LIVING WELL WITH ARTHRITIS, FOR ALL OF LIFE

At Prestige Nursing & Care we believe that those living with arthritis should be able to live a fulfilled and healthy life with the right support in place, tailored to their individual needs.

As an established provider we have been supporting individuals who require arthritis care to have an improved quality of life in their own homes and communities for over 75 years. We have been trusted by families up and down the country to provide care for all of life, evolving the level and type of care we provide to meet changing needs.

YOUR HOME IS BEST FOR ARTHRITIS CARE

Through our experience of supporting thousands of people and their families, we know that most people faced with the prospect of long-term care and support for arthritis prefer to stay in the safety, comfort and familiarity of their treasured home and not endure the disruption caused by a move away.

For many a move from home can cause much upset, worry and for some confusion. Having routines imposed on how you live, leaving your loved one, feeling isolated from family and friends or your local community are all common concerns experienced by those facing a move into a care home, specialist care setting, or facing a prolonged stay in hospital.

Staying at home with arthritis care means you can continue to live life your way, whilst benefitting from one-to-one care provided by a competent and compassionate carer, so you can have an improved quality of life with enhanced well-being.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is characterised by joint inflammation and affects more than 10 million people in the UK. It most often develops in the mid-40s or older, but it can occur at any age as a result of an injury or can be associated with other joint-related conditions. Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints which can cause disability.

COMMON FORMS OF ARTHRITIS

There are lots of different types of arthritis, however, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK affecting nearly nine million people. It is more common in women and people with a family history of the condition. It affects the smooth cartilage lining of a joint affecting movement and leading to pain and stiffness. As the cartilage wears thin, the tendons and ligaments work harder which causes swelling and the formation of bony nodules known as spurs orosteophytes.

Further loss of cartilage causes bones to rub together, altering the shape of the joint. Any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often affects the knees, hips and small joints of the hands. For some, the symptoms are mild whilst others can find it difficult to carry out everyday activities.

Rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints causing swelling, pain and stiffness. Unlike osteoarthritis which affects us as we age, rheumatoid arthritis often starts when a person is between 40 and 50 years old. Women are three times as likely to be affected than men.

The joints most commonly affected are the small joints of the wrists, toes, fingers, elbows, knees, shoulders, neck and jaw. It affects people differently with some experiencing symptoms in one or two joints at a time, while others will have episodes of pain and swelling that can last for days or weeks.

The pain and stiffness a person experiences are often worst in the morning making movement and holding objects difficult. It is important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible as there are effective treatments that can help the condition. If left undiagnosed it can cause permanent joint damage. As with most conditions relating to the immune system, extreme tiredness is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

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THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS

There are many types of arthritis and the symptoms you experience will depend on the which type you have. The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain or stiffness but other symptoms include:

  • Restricted movement in the joints
  • Inflammation in and around the joints
  • Warm or red skin over affected joints
  • Muscle weakness and pain
  • Crackling noise when moving

Always make an appointment with your GP if you have any persistent symptoms that are troubling you.

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

Arthritis can cause some painful and distressing symptoms that can make carrying out everyday tasks difficult. Despite the challenges of living with arthritis, there are steps you can take to help you continue to live well and independently.

  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Enjoy regular exercise that increases muscle strength and joint mobility
  • Reduce the stress on your joints while carrying out everyday tasks like moving and lifting
  • Try occupational therapy if your arthritis is affecting your ability to move or carry out daily tasks
  • Depending on the type of arthritis you have, there are different medications and treatments available to help you manage your symptoms

OUR APPROACH TO ARTHRITIS CARE AT HOME

At Prestige Nursing & Care we provide a care and support package that enables you to live a happy and fulfilled life in the safety and comfort of your own home.  At any age, the arthritis care and support we provide will be guided by you and tailored to your needs, giving you choice over how you live your life and the support you want.

We work collaboratively with our clients and their families to develop a thorough arthritis care plan that accurately reflects a person’s holistic We also adopt a partnership approach to working with local authority partners, NHS services, multidisciplinary teams, therapists and other community bodies involved in a person’s care.  This means we are well-informed so we can provide continuity of care ensuring the right care is in place at the right time, whilst responding efficiently to changing needs and strengthening care provision when required.

Exercise is so important for those living with arthritis and it is important that joints are kept mobile as it helps to strengthen the muscles that protect and support your joints.  Working in partnership with healthcare professionals, for example Occupational Therapists, our care planning process will ensure exercises are identified that mean your joints are protected, pain is reduced, and your mobility function can improve.  Your carer will then provide encouragement and support to help you with your exercise regime, whilst monitoring and responding to your progress.

We know through our experience of caring for people living with arthritis that well-being can be impacted by the symptoms of the condition.  Chronic tiredness and depression are very common for those with arthritis.  Our carers will provide more hands-on support at the times of the day you experience the most fatigue and will find positive ways to boost self-esteem and mood.

Carers are trained in managing medications effectively, to ensure you are supported with your medications regime so acute pain is managed and any arthritis treatments are taken as directed by your doctor.

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COMPETENT AND COMPASSIONATE ARTHRITIS CARERS

When you choose Prestige Nursing & Care you can be reassured that the carer who cares for you or your loved one is expertly trained to provide the support you need, to the high standards you should expect.  All carers that join us complete our induction training programme, which goes above mandatory requirements.

We adopt a bespoke approach to training that ensures our carers have the knowledge, skills and aptitude to deliver high-quality home care for arthritis that meets the needs of our clients. If a client is living with a condition like arthritis, we will ensure they have all the training and support they need to provide effective care.

We are very proud of our carers – each and every one of them is dedicated to providing compassionate, sensitive and dignified home care that means our clients live a fulfilled and meaningful life, with independence and choice, for all of life.

WHAT DOES OUR HOME CARE SERVICE INCLUDE FOR THOSE WITH ARTHRITIS?

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AT PRESTIGE NURSING & CARE

Clinical excellence is at the heart of our culture and approach to service delivery at Prestige Nursing & Care. Our nurse-led home care service is monitored and supported by our experienced regional nursing teams. Led by our Head of Clinical Services who has over 30 years clinical experience, our team of qualified regional nurses are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Each holds a registered nursing qualification in at least one nursing specialism, including general adult nursing, learning and disability nursing, mental health nursing and children’s nursing. They enable the planning and delivery of safe and effective complex care to our clients, that is focused on ensuring the best possible care experience for our clients and their families.

Our nurses work in partnership with our care co-ordinators, carers, clients and families to identify specific care needs and plan the most appropriate care provision, whilst ensuring all our carers have the skills they need to deliver high standards of nurse-led care. They also provide families with on-going advice and continual support to ensure they feel reassured about the service we provide.

HOW WE PROVIDE CARE AT HOME FOR THOSE WITH ARTHRITIS

Our trusted and established care at home service can be provided in the following ways for someone living with arthritis:

  • In-home respite care is for those who need care and support with tasks of daily living or clinical care at certain times during the day. Depending on your arthritis support needs, care at home can vary from a single 1-hour visit to several hours/visits throughout the day, one day or several days each week. For those who have complex needs, hourly care can be provided over a 24-hour period.
  • Live-in care for when a permanent care arrangement is needed with greater levels of support around the clock to ensure a person can live well at home. Through our family of leading home care brands in the UK, we are able to offer award-winning live-in care rated ‘Outstanding’ by The Care Quality Commission (CQC) from The Good Care Group.
  • Respite care for those needing a short-term arrangement after hospital discharge to rehabilitate or when a family carer needs a break from their caring role. It is also an ideal service for families who wish to assess whether care at home is the right care choice for them.
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CARE MANAGEMENT LOCAL TO YOU

Our responsive and reliable local care at home service for those living with arthritis means we can put a care pathway for arthritis or a nursing care plan for arthritis in place quickly and in many cases within 24-hours.   Our local care expert will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs at home, in hospital or in any specialist care setting if you are awaiting discharge back to your own home enabling a plan of care and support to be developed that meets all your needs.

Our approach to care planning, whether it is for an hourly care service, respite care or a permanent live-in care arrangement ensures we capture all your preferences and wishes so you can live a contented life in the comfort of your own home.  We take time to find the carer that would best meet your care and support needs, making sure they are closely aligned with how you wish to live your life. Once care is in place, our local teams made up of care and clinical experts provide you, your family and our carer with an abundance of on-going support, giving you reassurance that you or your loved one is receiving the very best care at home.

QUALITY ASSURANCE THROUGH REGULATED SERVICE PROVISION

Prestige Nursing & Care is not an agency. Unlike a home care agency, we provide a fully managed and regulated care at home service, which means our clients, their families and our professional partners can be reassured that the care and support we provide those living with arthritis is of the very highest quality.

Our service is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Scottish Care Inspectorate (SCI) in Scotland. We are proud that 96% of our inspected services have been rated as providing a ‘Good’ service, with 4% rated ‘Outstanding’ and all our services in Scotland have been awarded a five-star rating.

COST OF ARTHRITIS CARE

The cost of arthritis care is dependent on the level of care and support you require.  If you are receiving our hourly arthritis care the overall cost will be determined by the number of visits and frequency of visits to you at home. Our experts will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs at your home, or in hospital if you are awaiting discharge to truly understand what you need and therefore how much arthritis care at home will cost.

We know that our cost of professional arthritis care is very competitive when compared with other home care providers.  It is worth noting that when comparing the cost of home care with a care package in a care home, that the fee you pay for home care is for the care and support you receive.  In a care home your weekly fee mainly covers your accommodation, food and social activities with the care package being only a small part of what you pay.You may be entitled to either healthcare funding, social care funding or Government funding to contribute to the cost of home care.  If you are faced with having to finance your own home care (known as self-funding care), there are initiatives available to you, including care fees annuities or equity release schemes that could provide the funds you need for your care and support

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RESPONSIVE LOCAL TEAMS WITH NATIONWIDE COVERAGE

We are providing care and support to those needing arthritis care in over 30 locations in the heart of communities across England and Scotland. The fully managed service we provide is highly responsive and our experts local to you can put care packages in place quickly, working in collaboration with local healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary teams, therapeutic care providers and other community support services. We know this holistic approach ensures our clients get the best out of life, for all of life.

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USEFUL RESOURCES

There are several organisations and charities in the UK that support those who are living with arthritis, including Versus Arthritis , Arthritis Action and the Arthritis Foundation.

We are here to take your call and will provide impartial support and guidance – contact our friendly care experts today to discuss your arthritis care and support needs.


0808 239 1525