Member Article

Wellness programme ensures improved quality of care

An ambitious ‘wellness’ programme for older people and those with learning disabilities is having a profound and positive effect on their quality of life in care homes across Hull and the East Riding.

The Hica Group, a not for profit organisation which operates a portfolio of 20 residential care homes, has invested heavily in recent years in customised, individual care and exercise activities, resulting in an improvement in health and wellbeing with its residents, recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

For two years running Hull-based Hica Group has invested more than £360,000 each year in hiring and training an increased number of exercise and activity coordinators, general training, classes and entertainers.

Each of the 20 care homes within Hica Group has its own dedicated activity or exercise coordinators, and with support from other staff within the homes they deliver over 780 hours of engagement and wellbeing support per week.

Penni Brown, chief executive at Hica Group said: “Good health is the key to enjoying a long, happy and fulfilled life. We have always focused on activities across our homes but more recently there has been a strategic, structured group-wide programme.

“We want our care home experience to be positive and not something older people and their relatives should worry about. Our homes need to be fun and engaging for those that want to maintain an active life for as long as they can.

“Living an active and positive lifestyle is incredibly important for older people because it helps to maintain physical mobility and mental wellbeing, including treating some of the symptoms of dementia. We have noticed a real impact on the majority of the residents who take part in regular activities including crafts, light exercise and singing.”

In 2015, Hica Group decided to increase its activity and exercise staffing levels after identifying the importance of activities for residents. The homes became the first in the Hull and East Riding area to team up with Oomph! Wellness, the UK’s largest provider of activities and exercise training to the care sector.

Staff from across Hica Group’s homes have been trained in specialist exercise classes, which have since resulted in improvements in physical, mental and emotional well-being for older people, those with dementia and those with learning difficulties since the introductions of sessions. At least five positive CQC inspections in the last 12 months has cited this investment and activity as a key reason for improvement within the homes.

Hica’s Penni Brown added: “We’re proud of the innovative work we’re doing across our care homes. The efforts of management and all our dedicated staff is being recognised by families and CQC. It goes to the heart of our Shine philosophy of continuous improvement and staff pledges to ‘make a difference’.”

Earlier this year Hica also purchased two pop up reminiscence ‘pods’ including a 1950s kitchen and a classic pub to provide new and effective ways to tackle the symptoms of dementia, after more than 60 staff completed a 10 mile sponsored walk which raised almost £4,000.

The pop up areas, created by RemPods, support those with dementia by providing a relaxing environment, encouraging happy memories of familiar, comforting times. The pods are fully equipped with authentic furnishings and memorabilia, with some including retro music and calming background sounds to add to the experience.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Hica Group .