DEMENTIA CARE
Navigating the Complexities of Dementia Care
Alice Mitroi, Registered Home Manager at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, discusses the importance of specialised dementia care and some of the ways the Society supports residents living with dementia.
Dementia is a growing concern particularly among the aging population. There are currently 944,000 people in the UK living with dementia and this is expected to increase to more than one million by 2030. The importance of dementia care cannot be overstated.
Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society specialises in providing tailored care to retired seafarers and veterans, as well as to locals. In 2011, we opened the UK’s first specialist dementia unit for seafarers at our Belvedere House nursing home, aſter staff identified that 40% of residents at the time had some form of dementia or cognitive impairment.
CARE ENVIRONMENT
When caring for those with dementia, it's crucial to consider the care home environment and accommodate specialised living needs. This involves selecting dementia-friendly materials, flooring, and patterns. Guidance from the Alzheimer's Society recommends avoiding highly reflective or slippery flooring to prevent confusion.
“Memory boxes help residents express needs, preferences, and
emotions more clearly, and reduce anxiety by providing familiarity and comfort.”
The Society recently completed the modernisation of our care home, Belvedere House. We consulted the University of Stirling, which has a distinct reputation in the field of dementia and ageing research including the Dementia Services Development Centre, regarding the design and our approach. An example was careful consideration of the flooring which was replaced with lain or mottled surfaces that are preferred over patterns to avoid perceptual issues.
Residents need to feel safe and supported in surroundings they recognise as their home; therefore, familiarity and routine is especially beneficial to residents living with dementia as it can help ease confusion, leading to a more comfortable
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overall environment. In our case, nautical-themed décor helps seafarers and veterans trigger old memories and encourages residents to reminisce together.
SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE
Good dementia care requires specialised knowledge and skills. Care homes must train their staff to provide the highest level of care. A dedicated team of professionals who understand dementia ensures residents receive appropriate care, support, and interventions.
We use a variety of techniques to help support residents with dementia, such as memory boxes, Namaste programme, positive behaviour support, music therapy and animal therapy sessions that includes alpacas, guinea pigs, ponies, reptiles’, and dogs. As well as one-to-one support as part of our care programme where individual needs and preferences are considered.
MEMORY BOXES
Memory boxes can positively impact the emotional well- being, communication, and quality of life for individuals with dementia. They help residents express needs, preferences, and emotions more clearly, and reduce anxiety by providing familiarity and comfort.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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