Ana has been part of the First Choice Home Care team since 2016. She previously worked in a Nursing Home after moving to England in 2012 but wanted to expand her knowledge and experience in domiciliary and residential care. During her time at First Choice Home Care Ana has progressed from Care Worker to senior Care Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator, Branch Administrator and most recently, Recruitment Officer and Head of Care Coordinator.
As part of her development, Ana has been given lots of opportunity to grow as a person and as a Care expert whilst having lots of fun with the close-knit team. They have supported her to achieve 4 NVQs ranging from Social Care, Health & Social Care, Business Administration and finally Human Resources.
First Choice Home Care have given Ana the encouragement and opportunity to develop throughout her career, Ana says: “First Choice Home Care is an Employer of choice that gives opportunity for their employees to follow their ambition and grow, I love working here”.
22-08-2022
First Choice Home Care has a home care (domiciliary care) branch near the Market Place in Halesworth. The Registered Manager will talk you through how domiciliary care works and answer any questions you may have. The telephone number is 01986 800227.
16-12-2021
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First Choice Home Care Ltd can offer a person-centered care package tailored to your individual needs. Please complete the form under Contact Us and a member of our team will get back to you.
15-11-2021
First Choice Home Care Ltd can offer a person centered care package tailored to your individual needs. Please complete the form under Contact Us and a member of our team will get back to you.
15-11-2021
You may have noticed a few changes recently with an ageing parent, relative or partner.
As the effects of aging can creep up subtly it is often down to family members to recognise when someone may need extra assistance.
It’s often hard for elderly people to admit when they need help; they don’t want to be a burden and wish to stay independent at home for as long as possible.
As professional carers we know how quickly things change and we’re also on-hand to answer any questions you may have. Our friendly branches across East Anglia offer tailored domiciliary home care, personal care and specialist support for customers with Parkinson’s, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, illness and disabilities.
Here’s our Top 5 signs to look out for:
If you are caring for a loved one, helping as and when you can, it’s so important to ask for help. You may feel overwhelmed, and emotional trying to cope with the growing situation. We offer a range of options with tailored home care and are here to help.
We work closely with family and health professionals and provide respite care, hospital to home care and palliative care. We take pride in delivering person centred care. Our step-by-step tailored service allows you to opt for a small amount of support to begin with and build to regular personal care at home as and when needed.
Accredited and by The Care Quality Commission we offer compassionate and professional home care with dignity and respect. Whatever type of care you choose for your loved one, we are on-hand to answer any questions you have. We take pride in delivering dedicated expert care and support across Norfolk and Suffolk. If you’d like to find out more, please call any of our branches:
Call us on:
Receive regular dedicated tailored support in the comfort of your own home with First Choice Home Care.
01-10-2021
As we get older it can be helpful to understand how our bodies dietary needs change. We value the importance of home cooking and offer meal preparation as part of our home help service. So many customers ask us how to get the right balance of vitamins and minerals so we thought we’d take a look at some recommendations to help you give your body what it needs.
Initially the basic principles are the same for all ages and The NHS Eatwell Guide splits what we need into four main food groups that we need to include:
These can be fresh, frozen or canned. Make sure you include plenty of dark green vegetables such as leafy greens or broccoli, and orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes as these give added vitamins and minerals.
Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods.
Try to aim to eat at least three ounces of whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta every day. The reason why there is so much focus on wholegrain is because these are full of nutrients including protein, fibre, B vitamins, antioxidants, and trace minerals. These can help reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer.
Dairy and alternatives
Have three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy (milk, yogurt or cheese) that are fortified with vitamin D to help keep your bones healthy.
Proteins
Try to vary these by choosing more beans, pulses, fish and eggs.
Whilst these are good principles, we also have specific dietary needs as we get older.
Our energy requirement reduces with advancing age due to a decrease in basal metabolic rate and often decreased levels of physical activity.
Try to make the fats you eat healthy ones (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) and switch from solid fats to oils when preparing food.
It is important to reduce portion sizes if your activity levels are low and cut down on sugary snacks such as cakes and buns if you are carrying a few more pounds that you should be.
Your skins ability to synthesise Vitamin D decreases with age. Older people are therefore recommended to take a supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily as well as regularly eating foods such as fish, of which at least one portion a week should be oily. This can help protect against heart disease and can be beneficial if you’ve already suffered a heart attack. Fortified breakfast cereals can also help.
Gut health can be boosted by including pro-biotic supplements, live yoghurt and of course fibre – this is where the wholegrain comes in again!
Finally, for heart health try using cholesterol lowering spreads and soya may also help to rid your body of the ‘bad’ types of cholesterol.
Just follow these simple tips and you can be sure that you are giving your body the best. That has to sensible as after all - we are what we eat!
(Although these are general principles, we advise that you check with your GP for specific information appropriate to you before making changes to your diet.)
Accredited by the Suffolk and Norfolk councils and The Care Quality Commission registered, we offer compassionate and professional home care with dignity and respect. Whatever type of care you choose for your loved one, we are on-hand to answer any questions you have.
If you’d like to find out more, please call any of our branches:
First Choice Home Care - dedicated to the provision of quality care and support
01-11-2019
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After years of battling poor mobility Jack celebrates his birthday healthy and happy.
There's nothing like sharing the thrill and excitement of a Birthday card from HRH Queen Elizabeth. Of course, it's not an average day and it’s not an average story…
Jack's story spans an incredible lifetime. A war veteran he served in the RAF, working as a Radio Operator, which he plays down with modesty and discretion. In the midst of rationing he married his childhood sweetheart Pat when he was just 27 years old.
“I knew the minute I met her she was the girl for me” he recalls. “we just got on so well, she had the most fabulous smile and caring nature”
After the war they set up home in London and Jack became a commercial photographer and also a father. He’s very family focused and proud of his son, his two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
“I always remember to be grateful for every day, but especially birthdays” he said with a smile. “Golden, happy days”.
First Choice Home Care have supported Jack with professional home care for over two years. When we first offered help Jack's mobility was poor with little independent movement, he was more or less chair bound.
Since we've provided care and support, he's not only become more positive but manages to remain living at home and most importantly can now get around by himself.
"When we first started to support Jack, he needed the aid of two carers, specialised equipment & was unable to walk. Over the past 2 1/2yrs he has rehabilitated & now walks with his frame unaided.
It’s an incredible feeling to look back and see how improved Jack’s lifestyle is now. We are a happy team, and I think that helps support and encourage our customers to feel secure.
There’s no doubt that Jack is in charge and going to make the most of every day. He adapts and approaches the challenges of old age with a positive attitude and cheery determination.
“Carers have found Jack in the garden, out for a walk & even upstairs (against all advice) he is an amazing gentleman, and very, very independent"
Our hopes for the year ahead are that he continues to enjoy his family and friends, making the most of every opportunity and celebrates in style.
We wish him the very best 100th year!
01-11-2019
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It's been a year of success stories for our Harleston branch with the most recent news a real celebration for all the team.
Harleston's Registered Manager, Hannah Brock has successfully graduated Level 5 Leadership for Health and Social Care. Receiving her colours at a Graduation Ceremony last week; she was joined by her family and said:
"I am thrilled and very proud. It's been a great day and so nice to have so many friends and family supporting me along the way"
she continued:
"First Choice Home Care offer full training and support to all our team and I would encourage everyone to extend their skills and knowledge. The training facilities at our Snetterton Branch offer professional support"
Hannah started her Level 5 at her previous employment; however, she was unable to complete a lot of the tasks required to achieve her qualification. Joining First Choice Home Care as a Deputy Manager she bloomed and was soon promoted to Registered Manager. Her experience enabled her to complete her course successfully.
She Graduated at East Suffolk College which is part of the University of Suffolk on the 4th October 2019. It took her two years to complete her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Adults Management.
The First Choice Home Care Harleston branch, based at 2 Church Street, takes an active part in the local community supporting local and national charities. They offer a range of domiciliary services supporting older people including home help as well as specialist professional home care for customers suffering from Parkinson's and Dementia.
" Hannah has really done us proud; she is a highly regarded and valued Registered Manager and we are delighted she has passed level 5 with flying colours. Our congratulations from us all at First Choice Home Care"
Recently rated GOOD by the Care Quality Commission, the First Choice Home Care Harleston Branch are consistently achieving top recommendations and remain a key home care service agency within East Anglia supporting Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.
"We are a close team, and all take pride in delivering professional and friendly home care services.
If you'd like to find out more about First Choice Home Care and career opportunities please call us on 01379 640100 or visit our vacancies page - we'd love to hear from you.
16-10-2019
Understandably many elderly people would much prefer to have a care service in the comfort of their own home, rather than move to a care home facility. Staying within their own familiar environment, surrounded by their memories.
Our home care service means you can carry on doing the things you love - from baking and gardening to enjoying a cup of coffee with friends. We'll offer support in the home and help you get out and about too!
However, we need to make sure that their home is as safe as possible because as we get older our risk of falling increases and the damage that we sustain during a fall also becomes greater. In fact 95% of all hip fractures are a direct result of a fall.
The good news is that we can minimise this risk by making some minor adjustments around the house. Here's our top tips on how to get ready for home care:
The bathroom is a key area to check as 80% of all falls happen here. Consider the following add ing the following:
Ensure the house including the inside and outside stairs are well lit and consider night lights in the sockets.
Stairs can be made safer with railings but it is vital to de-clutter them! We all have clutter that builds up over the years but this can be a real danger. Make sure paths are clear and only necessary items are on the floor.
Place regularly used glasses and items on the kitchen worktop, make sure items stored away are at a good height and ban those stepladders! Avoid any reason to overstretch and lose balance. Consider sponges with long handles, shoe horns, a grabber to pick things up with and an easy-pull sock aid to make life easier.
Taps with easy handles, clear counters and everything tidy and to hand is a must. Food preparation can be made less hazardous without the need for comprising on taste. Many supermarkets produce delicious ready meals using unprocessed ingredients and they taste as good as if they had been cooked at home and with a microwave these can be a real blessing.
If the care needs are more advanced, it is worth contacting us to access your care needs. Working alongside your GP and your local occupational therapist who will assess the home for purpose. They can often arrange delivery of adjustable beds, hoists, pressure mattresses and many other facilities as required.
Finally, it is worth remembering that even after a fall 47% of senior citizens can’t get up without support. So, make sure that help can be called for easily. Consider installing a personal alarm system. Age UK offer one that can be worn at all times as either a lanyard or a wristband and this is connected to a 24-hour helpline so assistance can be called at anytime giving peace of mind.
With these few steps, care in the home can be delivered safely and home remains home!
If you’d like to find out more, please call any of our branches. We’d be happy to help and offer a wealth of information to get you started.
Call us on:
First Choice Home Care - dedicated to the provision of quality care and support
01-10-2019
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Are you suffering with a long-term health condition or supporting someone that needs long-term care? Currently over 850,000 people in the UK are suffering with Dementia and numbers are set to rise to over 1 million by 2025 and a staggering 2 million by 2051.
Dementia can lead to memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Conditions vary and affect people differently but as symptoms progress it often becomes harder to communicate making everyday tasks a challenge. Mood and behaviour changes are common symptoms and leaves families searching for a way to reconnect with the person they know and love.
Recent studies have found music offers a connection between memory and mood. Some exciting initiatives are harnessing the power of music that can be incredibly positive for dementia sufferers and their families.
Vicky McClure’s uplifting BBC documentary‘Our Dementia Choir’ was a great example of how this therapy can help. With specialists from medicine, music therapy, and performance, Vicky formed a special choir of 20 singers who are living with dementia and saw outstanding results. The documentary showed evidence that music can help people with Dementia to feel and live better.
Singing can increase positive emotional processing and evidence suggests that it can improve someone's mood, behaviour and wellbeing.
Throughout our lives we build a special connection to music and harnessing this can be particularly powerful. Research shows that musical memory is often retained when other memories are lost so listening to favourite songs can actually bring back those old memories and feelings.
When someone with dementia starts to lose their speech, this is particularly upsetting for families who feel they have ‘lost’ their loved ones. Communication is broken, there are often no responses and dialogue become a thing of the past.
It’s incredibly difficult for family carers to handle, and many stop talking themselves not wanting to upset or aggravate their loved ones. However, dementia sufferers can be transformed when they hear a song they recognise and often join in singing and/or dancing along to their favourite songs which can be a precious moment for families to share.
The good news is there are lots of ways to get involved.
With the launch of ‘BBC Music Memories’ classic, popular or even theme tunes can be played and listened to at home.
‘Playlist for Life’ the UKs leading music and dementia charity can create a unique, personal playlist that can reflect someone’s life story and gather tunes that are most deeply attached to memories and emotions. These can be shared and enjoyed by all the family.
The Alzheimer’s society offers interactive ‘Singing for the brain’ sessions where they use singing to bring people with dementia together in a friendly and stimulating way. In fact, 100% of people who use their groups say it improved their lives! On their website you can search for a group near you.
So why not try getting connected to the music and see the effects for yourself. We believe it improves everyone’s wellbeing whatever their age.
If you’d like to find out more about dementia care at home and how we can help please get in touch.
Harleston 01379 640100
Snetterton 01953 667950
Halesworth 01986 800227
15-09-2019
You may have noticed a few changes recently with an ageing parent, relative or partner.
As the effects of aging can creep up subtly it is often down to family members to recognise when someone may need extra assistance.
It’s often hard for elderly people to admit when they need help; they don’t want to be a burden and wish to stay independent at home for as long as possible.
As professional carers we know how quickly things change and we’re also on-hand to answer any questions you may have. Our friendly branches across East Anglia offer tailored domiciliary home care, personal care and specialist support for customers with Parkinson’s, Dementia, illness and disabilities.
Here’s our Top 5 signs to look out for:
If you are caring for a loved one, helping as and when you can, it’s so important to ask for help. You may feel overwhelmed, and emotional trying to cope with the growing situation. We offer a range of options with tailored home care and are here to help.
We work closely with family and health professionals and provide respite care, hospital to home rehabilitation care, and palliative care. We take pride in delivering person centred care. Our step-by-step tailored service allows you to opt for a small amount of support to begin with and build to regular personal care at home as and when needed.
Accredited by the Suffolk and Norfolk councils and The Care Quality Commission registered, we offer compassionate and professional home care with dignity and respect. Whatever type of care you choose for your loved one, we are on-hand to answer any questions you have. We take pride in delivering dedicated expert care and support across Norfolk and Suffolk. If you’d like to find out more, please call any of our branches:
Call us on:
Receive regular dedicated tailored support in the comfort of your own home with First Choice Home Care.
04-09-2019
Don't wilt in the heat! This week we're posting our Top Tips on how to help elderly people keep cool during a heatwave and the importance of taking care.
Elderly people struggle with heatwave temperatures and are more likely to become dehydrated. Prescription medicines and health can impair on how their body responds to heat.
It's not always easy to spot early signs of dehydration; and the hot weather makes careing for a loved-one a little harder. People with impaired mobility may not wish to drink too much if they struggle getting to the bathroom; and this can seriously affect their wellbeing.
1
Drink plenty of cool water and avoid coffee and tea. Make a jug of still iced water, you can add lemon or cucumber as a summer twist. Make sure you drink at least two jugs during the day.
2
Place a cool wet flannel on your forehead and back of the neck. You can wrap a bag of frozen peas and make a compress with these too!
3
Keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day and windows open.Make the most of the day and always keep in shade. This is Archie, he loves the sun but feels too hot today! 😅
4
Wear lightweight cotton clothing, a sun hat and factor 50 sun cream! You can sit with your feet in a bowl of cool water or take a cool shower (not freezing) to help bring your body temperature down.#temperature #toohot #elderlycare #summer #heatwave
5
Enjoy the sunshine but don't forget heat stroke can affect elderly people - it's a serious condition and requires medical treatment.
01-09-2019
What to look out for and how to be prepared
Heat stroke can affect all ages and can be a serious condition. When the summer temperatures rise many forget to take things a little slower. Independent older people may struggle in the heat, and may also be a little more determined to keep their daily routines.
Spotting the signs of heat stroke can be difficult. Often people may appear just fatigued or overcome with the heat. If you’re a carer yourself, you may also be struggling. Remember you also need to keep hydrated.
Encourage older people to drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine free drinks. Hydration is a key factor in managing body temperature and inadequate replacement of fluids over a period of hot days can result in Heat Stroke.
Heat stroke is a serious condition. When a person’s body temperature rises rapidly, they lose the ability to regulate their temperature by sweating. Medication can impair perspiration and older people may be unaware they are at risk.
Signs to look out for
How to help someone with Heat Stress
If the person is showing severe signs of heat stroke seek medical help immediately.
We offer homecare services across Norfolk and Suffolk. If you’d like to find out more please contact us>
01-08-2019
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Live well and feel better
Are you suffering with a long-term health condition or supporting someone that needs long-term care? Currently over 850,000 people in the UK are suffering with Dementia and numbers are set to rise to over 1 million by 2025 and a staggering 2 million by 2051.
Dementia can lead to memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Conditions vary and affect people differently but as symptoms progress it often becomes harder to communicate making everyday tasks a challenge. Mood and behaviour changes are common symptoms and leaves families searching for a way to reconnect with the person they know and love.
Recent studies have found music offers a connection between memory and mood. Some exciting initiatives are harnessing the power of music that can be incredibly positive for dementia sufferers and their families.
Vicky McClure’s uplifting BBC documentary ‘Our Dementia Choir’ was a great example of how this therapy can help. With specialists from medicine, music therapy, and performance, Vicky formed a special choir of 20 singers who are living with dementia and saw outstanding results.
The documentary showed evidence that music can help people with Dementia to feel and live better. Singing can increase positive emotional processing and evidence suggests that it can improve someone's mood, behaviour and wellbeing.
Throughout our lives we build a special connection to music and harnessing this can be particularly powerful. Research shows that musical memory is often retained when other memories are lost so listening to favourite songs can actually bring back those old memories and feelings.
