Do you care for a loved one at home?

Perhaps you’re looking for some help with dementia care?

A dementia diagnosis

Will be life-changing for the individual affected and their families. Many people wish to care for their loved ones at home since this is the environment in which they feel most comfortable.

If your loved one is living with dementia and you’d like to find out how you can support them at home, keep reading:

Incorporate Simplicity into their Daily Life

The mind of someone living with dementia is often disoriented – particularly as they progress towards the later stages. This can lead to unpredictable emotions, and the individual may find it hard to make decisions – particularly when they are presented with too much choice.

To prevent feelings of overwhelm, try to simplify your loved one’s day-to-day life as much as possible. When faced with decisions such as their outfit for the day, or what they’re going to have for dinner, try narrowing their choices down to two options.

So, each morning, perhaps present your loved one with two outfits, or two choices for breakfast. This way, your loved one retains enough autonomy to live independently, but with a manageable number of options.

That said if they want to wear 2 hats for the day then why not, we are great believers in enabling people to be “free to be me”!

Live in Their Reality

As your loved one’s dementia progresses, they’ll likely experience realities different to yours. This may prompt them to see, hear and experience things that you may not. It may be tempting to try and reassure them that their experiences are just hallucinations, but doing so may actually have an adverse effect and cause confusion.

Rather, it’s better to accept your loved one’s experiences and live in their reality. At Huntington and Langham Estate, we’re proud to be Butterfly accredited – and this means that we take a family-centred approach to dementia care.

From wearing their own pyjamas to sourcing medication from personalised cabinets, our nurses work hard to create a home-from-home experience for our residents living with dementia.

Created by Meaningful Care Matters, the Butterfly Approach is the next step in dementia care.

Watch their latest video to find out more:

Ensure Your Loved One Lives a Healthy Day-to-Day Lifestyle

The key to caring for most health conditions is ensuring that the individual has access to a healthy day-to-day lifestyle.

If you’re unsure about how to provide your loved one with a healthy, balanced diet, this NHS article demonstrates the importance of a high protein diet with plenty of fluids – and advises on the best ways to incorporate them.

Try to encourage your loved one to engage in light exercise, too. A brisk walk or some simple stretches, such as these, can help to increase mobility and regulate mood.

Create a Memory Box With Your Loved One

If your loved one receives a dementia diagnosis, it could be a good idea to gently encourage them to create a memory box or book with you.

On difficult days, you can help your loved one to try and relive happy memories by flicking through old photos and diary entries. Don’t forget to label the photos with names and dates!

Seek Professional Care Options

Caring for a loved one at home can be incredibly difficult, particularly when these responsibilities are juggled alongside a full-time job and childcare.

It’s important to take time out as a caregiver, too; if you become exhausted, your health may become compromised and your loved one may not receive the care they really need.

If you feel that a break from your caregiving responsibilities could be beneficial for you, why not try respite care options? Temporary day and/or night care can help you and your loved one decide whether permanent professional care could be the right option. Alternatively, you may find that a few respite breaks a year may give you the time you need to rejuvenate.

If you’d like to find out how we can help with dementia care, just contact a member of our team.

April marks #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth – and at Huntington and Langham Estate, we’re proud to offer Parkinson’s therapy to those in our community that require it.

Last year, we were delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Parkinson’s UK to produce an insightful article series about Parkinson’s Disease, helping to raise awareness of the impacts it can have on the lives of those affected.

From raising awareness of important warning signs to offering top tips on coping mechanisms, our article takes a holistic perspective on the condition. Whether or not you’re affected by Parkinson’s, we hope that this article will offer you some consolation and/or give you a better understanding.

So, without further ado, here are some highlights from our Parkinson’s UK collaboration:

What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. It’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently, around 145,000 people are living with Parkinson’s in the UK.

Some of the less well-known symptoms include:

– Stress and anxiety

– Chronic pain and fatigue

– Loss of smell

– Changes in digestion or sleep.

How Can Parkinson’s Affect Day-to-Day Life?

There is no ‘typical day’ with Parkinson’s. It is a fluctuating condition, so it can change day-to-day or for some people, hour-to-hour. Because of the range of symptoms involved in Parkinson’s, it also impacts everyone with the condition differently.

With medication and small adjustments, some people can maintain the same standard of life they had before diagnosis for a long time. However, for some people the effects on their daily life will be considerable, for example including pain, not being able to sleep, anxiety and even being unable to move at all for short periods (freezing).

As Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition, people will see their symptoms become worse over time and respond less to medication. This means the impact on daily life will be more noticeable, and ultimately many people will eventually need regular support from health and care professionals.

What are People’s Biggest Misconceptions About Living With Parkinson’s?

There are many misconceptions about Parkinson’s; one of the main ones being that people can no longer achieve what they used to. However, with the right support (i.e. physiotherapists, speech and language therapy), many can continue living their lives independently, meaningful, enriched and as safe as possible.

Care and support from a family member are invaluable. They know you better than anyone else; your likes and dislikes, and parts of their personality that they may not reveal to anyone else.

They’re likely to trust you more than anyone else they know, so take care to listen wholeheartedly. Often, people with Parkinson’s will open up to their trusted loved ones rather than anyone else.

How has Parkinson’s research developed? Is a cure looking likely?

As a charity, we want to develop better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s in the shortest possible time frame. In the past 50 years, vital discoveries have been made that have revolutionised our understanding of Parkinson’s and the brain.

Now, thanks to this progress, breakthrough new treatments are being tested in clinical trials that have the potential to slow, stop or even reverse Parkinson’s. The more we are able to invest in developing these new and better treatments, the faster we’ll get there. Given the right investment, we believe improved treatments are possible in years rather than decades. This year, we will be launching our new strategy and as part of that, we hope that we can deliver a breakthrough treatment by 2024.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we’re huge advocates of The Butterfly Model, and it takes precedence in our approach to care. Taking a holistic viewpoint, the model focuses on each individual as a whole, and puts ‘Feelings Matter Most’ at the centre of its ethos.

To read our full collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, click the links below.

– Understanding Parkinson’s – Part 1

– Understanding Parkinson’s – Part 2

Alternatively, if you would like to contact a member of our team to find out how we can help you, just visit the ‘Contact’ page on our website.

5 Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening:

Did you know that, according to a thrive.org study, 80% of people experience improved mental health after engaging in gardening activities?

The therapeutic benefits of gardening are endless, with many keen green-thumbed individuals experiencing reduced anxiety and a surge in happiness and motivation.

Whether you enjoy tending to a few indoor succulents, or you have plans to create your very own at-home nature reserve, there are no limits to the benefits that gardening offers.

So, without further ado, grab yourself a warm beverage and find out all about how gardening can improve your mental and physical health:

Boosts Self Esteem and Provides a Sense of Purpose

Gardening is widely appreciated for its ability to boost self-esteem and offer a sense of purpose, particularly for those who experience loneliness.

The manual process of planting, growing – and in some cases, harvesting – is therapeutic to many, and allows gardeners to experience the amazing feeling of nurturing a living organism.

Watching a plant grow as a result of your dedication is highly rewarding, offering individuals a chance to find purpose at a time that they may be struggling to do so.

Spending time amongst nature and wildlife also offers an invaluable sense of perspective, instilling gratitude and comfort.

Gardening Encourages Physical Activity

In addition to providing a healthy dose of fresh air, gardening also encourages you to engage in physical activity.

For some, the thought of exercise is a little daunting – but gardening offers a great opportunity to get your body moving without thinking too much about it.

If you’re passionate about gardening, you’ll likely be more focused on the task at hand – blissfully unaware of the physical exertion required to shovel soil, plant seeds and water your array of plants.

Gardening also offers a great incentive to exercise, too, since you know that it’s necessary to perform regular maintenance if you are to keep your plants alive.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

When combined with mindful breathing, gardening can help to instil tranquillity and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Being surrounded by green space, fresh air and an array of colours can work wonders for our mental health, restoring a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Combined with the task of nurturing plants and/or fresh produce, the act of gardening is a great way to keep our cognitive health in check, too.

For many, successful gardening brings joy and accomplishment – and, in turn, positive reinforcement. This stimulates the release of endorphins, our feel-good hormone, which reduces the perception of pain and increases pleasure.

Gardening Provides Socialising Opportunities

If you’re fortunate enough to be a member of a community garden, you’ll likely be spending much of your time around like-minded individuals. This offers an invaluable opportunity to make friends and engage in regular interactions.

Linked closely to increased self-esteem and boosted cognitive function, regular social interactions are incredibly beneficial to mental and emotional health.

Vegetable/Herb Gardening Encourages Healthy Eating

If you enjoy growing your own produce, you’ll likely know how this can positively influence your eating habits.

By enduring the time and effort it takes to grow vegetables and herbs, you’ll likely be anticipating the day that you can finally harvest them, before transforming them into a tasty meal. Many vegetable patch owners enjoy creating seasonal dishes, such as homemade root vegetable soups or casseroles.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we love exploring the therapeutic benefits of gardening – from watching our produce grow first-hand, to the endless opportunities it provides for spending time amongst our beautiful wildlife.

If you’d like to find out more about the activities we enjoy at the estate, or you’d like to arrange a virtual tour, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team or take some time to browse the website.

Are you thinking of seeking residential assisted living options for your loved one?

Facing the prospect that your loved one may need additional assistance can be a difficult reality to accept. Caring for a family member at home is rarely easy, particularly if you’re trying to juggle it with other responsibilities.

Whether you’re simply looking to take a short break, or you’re looking for more permanent options for your loved one, we share 5 benefits we have seen residential assisted living options improve quality of life.

1. Boosted Sense of Security and Peace of Mind

Having the ability to feel safe and secure in your home environment should never be underestimated. If you’re unsure as to whether your loved one would benefit from residential living, consider whether their current home environment is suitable for their needs.

Depending on their personal requirements, you may feel that they would be safer with carers on hand to support their daily activities.

If you feel your loved one would be more comfortable in their familiar surroundings, it’s important to take some time to assess the space. Think about whether they need the addition of mobility aids, larger gaps between furniture, non-slip materials, etc.

You can find more information about adjusting your loved one’s home on the Age UK website.

2. Companionship and Friends For Life

Loneliness can take prevalence in many of our lives; particularly for older people who live alone.  At Huntington and Langham Estate, we think that no-one should ever feel lonely.

Companionship is something we focus on heavily, and we regularly encourage our staff and residents to take part in group activities.

At a residential care home, you really do make friends for life and an invaluable sense of companionship that your loved one may be otherwise missing.

3. Residents Benefit From a Personalised Care Plan

With a professional care team on-site 24/7, at a residential home, your loved one can rest in the peace of mind that their personal needs are attended to as and when needed.

With a tailored, person-centred care plan to support their care, any support your loved one receives will always be designed around their individual preferences, how they like to live their life, whilst always looking to provide them with a positive experience.

4. Access to Nutritious, Tailored Meals

Keeping your loved one well-fed with three nutritious meals a day can be incredibly challenging when you’re balancing caregiving responsibilities family and work.

At our estate, we take this pressure away from at-home caregivers by providing nutritionally planned, delicious home-cooked meals to our residents on a daily basis in our restaurant.

Designed to meet dietary preferences, our meal plans strike a balance between providing tasty, wholesome meals, and a sense of indulgence with attention given to personal favourites.

5. Fun, Stimulating Activities in a Home-From-Home

Many homes curate stimulating, carefully designed activity plans that help to keep their residents engaged.

At our estate, we try to include a good mixture of on-site and off-site activities that stimulate different aspects of the human body. For example, arts and crafts are great for fine motor skills – whilst a stroll around our grounds is ideal for building muscle strength.

Residential assisted living facilities offer a bounty of benefits to older people, as well as their loved ones. They’re designed to offer the best possible care to residents, whilst making daily life as enjoyable as possible.

If you’d like to find out more about us and our care, do take a few minutes to browse our website. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of our team if you’d like to arrange a virtual tour.

Whilst you’re here, why not find out all about how we celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day?

At our care home in Surrey, we’re thrilled to be expanding our space.

With more space per resident, and more staff than most other dementia homes, we’re proud to offer a family-centred approach to care.

Our friends come in all shapes and sizes at the estate, too – with a whole family of sheep inhabiting our extensive grounds.

After the difficult year we’ve all experienced, we’re delighted to be undertaking an extension. It will see 12 new bedrooms added to our offering, alongside two additional lounges for our lovely residents to enjoy.

In addition, a new wheelchair friendly pathway will provide access to more areas of our estate, including our animal grazing fields, round to the lake and pavilion as well as parts of the woodland.

We can’t wait to share the results with you. Watch this space… we’re anticipating project completion by spring 2021!

Update 2022:  Our newly expanded Specialist Dementia Care Home at Langham Court is now complete, with residents able to enjoy views from the sun terrace and open access to the garden.

If you’d like to make an enquiry or book a virtual viewing of our home, please do contact a member of our team.

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the concept of ‘family-centred care’, and what it means for all of us at the estate. Take a look at our previous article to find out more.

At our residential care home in Surrey, we can’t quite believe we’ve reached the end of another year – it seems to have flown by, although it’s undoubtedly been a rollercoaster ride for many.

We’re not letting the final few weeks of the year pass us by without a celebration or two – and so, in anticipation of the festive season, we’ve been taking the opportunity to accessorise our home and indulge in some Christmas-sy arts and crafts.

Creating a Festive Window Display

We began our festivities, of course, by creating displays around our home for all to see. We dressed our window sills with winter village-themed scenes, offering a visual treat for those inside and outside.

Appreciating the Natural Beauty that Surrounds Us

Neigh-d we say more?

Enjoying a Special Visit From Local Carol Singers

This month, we were very fortunate to receive a very special visit from a group of local carol singers. What better way to get in the Christmas spirit?

Connecting With Our Local Community

At our residential care home in Surrey, we were absolutely delighted to receive a hand-painted wreath from a very talented group of little artists.

Some of the children from the local preschool were kind enough to send us a wonderful piece of artwork this month, created with their very own small hands. It’s certainly brought a wealth of festive joy to all at the estate!

Making Our Very Own Christmas Crowns

Who said there could only be three kings?

This year, we’ve been turning all of our residents into royalty. They’ve loved making their very own shiny crowns, before modelling them – and, of course, enjoying a well-deserved glass of wine!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…

And, of course… not forgetting the all-important Christmas tree.

This year, we’ve not only decorated our tree… we’ve created our own ones, too, to be displayed around the home!

Adding the Finishing Touches…

Once we had enjoyed the beginning of our festive celebrations, we still had a few decorations to dot around. After scattering a few twinkling fairy lights, dressing our mantlepiece and embellishing a few more window sills, our home had officially become a winter wonderland!

A Festive Throwback…

We couldn’t finish this article without sharing a wonderful festive throwback. Here’s a reminder of Christmas 2016 at the estate, where our residents enjoyed a visit from one of our furry friends!

Watch video

Last week, we shared our latest drone imagery of our exciting new extension. If you haven’t already seen them, be sure to check out our previous blog post.

Alternatively, to find out more about what we’ve been getting up to, don’t forget to take a look at our social media channels.

How we are incorporating family centred care into our home

In the 21st century, person-centred care has become the focus of care offerings across many homes around the world. Nurses are no longer focusing their attention solely on the illness/condition; rather, they take into account the whole person, considering their personal needs and interests to take a more holistic approach to care.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we have looked at what it means to shift towards a more ‘family-centred’ approach to care. As a family owned and operated home, we’re certainly no stranger to embracing close personal connections; but what if we were to incorporate more of this into our style of care?

How the Coronavirus changed our approach to care

Having experienced the Coronavirus pandemic; during this time we saw amazing examples of how families were still being involved in the lives of family members living on the estate, and how care homes have played the part of families themselves. So, with this in mind, how can care homes embrace more family living?

More Involvement From Relatives

From spending time with our residents’ relatives at the estate, we’ve discovered the wide variety of expertise and experience that we can tap into. From landscape designers to professionals in security and occupational therapy, the valuable conversations we’ve had with our residents’ families have really inspired us to incorporate their experiences into the running of our home – especially in cases where this expertise is not present in-house.

In some cases, our residents’ relatives have actually taken hands-on roles within our home; for example, we had a lady who came to help us with our gardening. The son of a resident, too, who was working in security, came to visit and very kindly conducted an external audit of our home, to see where there may be holes in our security and safety. He then helped us pull together a plan that would create a safer home for us all.

These are just a couple of the amazing examples where family members (even when they haven’t been able to visit their loved one), have still been able to provide input and remain invested in our home.

A Community-Run Care Home

At the estate, it’s so important to us that we instil our family ethos into everything we do. That’s why we love the idea of a community-run home; one that’s regulated and maintained by the wealth of expertise and experience that sits on our very doorstep.

Making Our Residents Champions

We have an amazing range of talent living with us at the estate; from artists to interior designers and nurses, that hold a lifetime of expertise and knowledge in their field.

Many care homes across the country have ‘champions’ amongst their staff; such as champions of infection control and champions of dignity. At the estate, we want to make champions amongst our residents, too.

Some of our talented residents have already made a positive impact in our home; our resident artist, for example, who has created visual displays in the lounge areas with their beautiful work. We have a resident interior designer, too, who has helped us create mood boards for our home.

Giving our residents the opportunity to provide input to the upkeep of our home has provided them with a real sense of purpose.

On days gone by where it was, in some cases, a struggle to encourage our residents to take part in activities, it seems that giving them the opportunity to use their expertise in a creative way has acted as a real source of inspiration and motivation for them.

Sharing Experiences Between Staff and Residents

At the estate, we have staff celebrating significant life events – from getting married, to having children. And of course, many of our residents themselves have experienced these at some point in their lives. We’d love to see more instances of our staff and residents sharing their experiences with each other, further encouraging closer family connections.

Family centred care

The term ‘person-centred care’, certainly throughout the past few years, has become a term that we all know and use. Whilst it’s nevertheless an incredibly important approach when it comes to designing care plans, there is often the danger of focusing too much on the individual, when in fact, more focus could be placed on the people closest to them.

However, ‘family-oriented care’ refers not only to immediate family; it also refers to connections with the people around us in our wider community, and taking the time to appreciate and integrate their passions and expertise into our home.

If you’d like to find out more about us, or you’d like to share your views on the concept of family-oriented care, please feel free to have a chat with a member of our team, or share your views on our social channels.