Welcome to the Autumn Edition of our Newsletter 2013

Camden & Hampstead

Caring for the communities of Camden & Hampstead: Camden Town, Hampstead,
Haverstock, Belsize Park, Steeles Village, Primrose Hill, West Hampstead, Kilburn, Highgate, Gospel Oak, Kentish Town, Kings Cross, St Pancras, Regents Park, Swiss Cottage, Cantelowes, Bloomsbury, Fortune Green, Frognal and Fitzjohns, Somers Town, Holborn, Seven Dials and Covent Garden

Message from George Morris, owner of Bluebird Care Camden & Hampstead
I am pleased to welcome you all to our first newsletter. The office has now been open 6 months and there has been a huge amount going on. We are providing care and support for new customers every week and as of the beginning of the month, we are now supporting people in every postcode in the borough of Camden. We are working with numerous local charities and organisations to continually improve the breadth and quality of our services. This includes advanced and specific training, awareness and fundraising campaigns and joint initiatives that benefit both new and existing customers. Our team of care workers are fantastic and we are proud of all their hard work and further development. We will always aim to recruit and retain the best care workers so that our name continues to be associated with quality and consistency. The team and I will be sending out news every 3 months to provide a summary of important updates, advice and anything else to keep you well informed. Please get in contact at any time if you would like to speak to us; we are a friendly team!

High praise from the Care Quality Commission

In early July we underwent a routine inspection from the CQC. These unannounced visits are carried out to make sure care services are in line with their standards and expectations and are providing the best possible care. After this thorough inspection we are proud to say we passed with flying colours and received big green ticks next to all five of the standards the government states you have the right to expect. Here are some of the comments included in the report, which you can read in full on the CQC website - www.cqc.org.uk All the people we spoke with were satisfied with the care and support provided by staff . They said the staff were delightful and they could talk to them. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure peoples safety and welfare. Staff also felt supported and like their roles.

George Morris

Did you know?

All our care staff undertake Dementia and Medication training as part of their induction training. Bluebird Care provides 24 hour live-in services to customers in their own homes. Live-in care has become a very popular alternative to residential care, customers are increasingly wishing to stay in their own homes and remain more independent. We also provide short visits, in fact we work hard to provide any length of visit, whatever provides the best support and care each customer requires.

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Fundraising - Michael Palin

Photo - John Swannell

The team keeps growing

22 OCT at 7.30pm

MICHAEL PALIN
Twenty Five Years of Travelling
We have joined up with Keats Community Library to organise a great event in Hampstead. National treasure, Michael Palin will be talking about his travels over the last 25 years and he has kindly offered to do a book signing after his illustrated presentation. All money raised from the event will be donated to Keats Community Library to help them sustain their voluntary run charity and support the great work they do in the community.

AN EVENING WITH

Peter Samuel Hall Royal Free Hospital

(entrance Rowland Hill Street)
Tickets: 15
10 Income Support ID & Students under 25 from www.wegottickets.com (booking fee) or The Library, Keats Grove, NW3 2RR 020 7431 1266 www.keatscommunitylibrary.org.uk

Great news! Mary Onnis joined the team as our Supervisor in July this year. Mary has a BS degree in Nursing and was a registered practice nurse in the Philippines. Since being in London, she has continued to work hard and focus on caring and the care industry. Mary says: I am a very compassionate lady who always lends a helping hand in terms of care. My background in nursing helps me with the responsibility to deliver the highest standard of service to customers. I am really excited about joining a dynamic office and dedicated team.

SUPPORTING THE KEATS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

All about Bluebird Care

Did you know?

All our care staff undertake Dementia and Medication training as part of their induction training. Bluebird Care provides 24 hour live-in services to customers in their own homes. Live-in care has become a very popular alternative to residential care, customers are increasingly wishing to stay in their own homes and remain more independent. We also provide short visits, in fact we work hard to provide any length of visit, whatever provides the best support and care each customer requires.

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Community news
Dementia Pathfinders is a new social enterprise based in Kilburn. Its aim is to achieve a better quality of life for people with dementia and their support network. Bluebird Care Camden & Hampstead and Dementia Pathfinders are looking to work together in a number of areas including, accredited training for care staff, new support and advisory initiatives and being a general voice for the local community when it comes to Dementia. We are both passionate about providing support and opportunities for learning about dementia for those in caring roles and the general public. For example, Circle dancing has been a fantastic activity for people with dementia over the last few years. Circle dancing makes use of rhythm, music, touch and movement for people who experience difficulties with communication and loss of confidence. Circle dancing has been evidenced as promoting peoples well-being, it is enjoyed by many people across the UK. Over 1000 staff from day centres, care providers, support groups and PCTs have attended training workshops since September 2008. If you are interested in attending a workshop, the next one to take place locally is on the 24th October at Maitland Park Care Home, Maitland Park Road, Maitland Villas, London, NW3 2DU. Dementia Pathfinders explores and publicises the best ways of helping people with dementia and their carers to lead fulfilling lives. Dementia Pathfinders includes people with dementia and their carers in all areas of its work. They are currently extending their network of experts by experience and are asking for people living with dementia, or caring for someone with a diagnosis to get in touch. You could tell them about your experiences so that others can learn from the good things (and less good) that have happened to you. You could be a guest speaker by talking on one of the Dementia Pathfinders courses: hearing from the real experts, people who have lived with dementia, is the most effective way to learn about it.

You could help them find out what other people with dementia and their carers think is needed to get the most out of life. Please contact Dementia Pathfinders to share your experiences, book onto the Circle dance workshop or ask any other questions - 0845 257 2250 or info@dementiapathfinders.org. You can also contact us on 0207 449 0557 or Camden@bluebirdcare.co.uk You can visit Dementia Pathfinders at: www.dementiapathfinders.org

Shingles Vaccine now available on the NHS to people in their 70s

A vaccine to prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease is now available free on the NHS. The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection for anyone aged 70 or 79. Unlike the flu jab, youll only need to have the vaccination once. The vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. Health Minister, Lord Howe has said: Shingles can be a nasty disease for older people and can lead to long term health problems for around 14,000 people each year. This new vaccine, can prevent some of the most serious cases, giving people the chance to live without the discomfort and pain that shingles causes. The Shingles vaccination is offered routinely as part of the NHS vaccination programme for people aged 70 or 79. It is important to note, the first people to have the vaccine will be those aged 70 or 79 on September 1st, 2013. If you were aged 70 or 79 on September 1st, 2013 but become 71 or 80 before attending for vaccination, you will still be able to have the shingles vaccine. If you are aged 71 to 78 on September 1st, 2013, your next opportunity to have the shingles vaccine will be after you have reached the age of 79. Your local GP should be contacting you directly about the vaccine, but we wanted to keep you updated and let you know, just in case the letter from your GP doesnt reach you.

Did you know?

All our care staff undertake Dementia and Medication training as part of their induction training. Bluebird Care provides 24 hour live-in services to customers in their own homes. Live-in care has become a very popular alternative to residential care, customers are increasingly wishing Bluebird Care (Gravesham & Dartford) to stay in their own homes and remain more independent. Fourth Floor, Windmill House We also provide short visits, in fact we work hard to provide any length of visit, whatever provides the best 127-128 Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1BL support and care each customer Kent, requires.

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Please be aware
One of our local police community support officers, James Parkinson has kindly brought to our attention two types of crime: scams/fraudsters and burglary artifice. Anyone can be subject to these crimes, so to understand more and to stay safe, please read the following information: ITS A SCAM Fraudsters want your PIN and bankcard. How the scam works 1. A fraudster telephones you claiming to be from your bank or the police. They tell you that your bank card details have been used fraudulently. 2. They suggest that you hang up and ring the bank/ police back to ensure the call is genuine. Dont be fooled - they stay on the line. They then tell you to read out or key in your PIN

BURGLARY ARTIFICE Nobody has the right or need to enter your property unless you want them to. Who is at the door? When anyone calls at your door follow these five steps to stay safe and sound: 1. Keep the door closed, ask who it is and what they want. 2. Have they got an appointment? If yes - check any identity card they produce with their office. If no - do not open the door for any reason.

3. If they say they are from a company, ask them for your password (if you have one, these can be arranged directly with your gas, electric, the council and any other suppler) They will know this if they are genuine. If they dont know it, dont let them in. 4. Genuine callers will always be prepared to return by appointment at a time that is safe and convenient to you, perhaps when you have a friend with you.

3. They send a taxi/courier to you to collect your bank card. With this and your PIN, they spend your money. JUST REMEMBER: Your bank or the police will never ask you for your PIN or your bank card- dont give them anything! What to do: If youve been a victim of this crime call the police on 101.

5. If in doubt keep them out. Dont let them in.

CAMDEN BOROUGH POLICE

Bluebird Care is the nations largest private care at home provider. Offering a unique service of tailored care visits, ranging from 30 minutes to full live-in support, we work closely with each customer to provide them and their families the support and care they deserve and require in the comfort of their own home. Bluebird Care Camden & Hampstead produce this newsletter for customers and associated partners quarterly. You have been sent this copy as we have your details on file. If you would prefer to unsubscribe then please email us at camden@bluebirdcare.co.uk. If you have picked up this newsletter and would like to be added to our contact list to receive future copies, please email us at camden@bluebirdcare.co.uk. Bluebird Care Camden & Hampstead 155 Regents Park Road London, NW1 8BB Tel: 0207 449 0557 Fax: 0203 689 0991 Email: camden@bluebirdcare.co.uk Website: www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/camden