Residents at a care home have been sharing their favourite memories and most important piece of advice in advance of Father’s Day.
89-year-old Matthew Dunnigan, who resides at Cramond Residence in Edinburgh, has shared the advice he would like to pass to future generations of fathers is to treasure all of the time you have with your children and show them as much warmth, care and love as possible.
Matthew also shared one of the biggest perks of fatherhood is being able to socialise with his two children as they got older, adding: “When they were young, I was always Dad but when they grew up, I became a friend too, and that was very special”
Cramond Residence, where Matthew is currently a resident, will be putting on a dedicated Father’s Day spread, with tea, cakes and sandwiches, to help residents celebrate the special day in style, despite restrictions.
CARE HOME residents have been able to instantly share important information about their health and wellbeing with loved ones throughout the pandemic, thanks to a bespoke digital care system.
When Cramond Residence closed its doors to visitors back in March 2020, its tailored technology-enabled care system showed its true value by providing real-time updates on residents’ health and wellbeing with family, through an app called Access Care planning.
The care plans are developed with the residents and their family, as well as key workers and named nursing staff. Plans are individually adapted for each resident on their arrival to ensure it reflects their healthcare history and care needs.
It covers everything from the food they eat and exercise or physiotherapy they take, through to any prescribed medication and palliative care they may require.
The technology has been in use since the care home opened in 2018, but became indispensable during the pandemic. Throughout lockdown, families were able to log on and view their loved one’s information at the click of a button, giving them peace of mind and reassurance wherever they are in the world.
Ross Bijak, Clinical Care Manager, said: “Our online healthcare system has received a lot of positive feedback from resident’s families in recent months – it means they have access to real-time information around the clock.
“Lockdown was extremely tough for families who weren’t able to visit, and for our residents themselves. I think one saving grace has been this technology which is able to provide some comfort and reassurance to families.
“We’ve had families calling us just to chat about something they’ve read on the app, or to share their delight in seeing a specific item like physiotherapy or certain exercise in the plan.
“Although the plans are created when residents first enter the home, they are regularly updated and reassessed as people’s health and care needs change.
“For example, we have built specific care plans focused around visiting requirements and Covid-19.”
The digital care plans take into account a whole range of factors, including a resident’s skills, strengths and experiences to create the best, bespoke care plan for them which puts their needs first.
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care. Set in a leafy location, it offers small group-living in nine houses, with all residents enjoying a wide range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care.
RETIREES prove you are never too old to travel as they make their way across the continents sampling different cuisines and experiencing new cultures all from the comfort of their home.
Cramond Residence care home in Edinburgh have been running themed events during lockdown, each one based on a different culture, to continue providing enriching experiences and keep residents entertained.
Each themed event consists of traditional music from the chosen destination, culturally appropriate activities, and a special menu to match. Residents will be took a trip to Italy in April, after visiting India in March and China in February.
Lisa Sohn, Lead Lifestyle Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The residents love our themed events as it gives them a chance to reminisce on their favourite holidays and trips whilst some can experience new cultures of countries they haven’t visited before.
“In our ‘trip’ to Italy, our head chef, Patsy McKenzie (above), will be hosting a master class on pizza making where Residents will be encouraged to make their very own pizzas.
“There will also be games and a presentation on the history and culture throughout the month.”
Since restrictions were reinforced at the beginning of the year, residents have been isolating in nine self-contained small-group living units within the purpose-built care home, to help with infection control.
Residents have access to Android tablets and are encouraged to use video conferencing apps to stay connected with friends. Each group’s lounge area can be connected via video to bring the whole home together.
The innovative use of technology has meant that Lifestyle Coordinators at the plush home have been able to deliver a rich activity schedule, including a virtual reality whisky distillery tour, a St Andrew’s Day ceilidh and a trip around the world.
Lifestyle Coordinators lead activities from the high spec cinema room, connecting into each lounge, or each bedroom, encouraging two-way communications with the residents.
Lisa added: “Staff have been working extremely hard over the past few months to think of new activities to keep residents entertained and connected during lockdown.
“It’s so important to organise meaningful and stimulating activities for the residents as this boosts their mental and physical well-being. The themed events have been a major hit across the board. It’s something fun for everyone to get involved in.
“We’re constantly receiving suggestions of where residents would like to travel to next, the list is never-ending!”
Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents utilising a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
DEDICATED care staff turned glam squad during the pandemic celebrate the reopening of inhouse beauty salon as residents get ready for their post-lockdown outings.
The salon at Cramond Residence in Edinburgh has been closed for the duration of lockdown with care staff stepping in to give residents their regular cut and blow dry.
Now reinstated, residents have begun enjoying complimentary treatments including a full complement of hairdressing and manicures.
Built in 2018, the salon was part of the home’s original design and features alongside a host of unique aspects such as a wellness and physiotherapy suite, games room and cinema room.
Lisa Sohn, Head Lifestyle Co-Ordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The salon has been out of operation since the start of the pandemic, so you can imagine the excitement of residents when we were able to reopen.
“Care staff at the home pulled together throughout lockdown to give residents manicures and trims.
“It’s great to see residents back in the salon getting the VIP treatment and are very much enjoying the post-lockdown glow up.”
Alongside the hair and beauty treatments on offer, residents also benefit from regular holistic therapy sessions including Reiki, Reflexology and hand massages.
As well as a monthly programme of activities which are resident-led and aim to make life as fun and fulfilling as possible.
For the duration of lockdown, residents were confined to the nine individual houses within the home, with Activities Coordinators using technology to keep residents connected. With restrictions lifted, the home is now fully connected again, with residents enjoying a variety of activities together.
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care for up to 74 residents, all enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
As well as the beautiful gardens, it also offers a library, a hair salon, a private, fine-dining space, a physiotherapy room and a cinema, which doubles as a large, multi-purpose space for a host of social events.
Places in the care home start from £1850 a week. To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/
WITH the easing of lockdown restrictions, an Edinburgh care home is resuming its physiotherapy-led falls prevention class which looks to prevent falls and support residents’ mobility and wellbeing.
Cramond Residence had been holding weekly classes with reduced numbers, led by the home’s lifestyle coordinators, but as of early April they have reinstated the specialist physiotherapists from Balanced to resume their classes as normal.
The classes are available free of charge to all residents and take place weekly. Prior to attending, residents are individually assessed by a physiotherapist and split into groups based on their physical ability.
Lisa Sohn, Lead Lifestyle Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The falls prevention classes have been very popular amongst residents, we have quite a few regulars who attend.
“It’s a great way for residents to socialise while also encouraging mobility and helping to keep them safe. Although classes are not mandatory, we do encourage residents to take part as much as possible to build up and maintain their strength.
“The pre-class assessments mean that residents are split into either seated or standing groups, ensuring everyone gets the most out of their sessions.
“The aim of the classes is to prevent potential falls and give residents the confidence to move around either independently or semi-independently, based on their needs and abilities.”
The falls prevention programme has been part of the care home’s programme since it opened in 2018, and was temporarily facilitated by lifestyle coordinators during lockdown to minimise risk for residents.
Throughout lockdown, residents have been isolating in nine self-contained small-group living units within the purpose-built care home, to help with infection control.
Lisa added: “It’s great to have Balanced back to take over the classes and provide their specialist support – it’s another step towards ‘normality’ for the residents which is not only fantastic for their physical health, but for their mental wellbeing.
“We’ve recently been able to bring residents back together again in larger groups, following social distancing guidance, which has also helped greatly with socialisation.”
Alongside the fall’s prevention programme, the 74-bedroom care home offers customised individual care plans for each resident based on their care needs, and a varied activity programme to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.
Cramond Residence offers high quality care utilising a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
A LEADING figure in the development of care homes and hospitals in Scotland is to take the reins as a dedicated Managing Director of Edinburgh’s finest care home.
Graeme Kelly, who is currently a Director at Walker Healthcare, will move across to the newly created role at its newest development, Cramond Residence, as it looks to build on growing demand as consumer confidence recovers within aspects of the sector that can demonstrate a positive track record over the past 12 months.
The home, which enjoys a leafy location, was purpose-built in 2018 by Walker Healthcare as a boundary-pushing advancement in both comprehensive luxury and clinical care for older people.
The latest technology and awareness of the importance of infection-control were factored into the design and specification from the outset, with small-group living in nine self-contained living pods as a cornerstone of the design alongside awareness of the benefits of the latest technology in everything from laundry systems to ventilation.
Graeme, 62, from Fife, has been astonished at the lengths that the care home’s teams have gone to provide rich and stimulating care, while managing to keep Covid-19 at bay, with very few cases recorded at the home to date.
Graeme said: “From day one we set out to create a new upper tier in the care home sector. Infection control was of utmost priority at this development long before the pandemic – and you can see how the design of the home is shaped around it.
“The Cramond Residence team, like so many key workers, have been truly inspirational throughout the last year. They’ve given the residents here the best possible care, hospitality and experiences and have provided families with reassurance
“We’re starting to see confidence returning and new enquiries are increasing month on month. Those that have put off a relative’s stay in a home are now ready to commit, if they can be reassured by the track record of the home, over the past year.
“All of our staff and residents have now had the vaccine too – and while we can’t for one second become complacent – we are grateful for our record so far in the pandemic.”
Graeme’s move over from Walker Healthcare, where he has worked since 1989 and which built and owns the home, coincides with the phased retirement of Eileen Gray.
The home offers nurse-led care, as well as offering a varied lifestyle programme. During this pandemic this has seen residents embark on a “Grand Tour of Scotland”, with distilleries, museums and attraction providing virtual tours and experiences.
Cramond Residence is a purpose-built care combining unparalleled luxury; true five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards – with places available from £1850 per week.
The home offers high quality person centred care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
The nine small bubble group living facilities have up to eight bedrooms, a private lounge, dining and snug facilities.
PENSIONERS at a local care home are set to celebrate Scotland’s most famous poet virtually with food and song thanks to dedicated care staff and the latest technology.
Staff at Cramond Residence have pulled out all the stops to create a virtual Burns Night to ensure residents did not miss out on celebrating the occasion with fellow friends at the home.
Lockdown restrictions and the current strain of Covid-19 led to Cramond Residence utilising its self-contained, small-group living units, which were built into the architectural designs, to help with infection control.
It means that while the residents at the 74-room care home remain separated by the 9 houses, they’ll be able to celebrate as one through video conferencing set up in each house. Every house has a comfy lounge with a private television for use by the small group of residents in it.
James McDiarmid, Lifestyle Coordinator at the 74-room care home in Edinburgh will pre-record an address to the haggis which will be shared and watched via a virtual link, before residents get a chance to raise a dram to the bard and catch up with their friends shielding at other parts of the home.
James said: “We are looking to make the best out of this situation and our home is really lucky to be able to continue facilitating the Burns Night celebration, as every resident has access to a tablet or television.
“The virtual Burns Night will offer something different for our residents and it is a wonderful safe way to bring everyone together.
“Staff at the home have had to think outside the box to make sure resident continue to have rich, stimulating group experiences and everyone has worked really hard to adapt the activities to a virtual setting.
“The staff are looking forward to the celebration just as much as the residents, I’m sure it will be a good laugh – especially since I’m kicking off the night with the address.”
Residents will celebrate the day with a poetry group discussion and a presentation of the history of Burns Night.
Every year Scots across the world celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns, with Haggis, Irn Bru and Whisky normally consumed.
Cramond Residence’s catering team will serve the classic Burns Night menu with residents tucking into a starter of cook a leekie soup, followed by a main of haggis, neeps and tatties and for dessert it is cranachan or even a “wee dram”.
James added: “Events like these give the residents the chance to do something outside of their normal routine and everyone usually enjoys celebrating the patriotic event, albeit this year might be a bit different.
“We can’t wait to welcome family and friends back into the home to enjoy these events with our residents when it is safe to do so”.
Throughout lockdown the care home staff have been working with residents to help them become more comfortable with technology. Residents were encouraged to chat with loved ones over Skype and other video platforms, this has branched into individuals learning how to use an app called Pl@ntNet to identify what flowers are in the garden.
Cramond Residence is a purpose-built care combining luxury, five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards – with places available from £1850 per week.
The home offers high quality care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
BUBBLED-UP pensioners at a care home are proudly flying the Saltire flag as a week of dedicated activity culminates in a glamorous St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh Ball today (30 November).
Thanks to the hard work and creativity of its lifestyle and kitchen team, Edinburgh’s Cramond Residence has enabled a bumper week of patriotic activities in the lead up to the celebration of Scotland’s patron saint.
This has included heather and tartan broach making, bunting making, an interactive history presentation, Gaelic lessons and a ceilidh dancing tutorial and practice – all helping its community enjoy the ball while keeping stimulated, engaged and active.
The ball will feature a traditional haggis neeps and tatties lunch with ingredients from local suppliers, along with a dram of whisky – and a virtual ceilidh performance.
Lisa Sohn, Lead Lifestyle Co-ordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “In these times it is lovely to see our home pull together and really revel in the spirit of St Andrew’s Day.
“It’s been very educational too – and the residents feel great pride in their roots, the historic Scottish language, traditional dances – and of course the food and drink.
“The whole team are looking forward to the ball – a big celebration is something all of our residents deserve.”
Activities are resident-led and aim to make life as fun and fulfilling as possible. The Lifestyle Team are continually looking for new exciting and engaging activities to implement into each month’s carefully-planned programme.
The home has even recently arranged a Grand Tour of Scotland thanks to a tie-up with the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), bringing virtual tours of many of Scotland’s best attractions, including the National Galleries of Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum to the home over the coming weeks.
Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents utilising a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.
Each resident enjoys a luxury room with en-suite bathroom facilities. The Care Home maintains a minimum ratio of 1:4 of care staff to residents during the day.
HYGIENE-conscious staff at a top care home will never wear their uniforms or work shoes outside of their workplace thanks to a stringent decontamination laundry service.
Cramond Residence has made a substantial investment into a state-of-the-art uniform cleaning service where each employee receives three sets of work clothes, which get professionally washed after each shift, along with a pair of Sketchers trainers kept and cleaned on the premises.
Staff at the Edinburgh home must arrive in non-work clothes and have a designated locker for every shift, which is sanitised and thoroughly cleaned between shifts. Every staff member’s uniform is stored freshly cleaned and ready to be utilised.
After every shift, the dedicated team leave their uniforms within a designated area so be professionally laundered, with name labels stitched into every garment to avoid any confusion.
Alison Newton, Operations Manager at Cramond Residence, said: “We want to do everything we can to minimise contamination or risk to our residents, visitors and staff.
“While Covid-19 has sharpened the world’s focus to infection control, from day one we’ve put measures in place to reduce the chances of infection entering and spreading.
“Our staff are incredible and diligently stick to what are stringent rules. They all want to do their best to reduce the likelihoods of viruses or bugs of any description entering the home.”
Since opening in 2018, specialist Miele appliances have been used to accommodate eco-friendly elements for washing, drying and ironing from water reduction to shorter cycles.
The care home was purpose built and when it was being designed, infection control was a top priority and bosses worked with architects at every stage to include the most up-to-date best practice.
Small group living means that the home is made up of nine distinct “houses” each with their own private lounge, dining and snug areas, rather than large communal areas.
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care.
It offers care for up to 74 residents following the small-group living concept in nine beautifully appointed houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team. Each resident enjoys a luxury room with en-suite bathroom facilities. It maintains a minimum ratio of 1:4 of care staff to residents during the day.
Dorothy’s lockdown-inspired arts project proves a surprise hit
A 92-year-old World War Two evacuee who refuses to let crippling arthritis halt her passion for creativity has enjoyed a hit with her latest project – making colourful bead bowls.
Now Dorothy McDermott has paid tribute to the staff at Cramond Residence, who have helped her create dozens of the bowls, as orders have flooded in from family, friends, residents and staff.
The arts-loving pensioner, who trained as a silversmith, was inspired during lockdown to experiment with colourful Hama Beads, which were originally created for children, but have proved a global hit with many adults as well.
Dorothy says that creative projects have helped her enjoy a happy and fulfilled life and also provided her with a vital distraction during lockdown – and is delighted with the reaction to her latest works.
She added: “People have been putting in requests for specific styles and colours – I’ve made over 20 in just one month. I’m thrilled to bits that people like them.
“But I couldn’t have done it without the help from staff as my fingers don’t work the way they used to. I have to pick up the Hama Beads with a safety pin due to my arthritis and have to get one member of staff to help separate the brown and black beads due to my double vision.”
Widowed Dorothy has had a lifelong passion for art and told how her creative streak even helped sustain her as a child during the darkest days of World War Two.
She said: “Art has always been a passion of mine, I used to get my dad to make a hole in silver sixpences and thruppennies so I could get a wire or thread through to make necklaces.
“When I was evacuated from Edinburgh to the home of my auntie and uncle in Perthshire at the beginning of World War Two, I used to gather hazelnuts to paint and make brooches from, to keep everyone’s spirits high and bring a little bit of happiness during a difficult time.
“I’ve always made things, right through school I was painting and making jewellery. I went on to study silversmithing at Edinburgh Art College. It’s fun to see how the creations turn out and makes me feel good to see the way people have appreciated them over the years.
“I like to keep my collections unique, as I feel that makes them special – it means I can offer ‘one of a kinds’ which people quite like, especially the jewellery as no one will ever have the same.”
Dorothy’s passion for the arts sees her taking classes with other residents at Cramond Residence, Edinburgh’s most exclusive care home. This month she will lead a course on how to Tie-dye silk scarves, as well as teaching other residents how to get creative with the colourful beads.
Lisa Sohn, Lifestyle Co-ordinator at Cramond Residence said: “The drive and energy that Mrs McDermott has for the creative arts is truly inspiring – proving that age is just a number when it comes to something you are passionate about.
“Dorothy is a very sociable resident, so when her friends caught wind of her new adventure making bead bowls, many were quick to put their order in. Now even the staff are getting in on the action – from storing keys at the front door to a place for jewellery – everyone has been coming up with new uses for them.
“Dorothy is always busy crafting and making things, which she often gives to people as gifts. We look forward to seeing her wonderful creations every time, as no creation is ever the same.”
The popular mother-of-one, who has lived her entire life in Edinburgh, retired 30 years ago but continued to make jewellery, design clothes and to express herself through painting.
As her arthritis worsened, she moved into Cramond Residence, where places start from £1850-per-week. For the past seven months the dedicated care staff have been helping her continue to unleash her creativity.
Dorothy added: “Making things keeps my mind active, I’ve started becoming a bit forgetful so this gives me something to focus on and I really enjoy it. I’d say I spend several hours every week creating new designs whether it is for a new bead bowl or a painting.”
Cramond Residence is a purpose-build, £12.5m care home which opened in October 2018 and can care for up to 74 older people. It includes specialised, self-contained houses for residents living with advanced stage cognitive impairments caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Each resident enjoys a luxury room with en-suite bathroom facilities. It maintains a care staff to resident ratio of at least 1:4 at all times. As well as the beautiful gardens, it also offers a library, a hair salon, a private, fine-dining space, a physiotherapy room and a cinema.
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care. Set in a leafy location, it offers small group-living in nine houses, with all residents enjoying a wide range of amenities and activities, excellent food and bespoke care.
