Care staff from the local Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford Bluebird Care office recently took part in a very interesting training and awareness day on Palliative Care and Multiple Sclerosis.

The Palliative Care training was given by Bernie Brophy from the local Carlow/Kilkenny HomeCare Team. Carers found the presentation very beneficial with everyone keen to learn more about this important area. The afternoon session was hosted by the MS Society with a detailed and interesting presentation on MS and some guidance on how to Care for people with MS.

Brian Egan Managing Director of the local Bluebird Care office said that there was great feedback from everyone about the training. This forms part of the varied Bluebird Care Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford training programme. Aside from the mandatory Induction & Orientation workshop and Manual Handling and Patient Moving Training the local office has held training workshops in the following areas over the last year : Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care, Disability Awareness, Parkinson’s, Motor Neurones and now Palliative Care and Multiple Sclerosis.

On a national basis Bluebird Care are currently looking at rolling out new training initiatives for Carers throughout the country as training continues to provide a key focus for Bluebird Care as all offices continue to deliver a high standard of Care for people of all ages and needs in their own homes and in the community.

Bluebird Care are a leading Home Care provider with offices throughout Ireland providing Care on a private basis and as a preferred provider for the HSE. Flexible Care visits are provided from hourly care to 24/7 Live In Care with an individualised Care Plan completed for each client.

Bluebird Care Carlow/Kilkenny & Waterford would like to welcome Luan Lyons to Bluebird Care as our new Care Supervisor.

Luan is a qualified Nurse (BSc General Nursing) and has over 10 years experience working in Care in the community as well as in residential and hospital settings. Luan will primarily be responsible for staff supervisons, the ongoing maintenance of staff files, the continued implementation of our stringent policies and procedures as well as supporting Liz Carey-Miller in her role as Care Manager in areas such as Risk Assessments, Care reviews, Carer Appraisals. Luan will also work with Care Coordinator Marie Conway with Roster & Coordination duties and of course will be there as an additional support for our Carers providing Care throughout Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford.

Luan is passionate about the delivery of a high standard of Care which is a key focus for Bluebird Care and we would like to wish Luan the best of luck in her new role with Bluebird Care.

Bluebird Care Carlow/Kilkenny and Waterford provides a flexible and professional care service, we work as a direct provider for Carlow/Kilkenny HSE and Waterford HSE and on a private basis and can be contacted on 056 780 6054 or email ckw@bluebirdcare.ie

Staff at Bluebird Care Meath have now completed the Elder Abuse training module. This training was carried out by Oonagh McAteer, Dedicated Officer for Protection of Older People, HSE, Dublin North East. The course focused on recognising and responding to elder abuse. The feedback from our Care Staff was that this was a very informative and a very helpful training module to facilitate the delivery of the highest quality home care. A big thank you to all our Carers & Oonagh for attending the course.

Training and up-skilling of Care staff is a key focus in Bluebird Care. As part of the continuous training and development program at Bluebird Care Waterford & Kilkenny a very interesting information training session on Parkinson’s and Motor Neurones recently took place.

‘I was so impressed with your obvious commitment, and with the carers. I have rarely if ever had that degree of intelligent questioning at talks’

This was the feedback from Ann Keilthy a Parkinson’s sufferer who gave a very interesting talk and gave Bluebird Care an insight into her life living with Parkinsons. ‘We were privileged to hear Ann’s story and to see how a Parkinson’s sufferer can live a very fulfilled life although there are many areas to overcome and be aware of’ said Brian Egan Director of Bluebird Care Waterford/Kilkenny. ‘We are caring for people with Parkinsons so its important that Bluebird Care staff’s awareness is increased so it was also very beneficial for staff to hear the detailed presentation from Parkinson’s Nurse specialist Alison Cashel.

There was also a module on Motor Neurones Diseases and this was delivered by nurse specialist Fidelma Rutledge from the Irish Motor Neurones Disease Association. ‘This was a very informative presentation and the interest from Care staff in this area was clearly evident from the amount of questions fielded by Fidelma’ according to Brian.

Bluebird Care Management also gave an update on important areas such as Policies and Procedures and Elder Abuse. ‘Care staff knowledge and awareness of Elder Abuse is so so important’ said Brian. ‘ We update staff with our policies on Elder Abuse and we liaise with HSE senior case workers in this area and we hope to roll out some more Elder Abuse training in the near future. Looking forward other training plans for Bluebird Care Waterford and Kilkenny consist of information sessions on Multiple Sclerosis, Disability Awareness and Mental Health.

Bluebird Care (Sligo & Mayo) continue with development of their staff and the Child First program. Many further staff from Bluebird Care Sligo & Mayo have now completed the “Child First” training in conjunction with the HSE child services department. Thanks to all those who participated.

Paul O’Reilly and Ken Shannon from Bluebird Care Dublin North attended the HSE Nutrition Course in All Hallows College. The course focused on nutrition for older people and included many practical situations and workshops. The course was extremely beneficial particularly when considering those with swallowing issues.

Many thanks to Helga Gerlitz, Senior Dietitian for Older Persons, HSE Area 6 .

A number of staff from Bluebird Care Sligo & Mayo have now also completed the “Clamping Down” training in conjunction with the HSE.  This module invloves training in the secure clamping of a wheelchair for transport in an adapted vehicle.

A number of staff from Bluebird Care Sligo & Mayo have now completed the “Child First” training in conjunction with the HSE child services department. Thanks to all those who participated.

Bluebird Care staff have now completed the Elder Abuse training module.  Thanks to Pauline Ducray of HSE Area 6 for providing this session. The feedback from the Care Staff was that this was a very informative and very helpful training module.