Dudley – Page 9 – Secure Healthcare Solutions

A cancer diagnosis can be a scary and devastating thing for all those involved. Whether you are the one that has been diagnosed, or it is a family member or friend. This is where cancer care can come in. Cancer care can be there for you right from your initial diagnosis through each stage of your condition. Many people that get cancer can live well for a number of years. By receiving the right care at home they can experience an improved quality of life. All from the comfort of the place they feel most familiar.

There are around 367,000 new cases of cancer every day in the UK, meaning that someone is diagnosed with cancer once every two minutes. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we know how important it is to be supported throughout your cancer journey. We will do what we can to make it more comfortable for you. By receiving cancer care at home you could find that there are a number of benefits. Here are just a few…

It can be more convenient

Making the journey into the hospital when you need a dressing changed or assistance with your catheter can be a hassle. If you don’t drive or don’t have someone who can drive you then it can mean getting public transport. This is something you won’t want to do if you’re feeling poorly. By having cancer care at home you can have someone there to assist you with low-level medical support such as your catheter or stoma or dressing wounds. They can also help you with palliative care if you need it, as well as other specialist care.

You are in your familiar surroundings

There really is nowhere quite like home. By having cancer care at home you can stay in your own familiar surroundings, with your belongings, your photos, and all your memories. This has been shown to help with the mental health of cancer patients. When you are ill or upset, the last place you want to be is in a clinical setting away from everything that you know.

Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels

You will get to know the same faces who look after you

By having cancer care at home you can have the same person look after you and give their dedicated attention. Your carer will be there to help you look after the house when you are unable to. They will prepare your meals, pick up your prescriptions or just give you some company, these are all things that they can do. Your carer knows that having cancer can be a daunting and lonely experience. They will also be an ear to listen to and a shoulder to lean on when you need it the most.

Home-based chemo could be more effective

If part of your cancer care involves you having cancer therapy or treatment at home, it could actually be more effective. A 2010 study in the US on cancer patients showed that those who were treated at home experienced less use of emergency services, better mental health, and higher levels of independence.

These are just a few benefits of cancer care at home. If you are looking for a home carer to help with your cancer care please get in touch today.

If you are looking for a role as a cancer carer or a nurse, please check out our vacancies here.

Mental health is just as important as your physical health and that is why it’s not something that should be neglected. If you are suffering from an illness or if you can’t get out and about like you used to, then it can be detrimental for your mental health. You can find that you don’t want to do activities that you used to be interested in. You could withdraw from yourself and others around you and could end up having potentially harmful thoughts. This is where a home carer can come in.

They can ensure you aren’t alone

One of the biggest causes of mental health issues can derive from loneliness. This has been especially true during the pandemic, but can be a continuous problem. A survey by Age UK found that over 2 million people in England that are over the age of 75 live on their own. They also found that over a million people go over four weeks with no contact with someone they know such as a neighbor, friend, or family member. If you are lonely it can be hard to reach out.

This might be because of pride or just because you feel helpless. Your carer will be a friendly face that you don’t need to reach out to as they will always be there. Whether you need someone during the day or a live-in carer who is with you all the time, you can rest assured you are in safe hands at all times.

They can give you back your independence

One thing that can take a toll on mental health can be if you lose your independence. A carer can help encourage you to do things yourself at home while knowing you are under watchful supervision. By being able to do these things on your own it can help you feel more positive about yourself. This will therefore help your mental wellbeing. You will feel more like your old self, more capable, and have small daily challenges that when you complete will be a real mood booster.

They can help with brain training activities

Your carer can help to set you up with activities that can boost your mental health. This can include word searches, playing chess with you, sudoku and quizzes. These are all good for keeping you feeling positive and your brain active and healthy. It can also help with dementia and reduce your likelihood of developing it as well as potentially slowing symptoms. They can also play your favorite music and help with other activities that can keep your mind busy. It will also be a welcome distraction from any sad or negative thoughts you might be feeling.

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They can address your health concerns

One of the things that could impact your mental health could be if you are worried about your physical wellbeing. If you have recently been diagnosed with a condition then this could leave you feeling worried and anxious, with many questions. A carer has looked after many people and may know the answers to things you are fretting about. If they don’t, they will know the right contacts and be able to get the answers for you.

They can support your family

If your family is looking out for you and know that they are worried about you then it can cause you to feel guilty and impact the way you feel mentally. You might feel like a burden and this can be upsetting. By having a carer you know that your family won’t have to worry about you so much, which in turn can ease your own anxiety and feelings.

These are just a few ways that having a home carer can help with your mental health. If you are suffering mentally make sure you speak to someone and get the help that you deserve. If you are looking for care at home services, we are here to help. Find out more about what we do here.

If you are looking for care at home job, we have a number of vacancies which can be found here.

If you or a loved one are suffering from an illness, have recently come home from hospital, or find that age is meaning you can’t do things around the home as you normally would, it might be time to consider a home carer. A home carer can make a huge difference in your life. They can ensure that you stay living independently in your home; as opposed to having to go to an assisted living facility or a care home. This can be very beneficial to people who don’t want to leave their homes, surroundings, and pets behind. When it comes to the time to get a home carer, it can leave you with a number of questions. The first of these might be “where do I find a home carer near me?” (You’ve come to the right place – here at Secure Healthcare Solutions we can help you with this.) The second might be what hours do I choose for a home carer? If you are stuck at the hours you should select, this article should be able to provide some clarification…

Consider how much you can spend

The cost of care differs around the country but tends to be between £15-£20 an hour. Sometimes councils will be able to contribute to the cost. It is a good idea to get in touch and find out if they can help and how much by. You can also speak to your healthcare team who can advise you on if you are eligible for any funding for care at home services.

Think about the reasons you need a carer for

There are many reasons that you might need a carer. As an example, here at Secure Healthcare Solutions we provide personal care, live-in care, respite care, holiday care, 24-hour care, overnight care, and assisted living – to name but a few! Consider if you need a carer for a specific purpose. This might be to help with medication, to get you up in the mornings, and to bed in the evenings. Or for a company during the middle of the day. There are many reasons that a home carer can help you so think about what will be best for you and your circumstances.Photo by Cristina Serí on Unsplash

Is it permanent or temporary?

Once you have a home carer it doesn’t mean that you will have one forever. It might be that you have just come out of the hospital and need help with your daily tasks while you recover. Or it might be that you have recently had a fall and can’t get around as you did, but you will be better soon. When you are thinking of the hours for a home carer, consider if it is permanent or only temporary.

Remember hours can change

It is important to keep in mind that your home carer hours can change depending on your needs. You will regularly meet with your home carer (or they can speak to a loved one for you). They will ensure that you are getting the right care for your needs. If you start with just an hour in the morning and the evening but then find this isn’t enough, we can up your hours to something more suited for you. Similarly, if they are coming for too long each day and you don’t need them for that amount of time, let them know and your hours can be cut down.

These are just a few tips when it comes to choosing the hours for your home carer. If you are looking for a home carer, please get in touch with us at Secure Healthcare Solutions today and find out how we can help.

If you are a home carer looking for a new role, we have a number of vacancies that you can see here.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a very scary and difficult time both for you and for your family. This is why it is important to prepare yourself for what to expect and deal with any feelings that you can to help you cope with the days ahead. If you are looking for cancer care, or any advice, we are here to help. Here are some top tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis…

Get all the facts that you can

One of the first things you will want to do following your diagnosis is to get all the facts. Some things you might want to ask your doctor could include:
What type of cancer do I have?
Has my cancer spread?
Can my cancer be treated?
What treatment options are available to me?
What can I expect during the treatment?
What are the next steps?
What cancer care assistance can I get?

Once you have the answers to these questions you might feel a bit more in control and prepared for what is coming. It is important to find out what you are up against. This way you can avoid too many unpleasant or unexpected surprises along the way. Your health care team will be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Tell your family and loved ones

It can be hard to tell your family or loved ones that you have cancer, but it can also help to do so. They will want to be there and support you and it might feel like a weight has been lifted. If you are in denial you might put off telling your loved ones as it makes it feel more real, but it is the best thing to do. When you speak to them, introduce the subject gradually and that is easiest for you. If you find it easier to do so over the phone or by email instead of in person, then do this. It is about what makes you feel the most comfortable.

Be prepared that some of your family might get upset, some might be silent and some might have lots of questions. All of these are normal reactions and just because they love and care about you and want to help you. Be as truthful as you can and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. You might want them to pass the news on to others. It can be exhausting having to have the same discussion over and over again with different people.

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels

Consider your finances

When you get a cancer diagnosis you need to consider your finances and be prepared. You will likely need to take time off of work. So be sure to speak to your employers about how they will support you with this. You might have to travel to hospitals or treatment centres that are further away and require you to hire a car, pay for petrol or get a hotel room. Consider the costs of these and speak to your local clinic or hospital. They can advise on financial aid during and after your cancer treatment.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Don’t forget that your friends and family will want to be there for you, so make sure you let them. If you don’t have any friends or family that live near you, or who are available during the day, you can also look into cancer care services. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we have a range of cancer care services to help you. We can assist with everything from picking up your shopping or medication to your household chores, preparing your meals and emotional support too.

These are just a few tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis. Make sure that you get the help you need. If you require any cancer care or at-home care, we are here to help. Please get in touch with us today.

If you are looking for a role in home care, cancer care and for any cancer care jobs near you, you can find our vacancies here.

At Secure Healthcare Solutions a case management system is important for us to ensure that we provide quality care, case managers work with adults and children that have ongoing needs, to provide quality care, so our patients can maximize their quality of life. We work with individuals cared for and communicate with families and local authorities to ensure the best possible support is given.
Initially, we will conduct a face-to-face assessment with our patient and if required with the family to determine the level of care required. We will then write these findings in a detailed report and outline all the recommended interventions.
Our patients will have a tailored care management plan, created around individual needs. Patients may require short-term or long-term case management and we will ensure that we have a plan in place to effectively deal with the needs.
What case managers can expect from Secure Healthcare Solutions

Round the clock support – The team operates a 24-hour service, with a dedicated out-of-hours team, so we can be contacted at any time to support you.

Arranging staff rapidly to assign to a package – We work with over 1000 healthcare professionals, we are able to deploy a specialist team and also train them if required to suit the needs required for each package of care.

Nurse-led packages – Our nurses are highly trained and supported by a clinical lead nurse. We can provide experienced registered nurses and specialist nurses, including RMN and RNLD if required.

Flexibility to accommodate individual needs –Patient’s needs can change over time, therefore we are flexible and can cater to these needs by providing more or less care.

Sourcing specialist equipment – We understand that individuals may need support with purchasing specialist equipment such as a wheelchair stairlift, toilet aids, etc to assist with everyday needs.

Advice on housing – Providing support on appropriate housing is important for us, as individuals cared for need an environment that they are comfortable with to suit their individual needs.

Education and activities – Advising individuals with education and activities that they can undertake aligned to their interests and new areas that want to be explored.

Simple financial payments – Our support team ensure initial costings and on-going fees are processed efficiently.

Feedback is welcome – We appreciate feedback at all times, so we can adapt and improve our service to meet expectations.

Robbie Steeles managing director of Secure Healthcare Solutions states that “It is imperative that our patients with individual needs have the option to receive support from a case manager to ensure quality care and support is provided. We have a flexible approach and we can adapt to the changing needs to support and care for the clients the best that we can. We are always here for those that require support and care”.

Click here to find out more about our case management services.

Speak to our trained case management specialists today to see how we can support individuals with on-going needs, Email us on homecare@securesolutions.co.uk or call us on 01902 302 017 to discuss how we can support you to provide the best possible care and support.

Palliative care is also sometimes called end-of-life care. It is specialised care for those who have a terminal or serious illness. It is designed to make the end of their life as comfortable as possible. Terminal illnesses can include cancer, dementia or motor neurone disease and means an illness that cannot be cured. When you reach the end stages of a condition such as listed above, it is important to manage pain and any other distressing symptoms. Each year approximately 40 million people are in need of palliative care. Looking for palliative care in your area? Or to find out more about what palliative care is? We have outlined it below…

When does palliative care begin?

The stage at which palliative care begins can differ depending on the person and the individual case. Some people can have palliative care for months, others weeks, days or even just for the last few hours of their lives. The stage that you are considered reaching your “end of life” is if you are likely to not live past the next twelve months.

As well as those with a terminal illness, it can also apply to those who are frail with a coexisting condition, have a condition where they are at risk of dying suddenly or have a life-threatening condition that has been caused by something such as a stroke or an accident.

How can a palliative care worker help?

Emotional support

Knowing that you are coming to the end of your life can be an extremely distressing thing to go through and to come to terms with. This is why emotional support is so important. You will likely feel emotions such as shock, fear, anger, resentment, helplessness, anxiety and sadness. You might also feel alone, even if you have a strong support network. Over time you will likely feel a bit better as you come to terms with your diagnosis, but feelings might come back towards the very end of life. This is completely normal and is nothing to be ashamed of. Your palliative care team is here to help you with these feelings and will be here to talk to you, understanding how you are feeling and seeing if there is anything they can do to make you feel better. As well as talking they can look at photos, do mindfulness activities and read you a book to try and take your mind off of your thoughts for a while. They can also get in touch with a psychologist if they feel this would help to benefit you.

Pain management

Pain management is one of the most important aspects of end of life care. While you may no longer be able to receive treatment such as chemotherapy, this doesn’t mean you should be in any pain. Not everyone who is reaching the end of their life is in pain. However, if you are, your doctor or nurse will find out when your pain started, where it is and if it is affecting you in ways such as stopping you from sleeping or eating. They will aim to prescribe you medicines that are weaker at first such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. They will then move to mild opioids such as codeine and then stronger opioids such as morphine. Medics prefer to not prescribe the latter at the earlier stages. It can often make you feel drowsy or not quite with it so wait until it is really needed.

Support for your family

If you are a family member who is also a carer for someone who is reaching the end of life, it can be tough on you. This is why our palliative care staff are here to help. We can help to spread the load and allow you some relief. It can be very intense caring for a loved one round the clock so we are here to help with that. We can also answer any questions you might have or give you advice if you need it.

Help managing your symptoms

As well as helping you manage any pain that you might be experiencing, we will also assist with other symptoms you might have. If you are bed-bound we can help you to get washed and dressed. We can also change your catheter or stoma bag if you need. We can help with symptoms such as constipation or nausea. And will also liaise with your wider health team for any help you need managing your symptoms.

Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we know how stressful and hard it is when you or a loved one are reaching the end of your life. We are here to help ease the stress and make it as pain-free as possible. If you are looking for palliative care, please get in touch with us today. If you are looking for a career in palliative care or for palliative care jobs, we have a range of healthcare job roles here.

As you get older you tend to not move around so much and your joints and muscles can weaken. Elderly people can suffer from poorer eyesight, pain when you move, and reduced coordination – all of which might be the reason that you can no longer get around as you once did. This is why it is important to partake in physiotherapy to help battle this. Physiotherapy is often thought of as something to keep athletes in shape, but the reality is that it can help anybody at any time.

It is essentially the process of improving the movement and function of your body and anyone can benefit from it. When setting up a care plan for yourself or a loved one, it is a good idea to speak to the carer about physiotherapy options and how this can be integrated with the plan at hand. Home carers can work with or liaise with physiotherapists to ensure you get the care that you need. Here are some top benefits of including physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly.

What will a physiotherapist do?

– Find out about any falls at home or concerns you might have
– Decide the best approach to tackle this
– Work on strength and balance
– Show the patient how to do some exercises on their own to strengthen muscles at any time

How can physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly help?

It can improve mobility

When deciding care plans for the elderly, the aim needs to be on making their life as comfortable and independent as can be. By doing physiotherapy it improves your mobility and can enable you to walk around the house better, doing more things on your own.

It is a safe way to exercise

When you get older you might not be able to just pop out for a game of tennis or a job as and when you feel like it. Yet that doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some exercise – particularly if you used to be into fitness. Physiotherapy is a safe and risk-free way of getting a bit of exercise into a daily routine. You will be assigned small exercises that are within your capabilities and will be overseen by a carer or physiotherapist.

It can reduce the chances of a fall

A fall is a scary thing for both the person involved and their loved ones. One in three people over 65 have a fall each year and 10-25% suffer a serious injury from this. By partaking in physiotherapy and improving strength and balance, this helps to reduce the chances of a fall and therefore be much safer around the home.

It can aid with recovery

Home care plans for the elderly aid with recovery as soon as possible. If you have just returned from the hospital due to injury or something such as a stroke, physiotherapy can help you regain strength and mobility. Your physiotherapist will put you on a plan tailored to your needs. If you are coming out of the hospital and won’t be able to do things at home like you normally would, we can provide emergency care at home to help.

These are just a few things that a physiotherapist will do to help with home care plans for the elderly.

To find out more about our home care plans or our home care vacancies, please get in touch.

We are celebrating nutrition and hydration week to highlight the importance of nutrition and hydration within the healthcare sector.

Nutrition and hydration are very important, particularly for the older generation. Not consuming enough food and not being hydrated can cause fragile skin and bones, dizziness, headaches and feel weak, increased risk of infections, falls, kidney problems, and many other problems.

It essential that we provide our patients a nutritious well-balanced diet and ensure our patients are hydrated on a consistent basis, our healthcare staff ensures our patients healthy and energized.

Secure healthcare work closely with chefs at care/nursing homes and home care patients to assist and support to ensure individuals receive nutritious tasty meals and make sure our patients are hydrated.

It is important to have a well-balanced diet that is nutritious and that you remain hydrated, as your long term health is likely to be impacted if you are not doing this, whether that is if you are not eating enough or if you are eating fatty foods such as pizza, cheese, fast food meals, etc. Having a well-balanced nutritious diet and staying hydrated will ensure you are energized throughout the day and you will be much healthier.

The British Nutrition Foundation highlights that one-third of our diet should be made up of fruit and vegetables. A portion of fruit and vegetables is 80grams and it is important to have 5 portions to contribute towards your 5-a-day.

Fruit and vegetables are important to contribute towards your vitamins and minerals, to ensure a healthy well-balanced diet, and reduce nutritional deficiencies. Fruit can be a good way to start your day, eating a banana full of, high in sugar and fiber will give you great morning energy, also it vital to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day to ensure you have a nutritious diet.

High fiber fruit and vegetables are good for the digestive system, to remove waste more efficiently. Eating a diet with fiber can reduce blood cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease, bowel cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Click here to find out more about different fruit and vegetables nutritious information

Protein

Is it essential that you have a diet that has your daily protein intake to fuel your energy and to help you repair your body cells and make new ones? For adults it is recommended to take an average of 0.8g of protein per kilogram body weight per day, for example, if you weigh 75kg, you would need 60grams of protein per day. If you work out having 20-30grams of extra protein after workout out is important, to repair your muscles.

Some high protein foods per (100g) include: Chicken breast (28g), Salmon (20g), Cheese (25g), Red lentils (7.6g), Chickpeas (8.4g), Oatmeal (11.2g), Almonds (21.1g)

Hydrate your body

Ensure that your drink enough water throughout the day to make sure you are hydrated. Hot drinks often tend to cause dehydration, therefore it is important that you drink water throughout the day. In the UK it is recommended that adults have 1600ml of fluid (women) and 2000ml of fluid (men), approximately 6-8 glasses a day. For those that do not drink enough, you will feel dehydrated, you will become thirsty, urine will become darker in colour, and will notice a stronger smell, you may also experience headaches, feeling dizzy and tired, and finding it difficult to concentrate.

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins required throughout the year for the human body to feel energized throughout the year. This vitamin relies on a large amount of exposure to sunlight and is known as the sunshine vitamin. The limited sunshine in the UK results in a lot of the UK being deficient in vitamin D, particularly during the winter months, also the BAME community is at increased risk of lower levels of vitamin D, as darker skin absorbs far less vitamin D than lighter skin.

The main factors likely to increase being affected by Vitamin D deficiency include:

Living in a country where there is a limited amount of sun exposure all year round
Having darker skin, less likely to absorb vitamin D
Spending a lot of time indoors
Lacking a diet rich in vitamin D foods
Being Obese
Elderly

Approximately 1 in 5 people have low vitamin D in the UK. There have been several studies reported that those who lack vitamin D are more likely to experience more severe Covid 19 symptoms. Studies carried out indicate that individuals lacking vitamin D are more likely to die with Covid 19. It is particularly important for individuals low in Vitamin D to take vitamin supplements and eat foods rich in vitamin D.

Symptoms of low Vitamin D

Bone and muscle pain
Fatigue and tiredness
Hair Loss
Reoccurring bacterial and viral infections
Feeling depressed and mood changes

What to do if you feel you have Vitamin D deficiency?

If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above and you feel you have a vitamin D deficiency, we strongly encourage you to speak with your doctor to arrange a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.

The NHS recommends adults take a vitamin supplement throughout the year. The recommended dosage is 400 IU (10ug per day), as it not possible to achieve sufficient levels of vitamin D through a diet alone. If your vitamin D level is very low, your doctor is likely to write you a stronger dose of vitamin D.

Fair-skinned people should spend 15-20 minutes per day in the sun, particularly in the spring and summer, to avoid vitamin D deficiency all year, during the winter period vitamin D will from coming from your diet and vitamin D supplements.

Darker-skinned people’s exposure to sunlight should be 20-40 minutes due to being unable to absorb sunlight as effectively as lighter skin colors.
Food which contains vitamin D includes:

Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout

Red meat
Cod liver oil
Orange Juice
Egg Yolks
Fortified cereals, dairy, and milk
Mushrooms

Secure Healthcare Solutions recommends to find out more about vitamin D deficiency, visit the NHS using the link below.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

If a loved one has dementia it can be a difficult time for all those involved. Family members that were once kind and gentle can become prone to angry outburst and accusations – through no fault of their own. When we think of the main symptoms of dementia we tend to focus on confusion and memory loss, but the personality changes that their loved ones experience can often be some of the worst side effects that come with the condition. When a person you know completely changes the way they act to something out of character it can be a difficult thing to witness and you may be thinking about getting dementia care.

There is currently no cure for dementia, though a lot of research is ongoing. It has been found that those with dementia are more sensitive to emotional contagion which is the ability to mirror another’s feelings. This means that if they see a carer or family member upset or frustrated, they might mirror this. This combined with an inability to express how they are feeling and what they need is what likely leads to these outbursts. While these outbursts aren’t nice for anyone involved, there are a few things you can do to try and help with the anger that they might display and hone it in before it escalates. Here are some top tips for dementia care with anger.

Don’t snap back

While a natural response can be to argue when someone shouts or isn’t very nice to you, this is the worst thing to do. Instead, take a deep breath and reassure your loved one instead that everything is okay. Their reaction is likely to be a knock-off effect from the frustration of not being able to express their needs properly, so try and find other ways to decipher what these needs are.

Keep a record of their behaviour

Is there a certain time of day that they seem to get more angry or frustrated? Or is it when they are trying to do a certain task or think of something in particular? By keeping a record of it you can see what might be causing these outbursts to happen and prevent them from happening as often in the future. You could write it down in a notebook and look out for any patterns in how they react.

Adjust the environment that they are in

In dementia patients, they can be triggered by over-stimulation so try to make their space as calm and distraction-free as possible. Reduce as much noise as you can and get rid of unnecessary clutter. Put on some relaxing music and offer them a weighted blanket or something that can help them to feel soothed. You could read a book or offer them another form of distraction that should help them.

Be sure to give yourself time off

If you are a dementia carer for your loved one, it can become draining and take an impact on your mental health. That is where Secure Healthcare Solutions Dementia Care services come in. We have a range of dementia care services near you that can help ease the burden on you and give them an extra level of care too.

Remember to not take it to heart when a loved one gets angry and that they don’t mean it. Just be there for them and seek extra dementia care near you if needed. Find out more about our dementia care services and how we can help here.

If you are looking for a role as a carer or a specialist dementia carer we have a range of job roles available. You can view those here.