Dementia Action Week: don’t put off today what could empower your tomorrow Dementia Action Week serves as a powerful reminder that early intervention and proactive diagnosis are essential for individuals living with dementia. From May 12-16, the Alzheimer’s Society is running a campaign to encourage people to act on dementia and demystify common barriers to seeking a diagnosis. There has recently been a decrease in dementia diagnosis rates. However, this does not reflect a drop in affected cases, as the number of people affected by dementia grows annually. Rather, this indicates a de ..read more

Stress Awareness Month Stress – it’s a feeling we’re probably all too familiar with. And so, this April to mark Stress Awareness Month, we want to take the time at Birchwood Care Services to focus on the importance of understanding and managing stress.  Stress is a natural part of life, and we all experience it from time to time. However, prolonged stress can have serious negative impacts on our physical and mental health.  So let’s chat about the signs of stress and the steps we can take to manage it effectively.   What does stress look like?  Stress can affect people ..read more

Self-Injury Awareness Day, also known as SIAD, is an annual event held on 1st March. It aims to raise awareness about self-injury and reduce the stigma surrounding this behaviour. The day provides a platform for people affected by self-injury and their supporters to come together and share their stories, experiences, and coping strategies.  We wanted to share a blog this month to highlight the importance of self-injury awareness. As a care provider, it is crucial for us to be aware of self-injury and its implications. Self-injury, also known as self-harm, refers to the deliberate act of c ..read more

A Winter Warming Toolkit for the Elderly Winter is a wonderful time of year filled with festive celebrations and time with family. But it’s also very cold! It’s important that those people older in age stay well during the chilly season and so today we’re sharing a list of things that can be done to ensure you’re warm and well this winter.   Stock up on cold and flu supplies – and make sure you’ve had your flu vaccination!   No one wants to start feeling poorly only to find that they’ve run out of cold and sore throat medicine and remedies. Make sure you stock up as we head ..read more

Information on Alzheimer’s Disease This month is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. In honour of this, we wanted to share some information regarding Alzheimer’s Disease with you today. It’s incredibly important to be aware of the symptoms and support available to ensure the best possible outcome should Alzheimer’s Disease impact you or someone you love.   The symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease progress slowly over several years. Sometimes these symptoms are confused with other conditions and may initially be put down to old age. Reach out to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns ..read more

Overcoming the post-Christmas blues The post-Christmas blues can be a difficult time for many people, including the elderly. After the intensity of feeling and business of the holiday season, it can be hard to re-adjust to our everyday routines. If you’re struggling with the post-Christmas blues, here are some tips for overcoming them:  Exercise  Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and improve your overall well-being. Walking can be a wonderful form of exercise for those who are able. We’ve written a whole blog post on the benefits of walking which provides more information. T ..read more

The benefits of Yoga for those in later life No matter our age, movement is an incredibly important part of staying happy and healthy, and there are countless benefits of Yoga for those in later life. Yoga is a wonderful way for us to incorporate movement and exercise into our lives, especially those of us who are in later life, as it’s a gentle form of movement with ample physical and mental health benefits.   If you or a loved one are considering getting some more movement in your life, here are some reasons to consider yoga.  It’s accessible Modifications, bolsters and other ..read more

Good Care Month Happy July, readers! Did you know that this July is Good Care Month? We couldn’t let it pass without marking the occasion.   Good Care Month 2022 runs from the 1st of July to the 31st of July. With an ageing population, there is an increasing requirement to recruit and retain staff in the adult social care sector. The Good Care Campaign is about celebrating the great work carers do each and every day and sharing it far and wide. It’s our chance to engage and inspire the public to consider social care as a great career choice and recruit more people to join this wonder ..read more

Autumn Activities for the Elderly We love autumn at Birchwood Care Services but we know that for many, the weather change can mean their mood takes a bit of a turn. As the autumn season approaches, a good way to help counter the mood dampeners of darker nights and shorter days can be to embrace the cosiness and beauty autumn has to offer. Autumn doesn’t have to be a solemn or lonely time, but rather a time to slow down, curl up in your home, spend time with friends and family and engage in an activity that makes you happy.   Our carers are there to support our clients throughout the ..read more

A Covid-19 Policy reminder this winter  As we head into the winter season and the UK sees an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, we wanted to take the time to remind you of our Covid-19 policies and assure you of the safety of your loved ones that we care for.   At Birchwood Care Services, we’re doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection and keep our clients and staff safe and well. As we receive guidance from Public Health England, aimed specifically at Covid-19 infection prevention, we implement the procedures immediately.  We’re pleased to confirm th ..read more