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What is dementia?
“Dementia” is an umbrella term describing a number of symptoms which occur when the brain is affected by particular diseases or conditions. These symptoms include memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. There are many types of dementia, some more common than others, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Dementia care
HEATHLANDS VILLAGE has invested considerably in dementia care. We have increased staffing ratios and enhanced training of all staff involved in the care of people with dementia. The delivery of an excellent standard of care is our priority.
Approximately 70% of the people we care for at HEATHLANDS VILLAGE have dementia to some degree. This includes people who enjoy relative independence through to those who are wholly reliant on others for all their care needs.
People with dementia are cared for throughout the home’s various departments, depending on how much support they need.
People with challenging behavioural needs are cared for in our dedicated dementia unit. This is run by specially trained staff and headed by a Registered Mental Nurse.
Dignity, Respect and Individuality
HEATHLANDS VILLAGE aims to provide person-centred care, tailored to the needs of each individual resident. We are committed to the Department of Health’s “Dignity in Care Campaign” which aims to improve the quality of care and the experience of people in care and emphasises the need for personalised care, being treated with respect and being recognised as an individual.
Staff training
Staff development is essential to ensure the best experience for the people we look after. To this end we place great importance on staff training, particularly in the area of dementia.
Jewels in Dementia
All staff and volunteers are offered this excellent course which helps to understand the person with dementia as an individual. Participants learn how they can enable people to live their lives as they want and as independently as possible. The “jewels” are the various progressive stages of dementia. The use of this terminology recognises the intrinsic value of the person at each stage. It places emphasis on what they can do, not what they have lost the ability to do.
Being a Friend
This series of workshops is mandatory for all care staff. It is also offered to staff throughout HEATHLANDS VILLAGE to enable them to interact positively with the people for whom we care. The course is focused on a person-centred approach to care. It stresses the need to understand a person’s life history and to take this into account at all stages of care. Staff who complete this training are known as our “Dementia Champions”.
For more information about dementia care please contact our Head of Admissions, Andrea Allinson on 0161 772 4800 or email andrea.a@thefed.org.uk
