Jo’s Story
“JAM CARE worked alongside their client to reduce triggers, supporting the team”
Background
Jo has Motor Neurone Disease MND (a progressive neurological disorder), as well as the mental health condition OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder). Previous care providers had had reasonable success in supporting the symptoms of Jo’s neuro condition, but struggled to provide care alongside Jo’s OCD, which has resulted in her having several providers since her neuro condition diagnosis- 5 years ago.
The brief was simple (albeit challenging), help support Jo to live with her MND, whilst also navigating the challenges her OCD presented the care team.
OCD presents as a series of obsessions, or unwanted thoughts & fears, which then lead to repetitive behaviours, called “compulsions.” Jo’s obsessions follow 3 key themes each day:
- Daily Washing
- Eating
- Moving & Handling
If any of these routines are not followed perfectly, the exercise must be re-started, even if the care team are several hours in.
How JAM changed everything
We set up a team to use the “IDEA” framework to work out how we succeed where others care providers had failed:
- Identify a problem
- Develop a solution
- Execute a plan
- Assess the effectiveness
|
Identify problem |
Developed solution |
| 12-hour shifts were extremely stressful & tiring for all staff. | JAM gave staff longer breaks between shifts and gave them free wellness & wellbeing support to help manage the stress of a shift |
| Several staff worked more than 4 shifts pw and so were very fatigued. | JAM recruited & trained more staff than needed for a 336-hour package so every team member could work fewer shifts each week |
| Jo had no professional support for her OCD | JAM contacted charities: “OCD Action”, and “OCD-UK” We also raised these challenges with Jo’s MDT, and the funders |
| Staff turnover was >50% per month due to Jo’s behaviours | Our training for Jo’s JAM team included Crisis Prevention, to help them manage her challenging behaviours. |
| New staff weren’t fully trained on her routines & idiosyncrasies | JAM’s training was tailored to Jo’s needs, challenges & condition, ensuring they were fully prepared for shifts. |
Outcomes (Assess effectiveness)
Successes with Jo were marginal, but significant. We always knew we couldn’t “cure” her OCD, but we could work to empower and provide the tools the care staff needed to cope better and remove the number of occurrences that triggered her challenging behaviours.
Improved outcomes included:
- Care staff became more resilient on shift due to their training especially in de-escalating challenging behaviours. Instances of behavioural outbursts reduced by 25% when staff who had been through JAM’s comprehensive training were on shift.
- Carer attrition reduced by >30%, due to a combination of
1. Staff having better coping & management mechanisms and
2. Training which better readied staff for their shifts,
3. Fewer shifts with Jo and more rest periods between shifts.
Testimonies
Jo– This is great news, this feels like a fresh start for me and my care team, thanks for your support for me.
Mochi- (Carer)– Thank you for your support, the training was the best we’ve ever had. This has us feeling like we are part of a real company who care about us.
Get In Touch
Speak to our friendly team today to find out how JAM CARE can help you
If you’re looking for award-winning care services or are looking at joining the JAM CARE team, please get in touch today.
