Dementia accreditation
process, the care home is awarded NaDCAS accreditation. This official recognition confirms that the home has demonstrated excellence in dementia care, meeting the current year’s accreditation standards. NaDCAS provides accredited homes with branding materials, certificates, and promotional resources to help them share their achievement with families, professionals, and the wider community. Achieving NaDCAS accreditation is
not just about gaining a quality mark – it is a transformative journey that enhances care practices, supports staff, and ensures residents receive the best possible dementia care. This structured process empowers care homes to continuously evolve, ensuring that they remain leaders in person-centred, evidence-based dementia care.
The NaDCAS framework: a roadmap for exceptional dementia care The NaDCAS framework is built around nine key focus areas, each designed to assess and improve the quality of care provided in a care home. These areas reflect the holistic approach to dementia care that NaDCAS advocates, encompassing everything from the physical environment to the emotional well-being of residents and the training and development of staff.
1. Knowledge & understanding of dementia Ensuring that staff members have a strong foundation in dementia care best practices is crucial to providing high- quality care. Ongoing education and training enable staff to understand the complex nature of dementia and the specific needs of residents.
2. Information about the person Person-centred care is at the heart of the NaDCAS framework. Homes must use personal histories and life stories to tailor care to individual needs, preferences, and values, ensuring that each resident is treated with dignity and respect.
3. Person-centred participation Encouraging residents to participate in meaningful activities is essential for maintaining their independence and well-being. NaDCAS evaluates how well care homes support engagement in daily activities, ensuring that residents are encouraged to remain active and involved.
4. The enabling environment The physical environment plays a critical role in dementia care. NaDCAS requires that care homes create spaces that are not only safe and functional but also dementia-friendly, promoting independence and reducing anxiety.
5. The homely environment Care homes should feel like a home, not an institution. NaDCAS emphasizes the importance of creating warm, familiar, and welcoming environments that encourage a sense of belonging and comfort for residents.
6. Sensory wellbeing Sensory stimulation – through light, sound, smell, and touch – can have a profound impact on the comfort and emotional well-being of people with dementia. The NaDCAS framework highlights the importance of using sensory techniques to reduce distress and promote relaxation.
7. Team training & support Continuous professional development is essential for ensuring that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality dementia care. NaDCAS encourages homes to invest in staff training and emotional support, fostering a workforce that is motivated, capable, and compassionate.
8. Emotional connection Effective communication is key to dementia care. NaDCAS emphasizes the importance of empathy, non-verbal communication, and building emotional connections with residents, creating an environment of trust and understanding.
9. Leadership & culture The leadership and culture of a care home significantly impact the quality of care provided. NaDCAS evaluates how management supports staff and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that the home maintains high standards across all areas.
The impact of NaDCAS Accreditation The positive impact of NaDCAS accreditation extends beyond the immediate benefits of meeting a high standard of care. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement
and provides tangible benefits for residents, staff, and families alike. For example, TLC Care’s journey towards
NaDCAS accreditation transformed the home’s approach to dementia care. Staff training, resident engagement, and environmental adjustments aligned with NaDCAS standards, leading to a happier, more qualified team and a more positive experience for residents. This improvement in care quality also led to an increase in the number of families choosing TLC Care for their loved ones. “Since achieving the accreditation, we have
happier residents, a better qualified team, and more families wishing to choose our home for their loved one.” Shelly Prakash, TLC home manager
Join the journey towards exceptional dementia care NaDCAS accreditation is for care homes that are committed to providing the best possible dementia care. Achieving accreditation is not a destination but a continuous journey of improvement. If your care home is ready to take the next step towards recognised excellence in dementia care, NaDCAS is here to support you and we invite you to begin your accreditation journey today. n
Sam Dondi-Smith
Sam is a visiting fellow at York St John University, consultant occupational therapist, and founding partner of the National Dementia Care Accreditation Scheme. Sam has clinical experience in NHS acute mental health services, is a SEHTA (Science And Engineering Health Technologies Alliance) award winner, and envoy for Digital Kent.
February 2026
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