Ravi Sodha

How do I talk to my loved one about moving into care?

It may be that there have been certain signs that suggest that your loved one will benefit from a care home. Perhaps there is a need for respite care, residential care, or assistance with dementia. No matter what the reason, it is normal for relatives to find it difficult to broach the subject.

At ACI Care, we want to make the transition into a home as easy as possible. As difficult as it may seem, it all starts with that first conversation. Here are our tips to help make that conversation just a little bit easier.

Planning in advance

Discussing the potential need for a care home is not a conversation to have on the spur of the moment. Before it gets to the stage of talking there are certain things to consider. Some of these include:

The right time

When it comes to talking about moving into a care home, you need to choose the right time. This means considering the time of day. Too late and your loved one may be feeling tired and less receptive. It is important to consider the right time for you as well: make sure it is not a time when you need to rush and are feeling stressed.

The right place

There is no getting away from the fact that talking to your loved one about the need for residential, respite, or dementia care is going to be emotional. You need to ensure that you choose a setting that is private and where you are unlikely to be interrupted. A public place is best avoided.

The right people

It may be that your loved one has a friend or relative that has a special way of getting through. If so, consider if this is the right person to be present to have this discussion. Make sure that there aren’t too many people present though as this could lead to your loved one feeling crowded and perhaps even pressured.

The right advice

Regardless of how your loved one first takes the news, there are likely to be questions. It is important that you know about the types of care that are offered and also have some understanding of the financial implications. ACI Care can provide you with all of the information that you’ll need about the types of care that exist.

Starting the conversation

Finding the opening lines to any difficult conversation can be hard. Talking to your loved one about moving into care is no exception. Things to consider when starting to talk are:

Make clear that it is a two-way conversation

• Ensure that you ask questions that show that your loved one understands.
• Be clear that they can find out more details either through yourself or by talking to a home manager direct if they wish.

Keep the conversation positive

• Explain that you love your family member and are looking out for their best interests.
• Focus on the benefits of moving into care. Some of these benefits include:
  • Access to professional carers 24/7
  • The opportunity to meet new people and become part of a community
  • No more house chores! Including freshly prepared meals three times a day, plus snacks!
  • The chance to try out new activities in the safety of the home. Activities may include painting, gardening, baking, pottery, exercise classes etc. Find out what they might enjoy and talk to a home manager about how they might be able to facilitate their hobbies.

If you are looking into care for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to plan a visit to a care home that you are considering. This can provide reassurance for both you and your loved one.

Why not get in touch and arrange a visit with us today so that we can bring peace of mind.

by Ravi Sodha

Care Home Awards | We’re Finalists in the 2023 HealthInvestor Awards!

Why is it important to receive recognition from leading care home awards?

At ACI Care, we strive to provide bespoke care to elderly individuals across the UK. Recently, we received industry-leading recognition from the prestigious 2023 HealthInvestor Awards.

Read our blog to find out more about our excellent achievement, and what it means to us: 

Care Home Awards: About ACI Care

We focus on providing quality, tailored care to older people living in Kent, East Sussex and Northamptonshire.

Offering residential, respite and dementia care, our primary goal is to enable residents to live independent and fulfilling lives.

Our efforts have earned us recognition from leading care home awards, the most recent being the 2023 HealthInvestor Awards. 

Care Home Awards: About the HealthInvestor Awards

These awards seek to promote excellence and recognise achievement in the health and social care sector.

We’re proud to share that we’re one of six finalists in the ‘Residential Care Provider of the Year - Small Group’ category. This prestigious industry accreditation celebrates the very best health and social care providers that manage under 10 settings.

Across our care services, we’re both thrilled and honoured to receive the recognition!

Care Home Awards: Our Shortlisting in the HealthInvestor Awards

So, how did we apply for these industry-recognised awards?

As part of the process, we completed an online form and submitted a 2,000-word supporting document. In doing so, we showcased why our ACI Care Group is the perfect candidate for the esteemed accolade. 

Our submission detailed our consistent hard work and dedication to the sector. It included our ‘Good’ CQC rating, increased occupancy levels and community-oriented initiatives.

A Message from our Director

Discussing the shortlisting, our director, Ravi Sodha, 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.”

​​We'll discover the outcome on the 7th June 2023 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. Here, the announcement of the care home awards winners will take place at a prestigious, black-tie ceremony.

We’d like to wish all the finalists the very best of luck!

If you’re interested in finding out more about our care services, please contact a member of our team.

by Ravi Sodha

When should I seek care for my loved one?

Realising that a loved one is in need of care is not always easy to accept. The thought of a move into a care home can bring emotions that are difficult for both you and your family member. Often though, when the time comes to make that move there is a sense of relief for all concerned.

Trying to care for a loved one yourself can bring added tensions to your relationship. Especially where dementia is concerned, it can become particularly upsetting. Sometimes just respite care can bring a much-needed break and allow you to know that your loved one is being cared for. Here are some of the things that show that care may be the right option for your loved one:

Your loved one is struggling with day-to-day tasks

Perhaps there is a degree of acceptance that things get a little more difficult as we get older. Of course, that is true, but when a loved one is struggling with basic tasks this could be a sign that care is right for them. Tasks such as:

• Getting themselves in and out of bed
• Getting themselves dressed
• Being able to wash and take care of personal hygiene
• The ability to prepare meals

If your loved one is unable to perform these tasks, it may well be that moving into a care home is the right move for them.

A loss of mobility

Of course, a lack of mobility will also have an impact on the day-to-day tasks that we have already looked at. However, it goes a little further than this. People who do not receive the care that they need often become isolated and lonely. A lack of mobility sees them unable to leave their home and seek company. Signs of your loved one struggling with mobility include:

• A greater reliance on aids such as a walking stick
• Unable to walk around the house without being out of breath
• The need for a mobility scooter
• An increase in the number of trips and falls that they’ve experienced

At ACI Care, we ensure that all of our residents lead full and active lives. A lack of mobility doesn’t mean that they are isolated and we actively encourage them to socialise and be part of our community.

A diagnosis of dementia

When it comes to caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, there is no getting away from the fact that this is tough. There is a drain on family members both physically and emotionally along with the constant worry about their loved one’s wellbeing.

Seeking a care home that provides specialist dementia care is a source of relief. You will have peace of mind that your loved one is receiving the very best care.

A little extra care

There may be steps that need to be taken to keep your loved one in the best state of health possible. These could include:

• Regular medication
• The changing of dressings
• Exercises to improve circulation

When it gets to the stage where a loved one is struggling with these tasks, it could be that it is time to seek care. It could be that your family member is forgetting to take medication or that they aren’t physically capable to change a dressing. Of course, you may be able to assist but over the long term, this can become a struggle.

At ACI Care we ensure that your loved one is given the appropriate care that they need. Our care homes see our residents blossom by learning new skills and rediscovering themselves. Family members find peace of mind and newfound happiness when they see their loved ones prosper.

For help and advice when looking into care for a loved one contact us today

by Ravi Sodha