Cheltenham care home shortlisted for national award

A care home in Cheltenham is celebrating after being named a finalist in the Care Home Awards 2022.

Care UK’s Sandfields, on St George’s Road, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Use of Technology and Digital Care Strategy’ category, which recognises the efforts of a care home using digital technology to improve care.

The Care Home Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in UK care home management, operation and delivery. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony in July. 

The team at Sandfields has been recognised for using a wide range of communication channels to keep in touch with relatives, friends, and even the wider community – which has become particularly prevalent throughout the pandemic.  

To ensure residents have been able to maintain two-way communication, notably throughout the pandemic and especially for families living further away, Facebook has been actively embraced by the team who created a specific portal for the home – with residents using the technology to play games remotely and complete crosswords or quizzes with family members.

The team at Sandfields has also adopted digital therapy system ‘Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities’ (RITA). This system is used along with Google Earth to allow residents to experience virtual tours This technology means that residents are able to see their old neighbourhoods and where they grew up – and for one resident in particular this has proved a lifeline as she reminisced fondly of her original home in Colombia.

In addition to using technology to enhance day-to-day care for residents, the team regularly post photographs of activities in the home for relatives to enjoy on Facebook, as well using the platform to receive communication from the local community. For example, Cheltenham Ladies College has continued to maintain strong relationships with the home through regular video-calls and interactions, where physical trips outside the home have not been possible.

A relative commented: “Living abroad, keeping in touch with my elderly parents via weekly Skype calls has been critical during the never-ending pandemic. Just being able to see my parents and know they are well cared for brings a wonderful sense of comfort – even if my father often falls asleep!”

Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, added: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Use of Technology and Digital Care Strategy’ category at this year’s Care Home Awards. 

“Restrictions over the past couple of years have been difficult for everyone, not least for care home residents and their families. By embracing digital communication, the team has gone above and beyond to ensure residents are still able to communicate and connect with the wider world – even if sometimes it has had to be in 2D!

“I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved, and the ways we have used technology to ensure residents lead fulfilling lives at the heart of a connected network of family, friends and the wider community. Although life is thankfully beginning to return to normal, there are many things we will continue, from our Facebook updates to our quirky Amazon Echo Show activities, and we look forward to seeing how this continues to enhance life here at Sandfields.”

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care. The home, which features 90 en-suite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, bar, hairdressing salon and café.

To find out more about Sandfields, please call Laura Sayburn, Customer Relations Manager, on 01242 801 867, email laura.sayburn@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/sandfields.