Specialist Colitis & Crohn’s Disease Care in Bristol
If your loved one can no longer cope living on their own or doesn’t want to stay at home alone, you may be at a point where you need to find them a Nursing Home like Bristol Care Homes which provides Specialist Colitis & Crohn’s Disease Care.
Bristol Care Homes has four high-quality nursing homes located in and around Bristol, and one of our specialist care categories includes Colitis & Crohn’s Disease Care. As one of the most homely, bright, stimulating and caring care homes in the country, our team is often referred to as a family by residents and staff alike.
Each person is unique and their needs vary, and each of our nursing homes offers individual care plans for each resident to offer as much assistance with daily living as they need as well as social interaction and a range of activities tailored to their needs.
We will meet with you and your family to determine which of our nursing homes or locations would suit your needs, as well as to discuss the day to day support that is needed and any medical needs you might have.
We are extremely proud of the care we provide in our family and home-from-home nursing homes. We offer support and assistance during the transition to us, and our on-site nurses are available 24 hours a day if, and when, nursing care is needed.
What is the difference between Colitis & Crohn’s Disease?
Ulcerative colitis is inflammation limited to just the colon compared to Crohn’s disease which can occur anywhere from the mouth and through to the intestines. There are healthy parts of the intestine mixed in between inflamed areas with Crohn’s disease.
What is Colitis?
Colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon and rectum which is a long term illness that often gets worse, comes in bouts and needs to be managed. The colon is the large intestine where humans stools are stored in the rectum, which is the end of the intestine. Ulcers can form on the lining of the colon and can bleed and produce pus which are added symptoms to colitis and is known as ulcerative colitis.
What are the main symptoms of Colitis & & Ulcerative Colitis?
- Regular diarrhoea, which can and often contains blood, mucus or pus
- Frequent bowel movements due to stomach pain
- Fatigue can be extreme for some people
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
The severity of the colitis symptoms will vary by person and can be different each time. The symptoms and severity of symptoms depend on the degree of inflammation in the rectum and colon.
In some cases, colitis will have a big impact on a person’s quality of life and how they are able to function and live and Bristol Care Homes are experts in providing the specialist care that supports and minimises the impact it can have.
What is a Colitis flare-up?
Colitis can go for weeks and even months only causing mild symptoms, or none at all and this is referred to as colitis remission. Flare-ups will then happen and the symptoms and impact on a person’s everyday life can be huge, as well as being physiologically draining.
What is an Ulcerative flare-up?
- Arthritis type flare-ups include painful and swollen joints
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Red, swollen and sore skin
- Red, itchy eyes
What are severe Colitis flare-ups?
Severe Colitis flare-ups are classed as needing to empty your bowels 6 or more times a day, this causes problems in itself as well as impacts a person’s ability to confidently go out.
- Breathlessness
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High body temperature (fever)
- Blood in your stools becoming more noticeable
There are often no triggers that are associated with a colitis flare-up, sometimes a stomach infection can be the case or stress is known to increase the likelihood of a colitis flare-up.
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease that impacts the digestive system and is one type of condition that is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease normally starts in childhood or early adulthood but it can affect people of all ages. The symptoms can be continual or they may come in bouts, known as flare-ups every few weeks or months.
What are the main symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
- Regular diarrhoea
- Aches and cramps in the stomach
- Blood in your stools
- The feeling of being tired (fatigued)
- Loss of weight
What treatment is available for Colitis & Crohn’s Disease?
Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease is based on the severity of the symptoms and the extent of stomach damage and different combinations of treatments and medication will work for each person. Your specialist team of health professionals which will include your GP, specialist doctor and nurses will work with you to choose the best treatment plan for you and you will have regular reviews.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for either Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, however, the right combination of treatment and medication will often reduce or control symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life.
The aim of any medication is to reduce the inflammation in the gut to result in a reduction or remission of symptoms.
A Colitis and Crohn’s remission is classed as when you feel better and don’t have symptoms for a period of time. As soon as the condition has been controlled, your doctor will prescribe the medication to maintain remission and prevent flare-ups, and this is known as maintenance treatment. It can sometimes take a while for the right combination of medication and lifestyle to be found, and it doesn’t mean this will always be the treatment and medication you are on as it often has to be changed if flare-ups happen.
What are the treatments for Colitis & Crohn’s disease?
- Usually, steroid tablets are used to reduce inflammation of the digestive system
- Tablets or injections to prevent the inflammation from returning
- Sometimes a specialist may deem it better to remove a small portion of the digestive system rather than using lots of medication
Living with Colitis & Crohn’s disease
It is not always easy to live with Crohn’s disease and school, work, and social activities can be disrupted by flare-ups. You can, however, often live a normal life with the condition when symptoms are controlled.
You can get support from your professional care team as well as organisations such as Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Why do you get Colitis or Crohns’s Disease?
The exact cause is unknown but there is lots of research happening across the world.
Findings have shown that there can be several things that can cause the diseases including:
- Genes can be a reason you could get either colitis or Crohns and research has shown that if a close member of your family has it you are more likely to get it
- Problems with the immune system which is your body’s defence against infection that cause it to attack the digestive system
- Smoking
- A historical stomach virus
- An imbalance in gut bacteria
There is currently no evidence that suggests that diet causes Colitis or Crohn’s disease, however, many people have found a change in their diet can reduce the symptoms they experience.
Why would someone need Colitis or Crohn’s Specialist Care?
As you get older everything can seem harder when it comes to everyday tasks and living and even more so if you suffer from Colitis or Crohn’s disease. Our specialist care means there is a nurse available 24/7 if needed and our specialist carers will understand every individual’s needs, medication and dietary requirements.
Living in a caring and supportive nursing home will give you and your loved one peace of mind as well as the support they need with everyday living as well as companionship and social interaction every day.
About Bristol Care Homes Nursing Homes
Our teams in all 4 of our nursing homes are caring and compassionate. They enjoy spending time with our residents whether they are carers, nurses or part of our admin and support teams and take the time to get to know them.
We ensure that each of our homes has a homey feel. Residents and staff interaction are essential to the success of our homes since many of those who come to live with us do so because they feel lonely or isolated living on their own.
Moving into a care home can be a very unsettling time, so we do everything we can to make everyone feel welcome and help them settle in quickly.
We encourage our residents to continue their activities and hobbies for as long as they are able as part of our commitment to maintaining independence. In all of our nursing homes, residents have access to a communal kitchenette, which enhances independence by enabling them to prepare hot drinks whenever they wish, and when friends and family visit.
We have light, airy lounges and dining areas where friends can watch TV, play cards or board games, solve puzzles or take part in social activities.
We have wide corridors so wheelchairs can easily manoeuvre, and we have handrails if you need steadying. Communal and bedrooms in our homes are regularly remodelled for a fresh, welcoming feel.
Our chefs prepare tasty, healthy meals on-site every day. Any medical or dietary requirements can be accommodated when it comes to meals, and our chefs make sure our food is varied and enticing for everyone, no matter what their needs might be. Taking time to eat gives residents a sense of emotional connection, healthy communication and a feeling of community. If necessary, we can accommodate residents who prefer to dine alone in their rooms, but we don’t encourage it.
Keeping your mind and body active as you age are two of the most important components of staying healthy and happy. We understand that these important factors contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight, a healthy heart, as well as reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases and health problems both physically and mentally for all residents of Bristol Care Homes, so these factors are a priority for us.
Our chefs are level 3 qualified, which allows them to prepare a variety of nutritional menus and high-quality foods while adhering to the dietary needs of residents. We use fresh, quality ingredients on all of our menus, which are changed weekly to ensure our residents have a varied diet and nutrient-rich meal options. In each of our 4 Nursing Homes, we offer a hearty breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Every birthday is celebrated with a birthday cake and a happy birthday song.
There is an outdoor area at each of our nursing homes for our residents to enjoy. We have seating and parasols so everyone can enjoy the warm weather, as well as flowers and planters which create comfortable, welcoming and tranquil areas. Some of our residents enjoy gardening and pottering around in our gardens, whether it is a new hobby or something they have always enjoyed.
In our care homes, our dedicated Social Managers provide stimulating and varied social activities for every resident. There are many social activities available because everyone has different interests, passions, and loves. There are a variety of classes available, including; music, art, fitness, gardening, cooking, and day trips.
The atmosphere of each of our homes is light, bright, and welcoming, and each of our teams is focused on creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels included.
What are the aims of the Bristol Care Homes Old Age Specialist Care?
The aim of our Colitis & Crohn’s Disease specialist care is to support people with whatever they need physically, mentally, medically and socially in a kind and compassionate manner.
Our nurse specialists are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in each of our homes and are always available to provide medical support if needed, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind at all times.
We can help with everyday tasks such as dressing, washing, eating, and much more, as well as physical support and social interaction, so that everyone feels included. We take care of all the shopping, cleaning, washing, and ironing for our residents, so they have more time to enjoy themselves and participate in the activities they choose.
Whether you are considering specialist care for a loved one or for yourself, it is a very personal decision. Please contact us and arrange to visit one of our nursing homes so you can get a sense of how we care for our residents and see for yourself what a home away from home is like.
We will support you and your family in determining whether full-time care is right for you, or whether respite care would best suit you and your loved one. Regardless of the decision, you make regarding your care and the options available to you, we will support you throughout the process. Our dedicated and experienced nursing staff will take the time to help you decide which of our homes fits your needs best.
Bristol Care Homes Registered Care Categories with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Dementia
Old Age
Physical Disability
Sensory Impairment
Specialist Care Categories
Alzheimer’s
Bariatric Care/Obesity
Cancer Care
Challenging Behaviour
Colitis & Crohn’s Disease
Head/Brain Injury
Hearing Impairment
Huntington’s Disease
Motor Neurone Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Orthopaedic
Parkinson’s Disease
Speech Impairment
Stroke
Visual Impairment
Other Specialist Care Provided
Convalescent Care
Day Care
Own GP if required
Palliative Care
Physiotherapy
Respite Care
Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit
About Bristol Care Homes
The Bristol Nursing Home Group is a group of four high-quality nursing homes. Every member of our team is committed to providing our residents with excellent care in a compassionate and professional manner.
- Beautiful gardens with plenty of greenery and trees, as well as seating areas for residents and visitors to enjoy
- A fresh, clean environment is ensured with 24/7 air circulation in environmentally friendly buildings
- Each of our homes has different social areas
- Communal dining rooms
- Good-sized bedrooms with high ceilings that create a sense of space
- Corridors that are easily accessible
- Every bedroom has a TV, DVD player, and a direct line telephone, as well as access to the internet
- Wheelchairs of the highest quality, built to order
- Showers and baths with the latest technology
- A regular trip schedule
- Carpet and decoration maintenance and replacement cycles
- Delicious, nutritious and varied meals are prepared by our highly qualified chefs
- We offer a variety of interesting and fun social activities to our residents
- Friendliness, warmth, and care from the staff
- We have qualified and experienced nurses available 24 hours a day
Bristol Care Homes has been providing excellence in holistic care for the elderly for the past 20 years, and two of its homes have been rated Outstanding by the CQC.
If you are looking for Colitis & Crohn’s Specialist Care in Bristol, contact us today to find out how we can help you and your family.
