Watching a relative or friend suffer from Dementia or even suspecting that they are, causes obvious anxieties for all concerned.

We recognise, realistically, that the most worrying anxieties are those such as:

· “How can I manage on my own and what help is available?”

· “What is going to happen now?”

· “I don’t want to be a burden but I can’t manage this for ever.”

· “Will it get worse than it is now and if so how much worse?”

· “How do other people cope?”

At this quality Home of Asmall Hall, we are able to allay many of these anxieties with information on the types of dementia care we provide in a way to suit the needs of the sufferer and their relatives and friends.

Every individual has different needs as they have led different lives and we recognise that individualised care has to be Person Centred to be as effective as possible to meet the need.

Day to day life, activities and Diversional Therapy are important aspects of care when intense memory problems become a focus of severe anxiety when irresolvable problems occur, such as the strong belief that parents and grandparents are still alive and waiting at home when the sufferer is already in their later years of life.

Our Mulberry Unit is self-contained in that it is carefully but tastefully decorated to address the needs of sufferers, in a carefully but interestingly thought out, planned area focusing on an individualized programme of care, in an adapted environment whilst the considering safety aspects.

Whilst it is important to maintain as much independence as possible at all times, we work together with sufferers and families to be able to take assessed risks as we aim to keep life stimulating within a safe environment.

For a simple example: Research-based appropriate colours are used in different areas such as bathrooms, toilet seats, corridors, dining rooms, bedrooms and even on door name plates.

Relatives and residents and friends are encouraged to have Memory Boxes outside each of their room which include items such as photographs of places to trigger happy memories and other small personal belongings.

Our residents are able to enjoy the large enclosed garden area and able to view the horses at the livery yard close by.

Smells, sounds, textures and tastes are part of our activity programmes and reminders which might appeal to senses long forgotten.

The Individualised Programmes of Care are provided by our trained and experienced staff in their understanding of specific needs of the many differing types of Dementia. Regular, updated training programmes are also paramount to the quality care we proudly provide and to ensure that training is provided to both Nurses and Carers alike as new research is developed in this specialist environment so that Best Practice is at the forefront of the care we provide.

KeyWorkers
Each resident has a Key Worker who works on the Person Centred, personal Care Plan which is created and overseen by the Registered Nursing Staff.

This Care Plan is created around the resident’s care needs but also after the receipt of a 'Pen Picture' of as many aspects of their life history as possible, which can be incorporated into that Care Plan. We have discovered that when staff understand the reasons behind the actions of someone suffering from Dementia, and the places that they have known, staff can relate and respond to these actions in a much more empathetic and respectful manner. These good relationships are important in promoting Dignity, Respect and the Equality they deserve to allay fears and anxieties which may be created by the nature of the disease. It is important that a sufferer is understood wherever possible even if they are unable to express their needs as accurately as they may once have done.

Our endeavour to ensure that simple tasks of daily life remain meaningful is important to us it is therefore important, wherever possible, to involve our residents in decisions to express their wishes. Research has proved that exercise, activities and reminiscence helps remind all involved that everyone has an individual, important history and social past with meaningful belonging. We therefore request that families and friends provide a 'Pen Picture' as soon as is reasonably possible so that we can build on personal strengths and interests to create a bond with other residents and staff in the absence of family members and friends present or passed on.

We encourage the use of our garden by all as a reminder to stimulate senses and we always welcome suggestions of how we could improve our service of individualized care in general.