Dementia
Denbridge Care understand that people living with forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, need stability in their lives and to be supported by well-trained staff with facilities that truly meet their needs. We want the people we support to be able to take part in meaningful activities that fulfil their interests and reflect their life history. Supporting loved ones as they adjust to the changes that dementia brings is something we pride ourselves on.
Facts
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a term used to describe a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, cognitive function, and daily functioning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but there are several other types, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Recognizing Symptoms of Dementia
Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the type and stage of the condition but may include memory loss, difficulty with communication, disorientation, impaired judgment, and changes in mood or behavior. These symptoms can have a profound impact on an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks and maintain independence.
Providing Person-Centered Care for Individuals with Dementi
Person-centered care is essential for supporting individuals with dementia and promoting their well-being and quality of life. This approach focuses on understanding each person's unique needs, preferences, and life history, and tailoring care and support accordingly. It involves creating a safe and supportive environment, maintaining familiar routines, and engaging individuals in meaningful activities that enhance their sense of purpose and dignity.
Supporting Families and Caregivers
Dementia not only affects the individual diagnosed but also has a significant impact on their families and caregivers. Providing support and resources for families and caregivers is essential for helping them navigate the challenges of caregiving, cope with the emotional and practical aspects of the disease, and maintain their own well-being.
Dignity and respect
As with all of our services, Denbridge Care has an unwavering commitment to treating older people with dignity and respect and giving them choice and control over their care. Denbridge Care worked alongside a diverse mix of people, from academics to community and carer groups, to ensure that we support people with dementia to lead the best lives possible.
Life story work
Starting from the pre-assessment all the way to a resident moving into the home, we place huge focus on life stories, with the help of friends and families along with the resident themselves we build a profile of their lifestyle, hobbies, previous jobs, likes, dislikes and preferences. Our staff will then use this information to create an electronic care plan which can be tailored by family members if they wish to be involved.
Life stories help us to get to know each Person we support and build a picture of their life before they came to us, this information is used to adapt activities and daily life to fit the needs of the people we support. We encourage reminiscences and often work in groups to wander down memory lane, perhaps discussing local history