Our training is based upon our years of experience working with people with a dementia. Our programme is aimed at those who work with the individual. We recognise the following basic tenets:
Work to maintain a person’s independence
Keep things ‘as they were’
Avoid confrontation
Maintain a calm environment
Keep things simple
Keep things safe
Create routine
Encourage humour
Maintain nutrition
Create memory aids
Our training for care workers is based upon the following:
Staff can be seen to ‘connect’ with individuals and recognise all behaviour as a form of communication.
Staff recognise and are conversant with many forms of non-verbal communication.
Staff see the world through the eyes of the individual and know how to react to their sensitivities, even when this may involve behaviour that challenges us.
Staff recognise what is meaningful activity to the individual and engage the resident in activity that would include tasks from a former occupation. Clutter would be recognised as acceptable.
Staff recognise the stage of dementia a resident is in and respond appropriately.
Staff understand the importance of rekindling an individual’s memory and that knowing a resident’s history is a key element of care.
Staff gather information from family and friends.
Staff appreciate and manage the emotional upset and the bewildering and frightening prospect associated with a diagnosis of dementia, to both the individual and the relatives.
The home environment would be arranged and decorated so that there is an opportunity to stimulate sensory awareness.
The home has the feel of being comfortable and welcoming. There would be a sense of community and ‘people doing things together.’
There is evidence in the care plan to support the promotion of the positive wellbeing of each individual.
All staff, whatever their designation, are trained to understand dementia and to provide support and meaningful activity for the residents. They will encourage residents to work with them.
It can be seen that staff have a passion for caring for individuals with a dementia.
All this is created within a FAMILY atmosphere and environment.