitable organisations) delivering care to people in their own homes, in a residential or a nursing setting within Gloucestershire. The Care awards, hosted by the Gloucestershire Care Providers Association is an annual event which celebrates some of the best staff working in Care across Gloucestershire. This years GCPA Care Awards was held on October 10th at The Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa. All nominees were invited to attend the Black-tie event where the winners would be announced. Windrush Care was nominated for both the Unsung Hero Award and Team of the Year Award. We are so proud to be awarded Team of the Year for 2019! To find out more about us, visit our website www.windrushcare.co.uk Visit the Gloucestershire Care Providers Association here: https://www.gcpa.co.uk/
Show More
Share by: