Some busy hands have been making fantastic use of the packs at home.

Well done to you and a great reminder to everyone to stay home and keep creative !

The article Stay home and keep creative! appeared first on Violet Care.

The article Art Therapy Wellness Packs appeared first on Violet Care.

You might be feeling worried about Coronavirus also known as COVID – 19, which is currently causing us all to think more carefully about our actions and how we look after ourselves and one another.

Violet Care Agency will strive to continue to provide excellent and compassionate care to all it’s service users. All of our carers will wear essential personal protective equipment, which includes, aprons and gloves.

Staff have been instructed by our Training and Development Manager to be extra vigilant and continue to wash their hands using soap and water frequently and in-between all care tasks. If you feel that other precautions are needed in order to help you feel safer, please do contact the office so that these can be considered.

At this time many might feel anxious about the virus whilst being at home self-isolating or in quarantine.

There are lot’s of ways that you can take care of ourselves, which includes making sure that your wellbeing is looked after.

Here are some suggestions:

• Eat well, and stay hydrated: Ensure that you have access to healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. Drink regularly and often, it might be helpful to vary the flavours of drinks by having fruit squash’s or herbal teas.
• Plan and structure your day: Healthy minds need to be stimulated regularly. You might introduce meaningful activities that you enjoy, like completing crosswords, combing through old and new magazines, folding your laundry and taking time to observe how you’re feeling.  
• Stay Connected: Our development and growth is based on our capacity to interact and be received by others. Without this, we begin to lose our sense of who we are which can feel frightening and confusing. Arrange a time to speak to a loved one on the phone. Write a letter to a friend or neighbour. Write down something you might like talk about or say to your carer. Send an email or ask for support around how to do this.
• Surround Yourself in Nature: Where this is possible try to get outside in your garden to feel the sun on your shoulders. Open your curtains and your windows. Look up at the sky. Take care of a plant or a cactus.
• Stay Active: We need to keep our bodies moving and stimulated. This might include a gentle slow walk to the window. You might prefer to carefully do gentle exercises from the comfort of a chair. It might feel helpful to play some music to sway to. There are many exercise ideas which can be found online, Youtube especially is a good place to search for instruction videos .
• Relax: Schedule some time in your day to relax, this might include art making, smelling incense, listening to classical music or creative writing.

Violet Care Agency has dedicated Reassurance Support Officers who are contactable on: 01279 434444.

Please get in touch and our officers will be able to listen and reassure you.

If you are a service user, please ask to speak with Eve.

If you are a staff member, please ask to speak with Laura.

The article Coronavirus and your Wellbeing appeared first on Violet Care.

The presentation will take place at the Griffin Suite in the The Latton Bush Centre in Harlow, from 10am till 12.30pm followed by lunch which is provided. 

Violet Care has conducted a pilot project whereby arts psychotherapies have been delivered to our service users.

The presentation will present case studies that explore the progress and outcomes of the work undertaken by arts psychotherapists at Violet Care Agency.

Please could you confirm your attendance by either emailing therapy@violet.care or by calling 01279 434444 as soon as you are able so that places may be reserved.

We look forward to welcoming you on the 24^th.

The article Arts Psychotherapies: Creating a Space for Therapies in the Home Environment. appeared first on Violet Care.

iPhone
iPhone 8 or later

Press and hold the side button and one of the Volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears. 
Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.

iPhone 7 or earlier: 
Rapidly press the side (or top) button five times. The Emergency SOS slider will appear.
Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.

Android
Samsung Galaxy:
SOS Messages:
Open your phone’s settings, go to “Personal,”  select “Privacy and Emergency,” and click “Send SOS Messages.”
Enable the feature by clicking the toggle at the top right. It will prompt you to agree to a disclaimer. Once you accept the terms, you will be able to set up SOS Messages.

Click “Send messages to” to select up to four emergency contacts to receive your emergency alerts.

Apps
Suggested apps that both contact and can record various details of your emergency quickly are:
– Shake2Alert
-SOS Emergency App
-Emergency button [SOS]
-Shake2Safety

Texts:
You can text 999 to request services.
In order to do this, first you must register by texting 999.
You will get a reply and will then need to follow the instructions you are sent.
The text system is meant to be used only when voice calls cannot be made and the system does not guarantee that texts will be delivered so users should wait until they receive a reply from the emergency services before assuming help has been summoned.

The article Emergency Support Tips appeared first on Violet Care.

The article Little things… appeared first on Violet Care.

By Eve Jones, Art Psychotherapist

“The yellow wooley rug,

A forgotten mug on the side,

The intervals of the birds cheeping

Grow longer and tired.

On those rainy grey days

Short, wet, cold, defeated.

The man next door, he’s fretting about the radiator being overheated.

He’s fretting about turning the radiator on,

He’s worried about the bills that accrue from washing his clothes

He won’t put on more layers out of anxiety that his money won’t stretch

“I’m always cold,” is what he says.

An inconspicuous path,

The lady next door sat looking out of the window

Hidden by the wide broken leaves.

In her garden, along side the fence

She see’s the children, their parents

She tries to make sense,

“Where has the time gone?”

Since she was collecting her infants from the school pick up.

Sometimes the world seems too much.

The people and cars that flood the streets

The paperwork, the washing up, the people who I said that I would meet

But didn’t,

or haven’t yet, I’m still trying to make time.

It’s hard to make time…

People who say they miss me, they depend on me, they can’t get to the shops,

They say… “that’s fine”

“I know you’re busy, living your life.”

My endless to do lists, all those birthdays, get better soon,

I’m thinking of you visits that I’ve missed,

That I promised to go to and haven’t gone yet?

I’ll go tomorrow… I mustn’t forget.

The article Another Year Older… appeared first on Violet Care.

In this life we share many similarities and common experiences which unite us all. Sometimes expectations and the speed with which we are living warps the way that we relate to one another.  When we recognise that our experience of what might feel like unique suffering is likely to be identified with and shared with others – we open the door to compassion and empathy.

The Caring Care Professional:

A care professional is generally expected to carry out many different duties that support the individual to live their life as independently as possible. This part of the job is important, however, in equal measure, their behaviour, manner and communication of body language are key components which help to make meaningful relationships. Empathy and compassion are inherent in the role of a care professional, and when these are demonstrated, it helps for clients to feel seen, heard, understood and cared for.

The service user’s supporting circle of family and friends need empathy and compassion too, as often the suffering of the individual needing care is connected with the people who care about them. Strong and nurturing relationships promote the feeling of stability and trust, and without this, care professionals leave their clients and their support circles vulnerable.

We also need to look after the connections we create with other staff members. When we reach out to our colleagues in their moment of need, it helps for individuals to feel connected and valued in their work enviroment.  In addition, when colleagues demonstrate active listening and express empathy and compassion, service user’s and their supporting circle gain an insight into the authenticity of their carers by the way that they treat others.

Eve Jones – Art Psychotherapist.

The article The Shape of Empathy and Compassion in Care. appeared first on Violet Care.

World Mental Health Day.

We are all different, facing different challenges day by day, living different lives. This can be overwhelming sometimes and we can struggle to be with our emotions when things aren’t going the way we imagined or planned…

The staff at Violet Care were asked what they do to look after their mental health…

“I channel my negative energies into sport and exercise ”

“I go for long walks and I talk about my feelings when I feel ready.”

“Spending time with my children helps me to feel better.”

“I get creative and use art making to help express my thoughts and feelings”

We asked the same question, but thinking about how we can support other people’s mental health needs.

“I can help others by, keeping an eye out and being ready to listen.”

“I can check in with someone who I haven’t seen or heard from in a while”

“I can always find time to reach out to someone and maybe invite them round for dinner.”

It’s so important to keep the conversation about mental health open so that we can keep ourselves and others healthy.

What things do you for you and for others when it comes to thinking about mental health?

― Brad Meltzer

The article World Mental Health Day appeared first on Violet Care.

We can set up systems which help to keep our elderly service users connected to their families, no matter how far away they may be. The technology behind our Violet Care Connect gives family members the opportunity to check that agreed visits have taken place. We can even, subject to all the appropriate agreements, help you to monitor what is happening in an older relative’s home and send you alerts if we think help is needed.

However, our main focus is primarily aimed at helping elderly people gain as much as possible from the available technology. We can help anyone, from complete computer novices, to people who have some experience but would like to know more.

Ways in which we can help the elderly include:

• Using technology to keep in touch with relatives. For example, seeing grandchildren via free video calls, using email to communicate with other family members, and learning how to use the internet safely
• Setting up and making the most of broadband, including advice on the most cost effective options
• Installing antivirus and security software
• Making full use of mobile phones, smart phones and tablet computers
• As well as accessing catch up TV services
• Learning how to use the latest television re-coding systems with simplicity of use a priority
• ‘How to’ seminars to help customers get the most from the technology they already own
• Impartial advice on buying new technology equipment or upgrading existing equipment
• Also, a telephone helpline to help resolve technology problems

You can also have sensors around your home fitted…

Sensors include:

• Community Alarm
  • A personal alarm that allows you to call for help when you need it.

• Bed Occupancy
  • Monitors if you leave the bed but don’t return after a period of time

• Big Button Telephone
  • Large black buttons and white numbers for the visually impaired and a call indicator and volume control for hearing difficulties

• Bogus Caller / Panic Button
  • Located by a doorway in when being used as a bogus caller button, or in other areas of the home when used as a panic button

• CO2 Detector
  • A wireless carbon monoxide battery powered detector

• Door Entry System
  • Used with a standard television and telephone in order to provide visual and audible identification of a caller

• Door Usage Sensor
  • Creates an audible alarm to monitor door usage

• Enuresis Sensor
  • Positioned under the top sheet to help detect incontinence

• Epilepsy Sensor
  • Place underneath the mattress and monitors seizures

Like what you’re reading so far?

Read our other blogs here.

• Fall Detector
  • This utilities a 2 stage detection process to identify a genuine fall

• Flood Detector
  • Wireless sensor placed under the sink, as well as near the bath or toilet to detect water

• Gas Detector/Shut Off Valve Solution
  • If gas is detected the gas supply is immediately turned off either within the home or to an individual appliance

• Heat Detector
  • Wireless heat detector provides additional protection against the risk of fire where smoke detectors are unsuitable

• Keyless Door Access Trigger
  • Allows an authorised caller to access your home if help is needed

• Medication Dispensers
  • Monitors when medication is taken and sends an alert if not taken properly

• Minuet Watch
  • This is a personal alarm button combined with a high quality watch for user throughout the day

• Pressure Mats
  • To monitor service user inactivity or intruder activity

• Pillow Alert Smoke Detector
  • A vibrating pad positioned under the pillow wakes you in case of smoke. Further to this, a strobe light gives additional warning when the user is out of bed

• Property Exit Sensor
  • Provides real time alerts when someone has walked out of their door and not returned

• Radio Pull Cord
  • This can be placed around the home for extra support when needed

The article Elderly – Helpful technology around the home appeared first on Violet Care.