Dignity Champion Training

Hi Sally
It sounds as if you're having a hard time. Let me assure you that not all
managers and owners believe in keeping staffing to a minimum. There are many
innovative ideas coming from residents that are working within the care
homes that are supported by very enthusiastic staff. Sorry I'm not in your
area to offer more support to you but would be happy to exchange ideas.
Regards
Ginny

Virginia Cheytan
Home Manager
Candle Court Care Home

T: (020) 8731 7991
F: (020) 8731 7992
E: [log in to view email address]

TLC Group Ltd
Email Disclaimer

The information in this email and any attachments is strictly confidential
and may be legally privileged.

It is intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) only. Access to this
email by anyone else is unauthorised. If you have received this email in
error please notify the sender immediately by return email or telephone.
Please note that if you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy,
distribute or otherwise act on any part of this email or its attachments.

-----Original Message-----

Hi Ginny

I'm sorry if it sounds as though I'm putting home managers down,
that's not my purpose and that is definitely not what I am
suggesting..

My purpose is to try and get homes and their managers more support.
I do realise that there are very well run happy homes such as yours,
but I feel that all too often, when big companies manage homes it
starts to become more about money, and the homes are expected to run
effectively and efficiently on minimal budgets and staff. I feel when
the staff are stretched too far, staff morale goes down hill and then
so does the mood of the home.

Maybe I should have said government ruling needs to take a realistic
view of minimum staffing levels.
Our home is full of enthusiastic carers too, and brilliant nurses, but
I feel that the nurses, home manages and carers, laundry domestics,
kitchen, administration, etc. are all stretched to the limit and a home
can only be as good as it's staff, and they can only be as good as the
company and home conditions that they work for, allows them to be.

I feel that our home staff work really hard and are on the whole,
lovely people. I do however feel there is room for improvement,
especially as our home keeps getting new managers who only stay for a
short length of time, and then a another new one comes along after we
have managed for long periods of time without one. Each time a new one
comes they decide to change everything again, and then the company
starts going back on promises it made to better things. It's all very
frustrating.

The service users are at the heart of all these politics and red tape
issues and I feel that as Dignity Champions we should be lobbying the
government to help us more and challenging these issues. Maybe then,
nurses and carers and other staff which all contribute to making a
happy home would feel more valued and we wouldn't have such problems.

It sounds to me as though you have the right approach as a home
manager and I congratulate you on running a happy home for your
residents.

I feel our home is one of the forgotten ones, where we have to do the
best we can with the equipment we have got. Are we the only ones or
are there more struggling homes like ours.

May I say though, that all our residents are happy and well looked
after and as activities coordinator, I do lots with them and we have a
lovely committee of volunteers committed to fund raising to provide
trips and entertainment for our residents. We work as a team, but
sometimes it does feel as though we are swimming against the tide.

As you can probably gather, I am committed to making sure everyone is
happy and satisfied with their home and the care they receive, in fact
our home is full and people want to live in our home because we do have
such a lovely atmosphere and people who live there are happy. I just
want to make it even better, or at least be able to continue to keep it
a lovely place to live.

If you have any suggestions then please let me know.

Thank you so much for responding and offering to exchange ideas.

Your sincerely

Sally

>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 23/07/2009 8:30
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Hi Sally
>It sounds as if you're having a hard time. Let me assure you that not

all

>managers and owners believe in keeping staffing to a minimum. There

are many

>innovative ideas coming from residents that are working within the

care

>homes that are supported by very enthusiastic staff. Sorry I'm not in

your

>area to offer more support to you but would be happy to exchange

ideas.

>Regards
>Ginny
>
>Virginia Cheytan
>Home Manager
>Candle Court Care Home
>
>T: (020) 8731 7991
>F: (020) 8731 7992
>E: [log in to view email address]
>
>
>
>TLC Group Ltd
>Email Disclaimer
>
>The information in this email and any attachments is strictly

confidential

>and may be legally privileged.
>
>It is intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) only. Access to

this

>email by anyone else is unauthorised. If you have received this

email in

>error please notify the sender immediately by return email or

telephone.

>Please note that if you are not the intended recipient, you must not

copy,

>distribute or otherwise act on any part of this email or its

attachments.

>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Sally Boyle [mailto:[log in to view email address]]
>Sent: 22 July 2009 23:32
>To: [log in to view email address]
>Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Hi wonder if anyone knows of any Dignity Training near Trowbridge in
>Wiltshire?
>I would like to know more and find out more about what we can do to

spread

>dignity awareness in Care homes.
>
>I am an activities coordinator in a nursing home for the elderly and

I feel

>there is so much more that needs to be done in this area, with

regards to

>training people and reminding them that this is not just a job of

providing

>care, but it's about people's lives, respect and dignity.
>
>I try to dish out gentle but constant reminders to carers that most

of these

>people have led very active or independent lives, and now find

themselves

>dependent on other people. Some feel cut down like a tree, some may

feel

>confused and may not understand what is happening to them.
>
>However dependent or independent a resident may be they still have

their

>rights and everyone should be treated as an individual with their own

likes

>and dislikes.
>
>They should not have to fit around an institutional system the system

should

>fit around them.
>
>We effectively work for them, they are not products of the workplace

and no

>matter how rushed we are, we should remember this and COMPANIES and

MANAGERS

>who run care homes should recognise this and stop expecting homes to

run on

>minimum staffing levels.
>
>I would like to be a dignity trainer in my home, but I feel unless I

can be

>provided with training and given recognition as one or provided with

the

>qualification to be one, I will not be taken seriously and people can

just

>pass me off as only an activities coordinator with no authority to

teach

>anyone.
>
>If anyone knows of any such training please let me know.
>
>Regards
>Sally
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Stay safe online with Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
__________________________________________________________________

Hi Again,

The practice that is being discussed in these two particular emails is brilliant and needs to be shared.

Can both of you let me know if you can give a paragraph about what you do (I am happy to take it out of your emails if you wish) and I can put it on the section in our ADR newsletter about notable practice in care homes.

Well done - not every home invests in providing an activities co-ordinator and mobility and depression in older people in care homes is a serious issue.

Regards,

Lorraine

Lorraine Morgan
Tiwtor Staff/Staff Tutor,

Cyfadran Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol/Faculty of Health and Social Care
Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru/The Open University in Wales
18 Stryd y Tolldy/18 Custom House Street
Caerdydd/ Cardiff CF10 1AP
Tel: 029 20 262760
web: http://www.open.ac.uk/wales
Mobile 07 827 895 862

From: Sally Boyle [mailto:[log in to view email address]] Sent: Thu 7/23/2009 10:40 AM To: [log in to view email address] Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion Training Hi Ginny I'm sorry if it sounds as though I'm putting home managers down, that's not my purpose and that is definitely not what I am suggesting.. My purpose is to try and get homes and their managers more support. I do realise that there are very well run happy homes such as yours, but I feel that all too often, when big companies manage homes it starts to become more about money, and the homes are expected to run effectively and efficiently on minimal budgets and staff. I feel when the staff are stretched too far, staff morale goes down hill and then so does the mood of the home. Maybe I should have said government ruling needs to take a realistic view of minimum staffing levels. Our home is full of enthusiastic carers too, and brilliant nurses, but I feel that the nurses, home manages and carers, laundry domestics, kitchen, administration, etc. are all stretched to the limit and a home can only be as good as it's staff, and they can only be as good as the company and home conditions that they work for, allows them to be. I feel that our home staff work really hard and are on the whole, lovely people. I do however feel there is room for improvement, especially as our home keeps getting new managers who only stay for a short length of time, and then a another new one comes along after we have managed for long periods of time without one. Each time a new one comes they decide to change everything again, and then the company starts going back on promises it made to better things. It's all very frustrating. The service users are at the heart of all these politics and red tape issues and I feel that as Dignity Champions we should be lobbying the government to help us more and challenging these issues. Maybe then, nurses and carers and other staff which all contribute to making a happy home would feel more valued and we wouldn't have such problems. It sounds to me as though you have the right approach as a home manager and I congratulate you on running a happy home for your residents. I feel our home is one of the forgotten ones, where we have to do the best we can with the equipment we have got. Are we the only ones or are there more struggling homes like ours. May I say though, that all our residents are happy and well looked after and as activities coordinator, I do lots with them and we have a lovely committee of volunteers committed to fund raising to provide trips and entertainment for our residents. We work as a team, but sometimes it does feel as though we are swimming against the tide. As you can probably gather, I am committed to making sure everyone is happy and satisfied with their home and the care they receive, in fact our home is full and people want to live in our home because we do have such a lovely atmosphere and people who live there are happy. I just want to make it even better, or at least be able to continue to keep it a lovely place to live. If you have any suggestions then please let me know. Thank you so much for responding and offering to exchange ideas. Your sincerely Sally >----Original Message---- >From: [log in to view email address] >Date: 23/07/2009 8:30 >To: <[log in to view email address]> >Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion Training > >Hi Sally >It sounds as if you're having a hard time. Let me assure you that not all >managers and owners believe in keeping staffing to a minimum. There are many >innovative ideas coming from residents that are working within the care >homes that are supported by very enthusiastic staff. Sorry I'm not in your >area to offer more support to you but would be happy to exchange ideas. >Regards >Ginny > >Virginia Cheytan >Home Manager >Candle Court Care Home > >T: (020) 8731 7991 >F: (020) 8731 7992 >E: [log in to view email address] > > > >TLC Group Ltd >Email Disclaimer > >The information in this email and any attachments is strictly confidential >and may be legally privileged. > >It is intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) only. Access to this >email by anyone else is unauthorised. If you have received this email in >error please notify the sender immediately by return email or telephone. >Please note that if you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, >distribute or otherwise act on any part of this email or its attachments. > >-----Original Message----- >From: Sally Boyle [mailto:[log in to view email address]]
>Sent: 22 July 2009 23:32
>To: [log in to view email address]
>Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Hi wonder if anyone knows of any Dignity Training near Trowbridge in
>Wiltshire?
>I would like to know more and find out more about what we can do to

spread

>dignity awareness in Care homes.
>
>I am an activities coordinator in a nursing home for the elderly and

I feel

>there is so much more that needs to be done in this area, with

regards to

>training people and reminding them that this is not just a job of

providing

>care, but it's about people's lives, respect and dignity.
>
>I try to dish out gentle but constant reminders to carers that most

of these

>people have led very active or independent lives, and now find

themselves

>dependent on other people. Some feel cut down like a tree, some may

feel

>confused and may not understand what is happening to them.
>
>However dependent or independent a resident may be they still have

their

>rights and everyone should be treated as an individual with their own

likes

>and dislikes.
>
>They should not have to fit around an institutional system the system

should

>fit around them.
>
>We effectively work for them, they are not products of the workplace

and no

>matter how rushed we are, we should remember this and COMPANIES and

MANAGERS

>who run care homes should recognise this and stop expecting homes to

run on

>minimum staffing levels.
>
>I would like to be a dignity trainer in my home, but I feel unless I

can be

>provided with training and given recognition as one or provided with

the

>qualification to be one, I will not be taken seriously and people can

just

>pass me off as only an activities coordinator with no authority to

teach

>anyone.
>
>If anyone knows of any such training please let me know.
>
>Regards
>Sally
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Stay safe online with Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
__________________________________________________________________

Hi Sally

I think it is always difficult to deal with what we perceive to be the inadequacies of a system in which we are working, especially when we feel a lone voice and that our user group is suffering in some way.

I think this is very common with activity organisers, for a number of reasons. In your later response to Ginny you do say that you believe it to be more a failure of resources than the attitude or mindset of staff, although you allude to this in your first post. I think it is very important to see the bigger picture in respect of the failings of any service, but that does not excuse poor practice.

I have been where you are, and am currently setting up an online resource for activity organisers. I have some suggestions and ideas which might be helpful for you, so if you would like to email me at ' [log in to view email address]' we could talk some more.

Best wishes

Rose Fordham

Dear Rose
Thank you for your support it does help to have other people to talk
to.

I do think training is a good idea, as many young people can find it
hard to see the residents as people who once worked, fought, raised
families, or came from different backgrounds etc. and not just young
people but older people too often refer to the residents as them. Even
some residents sometimes don't always realise or recognise why they are
there and may be forgetful or confused, but think others who are maybe
putting it on or making a fuss. The truth is, none of us think we will
ever be in that position, none of us ever think we will end up in a
care home, and none of us want to believe that as we lead an active
life, and are busy responsible people, we will ever find ourselves sat
in a chair relying on somebody to come along and take us to the
toilette. Most people I talk to dismiss the fact of ending their days
in a nursing home, thinking that they will have a choice and that they
will know when it's that time, and think maybe they will have a plan or
a pill. Maybe we will, who knows?

The truth is, especially as the older population is on the increase,
we most probably will end up in a home or needing care, and as I often
point out to people none of us are exempt from this, unless we died
suddenly, and there are no guarantees of that. The majority of all
people who live in a nursing home probably once said they would never
end up in a home, just like we do and indeed as did my own mother did.
But it happens and none of us know what is around the corner for us or
what we are in store for.

The Dignity Challenge is therefore not just important to the here and
now but to our futures too. Should we end up in a care situation I
would like to think that people like us will be there, looking out for
me, treating me as I would like to be treated and living out my days as
happy and as comfortable as possible. Not feeling like a nuisance or a
burden, forgotten, neglected, treated as a number, all the things that
I'm glad to say are becoming things of the past, thankfully because of
people willing to stand up and set up things such as The Dignity
Challenge, Elder Abuse, Age Concern etc. and pushing our older peoples
needs and rights to the fore. Not just the ones that still live
independently in their own homes but also for those who live in care
settings.

We all know that money has a lot to play in the way we are looked
after, and with the NHS and social services under such pressure I fear
for the future. Recognition of dignity and emotional care in the homes
is as important as, health and safety, cosh, health and hygiene, moving
and handling, and all mandatory training. I'm pleased that we finally
have a forum where we can talk openly and honestly about this and gone
are the days when things were hushed up. Now can we take steps and
recognise all areas of concern and tackle them appropriately.

I would love to receive your suggestion’s that is so kind of you.

Yours truly,

Sally

>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 23/07/2009 19:14
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Hi Sally
>
>I think it is always difficult to deal with what we perceive to be

the inadequacies of a system in which we are working, especially when
we feel a lone voice and that our user group is suffering in some way.

>
> I think this is very common with activity organisers, for a number

of reasons. In your later response to Ginny you do say that you
believe it to be more a failure of resources than the attitude or
mindset of staff, although you allude to this in your first post. I
think it is very important to see the bigger picture in respect of the
failings of any service, but that does not excuse poor practice.

>
>I have been where you are, and am currently setting up an online

resource for activity organisers. I have some suggestions and ideas
which might be helpful for you, so if you would like to email me at '
[log in to view email address]' we could talk some more.

>
>Best wishes
>
>Rose Fordham
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Stay safe online with Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
__________________________________________________________________

I think you are discussing very important issues. It is not good to have many staff. Staff work better when they are stretched slightly. Otherwise, staff suffer from 'audience effect' and the work does not get done. I have tried it as a manager and owner. I have been there and seen it. Too many staff is detrimental to care standards. It is not how many staff you have in a care home but it is about they are used/deployed and motivated.
 Dr. Taleb Durgahee

Palm Court Centre of Excellence in Dementia Care
PREFERRED PROVIDER OF DEMENTIA CARE FOR EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Provides Nurse Education and Overseas Nurse Programme
In Collaboration With Brighton University

17-19 Prideaux Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2ND
Tel: 01323 721911
Fax: 01323 410244

www.palmcourtnursinghome.co.uk

E-mail is not a secure communication medium. Please be aware of this when replying. Although DFB Care Ltd has taken steps to ensure that this e-mail and any attachments are virus free, we can take no responsibility if a virus is actually present and you are advised to ensure that the appropriate checks are made.

Training

>
>Hi wonder if anyone knows of any Dignity Training near Trowbridge in
>Wiltshire?
>I would like to know more and find out more about what we can do to

spread

>dignity awareness in Care homes.
>
>I am an activities coordinator in a nursing home for the elderly and

I feel

>there is so much more that needs to be done in this area, with

regards to

>training people and reminding them that this is not just a job of

providing

>care, but it's about people's lives, respect and dignity.
>
>I try to dish out gentle but constant reminders to carers that most

of these

>people have led very active or independent lives, and now find

themselves

>dependent on other people.  Some feel cut down like a tree, some may

feel

>confused and may not understand what is happening to them.
>
>However dependent or independent a resident may be they still have

their

>rights and everyone should be treated as an individual with their own

likes

>and dislikes.
>
>They should not have to fit around an institutional system the system

should

>fit around them.
>
>We effectively work for them, they are not products of the workplace

and no

>matter how rushed we are, we should remember this and COMPANIES and

MANAGERS

>who run care homes should recognise this and stop expecting homes to

run on

>minimum staffing levels.
>
>I would like to be a dignity trainer in my home, but I feel unless I

can be

>provided with training and given recognition as one or provided with

the

>qualification to be one, I will not be taken seriously and people can

just

>pass me off as only an activities coordinator with no authority to

teach

>anyone.
>
>If anyone knows of any such training please let me know.
>
>Regards
>Sally
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>

Stay safe online with Tiscali Security Centre  -  http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
__________________________________________________________________

 

Hi Taleb

I absolutely agree that motivated and skilled staff will always make a positive difference to the quality of the experience of residents in care homes. Staff need to be trained in the varying disciplines required, and supervised on an ongoing basis to play to their strengths, and maintain their morale, in what can be a stressful and demanding job. There needs to be enough of them to promote a needs-led, not service-led system, and that will vary from home to home. I do not understand the term ' audience effect' but in my experience the number and skill mix of staff is crucial to providing holistic person-centred care.

Regards

Rose Fordham

Hi i have found this discussion very interesting. i work for Mimosa Healthcare and we are a company with 32 homes all over the uk.
i am the lead dignity champion for the company and i started out by getting some of the Dignity in care cards, these can now be ordered on line from the website. i brought these up in a staff meetings and asked staff to rate how they thought they were doing in respect of the 10 key themes, from there we were then able to fous on one or two initiatives at a time, the key one for me was no 10, which talks about allieviating loneliness we introduced Memory Diaries into each home for every resident and our Activities coordinator works with staff and fmilies to enable these to be completed. this then leads to staff being able to initiate conversations based on the likes and dislikes of individuals, promoting inclusivness and does focus staff on seeing the PERSON and not the task. we have brought in many other initiatives in the past 6 months but i suggest you start in a small way and build on that. if you are interested in the diaries i could send you a copy, please just e mail me.
i am happy to provide you with some support, we do have workshops for our care staff but not in your area i am afraid, if you wish to travel i could arrange for a place at our next workshop which is in sheffield in september.
keep going don't get disheartened it only takes a few enthusiastic peope to make a massive difference for residents.

regards

Sharon Gatus
Area Support Manager
Mimosa Healthcare

Thank you Sharon for your support.

I agree the diaries are a good idea, and I believe that this is
something that the Key workers should get involved in doing along side
the activities coordinator and then carers and activities coordinators
could work together on this, sharing the same knowledge about
individual people. I'm not sure if our already stretched carers would
have time to do this, but it would be lovely if it was something we
could get in place.

Please could you send me a copy of yours diary?

Kind Regards

Sally

>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 03/08/2009 15:13
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Hi i have found this discussion very interesting. i work for Mimosa

Healthcare and we are a company with 32 homes all over the uk.

>i am the lead dignity champion for the company and i started out by

getting some of the Dignity in care cards, these can now be ordered on
line from the website. i brought these up in a staff meetings and asked
staff to rate how they thought they were doing in respect of the 10 key
themes, from there we were then able to fous on one or two initiatives
at a time, the key one for me was no 10, which talks about allieviating
loneliness we introduced Memory Diaries into each home for every
resident and our Activities coordinator works with staff and fmilies to
enable these to be completed. this then leads to staff being able to
initiate conversations based on the likes and dislikes of individuals,
promoting inclusivness and does focus staff on seeing the PERSON and
not the task. we have brought in many other initiatives in the past 6
months but i suggest you start in a small way and build on that. if you
are interested in the diaries i

>could send you a copy, please just e mail me.
>i am happy to provide you with some support, we do have workshops for

our care staff but not in your area i am afraid, if you wish to travel
i could arrange for a place at our next workshop which is in sheffield
in september.

>keep going don't get disheartened it only takes a few enthusiastic

peope to make a massive difference for residents.

>
>regards
>
>
>Sharon Gatus
>Area Support Manager
>Mimosa Healthcare
>
>
>
>
>

How safe is your data? Find out more about the issues at Tiscali Security Centre - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
_______________________________________________________________________

Hi.

I have followed the discussion and I have attached a useful powerpoint presentation.

Regards.

Malcolm.

Yorkshire and Humber LINks (Local Involvement Networks) Lead.
----- Original Message -----
From: "sharon gatus" <[log in to view email address]>
To: "malcolm rutt" <[log in to view email address]>
Sent: Monday, 3 August, 2009 15:13:32 GMT +00:00 GMT Britain, Ireland, Portugal
Subject: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion Training

Hi i have found this discussion very interesting. i work for Mimosa Healthcare and we are a company with 32 homes all over the uk.
i am the lead dignity champion for the company and i started out by getting some of the Dignity in care cards, these can now be ordered on line from the website. i brought these up in a staff meetings and asked staff to rate how they thought they were doing in respect of the 10 key themes, from there we were then able to fous on one or two initiatives at a time, the key one for me was no 10, which talks about allieviating loneliness we introduced Memory Diaries into each home for every resident and our Activities coordinator works with staff and fmilies to enable these to be completed. this then leads to staff being able to initiate conversations based on the likes and dislikes of individuals, promoting inclusivness and does focus staff on seeing the PERSON and not the task. we have brought in many other initiatives in the past 6 months but i suggest you start in a small way and build on that. if you are interested in the diaries i
could send you a copy, please just e mail me.
i am happy to provide you with some support, we do have workshops for our care staff but not in your area i am afraid, if you wish to travel i could arrange for a place at our next workshop which is in sheffield in september.
keep going don't get disheartened it only takes a few enthusiastic peope to make a massive difference for residents.

regards

Sharon Gatus
Area Support Manager
Mimosa Healthcare

I'm delighted to report that the play 'Not the Weakest Link' on 'Dignity in Care' - in the home - was really well received last week by the invited audience of NHS professionals at Poole Lighthouse at their large conference.
The professional actors group that I run would be delighted to perform the play for similar conferences, or to smaller training scenarios in the Central South of England.
The play highlights the problems with the lack of dignity in care and presents the correct way to overcome them, in a lighthearted and informative way. Needless to say the Dignity Champions scheme is well mentioned.
If we can be of assistance please get in touch - Jo Puttick

I am a Manager of a home in Salisbury, working for a large organisation with 20 homes in Wiltshire. We have a home in Trowbridge. There are training courses available via Wilts County Council if you contact their learning and development dept.
Staffing levels I dont believe is the issue, no matter how many staff I have on they will always find time to have a fag break but not necessarily have the time to do an activity.
I have a full time activities co ordinator who works hard to integrate into the staff team. That is the key I think, getting the whole team on your side.
If you cant find any training, why not design your own. Produce a scheme that will raise awareness of the issues you have. Take it to your manager and ask if there is a way to roll it out to the staff team. I would be really pleased if a staff member came to me with an idea like that.
Managers arent all bad!!

Hi Teresa

Thanks for your feed back. Getting the staff integrated is a key
issue and i am sorry if my original letter comes across as me moaning
about managers. I know and i do realise that there are good managers
out there, and thank God there are. There are still a lot of homes
suffering from staffing issues though, as ours have recently, although
I must say people have been working hard to put everything back on
track and we have just accrued a new manager, who seems very good too.

I do however feel concerned about some issue regarding our older
peoples rights, respect and dignity and I am thankful for having a site
such as the Dignity Challenge and Dignity Champions making it possible
for people to talk about these issues making sure that our present
people are treated with respect and dignity as well as securing a
system that works for us in the future when our turn comes when we are
faced with the restrictions that old age presents us with. There will
be a lot more older people, with dementia and Alzheimer's in the future
too so it's a very serious subject.

I will mention about the County Council, although now it's the
Wiltshire Council regarding training to my manager.

Thanks for this

Kind Regards

Sally

>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 22/09/2009 20:46
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion

Training

>
>I am a Manager of a home in Salisbury, working for a large

organisation with 20 homes in Wiltshire. We have a home in
Trowbridge. There are training courses available via Wilts County
Council if you contact their learning and development dept.

>Staffing levels I dont believe is the issue, no matter how many staff

I have on they will always find time to have a fag break but not
necessarily have the time to do an activity.

>I have a full time activities co ordinator who works hard to

integrate into the staff team. That is the key I think, getting the
whole team on your side.

>If you cant find any training, why not design your own. Produce a

scheme that will raise awareness of the issues you have. Take it to
your manager and ask if there is a way to roll it out to the staff
team. I would be really pleased if a staff member came to me with an
idea like that.

>Managers arent all bad!!
>
>
>
>
>

Internet Security tips and offers from Tiscali - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
_______________________________________________________________________

Sally,

Whilst we do not offer dignity champion training, our new website is committed to promoting the dignity champion programme throughout the UK by asking care home managers, when logging into our website, to identify how many registered dignity champions are working in their care homes. The hope is that this will help to spread the word, and increase the numbers of members, as each care home will hopefully encourage all of their staff to commit to the programme.

If you a spare minute, I would suggest taking a look at http://www.comparecarehomes.com

Thanks

Thank you very much for your help. I will certainly take a look at
your website.
Kind Regards
Sally

>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to view email address]
>Date: 06/10/2009 13:15
>To: <[log in to view email address]>
>Subj: [Dignity Champions Discussion Forum] - Re: Dignity Champion

Training

>
>Sally,
>
>Whilst we do not offer dignity champion training, our new website is

committed to promoting the dignity champion programme throughout the UK
by asking care home managers, when logging into our website, to
identify how many registered dignity champions are working in their
care homes. The hope is that this will help to spread the word, and
increase the numbers of members, as each care home will hopefully
encourage all of their staff to commit to the programme.

>
>If you a spare minute, I would suggest taking a look at http://www.

comparecarehomes.com

>
>Thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>

Internet Security tips and offers from Tiscali - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/security
_______________________________________________________________________

Jo this sounds really inetresting, would you be able to do this in the South West?

Jo your play Weakest Link sounds fascinating, have you got a DVD or can you travel with it?

Louise

HI sally

I'm an activities co-orinator in the south and know how difficult the position can be, after a year of persitance most staff appriciate the work i do and try 'to keep dignity in mind during the day.

life stories for each resident has helped that sees dignity as very important has ment our training is always centered around seeing the service user as an indiviual.

I know this can be isolating so feel free to contact me, for chat's and venting :)

Love the powerpoint 'Effective communication'..............as a Dementia care mapper over the last decade, I am always bolstered when I read the quotes that I recognise from Tom Kitwood; he has always made perfect sense..............it's just really sad that in some cases the word just hasnt spread like we all hope it would have by now.

When I first undertook DCM training it rocked my world, and I have never viewed my approach to work in the same light again for the better, I find it so gutting that when I speak to health professionals now about dementia care and person centred care principles that most have not heard of Tom or DCM- how can they not???

Nickyx

Thank you Nicola , I was starting to think I was the only one who thought like this.
I agree with you whole heartedly. I visit residential homes on a daily basis and the most you see is a postage stamp noticeboard in a secluded corner and the homes will use this to attempt to show their commitment to the campaign. More publicity and greater soap boxing is needed.what about a media campaign to put the campaign out in the general public instead of just an insular community that is so resistant to change and get the mandatory recognition that dignity in care needs.