Activities for people living with dementia

I've really enjoyed the experience of sitting in a small group of individuals living with fairly advanced dementia while we engage in quizzes on the tablet. The residents truly love the quizzes on the Wellness and Activities platform, as they are both entertaining and stimulating.  

During the sessions, I observe how they enthusiastically interact with one another, even though they often struggle with word finding and recalling specific answers. It's great to watch them bounce ideas off each other, encouraging one another as they work through the quiz questions.  

A simple prompt, such as "Oh yes, I know the answer to that!" can spark a sense of recognition and excitement among them. This collective problem-solving engages their cognitive abilities and helps to foster trust and friendship within the group. The satisfaction they feel from successfully answering questions, even if some assistance is needed, leads to a notable improvement in their mood. That sense of achievement can last throughout the day, contributing to an overall feeling of wellbeing. It's remarkable to see how this sense of accomplishment empowers them, making them feel like they have achieved something meaningful.  

These activities play a crucial role in enhancing mental health and fostering a sense of relaxation among residents. Living with dementia presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to initiating meaningful interactions. Individuals often struggle to communicate effectively, leading to a decline in self-confidence and an increase in introverted behaviour.  

Creating a supportive environment that encourages participation is possible when facilitating small group activities, such as exercise sessions, quizzes, or reminiscence activities.  

By providing opportunities for social interaction and cognitive stimulation, we can effectively minimise behaviours that challenge that often arise from frustration or confusion. Consequently, creating a structured and engaging atmosphere is essential for promoting better mental health among individuals living with dementia, leading to a more harmonious community. 

The platform offers various dementia-friendly activities designed to accommodate individuals with diverse abilities.

Care planning with Person Centred Software 

We've been using mCare, Person Centred Software's digital social care record system, for a while now, and the experience has been nothing short of remarkable!  

In the past, our care planning relied heavily on typed documents, which often varied in quality, as well as a completely paper-based record-keeping system. This approach frequently overlooked important information. Sometimes, handwritten notes were difficult to read, and it would take us a long time to physically sift through all the paper documents to find the one we needed, especially if it had been filed incorrectly. 

One of the most significant challenges associated with paper-based records is the lack of visibility and accessibility. Information can be difficult to retrieve, and there is always the risk that documents may go missing, become damaged, or even be stolen. These issues can impact the quality of care we provide to residents.  

With the transition to mCare, we have experienced a significant improvement in efficiency and accountability. The system automatically highlights critical tasks and reminders that need attention, allowing care staff to quickly identify what has been completed and remains outstanding. This visibility is incredibly valuable as it provides an overview of care across all homes in our organisation, facilitating better communication and collaboration among team members.  

In contrast, digital records are consistently secure and easily accessible. With a few clicks, we can retrieve the information we need, ensuring we maintain high standards of care and compliance with regulatory requirements.  

Why we chose Person Centred Software's care planning software 

AgeCare chose to implement mCare primarily because of its reputation in the sector and the positive feedback we received through word of mouth.  

We conducted an extensive review of multiple case studies that highlighted the system's successes, and we engaged in conversations with several other care providers currently using the system. Their insights and experiences reinforced our belief that mCare would meet our needs effectively.  

Since switching from paper to digital, we haven't looked back and have consistently been satisfied with our decision. The system has dramatically improved our operations and the quality of care we provide. 

The system's reporting functions are incredibly valuable, enabling our care team to seamlessly access and analyse data across multiple homes. Unlike many other care planning systems that only let you view one home at a time, mCare offers a comprehensive overview, allowing you to compare performance and outcomes across all homes in your organisation. This capability enhances data visibility, facilitates informed decision-making, and improves care quality. 

Cutting down on admin time 

mCare has saved us so much time; the improvements we've experienced have been significant for me and the rest of the care team.  

Implementing mCare has allowed us to streamline various processes, decreasing our overall workload. This reduction in administrative burden has been transformative; we've been able to reclaim countless hours previously spent on paperwork and routine tasks. As a result, we now have the opportunity to dedicate more quality time to the residents, enabling us to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with them. This helps us get to know each resident personally and enhances the quality of care we can provide.  

Additionally, the extra time we've gained has allowed us to organise and participate in a broader range of enjoyable activities for the residents. We can now arrange more outings and host community events that foster social interaction and engagement. We can also support residents in pursuing their hobbies, whether that's through art activities on the Wellness and Activities platform, gardening sessions, or other leisure activities that bring them joy.  

When an incident requires investigation, mCare eliminates the confusion often associated with paper documentation. You won't have to sift through stacks of handwritten notes wondering what was recorded or trying to identify who was responsible for a particular entry. There will be no concerns about missing signatures or unclear information, as mCare displays who documented each detail and the exact time it was logged. This capability streamlines the investigation process and significantly reduces the time spent on audits, making gathering necessary evidence and insights easier.  

The system is also particularly beneficial in providing concise summaries of resident information. Given that many care plans can be lengthy and complex, it may not always be feasible to read through each one in its entirety when time is limited. The system offers quick access to essential highlights about each resident's care and needs, ensuring you can quickly familiarise yourself with important details without getting lost in extensive documents. This feature allows carers and agency staff to provide better, more informed care quickly and efficiently. 

CQC inspections, compliance and return on investment  

mCare is great for inspections and compliance because it offers a streamlined way to provide all the necessary information when regulatory bodies or auditors request it. With just a few clicks, you can download evidence and send it in a PDF format, making it significantly more convenient than dealing with scanned copies of documents, which can often be unclear and difficult to read. 

The system also tracks vital components of resident care, including medications, medical history, treatment plans, and risk assessments. This tracking capability ensures accuracy and accountability of care. 

Additionally, as previously mentioned, mCare has helped to reduce time spent on administrative duties, typing care notes, and creating care plans, giving our care workers more time to care. This improves resident wellbeing and outcomes, boosting AgeCare's reputation and financial performance and yielding a positive return on investment. 

The system has helped us to make better decisions with data, which has allowed AgeCare to pinpoint inefficiencies in our processes and operations. By optimising these areas, our resources can be allocated more effectively, again leading to improved return on investment. 

By going digital, you quickly realise how much money you've saved by eliminating the need for printing paper, ink, and the storage space required for filing cabinets that hold care plans and other important documentation. We no longer need any of these physical materials. Additionally, from an environmental perspective, we've reduced our carbon footprint. 

What other digital solutions do you use? 

Another standout feature of Person Centred Software is its ability to provide us with a diverse range of esteemed partners, enhancing the flexibility and coordination of our care management processes. Person Centred Software's eco-system of care enables us to integrate various solutions seamlessly, ensuring that all elements of our care delivery are interconnected.  

For example, we actively use Camascope's electronic medication administration record (eMAR) system, which streamlines medication management and integrates smoothly with mCare.  

Additionally, we've implemented PainChek, a digital tool that facilitates pain assessment and management, which also seamlessly connects with mCare.  

Furthermore, we use Radar Healthcare for our instant reporting, auditing structure, and action planning, and again, it integrates effortlessly with mCare.