FEATURE ARTICLES

Requests for records from relatives or solicitors can be confusing and intimidating, but once you know the rules relating to their disclosure, compliance with the legislation need not be complicated, says Kristy Gouldsmith, managing director, Sapphire Consulting Group

Following several serious incidents involving opening lift landing doors, Nick Mellor, managing director of the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), answers some key questions on what care home managers need to know to keep residents safe

Nicholas Parrish, managing director at Wightman & Parrish, discusses some of the fundamental issues associated with Care Quality Commission non-compliance in relation to care equipment and provides guidance for care homes on best practice

In a new, regular market update, Mike Short, founder and director of CSI Market Intelligence, provides an overview of the sector in relation to new homes opening and home closures, past and present and considers future patterns and how to motivate positive change

Tom Lumsden, a partner at CooperBurnett LLP, discusses stamp duty land tax (SDLT), which is payable on the purchase of UK land as well as on the creation, release, surrender or variation of a chargeable UK land interest

The dining environment is as important as the food that is served there; the décor, the room size, the furniture, lighting, music and even the condiments bring it to life, says Sophie Murray, head of nutrition and hydration for Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare

Enlighten - Lighting for older people and people with dementia:Light and lighting that promotes health and independence doesn't just happen. It needs to be designed with awareness of the specific needs of older people and people with dementia2

Contrary to popular belief, installing overhead rail systems with motorised hoists and sling attachments is straightforward in most care facilities, says Colin Williams, overhead hoist specialist for Etac R82

Many providers will already have felt the effect of an increased focus on enforcement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Andrew Parsons, senior partner and head of healthcare providers within the healthcare team at Radcliffes Le Brasseur, considers the implications

Creating a dementia friendly environment does not have to mean incurring significant cost. By implementing simple, well thought out changes, an environment that enhances quality of life can be easily achieved, says Rob Windsor-Hey, business development manager at Find Memory Care

Everyone working in the care home sector understands the importance of protecting vulnerable residents, but some dangers are more obvious than others, says Hagbard Eriksen, managing director of Danish Clean Water

Every year, a record number of care homes become insolvent. However, there is one thing you can do to help ensure that you not only avoid insolvency, but that your care home succeeds in the long term, says Christopher Briggs, director, Quality of Care

Closerstill Media, the event organiser behind the Health Plus Care event, has launched The Residential & Home Care Show as part of the new Health Plus Care series, which will take place from 26-27 June at Excel London

Joyce McLelland and Dana O’Donell, senior interior designers at Blueleaf, look at how expert interior design know-how can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing for staff as well as residents and contributes to the overall success of a care home

Occupational therapist, Kate Sheehan, has been working with washroom manufacturer, Armitage Shanks, to determine what the bathroom manufacturer can do to further support customers in the care sector

Jim Ward, UK director, Fastroi, discusses how technology can be used to fix some of the process issues that not only affect the levels of stress that staff experience, but may also be putting vulnerable individuals at unnecessary risk

Steve Duff, managing director at New Vision Signs and Graphics in Bradford, considers why people with dementia may fear a reflection they no longer recognise and the impact this can have, and looks at how care homes can manage the situation and help minimise any adverse effects

In the second article in a series on laundry management, Clare Long, business account manager for care within the professional division at Miele, describes how to successfully design a care home laundry

Technology will become increasingly important and it is vital that care providers embrace change, maintain an awareness of key developments and have plans in place to enable them to adapt quickly, says Jonathan White, commercial director, Adaptive IT

Understanding the individual behind a dementia diagnosis and their specific needs is crucial, as is being positive and open, says Jackie Pool, director of memory care, Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare