FEATURE ARTICLES

The environment can have a significant role in reducing the risk of falls in elderly people, says Saskia Poller, specialist occupational therapist and education and training lead for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Falls Prevention Service

Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, looks at the advantages and the disadvantages of taking on a leasehold care home and discusses some of the most common and important issues that should be considered by operators

Nicky Whittaker, business account manager within the professional division at Miele, answers key questions on the challenges care homes face when it comes to purchasing new laundry equipment and looks at key infection control considerations

Selling a care home has its own unique challenges and processes. The state of the business and who you sell it to will greatly affect the value and outcome of the sale, says Matthew Hernon, account manager, Dynamis

Chris Callow, head of policy for fire safety regulation, London Fire Brigade, describes how a series of detailed care home inspections identified some serious fire safety failures, which are likely to be common to other care homes across the country

In our regular legal update, Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, considers the potential pitfalls of a long lease, which can affect those who own sheltered housing accommodation as well owners of residential care homes

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are due to be replaced by a new legal process, which will be known as Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). Steven Richards, a director for Edge Training & Consultancy, provides practical information on the future changes

Kevin Potter, business development manager for hot water solutions at Hamworthy Heating, looks at critical factors in the safe supply of hot water, how they are interconnected and how potential problems can be overcome

The lack of an effective toileting routine has knock on consequences that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents and members of staff as well as on laundry bills and other running costs, says Robin Tuffley, marketing manager, Closomat

Requests for records from relatives or solicitors can be confusing and intimidating, but once you know the rules relating to their disclosure, compliance with the legislation need not be complicated, says Kristy Gouldsmith, managing director, Sapphire Consulting Group

Following several serious incidents involving opening lift landing doors, Nick Mellor, managing director of the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), answers some key questions on what care home managers need to know to keep residents safe

Nicholas Parrish, managing director at Wightman & Parrish, discusses some of the fundamental issues associated with Care Quality Commission non-compliance in relation to care equipment and provides guidance for care homes on best practice

In a new, regular market update, Mike Short, founder and director of CSI Market Intelligence, provides an overview of the sector in relation to new homes opening and home closures, past and present and considers future patterns and how to motivate positive change

Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, discusses stamp duty land tax (SDLT), which is payable on the purchase of UK land as well as on the creation, release, surrender or variation of a chargeable UK land interest

The dining environment is as important as the food that is served there; the décor, the room size, the furniture, lighting, music and even the condiments bring it to life, says Sophie Murray, head of nutrition and hydration for Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare

Enlighten - Lighting for older people and people with dementia:Light and lighting that promotes health and independence doesn't just happen. It needs to be designed with awareness of the specific needs of older people and people with dementia2

Contrary to popular belief, installing overhead rail systems with motorised hoists and sling attachments is straightforward in most care facilities, says Colin Williams, overhead hoist specialist for Etac R82

Many providers will already have felt the effect of an increased focus on enforcement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Andrew Parsons, senior partner and head of healthcare providers within the healthcare team at Radcliffes Le Brasseur, considers the implications

Creating a dementia friendly environment does not have to mean incurring significant cost. By implementing simple, well thought out changes, an environment that enhances quality of life can be easily achieved, says Rob Windsor-Hey, business development manager at Find Memory Care

Everyone working in the care home sector understands the importance of protecting vulnerable residents, but some dangers are more obvious than others, says Hagbard Eriksen, managing director of Danish Clean Water