Life's too short not to jump out of bed when you notice the aurora is red alert...in my PJ's in the darkness of the back garden just absorbing the beautiful green and pink display!

Speaking with a lady recently who spoke of her joy in seeing a relative chatting regularly with another. She acknowledged that what was talked about likely never happened, sometimes it didn't make sense...but what was important was that they found a connection with each other.

Saturday reset with a walk along the prom in Largs #breathingspace

Imagine a place, where only those with money can access quality social care that reflects their needs & choices. As more & more care providers reduce the amount of local authority funded residents they support in order to meet standards & stay afloat - you won't imagine for long.

Shifting care from acute to community...it won't work without reliable, sustainable, fair & person centred provision of #socialcare. As an #unpaid carer, I already worry about what care mum might be able to access, who or what will need to break to get this support.

Sometimes being an #unpaid carer is like being 'piggy in the middle', squeezed between the needs of so many people, the person you support but also others that support them too. Caring for another has an impact on the carer that is so often hidden. Family dynamics are changed.

As I was leaving work tonight, a lady shouted 'come and give me a hug'... I did of course. Then another lady said she wanted one too, closely followed by a 'where's mine' and a 'Oi, hers was longer than mine'. Something as simple as a cuddle gave so much more. #carehomelife

Quiet moments at the end of life. Supportive moments learning tech together. Energetic moments with the Hokey Cokey. Reflective moments in team meetings. Connecting moments, using rhythm to communicate. Serious moments assessing needs. Many moments filled with love. #carehomelife

1/2 I see the critical importance of shifting the balance of care from #acute to #community but we need the infrastructure to do that, the innovation. Flexible appointments to meet busy schedules - illness doesn't stop for holidays. Many more staff to ensure appointment delivery.

Met an #acute #nurse recently who didn't know #carehomes had nurses. Met another acute nurse who didn't realise care homes could care for someone on oxygen. Another wondered if the care home nurse could take bloods...how do we address this ignorance because it impacts people!

What does #carehome mean to you? Scottish Gov #data doesn't differentiate between care homes with & those without 24/7 #nursing care anymore... it's just one umbrella term, but it makes a difference when thinking about conveyance to hospital, palliative care, assessment of needs.

What constitutes #nursingcare in a #carehome these days? Seems like one local authority's criteria is totally different to another! And thinking about the #impact to the person, how much leverage is given to #futurecare needs & minimising moves away from trusted communities.

The #NHS is great to have but I really think that because of free healthcare, we have no idea what health care costs - that's a big disconnect with huge political connotations.

A very wet walk with Jenni Burton this morning followed by a cosy coffee to plan a talk we are doing in February for RCPE around #endoflife in #carehomes. Much appreciated space to put things into perspective always.

I finished this book today & it really got me thinking about what happens to the books in someone's house when they move to a #carehome? Are they deemed not needed? Are they dismissed because someone can no longer read? Do we cherish the importance of someone's personal #library?

Bereavement affects us all, directly or indirectly. There will never be a 'one size fits all' approach and so listening to each individual within the scope of a protective framework will remain essential. Bereavement doesn't discriminate but the bereaved sadly often are.

This week's been a New Year reset. Collating data for annual returns, filing old paperwork away, finishing reading articles spread left on my coffee table, somewhat planning for the year ahead personally & professionally. 'Somewhat' as I'm a firm believer in 'go with the flow'.

Spoke with a bereaved relative recently who tearfully stated that he had come to realise that to provide the standard of #care that we do for residents, we must truly #love those in our care. We do. Some people dislike using the word 'love' alongside professional care. We don't.

The snow started falling & whilst a mere flurry compared to that elsewhere, the excitement in the #carehome was palpable. People moved to the windows, inviting others to come see, memories of snow days sprang forth. For some though, there was apprehension, how will I get home.

Another great QA cafe today where one of the #nurses, Emma, joined management team to review audits and sense check improvement proposals. Each month a different staff member gives us their opinions whilst learning about some of the #qualityassurance we, as managers, undertake.

Another meeting of the #unpaidcarer group for staff in the #carehome today. A chance to discuss the challenges of the festive season & hopes for the year ahead. Hearing of tensions in family relationships, unreliability of homecare services & that unwelcome feeling- guilt.

Always a joy to encounter #nurses who seem to love their job and who in turn, put people in their care at ease. Thanks to Gary, the charge nurse, in the medical day unit at QEUH. You helped my day start with a positive outlook by making sure my mum was addressed rather than me ❤️

Wondering today about how we capture real time #data with meaning. Completing #annualreturns & thinking much of the data requested is about people & situations of last year. #Carehomes are dynamic environments. We can't always predict the future from looking backwards.

A lady came to see me, proud as punch to show me the bracelet her daughter in law had gotten her. Another lady, saw I was cold and stretched out her arms to give me a warming hug. A gentleman asked if I'd heard the news. These are the moments I start my day with. #carehomelife

Today is #NationalBirdDay and whilst I love all #nature, there's just something about watching birds. Birdwatching in the #carehome can promote comfort, identity & inclusion. It's a meaningful occupation which offers calm, shared observation and a connection with nature.

Back to work tomorrow so had to get in one last walk....headed to RSPB Lochwinnoch for a short but chilly walk. Not much on the frozen loch but lots of long tailed tits around the boardwalk and they are just delightful!

Another day, another gloriously peaceful walk - today's choice was a return to a fav walk that's much less busy than other places nearby - Cashel Forest by #lochlomond. I sat on a rock gazing out to the loch from up high, nobody around and just the breeze for background noise ☺️

Another day off, another walk. Took my son to a place we used to go often as kids #windyhill and it sure lived up to its name! Cold and windy but spectacular clear views and we even saw some hair ice!

A chilly wind carried me on my first walk of 2026. A wee walk around the village where a little boy walked up to me & offered me a chocolate. His mum said he wanted to first foot every house so going for a walk & wishing people a happy new year was their alternative 🤣

A commitment to my #values for 2026. Making more time for doing things that satisfy my curiousity, that helps me feel connected to time and place, that keep me balanced in work/life, rest/play, in diet and in hormones!

What a year! Special moments to celebrate, to spend with the people I love and respect. Moments of space and peace in spectacular scenery. Here's to 2026 and all it may bring 🎉

I'm grateful to be back at work today. I love the people in the #carehome & I love the routine of work. Having a plan each day, knowing where I'm going & what I'm going to do. I like being in that familiar space, the sights I see on my short drive in. #routine is important to me.

Another peaceful and refreshing walk this morning, this time along the shore. Even saw a seal!

A rosemary beetle and a ladybird sheltering together in my garden today. #diversity

Four days to #Hogmanay: a #Scotland that #cares. #NewYear2026 #socialcare #resolutions #hope. scottishcare.org/four-days-to...

As the day is braw (for winter), I took the opportunity to bring in the trail cams and give them a wee clean...but first I emptied the SD cards and got a glimpse of the hogs! Last seen mid November on camera. Also caught a sneaky wee mouse!

Up early so decided to go for a wee walk before taking the Christmas stuff down...it was a very beautiful morning and the wee walk got a bit longer. After 7.5 miles I made it home lol. #kiltwalk training has commenced!

To each and every person working today, whether in health & social care, hospitality or transport - #thankyou

Clocking out for Christmas with the dep after a great Rashielee Care Home Christmas party. Lovely to see everyone sharing smiles and laughter. ❤️🎅❤️🎅

24 Days of #carehomenurse #skills have passes & there's some key themes ... building relationships, noticing people & keeping people in the place they call home. And yes, we have many of the same clinical skills as our hospital colleagues too! If in doubt about what we do...ask!

#carehomenurse #skills Day 24: Yes we can take bloods - venepuncture, sometimes with the worst veins! We will also advocate for the resident, particularly those who taking blood causes great distress, whether the bloods are really necessary.

I was talking to a lady in the #carehome who I know well. She suddenly reached out her hand to my mouth - "you've got lipstick on your teeth". She was actually going to wipe it off. I was touched by her familiarity, her nurturing, motherly instinct. #relationships

#carehomenurse #skills Day 23: Emotional resilience and empathy - relationships are the bedrock of our work, enabling trusting, person centred care. But relationships have consequences and we are strong in the face of the rollercoaster of emotions experienced each day.

A peaceful night...blanket, candles, cat & book 📚

#carehomenurse #skills Day 22: Record keeping & regulatory compliance - lots of documenting whether that be resident welfare, staffing or health & safety. There's a talent in balancing 'being with' & 'writing about'...until oversight bodies recognise which is most important!

21st Dec 2020...just came up on my Facebook memories. Jeez how I've changed since then, professionally and personally. I think #covid changed us all, #nursing and #managing through the pandemic made me re-evaluate what's important in life, who's important in life.

#carehomenurse #skills Day 21: Delivering nutritional support & hydration - identifying likes & dislikes to encourage intake, knowledge of specialised diets, awareness of signs of dysphagia & dehydration, assessing risk of malnutrition. Knowing food delivers more than nutrients

Hear directly from some of our activists about 7 of the rights you’re entitled to when working in the independent health and social care sectors. More info: https://bit.ly/4q88owT