Recent research conducted by Ipsos has revealed a serious lack of trust and confidence in Britain’s care homes since the start of the pandemic, as half of the UK public fear their family members would not be well looked after. The survey, which was commissioned by The Guardian, paints a worrying picture of the care industry and highlights an imperative to put wellbeing at the heart of care services, something that we believe strongly at Wallacea Living.
Across our Integrated Retirement Living communities we take a holistic approach to wellbeing by offering our owners access to regular stimulation for the mind, body and soul through personalised support. We recognise that everyone will be on a different journey and will have their own goals and objectives of what they want to achieve. For some that’s to be more fit and active, for others, to introduce healthier eating habits into their lifestyle or to improve their socialising and interaction with others.
Based on the belief that one size does not fit all, our wellbeing services are divided into four key pathways in order to support every individual as and when they need it. Central to this holistic approach, is our Wellbeing Manager who plays a key role in bringing together the different services across all four pathways. From overseeing the various teams from gym manager and concierge, to the care team, key partners and any external services, the Wellbeing Manager will make sure a seamless, joined-up approach is in place for everyone. All with the aim of helping our owners live their later lives to the full.
Proactive wellbeing
First things first, proactive wellbeing is a pivotal part of the Wallacea Living offering and is the key to enabling people to live better, healthier lives, balancing choice with the ability to uphold their independence.
As well as the gym, access to personal training and spa facilities, we have embraced technology to support owners through proactive wellness. Our tech includes wearable fitness devices and even a state-of-the-art Gravity Machine, an incredible piece of rehabilitation equipment, which helps those recovering from surgery or who are struggling to bear their own weight.
Central to proactive wellbeing is owner choice and the focus on bespoke packages for each individual depending on their needs and desires. Through this support, we can ease the burden on the NHS and other social services, helping owners to remain healthy and independent for longer and therefore avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital wherever possible.
We also offer owners six-monthly wellbeing MOTs. This service helps spot changes to the vital signs and provides regular measurement of our owners’ health and wellbeing to both reduce sickness, and to support a healthier community overall.
Access to healthcare: private and funded
At a time when the NHS and GP surgeries are faced with record wait times, we offer easy access to healthcare, whether through our regular on-site GP surgery, or through priority access to a private appointment booking service for private doctors and specialists.
The relationships we build with local hospitals and NHS providers will make transition out of hospital far smoother for any owners who have required medical care, while we also offer medication collection services, access to chemists and the ability to book vaccinations.
The bottom line is, whether owners want to receive private or NHS healthcare, we will work closely with them to receive the best possible care.
Support
A fairly broad term, this includes any way in which we can help make life that little bit easier for our owners. This type of support is not regulated and is like an on-site concierge. It could be booking theatre tickets to organising transport, help with the weekly shop or to accompany someone to their hospital appointment.
Wallacea Living prides itself on its ‘One Team’ approach. This enables clear communication between all our staff in order to support our owners. With only one employer on site, we can avoid the challenges that often arise from outsourcing, with too many different systems in place and a lack of communication and collaboration between different teams. Our on-site team are there 24/7, always looking out for our owners and always ready to help.
Care
No matter where you may be on your life’s journey, the truth is that at some point some people will need a helping hand when it comes to care. We recognise it’s a sensitive topic that people often don’t want to talk about, but as and when its required, we will be ready to support owners with a wide range of personal care services and with complete dignity.
Our in-house care teams will be equipped with the latest expertise and technology to help our owners in their homes - whether that’s providing an emergency response pendant to call for assistance when they fall, or with the Mangar Camel Lifting Cushion to help them off the floor in a safe and secure way. Our care support packages will be completely bespoke for each individual, with the focus always being on choice and appreciation of the subtle nuances of individual preferences.
But more than that, our care will be delivered by a dedicated and compassionate team of experts who are all united by the same goal of supporting owners to live the life they choose. We believe passionately that a focus on wellbeing is fundamental to excellence in care, driving trust and confidence and is ultimately what everyone wants for their own family members. Without this level of focus on individuals to build trust and confidence, Britain’s care system simply won’t improve.
