We are delighted to be an organisation that has signed up to the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. Its an amazing and much needed concept that aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
‘Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts’
As an organisation that is passionate about facilitating the very best quality of life possible, becoming dementia friends was an easy decision to make and we are without doubt committed to supporting, enabling and ensuring all our staff have the right knowledge base and understanding of dementia; so as to enable them to enlighten and educate others. We believe this is fundamentally important in cultivating a culture of understanding and therefore empathy for those coming into contact with those diagnosed with dementia as well as their family support networks.
‘Dementia is the broad term used to describe a number of different conditions affecting the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease’
However there are different types of dementia which impact upon and affect individuals in different ways. Five things you should know about dementia provides really helpful insight into essential facts about dementia and without doub,t having the knowledge and insight is the catalyst to understanding and ensuring clients with dementia are managed in a manner that right and appropriate to their individual needs. Personalisation whereby care is delivered in accordance with the specific preferences and wishes is an important mechanism in meeting the needs of dementia clients particularly since familiarity alleviates disorientation and thus alleviates stress. Relying on family and friends to advocate and impart the right background and insight on behalf of clients is particularly helpful and essential in ensuring our staff have a good understanding of our clients needs when they are no longer able to import the relevant information themselves.
In addition to being dementia friends we are also going another step further in signing up as dementia friends champions. This entails volunteering to encourage others ‘to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. They do this by giving them information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help’
As a care provider that is passionate about providing exemplary care and being involved with a worthy cause; we are excited at the opportunity of imparting knowledge and educating our clients, their families and our local community about dementia.
We also recently learnt about Montessori methods being used for clients diagnosed with dementia. Research undertaken in the USA, Canada and Australia has evidenced positive outcomes with the approach whereby ‘Individuality lies at the heart of Montessori for aged care’. This presents as another innovative approach to dementia and we are excited to learn more about how we can implement the Montessori methods in the care we provide tom our vulnerable adults.
To sum up Dementia affects around 850,000 people across the UK and this will increase to over one million by 2025. At Epiphany we want to ensure that we educate and equip ourselves with the right skills, knowledge and understanding to play an imperative role in facilitating exceptional quality care to our clients with dementia as well as their family support networks.
