News and views

Stay up to date with everything happening at Ocala Healthcare. From company updates and community projects to award wins and new service launches, this is where we share our latest news and proudest moments as well as expert advice, heartfelt reflections, and honest perspectives on what it really means to make a difference.

Latest insights and updates

Stay informed with our latest articles and news.

Every person deserves unique care

When we talk about care, we don’t just mean ticking off tasks or sticking to a schedule. Real…

Seven-year reflections from Adam

Ocala Healthcare has reached its seventh birthday. There have been many twists and turns along the way, and…

Delivering complex care at home

For individuals with complex healthcare needs, receiving care at home can offer comfort, stability, and independence that traditional…

The best healthcare agency near you

When your loved one requires complex care, choosing the right home healthcare agency is crucial to ensuring they…

Autism-friending activities for adults

Autistic adults often experience the world through their neurodivergent ways of processing sensory input and information. Engaging in…

Planning an outing with care in mind

Going on an outing can be a wonderful way to enhance the well-being of someone who requires care,…

The importance of complex care at home

When a loved one requires complex care, the decision on how and where to provide it can be…

Understanding neurodiversity and embracing differences

At Ocala Healthcare, we believe in celebrating the diverse ways in which individuals experience and interact with the…

What is complex care?

Complex care – often referred to as long-term or continuing care – is a specialised form of healthcare…

The benefits of 24-hour care for complex needs

Providing 24-hour care for individuals with complex needs is a compassionate service that ensures consistent, person-centred support in…

How to support adults with learning disabilities

A learning disability is a lifelong condition that affects how individuals understand, process and retain new information. The…

Equality and diversity at Ocala Healthcare

What do equality and diversity really mean?In simple terms, equality is about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities, and…

Career progression at Ocala Healthcare

Ocala Healthcare is fast becoming a leading complex care provider in Suffolk. Our commitment to the people we…

Is Ocala Healthcare caring according to the CQC?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England…

Is Ocala Healthcare safe?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates all health and social care services in England – from care in…

What care services do Ocala Healthcare provide?

Since launching as a care agency in 2017, Ocala Healthcare has evolved. While Ocala Recruitment continues to support…

How can we help you live a life well lived?

At Ocala Healthcare, we believe our responsibility – as both a care provider and a team of individuals…

Reintroducing Ocala Healthcare

In November 2017, Ocala Healthcare began its journey with one bold ambition – to become a catalyst for…

Be accountable

Being a care worker is a huge responsibility. People quite literally place their lives and happiness in your…

Appreciation – a core value built on experience

If you’ve been following our content for a while, you’ll know that at Ocala Healthcare we make a…

You have to be a fool to become a master

When we tell people about our fourth value, we’re often met with confusion or laughter. “What on earth…

It’s not outstanding if it’s not fun

The highest rating a care provider can receive from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is outstanding. The CQC…

Never stop learning

A commitment to growthOur second value at Ocala Healthcare is simple – never stop learning. We believe that…

Always give your best

The first of our core values at Ocala Healthcare is to always give your best. It’s simple –…

Suffolk carer appreciation event

On Thursday 11 November, more than 60 carers and care managers from across Suffolk came together for Ocala…

Suffolk carers deserve our appreciation

Care workers across Suffolk – and the UK – have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with barely a…

Battling arthritis

Arthritis is often associated with older people, but what many don’t realise is that there are over 100…

The beauty of Suffolk

I don’t think there are many people left in this world that haven’t heard Ed Sheeran’s “Castle On…

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health

As the world takes time this week to raise awareness of mental health, it’s impossible not to reflect…

Being a care worker in a pandemic

With COVID-19 continuing to take its toll, schools and public places have closed, supermarket shelves are often bare,…

Christmas – a time for giving

For many, Christmas is the most joyful and exciting time of the year. It’s a chance to gather…

Undervalued, underpaid, under appreciated

Empathy, integrity and reliability are the foundation stones of great agency care. Every day, we have the opportunity…

Happy New Year! Time for a career change?

First of all – Happy New Year from all of us at Ocala Healthcare! It’s that time of…

First aid is for everyone

One topic I feel incredibly passionate about is first aid. I genuinely believe that everyone should have at…

Loneliness – and how you can help

Loneliness is a deeply topical issue – and more and more people are asking, “What can I do…

Home care should not be a hardship

Becoming a home care assistant in Suffolk was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time in…

Back when I had a pudding bowl haircut

Back when I had a pudding bowl haircut, I never imagined I’d end up working in healthcare. (And…

Your guide to keeping warm this winter

It’s that time of year when we all start piling on the layers and digging out the hot…

Your guide to keeping warm this winter

It’s that time of year when we all start piling on the layers and digging out the hot water bottles. And while it’s important to stay cosy yourself, many of us also have loved ones we’re worried about – especially those who may be more vulnerable to the cold.

What we hoped would be a white Christmas is looking more like a sludgy one – but either way, it’s definitely chilly out there. To help you stay warm, safe and well this winter, we’ve rounded up some of the best advice from trusted sources including the NHS, Age UK and British Gas.

Top tips from the NHS

  • If you’re not very mobile, are aged 65 or over, or have a health condition like heart or lung disease, aim to keep your home heated to at least 18°C (65°F).
  • Keep your bedroom at 18°C overnight if you can – and remember to close your bedroom window.
  • During the day, your living room can be a little warmer than 18°C if you prefer.
  • For babies, rooms should be heated between 16°C and 20°C to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • If you’re under 65, healthy and active, it’s okay to have your home slightly cooler, as long as you feel comfortable.
  • Draw your curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to reduce draughts.
  • Get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional.

Advice from Age UK

  • If you’re sitting still, a shawl or blanket can help keep you warm – and try to keep your feet off the floor, as the air is colder near ground level.
  • Dress warmly for bed. On cold nights, thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat can help – a lot of heat escapes through your head.
  • Use a hot-water bottle, wheat bag or electric blanket to warm the bed. But never use a hot-water bottle and electric blanket at the same time, as this can be dangerous.
  • Get your electric blanket checked every three years by an expert.
  • Make sure your blanket is suitable for overnight use – some are only for warming the bed before you get in. If you experience continence issues, speak to your GP before using one.
  • Keep your hands and face warm. Hats, gloves and scarves are essential – and wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth helps warm the air you breathe when outdoors.
  • Layer up – several thin layers trap more warm air than one thick one. Opt for wool or fleecy synthetics like polyester over cotton. Start with thermal underwear and build from there.
  • Choose warm, non-slip footwear like lined boots or thermal socks.
  • Stay informed by checking the weather forecast regularly.

Energy-saving hacks from British Gas

  • Heat your home – not your walls! Place a sheet of card covered in foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room.
  • Insulate your pipes with pipe lagging – this keeps water hotter for longer and helps your system run more efficiently.
  • Draught-proof your windows and doors to keep the cold out.
  • Bleed your radiators to ensure they’re working efficiently.
  • Use rugs on bare floors to stop heat escaping through wooden boards.

Don’t forget to check in on others

While it’s great to take steps to keep yourself warm, one of the kindest things you can do this season is check in on others. Call an elderly neighbour or family member to see if they’re okay – and offer to pick up some groceries if the weather’s grim.

Sometimes, the little things really are the most important.