Month: May 2022

Respite care is the term for a short stay in a care home. There are many reasons why someone might become a temporary care home resident, including for recovery from a stay in hospital or times when a caregiver might be away.

Respite care can help to provide flexibility when it comes to looking after your loved ones, allowing carers the peace of mind to be able to take a much needed break. At Evermore, respite care doesn’t have to be a one-off stay. Your loved one will be able to return to a friendly home and familiar faces whenever the need arises.

 

Should I feel guilty for using respite care?

Absolutely not! As Carers UK points out, it’s incredibly important for those who care for their loved ones to take the time to rest. Taking a break can help to prevent carer burnout – mental and physical exhaustion which can lead to symptoms including anxiety, fatigue, and high blood pressure, to name a few.

You may be worried about your loved one’s reaction to the suggestion of respite care. At Evermore, we’d encourage involving your them from the start of the process to help ease both your worries. Why not visit the home together, explore the facilities, and make the stay something to look forward to? Gaye Clarke, our Commissioning Director, has found that respite care can be a great opportunity for residents – as well as carers – to have a valuable break: “it’s a chance to meet new people, enjoy a change of scenery and try out some new activities and experiences.”

Quite often, respite residents decide to progress to a long-term stay. Some have made the decision after a previous short-term booking, and some have decided to stay during their respite admission. We’ve found that it can feel less daunting for both the resident and their family to make this decision once a short stay at the home has settled any worries. As stated by the wife of one resident, “My husband began 4 weeks respite [earlier in the year]. He settled well, enjoying lots of different activities and the excellent food. As he was happy, we decided he should stay permanently in the best place for him. The staff are all lovely and caring, whilst keeping me informed.”

At Evermore, you can rest assured that your loved one’s needs will be taken care of fully. From medication to mealtimes – those staying for the short-term are given the same exceptional care as full-time residents. As Gaye says, “with our expert carer assessments in place, we can provide the highest quality respite care breaks.”

 

What will a short stay at an Evermore home look like?

Every short-term resident is assigned a named key worker and given their own private bedroom, which they’ll be able to decorate with photographs, mementos, or ornaments that will make the room feel more like home.

The admissions journey is the same for respite residents as it is for those staying long-term. From day one, your loved one will be welcomed into home life – encouraged to socialise with other residents and take part in activities such as quizzes, bingo, and even armchair exercise classes.

No facilities are off-limits to our respite residents, so your loved one can take full advantage – exploring the gardens, visiting the salon, or relaxing in the cinema room. Between all this, they’ll be treated to fantastic food, prepared by our in-house chef.

 

How do I pay for respite care?

Respite care can be paid for directly to the care home. However, there are funding options available for those who qualify for some extra support.

Following a couple of assessments which consider yourself and your loved one’s circumstances, your local council may help to pay for respite care if you are found financially eligible for funding.

Charities including the Carers Trust and Turn2us may also be able to help.

The NHS website has some great resources on respite care payment options, as well as links to the assessments you’ll need to undertake if you choose to pursue council funding.

 

Interested in respite care?

If you’re considering a short-term stay for your loved one, why not book a visit to one of our homes? You can also take a look at what our residents are getting up to over on our Facebook page.

If you’d like to understand more about respite care, read our full Q & A with Evermore’s Commissioning Director Gaye Clark.

Why Choose a Career in Care?

Working in care is a fulfilling role which can come with many benefits – both in the short and long-term. If you’re considering a career in care, read on to find out more about the types of roles available, and how working at an Evermore Care Home can help you reach your potential.

Looking for a role that providers job satisfies?

It’s no secret that working in care can be incredibly rewarding. The role comes with high job satisfaction as you’ll make a real difference to the lives of people who need care every day. As well as this, care is a social role where you can build relationships with a diverse group of people and get to know care home residents and colleagues more and more each day.

Working in care is great for those who appreciate a lot of variety, as there’s never a dull moment – whether it’s laughing with the residents or joining in with activities! Every day is different at an Evermore care home and you’ll be involved with a huge range of tasks from medication to mealtimes, and lots in-between.

Don’t just take our word for, here’s what one of our senior carers had to say:

“There’s no such thing as a typical day at Ashton Manor, every day is different, which is part of the reason why I love working here.”

Our flexible working opportunities also provide an alternative to the normal 9-5, meaning you’ll be able to fit your career around your home-life and other commitments.

Does care work offer career development?

The care sector is a great choice for those who want the opportunity for career progression and with Evermore, we really want you to develop your skillset, for example, by training in particular areas (such as dementia care).  Working together, we will help you focus your career progression with us to align with your interests and skills.

At Evermore, we believe in investing in our team’s development and offer consistent mentoring and support on the job. Not only will we help you to develop your skills and access opportunities across our services, we’ll also help you to achieve relevant qualifications (including the Care Certificate and the NVQ) and pay for professional membership fees if it’s applicable for your role. Head here to read about our Workforce Development Strategy.

What types of roles are there in the care sector?

Evermore Care Homes recruit a variety of care positions, from care assistants to lifestyle coordinators who organise the curriculum of activities and events for residents, to senior carers, managers, and deputy managers. Care roles are available for both days and nights – perfect for both early birds and night owls.

And it’s not just care related opportunities at our homes, we also have a wide range of roles that suit lots of different skills and backgrounds. For example, positions like head chef, cook, and kitchen assistant are available for those with a background in food preparation.

With other roles including housekeeping, maintenance, laundry assistants, and reception, so there’s something for everyone.

What are the financial benefits of working in care with Evermore?

Amongst the most notable benefits of working in care is access to the Blue Light Card, which allows you to obtain exclusive discounts from a mass of popular retailers, including shops, restaurants, travel agents, and more.

At Evermore, we’re proud to offer Medicash health plans to team members, which include a range of benefits including financial cover for health appointments, eye care, dental care and more.

Team members at Evermore also have access to a great workplace pension scheme, which can help provide peace of mind for the future.

Head here to view the full range of benefits available to our team.

How do I find out more?

Interested in working in care with Evermore? We’d love to hear from you, even if it’s just to have a chat about how a role at one of our homes could be a great place for you to work!

Evermore Care currently has vacancies at Ashton Manor – our care home in Lancaster. Head here to view available roles and submit your application.