FEATURE ARTICLES

If we are to support an increasing number of older people, we also need to look beyond our shores and examine care practices and evidence gained from the implementation of innovative approaches throughout the world, says Andrew Larpent, chair, CommonAge

In the first in a new series of legal updates, Tom Lumsden, partner at CooperBurnett LLP, discusses the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), how it will affect the running of your care home and how to ensure you are prepared to be compliant

Fire safety is at the forefront of many people’s minds at the moment, and in the care sector, this is no different. Here, Richard Sutton, general manager at Horbury Property Services, looks at fire risk assessments and why it is so important that fire compartmentation is properly inspected

There’s no room for egos in care home interior design – it isn’t personal, research tells us ‘fit for purpose’ is the priority, says Tina Profit, product manager at Camira Fabrics

Madison McCormack, public relations officer, Find Memory Care, explains how wellbeing can be improved in people with dementia by incorporating points of interest into the care home environment, which help with orientation, thereby promoting independence

Working to improve healthcare environments has meant being exposed to a disheartening range of commonly found ‘way finding’ products – especially those aimed at people living with dementia, says Lucy Richards, founder and creative director, StudioLR

Jonathan Waggott of Jonathan Waggott & Associates considers the role of silver and other substances in addition to good hand hygiene and the disinfection of surfaces in avoiding the spread of infection among vulnerable people

Some care home owners and buyers will try to save money by involving their advisers later in a sale or purchase transaction, but rather than saving fees, this often results in more costs being incurred, says Tom Lumsden, partner, CooperBurnett LLP

Bathing is an essential element of daily care, and it is important to ensure that it is a safe and pleasant experience for residents and care staff. Dennis Goodes, managing director of The Assisted Bathing Company, provides some useful guidance on bathroom planning

Do you know how important it is to factor profit into the cost of care? Richard Shore, finance director, Caresolve, says too many care homes are not paying close enough attention to the financial aspects of running their businesses. Here he offers some advice

Sue Goldsmith, director of care quality and dementia, The Care Home Coach, looks at methods used to ‘enable’ care home residents, from information giving to promoting independence, and explores ways of developing a ‘living environment’

News of a flu epidemic in Australia that could reach UK shores this winter, is a timely reminder that care homes need to prepare for a raft of seasonal bugs. Sharon Evans, PR and digital marketing specialist at Cairn Care, considers how to tackle three of the most dangerous

Laura Hannah, solicitor and Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory expert at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, discusses the new CQC assessment framework, what it involves and how it has changed

The Care Show, which was held from 10-11 October at the NEC Birmingham, is under the new ownership of CloserStill Media, which has unveiled the show’s 2018 manifesto and a refreshed brand identity

Dave Hewitt, sales and marketing director at Courtney-Thorne, considers the development of nurse call solutions and explains how the latest systems can improve the resident experience and help staff provide more efficient and responsive care

Wendy Brewin, creative spaces project manager and Jane Stoneham, director, the Sensory Trust, discuss how involving staff, residents and their families in the design of a care home garden will ensure it becomes a place that reflects their lives

Carole Armstrong, marketing and communications manager, Delabie UK, discusses how to produce and deliver hot water at temperatures that eliminate Legionellabacteria without scalding the user

What is a Legionellarisk assessment and why is it important to have one? Simon Stone, water safety, Nant, considers how to identify the infection risks posed by temperature and stagnation in a water system and how to avoid and address them

Franz Lorenschitz, marketing manager at Allgood, explores how the chain of infection can be broken and highlights the benefits of incorporating certified antimicrobial copper ironmongery into the care home environment

April Dobson, head of dementia innovation at The Abbeyfield Society, describes an initiative to promote the benefit to care home residents of creating art through a series of exhibitions of their work that were held across the country