Learning new practices, finding support and the inspiration to start new projects are just some of the benefits James Mbatia Kinuthia, Founder of SJ Remedial Care Homes says he gained from attending the Ageing in Common: an international perspective incorporating our inaugural Commonwealth Elders’ Forum and the NFC UK Conference in April on our QCS bursary.
James at the conference
“I did find it worth a noble cause; the conference was a trailblazer to my Elderly Long Term Care program,” he says. “The opportunity to attend the Conference enhanced both marketing and awareness about my work globally.”
James, a clinical medicine and community health graduate, who is also currently running Home Health at a grassroots level in villages, points out aged care facilities are a new concept in Kenya, as traditionally family has cared for elderly relatives.
New practices
“I learnt so many things and I brought so much back home about elderly care,” he continues. “The first day of the conference I realised team work and partnerships is a game changer toward achieving major difficult tasks – such as a well-organised CommonAge conference 2018 with so many inspiring organisations involved.”
James, who trained as a medical personnel in Malta and Nairobi, highlights culture is a hindrance to his care program, especially in dementia care, “I was inspired by the WHO 2020-2030 Agenda presented by John Beard, who gave me confidence that my Long Term Care Project will be of major importance in Africa,” he says.
James with Perren Moon, from QCS
“One major thing that happened on the conference is learning about the training manual produced by QCS Practice Manual, which was offered with a backup of a Digital Heath Application,” he says. “This was something I tried to find for many years; thanks to the QCS Team for now making my caregivers training well guided.”
Meeting other technology service providers also assisted James. “When I got to the Innovations stands showcasing the most modern care systems in Elderly Care, I learned record keeping through digital platforms can ease and save time; six months before the conference, my organisation (www.fourshiftshomecare.org) started developing Home Care Digital Application to ease our work, and so I realised I’m on the right track.”
Sharing knowledge
Now back in Kenya James highlights he’s sharing what he’s learned, which will really benefit his community. “Through my care givers training we are going to have the first caregivers training workshop, thanks to Kiamanyisho Mbatia Initiative Kenya Community Based Organisation for mobilising the event 2018 CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP.”
James says having interacted with firms like Carterwood and learned about what it does and its great future projections, he got hope on his future plans, as he has started investing in Long Term Care Facilities since year 2014 and is now opening another care facility in few months’ time.
Inspiration for intergenerational projects encouraging an active lifestyle
“As I now sit back and reflect on social and culture wellbeing through the CommonAge Life stories, which my organisation participated and having networked with “Oomph!” team, I have come up with an idea to start a proper exercise centre in my facilities which will also boost the social interaction between the youth and the older persons.
“My newly made friends through the networking in the conference has given me support and encouragement in this sometimes lonely venture, which even in my local village I feel well set to continue advocating for Elderly skilled care, which sometimes is met with misconceptions. My community has created more trust and I’m sure this will go a long way to making this program successful,” he says.
Staff at Four Shifts Care home in Kenya advocating for better skilled care for Elderly with Dementia/ Alzheimer disease
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