Isolation in residential care – a problem to solve at #psicare thanks to @mandy_paine_mbe

We have a whole range of problems to explore and find solutions to at the Connected Care Camp on the 7th December which are being added to as more people complete our survey. If you have not yet completed the survey about what the priorities are please do because we are learning so much from your responses!

The following Twitter conversation is a stark reminder of what needs to change urgently in the care sector. Thanks to Mandy Paine for allowing me to cite this conversation.

Wondering why @NHSChoices do not recognise 'loneliness' & 'isolation' as conditions or wellness topics so don't cover them? HT @clarkmike

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

Hi @shirleyayres love your tweets. Both parents in NHome with vascular Dementia, Dad is Deaf now forgotten signing & lipread. Very Isolated.

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe thanks & very worrying for you – it is a real matter of concern to me that people in residential care can be so isolated

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres They were in adjoining rms but Dad has moved himself to a rm at start of long corridor instead of end rm. He sleeps 90%of day!

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe you may be interested in how digital technology is supporting people living with dementia http://t.co/KTgsxLbXxB

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@mandy_paine_mbe are any activities organised in the nursing home?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres as nothing else to do. Mum is either in bed or on own in day room in front of House. My sibling has told staff they can't read

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres when I visit Dad I write down simple questions which he answers. I did start doing card making & craft making,but had no help

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

@shirleyayres sometimes left with 6 patients needing 1 to 1 help (not possible as im in wheelchair & on oxygen myself) staff take their T bk

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

"@shirleyayres: @mandy_paine_mbe have you raised your concerns with @CareQualityComm?" want 2 try &teach by taking manager"Dementia Confrnce

— Mandy Paine (@mandy_paine_mbe) November 17, 2013

Are we seriously accepting that this is an acceptable level of care for older people living with dementia?

This is one of a number of practical problems  we will be encouraging Connected Care Camp participants to explore and suggest possible solutions and action points

We will also be helping people to understand who has the responsibiliy for making change.  This may include connecting with Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Health @Jeremy_Hunt,  Norman Lamb Minister of State for Care and Support @normanlamb , Jon Rouse Director General for Social Care@RouseJonDGDH,  Andrea Sutcliffe Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care@Crouchendtiger7, @NHSEngland, Healthwatch England the consumer champion for health and care, @HealthwatchE,  @SCIE_socialcare,  @TLAP1 , @skillsforcare, @skillsforhealth  and the Chief Executives of professional bodies and charities working in the field of dementia, isolation, loneliness and improving residential care.

@Jeremy_Hunt @normanlamb @RouseJonDGDH who is taking the lead in addressing serious problem of isolation & loneliness amongst older people?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 18, 2013

@NHSEngland @HealthwatchE who is taking lead in addressing problem of isolation & loneliness amongst older people in residential care?

— Shirley Ayres (@shirleyayres) November 18, 2013

Connected Care Camp survey – what are the priorities?

Connected Care Camp on the 7th December is bringing together front line staff, managers, people who use health and care services as well as carers to explore how we can improve the wider care sector including housing.

Connected Care Camp is part of the Public Service Launchpad a new programme to help passionate people who work either paid or unpaid in all kinds of public services – whether in local government, housing associations, health services, the third sector, social enterprises or elsewhere to develop ideas to solve the problems that they encounter every day. Ideas can involve small changes or radical redesign of services.

Not everyone can attend this one-off event in person but you can join in on Twitter using the hashtag #psicare.

We know what many of the problems are, many are making headlines on a daily basis so we are looking for solutions that work and that can scale. We need a clearer vision of what works and who could benefit so that we can optimise the skills and resources we currently have. This includes decommissioning services that are not effective.

In a fragmented health and care system we need to be clear about who has responsibilities for action, how organisations and communities can be more effective and how health, care and housing can be better co-ordinated around people who could benefit.

To help us organise the day and better engage the wider community via social media we would welcome your responses to our survey.

Click here to take the survey

Find out more about Connected Care Camp and book your place here

Communicating differently – the value of social media #kidsorg13

This week I am running a social media workshop for Camden Special Parents Forum part of KIDS London which provides a wide range of direct support services for disabled children, young people and their families. KIDS’ vision is a world in which all disabled children and young people realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them and their families. @SpfCamden 

It is always interesting developing a presentation for an unknown audience some of whom may be very confident using social media and others yet to be convinced that it has any value in their day to day lives. There is just so much to share and a post can only provide a snapshot of all the resources available.

“Young people don’t see the risk of social media but older people don’t see the power” @nickkeane speaking at the European Conference on Social Media and Policing Lisbon. It is important that we keep people safe online but not make it so scary that the opportunities for engaging, sharing and learning are lost.

Twitter has been described by  Om Malik  as “the pulse of our planet, one that gives the internet a sense of humanity”

Digital technology and social networks provide some of the most powerful tools available today for building a sense of belonging, support and sharing. Over 30 million people in the UK are now using social media, Twitter is used by over 230 million people every month and 24 milllion Britons use Facebook every day.

The impact of digital technology on how we communicate, access services and find information has radically transformed how we conduct our everyday lives and our relationships with others. We can learn so much from each other. A request on Twitter for thoughts about the value of social media for carers produced this lovely response:

https://twitter.com/JeanneCarlin/status/397816065209548800

You may not guess this but I’m a big fan of social media. The ability to connect with people across the world, the diverse articles posted that one may not otherwise see and instant access to breaking news before any other medium make Twitter an incredibly valuable resource. Importantly social media enables individuals and small organisations to have a much bigger voice and be involved in the many online discussions which are informing and shaping the development of care services.

I am just one person running a small digital engagement consultancy with a few trusted associates and this is my digital footprint! It is worth exploring Twitter tools such as @RebelMouse and @vizify to enhance your social media presence.

Twitter @shirleyayres

LinkedIn: uk.linkein.com/in/shirleyayres

Blog: Connecting Social Care and Social Media

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/disruptivesocialcare

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisruptiveSocialCare

RebelMouse my social front page: https://www.rebelmouse.com/shirleyayres

VizifyTwitter video : https://www.vizify.com/shirley-ayres/twitter-video

But connection isn’t about platforms or tools. It’s about people.

On Twitter you can connect with Norman Lamb Minister of State for Care and Support @normanlamb , Jon Rouse Director General for Social Care @RouseJonDGDH,  Andrea Sutcliffe Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care @Crouchendtiger7 and the Chief Executives of most charities working in the field of disability.

Information is freely shared through social media. For example Netbuddy encourages the swapping practical tips and information on all aspects of supporting people with learning disabilities @netbuddytoptips

 Enabled by Design is a community of people who are passionate about well-designed, everyday products that challenge the one-size-fits-all approach to assistive equipment. Enabled by Design encourages people to share their views and experiences of assistive equipment, share wish lists about improving products and services, and post information, reviews and comments. @enabledby

One of the simplest needs for people is the ability to stay in touch with family and friends who may be widely dispersed. There are a range of online tools available to maintain and strengthen connections and address the practical tasks of co-ordinating the care  of an individual. Personal support networks provide a safe, moderated online space which can connect family, friends and professionals providing formal and informal care. Examples include:  Tyze, Yecco, Rally-Round and My People and Places

Getting started on Twitter

I hope workshop participants will be excited by the potential offered by social media and I am looking forward to welcoming more people to the wonderful world of social media!

The Twitter Help centre provides useful guidance and Mashable have produced the Twitter Guide Book.

Useful tips to guide you in developing your own personal social media policy have been produced by Paul Taylor @paulbromford.  Thanks for sharing Paul!

I will be taking note of the questions and issues raised at #kidsorg13 and will add further resources after the workshop.