Care operator responsible for Hastings care home named as finalist in HealthInvestor Awards
ACI Care, a group of care services that operates four homes, including Mountside on Laton Road in Hastings, has been named as one of six finalists up for the prestigious industry accolade – which celebrates the very best health and social care providers that manage under 10 settings.
The dedicated Mountside team, and that of the wider ACI Care group, provide residential, respite and dementia care, with their core focus being to enable residents to live independent and fulfilling lives.
Lisa Wilde, Registered Manager of Mountside, said: “I’m delighted for the ACI group, and proud that Mountside is a part of it. The wider group has supported us whilst we looked to improve on our CQC rating, and because of their help we are now rated as ‘Good’.”
Ravi Sodha, Director of ACI Care, said: “We’re honoured to be recognised alongside some other incredible care providers. This is a great achievement for us, and showcases the hard work and commitment we’ve put into ensuring we continually improve upon and provide the best level of care in each of our homes.”
The awards are the culmination of information submitted by companies operating, investing or advising in healthcare. Organisations are asked to complete an online form and to submit a 2,000-word supporting document that is put forward to the relevant judging panel, which consists of high profile, independent judges from across the sector.
The winners will be announced on June 7 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, as part of a prestigious ceremony that attracts more than 1,200 guests.
Care in Kent | Relationships at The Old Rectory
How do we provide exceptional person-centred care in Kent?
At The Old Rectory, our dedicated team of staff are keen to establish and nurture relationships with those in our care. Recently, one of our carers reconnected with her former headteacher, Miss Latham, who is using our services.
Keep reading to discover more about this heartwarming story:
Care in Kent | About The Old Rectory
Committed to providing top-quality services, The Old Rectory offers residential, dementia and nursing care in Kent.
Our dedicated team of staff consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to residents. We’re keen to offer personalised support, helping those in our care to blossom and grow during their time with us.
In a fascinating twist of fate, one of our care workers, Kayleigh, is now caring for her former headteacher, Miss Dorothy Latham. As well as this, Miss Latham is showcasing her amazing teaching skills by helping another one of our caregivers with their Open University studies.
Care in Kent | Introducing Our Resident, Miss Latham
Our resident, Miss Latham, originally started her career in 1955, when she joined Baldwins Hill as a primary school teacher.
She later moved to Kent County Council to teach at Dymchurch County Primary School. Here, she met Kayleigh, who now cares for her at our residential home The Old Rectory.
During her expansive career, Miss Latham worked as the headteacher of Dymchurch Infant School, a senior lecturer at Christchurch College of Higher Education (now known as Canterbury Christchurch University), and later became headteacher of Dymchurch County Primary School, once the two local schools amalgamated again.
Care in Kent | The Importance of Helping Others
Alongside providing high-quality care in Kent, our staff at The Old Rectory consistently nurture our residents’ talents.
Miss Latham, for example, thrives off the passion of teaching and education, despite having retired from the profession almost 30 years ago.
Keen to facilitate this, we encouraged Miss Latham to mentor our registered manager, Kelly Parker. Miss Latham was more than up for the opportunity, and now assists Kelly with her history degree at the Open University.
Honouring Our Residents’ Life Achievements
Despite working full-time in her younger years, Miss Latham continued to delve into academia.
She spent a year at the Cambridge Institute of Education to study Advanced Primary Education, before studying at university. Here, she gained a first-class BA in psychology – specialising in children’s memory and learning – and later graduated with a Master’s degree.
After retiring, Miss Latham kept herself busy and went on to lecture at Canterbury Christchurch University for a year. She later worked as a school inspector, before getting a position with the Ministry of Education, assessing classroom assistants who had completed a special diploma at university.
Following years of hard work and dedication, Miss Latham finally retired at the age of 77.
A Message from Miss Latham
Miss Latham is now receiving care in Kent at the Old Rectory. In her spare time, she likes to read history magazines, work on her laptop and write letters to friends. She’s also currently working on her biography, so be sure to keep an eye out!
Speaking of her fulfilling career, Miss Latham said: “I can’t think of one single best moment in my career – I had many happy and jolly occasions.
“Teaching is very rewarding, it gives you a good feeling when you know you have helped children to achieve, but now being cared for by a former pupil is lovely, and it has a proper family feeling about it.”
A Message from Our Registered Manager, Kelly
Kelly, our registered manager here at The Old Rectory, expressed delight in receiving support from the former headteacher.
She said: “It’s lovely to see Miss Latham so passionate about her career, even now after all this time. She’s devoted her whole life to education and continues to offer a helping hand, and I’m lucky that I get to experience it first-hand. It’s something we both look forward to, and find really rewarding.”
At ACI Care, we offer residential, respite and dementia care to help transform the lives of others.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our care in Kent, please contact a member of our team.
Meaningful Activities in Care Homes | What We Offer at Mountside
How can meaningful activities in care homes improve resident wellbeing?
Our Mountside Care Home offers the very best care for our elderly residents in Hastings. We strive to promote independence, ensuring those in our care can continue doing the things they love.
Read on to find out more about the activities we offer:
Meaningful Activities in Care Homes | Mountside Care Home
At our Mountside Care Home, we don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Our team takes the time to get to know our residents to provide personalised, bespoke care. Alongside maintaining our residents’ previous interests, we offer various opportunities and activities.
Noting the importance of meaningful activities in care homes, we adjust our offering on a regular basis. At the start of the season, we create a brand-new calendar comprising fun activities and excursions. This encourages our residents to pursue new endeavours and develop new interests.
Meaningful Activities in Care Homes | Improving Mental Wellbeing
Meaningful activities in care homes can greatly improve residents’ mental wellbeing.
At our Mountside Care Home, we host regular, engaging trivia nights. Playing trivia games is not only great fun, but can also improve our residents’ mental health and boost memory.
We also recently organised a special afternoon for our male residents to mark International Men’s Day. We wanted to celebrate the positive value men bring to our home and the local community.
Organised activities and events can help to promote resident wellbeing, enabling them to form connections with staff whilst keeping them mentally and physically active.
Meaningful Activities in Care Homes | Improving Physical Wellbeing
Meaningful activities in care homes can boost your residents’ physical wellbeing.
Activities involving exercise have an array of benefits for older adults. Undertaking regular exercise can improve flexibility and strength, alongside assisting with balance and coordination.
At our Mountside Care Home, we collaborate with a UK-led fitness provider, Gfitness. The team specialise in professional, inclusive exercise classes for all, catering for those living in care, older adults and people with disabilities.
Comprising light movement, music, and a lot of laughter, Gfitness’ classes never fail to cheer up our residents. They also improve physical wellbeing, showcasing the importance of meaningful activities in care homes.
What’s Coming Up?
2023 will be a very exciting year for our Mountside Care Home. Over the next few months, we have various fun activities lined up. These are created and overseen by our wonderful activities coordinators, Shelagh Hazleton and Kim Mann.
Upcoming events include a return visit from an Elvis impersonator, a popcorn day and a cinema night. On the 25th January, we’ve also arranged for a ‘Burns Night’, where residents and staff alike will celebrate the Scottish tradition with haggis and an evening of dancing to Ceilidh music.
If you’re interested in finding out more about meaningful activities in care homes, or the exceptional care we provide at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.
Mental Health in Older Adults
How can we improve mental health in older adults?
With winter underway, it’s important to talk about the effects of mental health. Shorter days and colder weather mean that many people, including the elderly, may need a boost.
Keep reading to discover some of the best ways to reduce the impending January blues:
Mental Health in Older Adults | Get Planning
Have you made any exciting 2023 plans?
Having fun events on the horizon is a great way to boost your elderly loved one’s morale. It may be a good idea to get them a diary or planner, so they can note down some key, upcoming events and activities.
At our Mountside Care Home, we often hold fun activities and fitness sessions for our residents. Other great ideas to elevate mental health in older adults include trips to the theatre, an afternoon tea experience or a day at the beach.
Planning ahead can help your elderly loved ones to feel enthusiastic about the upcoming new year.
Mental Health in Older Adults | Venturing Outdoors
Another excellent way to improve mental health in older adults is daylight exposure.
Getting as much natural light as possible can be an excellent source of Vitamin D. It also helps to improve your mood and minimise winter blues.
Why not encourage your elderly loved one to go outside and get some fresh air? If they’re able, it may be worth scoping out local trails and parks to arrange a brisk walk.
At our Mountside Care Home, we’re fortunate to have many beautiful walks and trails nearby. If you’re visiting a loved one at our home, we’d recommend the Alexandra Park Tree Walk, which is just a stone’s throw away!
Mental Health in Older Adults | Eating Healthily
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the perfect way to fend off the January blues.
Not only is eating well a great way of elevating mental health in older adults, but improving physical health, too. Encourage your elderly loved one to eat at least 3 meals a day to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients.
If this isn’t possible, the NHS recommends switching to smaller meals and frequent snacks to keep your energy levels up.
Improving Mental Health | Keep On Moving!
Staying active is vital to improving elderly wellbeing in the winter months.
Light exercise is the perfect way to improve mental health in older adults. You don’t have to be running around the block — simply move in a way that feels good for you. Easy and effective exercises include gentle stretches, chair movements and walking between rooms.
Exercise greatly improves mental wellbeing, as the movement releases feel-good chemicals in your brain. This, in turn, boosts self-esteem, as well as helping you to sleep well and feel better.
Alongside taking on board the above tips, be sure to stay connected with and check in on your loved ones this January.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the exceptional care we provide at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.
Care group touts benefits of hiring overseas workers
ACI Care, a group of care homes which specialise in residential, respite and dementia care, has been offering Certificates of Sponsorship to overseas workers to help combat the staffing crisis currently faced by the social care sector in the UK.
Recruiting from overseas gives ACI access to a wider pool of potential staff and talent, and allows the care group to decrease its dependency on temporary agency staff.
Carterwood recently reported that the cost of agency staff increased by 228% from January 2021 to September 2022, placing further strain on a sector heavily impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
Following the recruitment of sponsored staff, ACI aims to decrease its use of agency staff by 70% across the whole group – ensuring the care group’s long-term sustainability in offering care to people in Sussex, Kent and Northamptonshire.
Many care home providers are facing difficulties in recruiting and retaining enough staff with the appropriate skills to meet the growing demands of residents.
Despite their efforts, providers are often unable to compete with other industries that offer higher pay and less demanding work environments, leading to a shortage of staff in the field.
According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), in its annual assessment of health and social care in England, 36% of care home providers said that workforce challenges have had a negative impact on the service they deliver. For those facing difficulty, 87% said they were experiencing challenges related to recruitment and 48% said they were experiencing challenges related to retention.
To help tackle this ongoing issue, ACI has currently sponsored 20 staff members across its four homes.
The Certificate of Sponsorship is open to both overseas workers and those within the UK who require a visa, including those coming to the end of their studies on a student visa and those who have already been sponsored by another employer in the UK but are seeking a new role.
To facilitate the sponsorship programme, a new Health and Social Care Visa was launched in 2022, which allows eligible health and social care professionals from outside the European Union to reside and work in the UK. This new visa streamlines the recruitment process by making it easier to sponsor staff from other countries, while also providing an exemption from the healthcare surcharge.
Ravi Sodha, director of ACI Care, said: “While we prioritise hiring staff local to our care homes to help benefit the local community, the current staffing shortage means we also have to look to overseas sponsorship. This process allows for new experiences, approaches and cultures, to ensure consistent and high-quality care for our residents across all homes.
“Unlike some sponsorship programmes, we don’t require our sponsored workers to sign contracts stating a minimum term to work with us. We believe that by creating the best working environment possible, the staff we sponsor will want to stay with ACI long-term without the need for contractual obligations.”
Exceptional Care | Building our Reputation with ‘Good’ CQC Rating
Are you interested in hearing our latest good news?
At our Mountside Care Home, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care. That’s why we’re delighted to share that we’ve recently received a ‘Good’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating.
Read on to discover how we achieved this improved rating:
Exceptional Care | About Mountside Care Home
Our Mountside Care Home is a branch of the ACI Care Group. We specialise in the provision of residential, respite and dementia care to elderly residents in Hastings.
We’ve recently undertaken a series of positive transformations and improvements to ensure that we’re providing exceptional care services.
Our efforts have helped build our reputation, earning a ‘Good’ rating in our latest CQC inspection.
Exceptional Care | Our Improvements
Alongside exceptional care provision, we’re dedicated to driving improvements across our services.
We’ve built upon last year’s ‘requires improvement’ rating, marking another milestone in our journey to providing dedicated and exceptional care in Hastings.
Taking on board advice from our previous inspection, we followed a stringent action plan.
This included upgrading the care planning software and recruiting a new and enthusiastic staff team. The new team members worked alongside our dedicated long-standing staff to drive continuous improvement of our home.
Exceptional Care | The CQC Report
The independent regulator of Health and Social Care in England commended us for performing well and meeting expectations.
The CQC report concluded our home to be ‘clean, well-maintained and comfortable’. It also noted that ‘there were enough staff to meet people's needs’.
It detailed our transformation and how ‘the providers’ governance systems had improved and were being used consistently to ‘improve the service’.
At the time of inspection, 40 people were living at our home. The CQC recognised that ‘people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, while staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests’.
We received this positive feedback following an inspection in November that took place over several days.
The Response from the Director of ACI Care
In response to the report, our Director at ACI Care, Ravi Sodha, said: “This is a very significant milestone for Mountside as we continue on our journey to provide the very best care to the Hastings community.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have improved on our CQC rating from last year and it's a true testament to the efforts of our staff to see major improvements.
“We’re continually building a strong team at Mountside as we all work together to make it a great place to both work for our carers and live for our residents. As we continue to grow and improve, so will our inspection rating.”
The Response from a Care Home Resident
Some of our residents were also questioned as part of the inspection process.
One resident said: "I feel safe, the staff are amazing, and they look after me well and look out for us all.
“I enjoy the activities, we play bingo and have quizzes, I have plenty to do. I can join in the activities or watch television. My family can take me out and I will meet friends for lunch here.
“I’m settled, the staff are good and seem to be highly efficient and trained, so I don't have any worries.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about the exceptional care we provide at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.
Christmas Events in Sussex
Are you looking for Christmas events in Sussex?
With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to gather family and friends to make unforgettable memories.
Get well and truly into the festive spirit with some of these fun winter ideas:
Christmas Events in Sussex | Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway is offering an exclusive ‘Santa’s Specials’ experience over the festive season.
Brighten up the cold, winter’s evenings by embarking on a magical steam train journey. En route, guests can enjoy festive-themed scenes with all the traditional sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas.
Tickets for a table for 4 start from £130, with the experience lasting approximately 2 hours in total.
You’re never too old to delight in the magic of Christmas, and this multi-sensory steam train experience proves exactly that!
Christmas Events in Sussex | Festive Afternoon Tea
This Christmas, why not treat your loved one to a festive afternoon tea?
This Christmas, Bannatyne Hotel Hastings is hosting a wonderfully traditional festive experience.
For £20 per person, guests can enjoy a plethora of sweet and savoury goodies. Their menu includes festive favourites such as traditional roast turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mini mince pies and chorizo sausage rolls.
The afternoon tea is served Monday to Sunday throughout December from 12.30pm - 4.30pm (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve).
Christmas Events in Sussex | Pantomime
Few things are more festive than a pantomime!
Pantomimes are the ultimate way to get into the seasonal spirit (“Oh no they’re not! Oh yes they are!!”). Suitable for all ages, this is one of the perfect Christmas events in Sussex for the whole family to enjoy.
Whilst visiting a loved one at our Mountside Care Home, why not pay the White Rock Hastings theatre a visit? Their current pantomimes include Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast - both beloved family favourites!
Hastings Old Town Christmas | Saturday 10th-Sunday 11th December
If you’re looking for Christmas events in Sussex, you needn’t look further.
With market stalls, live street music and Father Christmas — Hastings Old Town Christmas is back!
For those with loved ones at our Mountside Care Home, Hastings Old Town is only a 5-minute drive from us. Why not take your elderly loved one to explore Old Town’s array of quirky bric-and-brac shops? Their unique offering is perfect for last-minute gifts!
The event also offers festive food, a carol singing display and a children’s treasure hunt, promising fun for all the family.
At our Mountside Care Home, we offer residential, respite and dementia care to help transform the lives of others.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the care we provide at ACI Mountside, or other Christmas events in Sussex, please contact a member of our team.
Hastings care home secures 'good' rating after inspector acknowledges improvements
A Hastings care home has received a ‘good’ rating in its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, being praised for its cleanliness and the comfort it offers.
Mountside Care Home, a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential, respite and dementia care, recently received a ‘good’ rating from the CQC – building on its ‘requires improvement’ rating from the year before.
The independent regulator of health and social care in England commended the home for performing well and meeting expectations following an inspection in November that took place over several days.
The report concluded the home to be “clean, well-maintained and comfortable” along with noting that “there were enough staff to meet people’s needs”.
The most recent report acknowledged Mountside’s transformation and how “the providers’ governance systems had improved and were being used consistently to improve the service”.
At the time of inspection, 40 people were living at the home and the CQC recognised that “people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, while staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests”.
Ravi Sodha, director of ACI Care, said: “This is a very significant milestone for Mountside as we continue on our journey to provide the very best care to the Hastings community. We’re absolutely delighted to have improved on our CQC rating from last year and it’s a true testament to the efforts of our staff to see major improvements.”
Taking on board advice from the last inspection, the home has said that it followed a stringent action plan which included upgrading the care planning software and recruiting a new and enthusiastic staff team to work alongside the dedicated long-standing staff on the continuous improvement of the home.
Ravi continued: “We are continually building a strong team at Mountside as we all work together to make it a great place to both work for our carers and live for our residents. As we continue to grow and improve, so will our inspection rating.”
When questioned as part of the report, a resident said: “I feel safe, the staff are amazing, and they look after me well and look out for us all.
“I enjoy the activities, we play bingo and have quizzes, I have plenty to do. I can join in the activities or watch television. My family can take me out and I will meet friends for lunch here. I’m settled, the staff are good and seem to be highly efficient and trained, so I don’t have any worries.”
Hastings care home praised by CQC inspectors with ‘Good’ rating
Mountside Care Home, a branch of ACI Care that specialises in residential, respite and dementia care, recently received a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC, building on its ‘requires improvement’ rating from the year before.
Inspectors commended the Laton Road home for performing well and meeting expectations following an inspection in November.
Mountside said the most recent report details the home’s transformation and how ‘the providers' governance systems had improved and were being used consistently to improve the service.’
At the time of inspection, 40 people were living at the home and CQC recognised that ‘people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, while staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.’
Ravi Sodha, director of ACI Care, said: “This is a very significant milestone for Mountside as we continue on our journey to provide the very best care to the Hastings community. We’re absolutely delighted to have improved on our CQC rating from last year and it's a true testament to the efforts of our staff to see major improvements.”
Taking on board advice from the last inspection, the home said it followed a stringent action plan which included upgrading the care planning software and recruiting a new and enthusiastic staff team to work alongside the dedicated long-standing staff on the continuous improvement of the home.
Ravi said: "We are continually building a strong team at Mountside as we all work together to make it a great place to both work for our carers and live for our residents. As we continue to grow and improve, so will our inspection rating.”
When questioned as part of the report, a resident said: "I feel safe, the staff are amazing, and they look after me well and look out for us all.
"I enjoy the activities, we play bingo and have quizzes, I have plenty to do. I can join in the activities or watch television. My family can take me out and I will meet friends for lunch here. I’m settled, the staff are good and seem to be highly efficient and trained, so I don't have any worries."
Autumn is in Full Swing; Here are 5 Things You Can do for Cold Weather Preparation
Are you looking to stay warm in the latter months of autumn?
With winter fast approaching, it may prove more challenging for people to stay warm. As such, cold weather preparation for the elderly is essential.
Keep reading to discover our top tips to help those in your care stay healthy, cosy and comfortable during the cooler months:
Cold Weather Preparation | Layer Up
Due to the current energy crisis, switching on the heating is not an option for many elderly people.
A simple and effective solution to staying warm is to double up on clothing layers — even whilst indoors.
Thermal vests and leggings are an excellent way to keep insulated, alongside cardigans, fleeces and jackets. If buying clothing on behalf of an elderly loved one, we’d recommend opting for clothes made from warm fabrics, such as fleece, wool and cotton.
Cold Weather Preparation | Invest in Heat Pads/Hot Water Bottles
Another cost-efficient way of staying warm is investing in heat pads or hot water bottles.
Many elderly people, our residents at Mountside Care Home included, suffer from poor circulation. Often, the hands and feet are the first body parts to feel the cold.
Heat pads and hot water bottles are great options for cold weather preparation. A firm favourite since the 16th century, hot water bottles provide older people with a source of warmth, comfort and cosiness. You can now even buy specialised hot water bottles comprising essential oils, such as rosemary, vanilla and lavender, to assist with sleep and help ease stress.
To keep your loved ones safe, please ensure your hot water bottles have their covers on.
Cold Weather Preparation | Keep the Cold Out
A crucial component of cold weather preparation is to ensure your elderly loved one’s house is weather-proofed. With winter on its way, simple steps can be undertaken to ensure your loved one stays warm and healthy during the colder months.
To save on energy costs, turn off the radiators and close the doors in any rooms in the house that aren’t used. If possible, try and keep your bedroom window shut at night to shut out the cold air and keep the heat of the room.
Other essential life hacks for cold weather preparation include using a keyhole cover to block out droughts and setting up thermal linings for curtains. These are both tried-and-tested measures that will help keep your loved one’s house warm and comfortable this winter.
Ensure Your Loved One Has Warming Food and Drinks
With cold weather preparation underway, another top tip is to consume warm food and drinks.
Soups, stews and pies are all excellent, nutritious meals to provide your loved one with a warming glow from the inside, out.
Cooking can sometimes feel challenging for older individuals. Because of this, we’d recommend stocking up your loved one’s pantry with tins and other basic items.
It also may be a good idea to stock up their freezer with healthy, homemade meals, too. That way, if they’re not feeling up to cooking, or are unable to pop to the shops to buy ingredients, they have some comforting, nutritious meals to hand.
Encourage Your Loved One to Stay Active
Staying active is imperative to staying warm during the colder months. Gentle, light exercise, even in the form of walking around the house or stretching, can help to boost an older person's circulation.
Encouraging your loved one to keep moving every hour or so enables them to maintain strength, improve mobility and of course, stay warm!
At our Mountside Care Home, we offer residential, respite and dementia care to help transform the lives of others. If you’re interested in finding out more about the care we provide at ACI Mountside, please contact a member of our team.