How your money helps
Many of our supporters find it helpful to see how the money they donate is spent. Detailed below are some everyday examples of Brendoncare putting your money to good use:
Aromatherapy - £15
A one hour aromatherapy session can help residents to relax, and can give great relief to those suffering from achy arthritic joints.
Activities - £15
£15 pays for a small game or puzzle used in activities sessions.
Physiotherapy session - £30
A one hour session with a qualified member of staff provides a valuable treatment which can add greatly to residents' enjoyment of life.
Daycare session - £30
A six hour Brendoncare daycare session gives the older person a stimulating enjoyable day, perhaps enjoying an assisted bath, and affords valuable respite for the carer or family.
Over Bed Table - £130
This table fits over the top of the beds found in Brendoncare homes and helps give older people independence. The table provides a convenient space for residents to place drinks, write letters and read magazines, without having to call for help.
Pantomime and refreshments - £200
Within Brendoncare homes, residents take great pleasure from pantomimes and other shows throughout the year. £200 allows the Activity Organiser to arrange a good show and even provide refreshments.
Wheelchairs - £200
All residents need access to high quality wheelchairs, offering them freedom and comfort.
Corporate training - £273 per session
Brendoncare believes that excellence is achieved through staff development, and is committed to excelling in its care standards. All staff are offered the opportunity to attend over 15 training sessions a year on subjects such as abuse awareness, dealing with death and bereavement, record keeping and a people-centred approach.
Pressure relief cushion - £300
Due to reduced mobility and prolonged periods spent in bed, older people are more prone to pressure sores. These cause huge discomfort and can lead to long term illnesses.
This special cushion, incorporating an air-filled alternating-pressure system, helps reduce pressure on sensitive areas and stimulates important capillaries to prevent and alleviate pressure sores.
Hairdressing equipment - Hood dryer £390, styling chair £270
A hairdressing service is crucial for the wellbeing of the residents as it allows them to retain a sense of individuality, and supports them in preserving their independence. Professional hairdressers visit the on-site salon regularly.
Professional development programme - £500 per person
Brendoncare is committed to staff training and development, believing that it can help lead to excellence in care standards. This programme is run for Team Leaders and subjects covered include disciplinary and grievance procedures, investigating abuse, accountability and hospitality, recruitment and appraisals, and team building. 'The whole course has been tremendously helpful, and I have developed in practice and confidence', said Cathy Bruce, Team Leader at The Old Parsonage in Otterbourne.
Training (NVQ in health and social care level two) - £850
Brendoncare is committed to investing in each and every member of its care staff and supports them working towards gaining this qualification. Our aim is for 75% of our staff to hold this qualification, rather than the 50% required as the national minimum standard.
If you feel you could help us to provide the above services and facilities for our residents, please make a donation.
There are many specialist pieces of equipment available today which help us greatly to improve the quality of life for our residents. The shopping list below shows you why we are always under such pressure to raise as much money as possible:
Orthopaedic chair - £1,000
Ensuring that residents maintain a high degree of mobility is vital for their continued wellbeing. This chair eliminates the potential to slide forward into an uncomfortable position, therefore giving residents added security whilst also maintaining good posture.
Powered profiling bed - £1,000
Through our commitment to increased independence, residents are provided with an electric profiling bed. This allows them to adjust their own position to sleep, read or watch TV at a touch of a button, rather than calling for support. This bed also reduces the risk of back injury to carers and nurses.
Scales - £1,200
Maintaining a constant weight is a key indicator in assessing the health of older people. These scales allow a wheelchair to be pushed directly onto them, therefore ensuring no distress is caused to residents. The scales can also be folded up and transported easily around the home for weekly weighing clinics.
Stand Aid - £1,725
Many older people, who fear falls, limit their activity still further. This robust piece of equipment gives residents the ability to walk unaided, and contributes to improved and increased mobility.
Ironing and steaming finishing table - £2,000
A high quality laundry service is crucial for the wellbeing of the residents as it allows them to retain a sense of individuality, and supports them in preserving their independence. This equipment ensures a professional finish to laundry and is significantly more time efficient to use than household alternatives.
Pressure relief bed - £3,000
Due to reduced mobility and prolonged periods spent in bed, older people are more prone to pressure sores. These cause huge discomfort and can lead to long term illnesses. This special bed, incorporating an air-filled alternating-pressure mattress, helps reduce pressure on sensitive areas and stimulates important capillaries to prevent and alleviate pressure sores.
Electronic bath with hoist - £8,000
Older people can have difficulty in basic activities like bathing. This highly specialist piece of equipment supports residents with minimal risk and discomfort, whilst providing reassurance and retaining dignity. The bath is controlled electronically, and can be raised and lowered so that the carer or nurse does not have to bend excessively. In addition, the bath has an inbuilt hoist and transfer seat, allowing residents to be placed into the seat in their own room, wheeled to the bathroom and lowered directly into the bath.