Author: landibabs

Good Care Month

by landibabs, posted in Uncategorized

It’s moments like this that remind us exactly why I love working in care, and we do what we do at Nyadowa Care.

Our client JP fell ill and deteriorated very quickly, she was bedbound, could not walk, and went through a difficult period of decline. Our team spotted the changes early and raised a concern, so we acted quickly. Her daughter was away on holiday. Emails were sent, and phone calls were made. There was communication breakdown between different teams that slowed down progress.

In April, JP developed a pressure sore, her care needs became more complex. We worked closely with her daughter, the Out of Hours team, the GP, Social Services, and later the District Nurse to make sure JP was getting the support she needed. Her physiotherapist Ida, family, and friends were brilliant, everyone had a part to play, and it made a significant difference.

JP also shared a set of personal goals that mattered deeply to her. She was determined to:

  1. Get out of bed on her own, which she attempted before the hospital bed arrived and had a fall. She is a resilient stubborn lady.
  2. Sit comfortably in her chair.
  3. Eat independently after a period of sickness.
  4. Walk to the toilet with support.
  5. Make her way to the lounge.
  6. Spend more time sitting in her lounge chair.
  7. Enjoy regular showers again.
  8. Celebrate her 98th birthday.
  9. Be able to put herself into bed again as she likes to go to bed late, very late.

An MDT meeting with Social Services on 25th April helped us revisit and strengthen her forever-changing care plan, ensuring it remained updated and entirely centred around JP’s evolving needs and goals. She set a goal to have regular showers again, something that had felt out of reach after her period of unwellness. However, with our support, the physiotherapist’s support, and her determination, JP began walking to the bathroom with the aid of her frame.

She reached milestones big and small: sitting out in her chair for extended periods with a cushion on 9th April, transferring from bed to commode, day by day, she got closer to every goal she’d set, meeting two goals a month on average. With consistent care from the Nyadowa Care team and the encouragement of her loved ones, we have assisted JP, and she has now met all her goals! It has been uplifting not only for JP and her family but also for Nyadowa Care. Seeing her reach these milestones has been a joy and a lovely reminder of what person-centred care can truly do

JP with her embroidery project.

Memory Walk

by landibabs, posted in Uncategorized

Alzheimer’s Month

Its Alzheimer’s month, I took part in the long memory walk at the Watford Cassibury Park to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Society. We work with people living with Dementia, and it is humbling to see how their families support them on a daily basis. We appreciate the work the Alzheimer’s Society does and we turn to them for the valuable information and all they do to support people living with Dementia. To the families of those living with Dementia thank you for all you do, its not easy but we

I enjoyed the walk met different people and the chatterbox that I am managed to talk to Councillor Nigel Bell who is in one of the pictures he was walking in memory of a colleague who passed away recently and lived with Dementia.

Thank you to everyone who has donated much appreciated. If you have not, please your help is much appreciated. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WatfordMW24-LandisoMasaya?utm_medium=proxy_fundraising&utm_content=WatfordMW24-LandisoMasaya&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

This April we are #CelebratingSocialCare

by landibabs, posted in Uncategorized

We’re #CelebratingSocialCare this April.

This month we’re joining Skills for Care in #CelebratingSocialCare.

People who work in social care are highly skilled, passionate and hard-working and it’s important that we all take time to recognise the work that people who work in social care do and the impact this has in supporting people who draw on care to live their lives how they choose.  

That’s why at Nyadowa Care we’re joining in on #CelebratingSocialCare this month.

At Nyadowa Care we have a team of 18 people including the Registered manager , and we provide support to the elderly, people living with a learning disability, physical disabilities, live in care, palliative care, respite, and companionship.

We know home is where the heart is and we understand and believe that, hence myself and my team work hard to ensure we provide the best care to those choosing to stay at home. Our team is small, and we focus on individual care needs and review those needs as and when required to ensure people are supported in a holistic way and we want to celebrate this with everyone working in social care.

In April we’re #CelebratingSocialCare by doing longer welfare visits with clients. Here is a picture of me and 97year old namesake sharing a one off treat from good old #Greggs #sausageroll #tottenhamcake. Sharing our blog post with everyone and hoping for some shout outs.

We also want to share some of the great work and recent achievements of our team. Elizabeth, Marcia, Patience, Vaidah and Nqobile (a tenner for the right pronounciation) have signed up to advance their skills and knowledge enrolling onto the Level 3 and Level 5 courses which is brilliant news. You have our support guys, well done. #skillsForcare #celebratingSocialcare #HCPA #vocationaltraining #HertfordshireCountyCouncil #Pottersbarbusiness

For any enquiries please do not hestate to contact us, we will be happy to help you or your loved ones stay well at home.

Age ain’t nothing but a number

by landibabs, posted in Uncategorized

Age ain’t nothing but a number

I went for a welfare visit to AJ, she had a love note that had been left by her dotting 90year old husband. Aww says AJ in her gregarious voice ‘isn’t he sweet he took time to write me that sweet note.’ Forget the roses and anonymous cards at Valentines, in this house its Valentines every day.

The two of them make my heart melt and this made me think, love transcends time, age, and circumstances. It has the ability to touch lives in profound ways and its impact can be felt at any stage and whatever you are going through in life.

At 90years one has lived a long and eventful life. The memories, experiences and relationships that have been built over the years shape the understanding of love. At this stage of life, still loving someone is often a reflection of the deep connection and shared experiences that they have built over a lifetime.

It shows the commitment they have for one another. The loyalty, challenges and obstacles faced together and as a family have strengthened them both to create this love union at this later age in life that is unbreakable.

Albeit shouting to hear each other and all their other ailments that they complain to each other all day, still loving someone at that age shows a conscious choice to make the most of the time left and to live and love those that continue to bring joy in our lives.

In old age having someone in your life who understands you becomes even more crucial, and it provides a sense of comfort and support. It’s a reminder that even with health limitations and challenges of aging, love can be a constant source of strength and solace.

We live in a world filled with the importance of youth and new beginnings, looking at stories of love at 90 years old serves as a reminder that love is not bound by age. We must cherish the love we have, nurture it, and continue to love one another regardless of age. At Nyadowa Care we firmly encourage and support the elderly love birds to stay together and share their memories with us. And a little bit of me says I want some of that:).

Bigger Family

by landibabs, posted in Uncategorized

We at Nyadowa care worked hard to deliver care to all our clients in 2023, which was a challenging year for many people. Service delivery was good. Customer satisfaction was high albeit dealing with some challenging situations that happen within a business. We continue to grow as a business and the team.

Families and their loved ones enjoyed keeping up to date with the Oncare App and here is what someone said about us ” Mum’s discharge from the hospital after a 9-week stay was always going to be a challenge but thankfully we fell lucky with the care company who delivered her care plan. From the start carers were on time and professional, accurately managing medication, access, individual needs and above all care and companionship.
The Oncare app provided me with constant reassurance and detailed the care Mum was getting, the reports were accurate and reflected the care and relationship they soon built up. On occasions, I met the carers and they all were good caring people whom I was confident Mum was in safe hands. Yes, you’ve guessed it I highly recommend this team.” We aim to continue this excellent level of quality care and assurrance.

We have a larger team and they have continued seamlessly to deliver the excellent care they were brought in to do. Training is ongoing and we now have complex care trained staff to meet the ever changing needs of our clients and community we serve so we can continue to support people to stay well at home. I want to assure everyone that whatever your care needs if assessed and we can support you, we will deliver.

You will find our postcards around the areas we cover which are Potters Bar, Shenley & Radlett, Borehamwood and Watford. If you haven’t received one please visit our website and call us for an assessment so We can help you stay well at home. Look out for the new team faces on Facebook and Instagram in due course.

Dementia Action Week at Nyadowa Care

by landibabs, posted in explore

The latest research shows one in three of us born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in our lifetime. At Nyadowa Care, we’re trained to support and assist those who are affected by dementia. 

What is Dementia? 

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning, which includes and not limited to: thinking, remembering, and reasoning. Additionally, there are many different causes of dementia, and many different types. People often get confused about the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases (www.nhs.uk)

At Nyadowa Care we support people living with Dementia in their own homes. Dementia can be very challenging for loved ones, as they are often unaware of the personality and behavioural  changes that they are undergoing. It’s difficult to witness our loved one’s experience symptoms of depression or distressing emotions. However, it’s crucial for our loved one’s to speak to a health professional and get the right diagnosis. 

We at Nyadowa Care continue to do what we do best: be there to support not just the individual living with Dementia,  but their loved ones too. Should you require respite care to top up on your self-care, you can make an enquiry with us here or call us on 01707659099

In more exciting news, this year my colleagues and I will be fundraising for Alzheimer’s and will be doing the Memory Walk 2022 on 3/9/2022.

We’re currently receiving donations here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/watfordmw22-babramasaya

What is Domiciliary care?

by landibabs, posted in explore

What is Domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care (also known as home care) has become the first choice for those who are seeking care for either themselves or their loved ones. Holistic home care takes care of your full personal care whilst maintaining the dignity of each client. At Nyadowa Care our guiding principle is to maintain your independence, wellbeing, and quality of life. 

This includes:

Getting ready for the day

Bathing and showering

Medication aid

Companionship

Shopping

Food preparation

General home cleaning

Live-in care

Palliative care

Post hospital discharge

Respite care 

Dementia care

What makes our homecare services different?

At Nyadowa Care we respond to the changing needs and priorities of each client, whilst centering their wellbeing at all times. No matter the time of day, we can provide home help for the elderly in the comfort of their own home. Our staff are trained to provide comfort and assist clients with complex needs such as Dementia and Alzheimers. 

Why can you trust us?

We keep in regular contact so that you soon get to know the team at Nyadowa care. Our ears are always open to listen to your queries.  Additionally, our care services are fully regulated by the relevant country regulator including Care Quality Commission (CQC) for England. We provide high-quality care that stands by our mission statement ‘Helping you stay well at home’

Please contact us info@nyadowa.com or call us on 01707659099 to discuss your needs.

Ben Nevis

by landibabs, posted in explore

Ben Nevis

People often wonder what Carers, office staff and managers do when not looking after the needs of our service users and their needs.

Today I am thrilled and pleased to write our first ever blog, whilst on my holiday. And it is so fitting that my blog is about my big climb up Ben Nevis. As l drove up the A82, I was asking myself could that be the mountain, they all look very high up. The morning of the climb, I took a walk to the Commando memorial to have a look from a distance what I had signed myself up for, and that was the first time l knew which mountain was Ben Nevis🙈😂.

We met our guide at 8.30am at the Ben Nevis Inn, and he set us off straight away, there was no faffing about. The one thing he said was to take our time and not rush, reserve energy for the harder parts that are to come. It’s human nature to want to fire away and beat the record time you read on other blogs.

Within half an hour into the walk my bag was getting heavy, my leggings were making me too hot, after an hour I was sweating and I had every excuse under the sun. A gentleman who was in our party found it too hot and was humble enough to say l can’t do it, he left and went back down. I was thinking of joining him too. At 67yrs old and 23 degrees heat it was too much for him. As you go up you start asking silly questions, like one lady saying does it get any steeper🤣. “Yes love it’s plain sailing” the jogger shouted on his descend. People were asking what’s it like at the top and it was interesting to know not everyone makes it to the top. A young gentleman said he found it too hot, as he was diabetic the heat had not helped. You find clothing and food parcels left on the path side as people offload their too heavy bags. The views are spectacular pictures don’t do them justice.

I made it to the top and it was such a humbling experience. There was a sense of comradery amongst all the climbers. The climb played with my mind there were highs when l was singing the chorus to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin on a prayer’ and there were lows when I just wanted to throw in the towel. I met people who were doing it for charity, some like me were ticking off bucket lists. The sheer excitement at the summit was amazing, people calling friends and family to share their excitement. The views were amazing and the guide told us the weather was on our side. The climb down was not easy but we made it down and a pint of beer shandy at the Inn was best way to finish off the walk.

Our colleague who couldn’t make it up the top was happy for us and he had a sense of regret that he had not done it. I felt empathy for him and I said we would take him up on another day whilst we were still here. Everyone looked at me with an are you crazy stare. I didn’t think anything of it. In the morning, the weather focus was good and I said “Let’s go”. He apologised for even thinking that anyone would want to go up Ben Nevis twice, he had had his chance and he blew it. I said I would take him up on one condition, l packed a bag for him, as the day before he had packed the kitchen sink. He couldn’t believe it, neither could l. We drove back up to the Inn and at 9.44am we started the climb.

He made it to the top of Ben Nevis albeit the heat which was 19 degrees. The trick was to take it at his own pace. For me day two was about enjoying the views, making memories, and I was able to talk about my faith, appreciate life and the things we all take for granted.

Lessons learnt from the two walks

  • At times, I just need to do some things in bitesize chunks and get them done.
  • Perseverance, a full body workout what it really feels like
  • Walking Ben Nevis put me out of my comfort zone.

As healthcare workers we work hard, and taking timeout to do outdoor activities is great for our mental health, general fitness and wellbeing which is something we advocate at Nyadowa Care. It was good to see people almost back to leading a normal life, with keeping distance when walking and I believe we are on the path to some sort of recovery from the pandemic. We will still keep up with the good work we are doing of keeping everyone safe at all times. Things can only get better I shall sign off with D:REAM.