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Matt Seex Editor mattseex@stepcomms.com


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT Editor Matt Seex


mattseex@stepcomms.com Business Manager


Mike Gammon


mikegammon@stepcomms.com Journal Administration


Katy Cockle


katycockle@stepcomms.com Design


Steven Dillon Publisher


Geoff King Publishing Dire


geoffking@stepcomms.com Publishing Director


Trevor Moon trevormoon@stepcomms.com


THE CARE HOME ENVIRONMENT is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


HOME ENVIRONMEN


is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999


Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. +44 (0)1892 779999


Email: info@thecarehomeenvironment.com Web: www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


Dementia – misconceptions abound


Welcome to the May issue of The Care Home Environment. New research commissioned by care


home provider Care UK has laid bare many of the misconceptions and fears that people have about dementia. Almost two thirds of the 2,000 people questioned by OnePoll are afraid of developing dementia when they get older. More surprising is the revelation that 11 per cent started worrying about the condition in their 20s. Misconceptions about dementia abound – a fifth of adults wrongly believe that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are different names for the same thing, while 17 per cent believe that if a member of their family develops dementia, this means that they will, too. While fourteen per cent of those questioned think that people living with dementia cannot lead a meaningful life, over a third admitted that they actually know little about the condition. Even though there are (according


Welcome to the November issue of The Care Home Environment. Care Home Open Week 2024 organiser Championing Social Care has much to celebrate this year, as the 2024 events programme saw ‘record levels of engagement’, with over five thousand care services taking part in Care Home Open Week – around a third of care services across the country. Aimed at shining ‘a positive light on the


work of the care sector in the UK’, Care Home Open Week – which took place in June – supports care providers in opening their doors to their local communities in order to highlight the work done by care services and to show people how care sits at the heart of their community. Championing Social Care has now


released its Care Home Open Week 2024 Impact Report, which highlights many of the positives that Care Home Open Week brought to the sector this year, including: n The forming of new partnerships with a range of organisations across the sector.


to Alzheimer’s Society) an estimated 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia (a number expected to rise to


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


responsibility for views e


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers


responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not


d by


are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be


of this publication are belie d to be


accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


ate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


This publication is copyright under the Berne ention and the International Cop ention. All rights reserv d, apart from any copying under the UK Cop right Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is


This publication is cop right under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.


ys illegal.


cessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents


STEP COMMUNICATIONS n Extensive local press coverage and


n A second year of the Great British Care Cycle Relay, with more participants, more engagement, and the addition of a ‘Scottish Leg’ to make it a truly British event.


Care Home Open Week report celebrates event’s success


1.6 million by 2040), Care UK’s research found that 72 per cent of adults have made no effort to learn about the condition. In response, Care UK has launched a new video guide which aims to debunk the myths surrounding dementia and provide support to families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the condition. Suzanne Mumford, head of nursing,


impressive levels of engagement online through social media.


n Completely revamped (and free) downloadable resources for care providers.


care and dementia services at Care UK, said: “There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to dementia, and what this means for the person living with it and their family. “In reality, dementia is a condition that


can be managed to ensure those who live with it can continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and can be supported to still do the things they love. That’s why we’ve launched our latest video guide, One step at a time. Featuring tips from our experts, but also testimonies of residents’ families, it is designed to help people navigate through the dementia journey, from dealing with the initial diagnosis to learning how to live well with dementia.” While the results of Care UK’s research


might be troubling, they are perhaps not all that surprising. The spectre of dementia – along with the prospect of old age itself – is something most of us push to the back of our minds. It is a scary thing to think about, and most of us would prefer not to do so. Yet it is only a matter of time before dementia affects somebody we love, or indeed us personally. Perhaps, then, we all need to be a little braver and find out more about a condition that is almost certain to come into our lives one day. I hope you enjoy the issue.


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While, in previous years, visits to care services by MPs has been an important feature of Care Home Open Week, this year MP visits were not possible as the week coincided with the General Election. Nonetheless, the event still managed to meet its objective of shining a positive light on the work of the care sector. Planning is already under way for Care Home Open Week 2025. Next year’s event will take place between 16-22 June. One of its aims will be to ‘develop new digital tools to help care services engage with their local MP’. Announcing the Impact Report, Championing Social Care director Ed Maxfield said: “Our aim is to connect care services with their local communities. To show people what modern care is all about. We are thrilled that independent research showed nearly a million people took part in an Open Week event this year. It’s so important to spread the word about the amazing work done in care.” I hope you enjoy the issue.


THE


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