Care workers have recently been reprimanded by CQC for calling old people affectionate names like ‘sweetheart’, ‘love’ and ‘darling’.

They’ve said the labels are patronising and demeaning and the care home in question was marked down as a result. They ended up with a ‘requiring improvement’ grading.

Care workers argue that the use of these names make the older people feel loved. I really couldn’t agree more.

As shown in the recent John Lewis Christmas advert, many older people live very lonely lives.

In fact 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month.

Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone and two fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company.

Using terms of endearment makes older people feel loved and cared for and part of a family

But isn’t this more about dignity and respect, not what we actually call older people?

For example, at Broomgrove we have a lady who likes to be called Miss Robinson, and that’s what we call her, but we also have a lady who likes to be called Trixibelle, which was a childhood nickname. Many older people like to be called different names, these may be shortened names, like Peggy, for Margaret or Jim for James. Many use their middle names as their first names.

What this is really about is respecting the individual and asking them how they wish to be addressed and following their wishes. It’s all about effective use of communication. At their time in life it’s about feeling comfortable and loved.

This is also about local dialect. ‘Love’ and ‘duck’ is used extensively throughout Yorkshire, even by total strangers when communicating. You’ll hear the terms from shopkeepers, bus drivers, all sorts of people – it’s common currency and it’s how we are up North! We are a friendly bunch. If we were more formal, wouldn’t that be cold and unwelcoming?

At Broomgrove we are a family and we talk to each other as a family would. Some of the residents call the staff ‘Sweetie’. The important issue is that people are called what they want to be called. Some will really appreciate affectionate terms of endearment, others will not.

We enjoyed a facinating talk from Sheffield University’s Health Services Researcher Dr Sheila Kennedy and PhD student Louise Newbould recently. They came to speak to residents about research projects they’re working on which include an ‘intelligent shoe’. You can read all about the visit on Dr Sheila Kennedy’s blog:

http://scharr-rat.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/nursing-home-residents-comment-on-rats.html

My care home residents have always been painfully aware their influence starts and stops inside Broomgrove Nursing Home. But a recent speaker was a true revelation for us.

Melanie Rice came to talk to us about exciting opportunities that mean residents can now influence the shape of services provided for older people in the city. She works in the Council’s Communities Department.

A new Care Act was introduced on April 1st, 2015, which makes changes for Adult Social Care. The Council is keen to involve more service users in the decision making process about priorities for the future and plans to improve and develop services in adult social care.

I’m glad to say the council seem very far ahead of the game. Melanie told us about the varied ways for people to get involved. But at the moment there aren’t many care homes involved in the process so I’d suggest others take the opportunity and contact her.

Hence why the council were so keen to visit us and get us involved. Something we’re all too willing to do! The Council regularly take a lot of flak – they’re doing some great stuff here.

There are five different forums that service users, care home residents and their families can now be involved with (people can also choose to access information remotely and send their comments digitally):

1. Service Improvement Forums. These are bi-monthly city centre meetings whereby members check the quality of services and plans for the future with managers.
2. The Readers Group. Check and improve documents.
3. Safeguarding Advisory Forum. To discuss issues and provide advice about training and awareness raising.
4. Fairer Contributions Commission. Advising on financial contributions policy towards the provision of adult social care services.
5. Quality Improvement Network. Members contribute ideas without having to attend meetings.

There will soon be a forum for Family Carers to discuss issues affecting them and make improvements to services. And there is also a Citizens Reference Group that involves people with plans across Health and Social Care.

To find out information about any of these opportunities, Melanie and her colleague Christina Shipley can be contacted via email at  PracticeDevelop@sheffield.gov.uk  or you can contact the team on telephone number 0114 2930037. You can also find out more by visiting the Council website at: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/caresupport/involvement-engagement.html