The changing face of dementia: New brand identity for North East charity
A North East-based not-for-profit provider of specialist care services for people living with dementia has undergone a complete rebrand, launching a new corporate identity and website to support the charity’s transition to a full-service care provider. Dementia Matters, previously known as Dementia Care, has recently invested in transforming office space at its Bradbury Centre near Newcastle into residential bedrooms for delivering boutique-style in-house care. In addition, the charity has also launched its own recruitment academy to provide training opportunities for those looking for work in the care sector, as well as a pioneering Dementia Advice Centre in partnership with Newcastle Carers to provide an outlet for anyone whose lives have been affected by dementia to seek advice and support. The charity’s new modernised branding reflects these instrumental changes in Dementia Matters’ service offer to people living with dementia, their friends and family. With calming colours, a clean strapline and a quirky typeface, the new look and feel of Dementia Matters subtly conveys the charity’s key message of inclusive, relationship-driven, professional support, but also portrays comfort, warmth and friendliness. Dr Fraser Quin, chief executive at Dementia Matters, said: “The services that we offer at Dementia Matters have changed exponentially in the past 12 months. “We no longer felt that our Dementia Care brand reflected who we are and what we stand for so we set about developing a new name and corporate identity in partnership with our staff, trustees and key stakeholders in the community. “The rebrand has enabled us to maintain our professional values as a leading care provider for people living with dementia in the North East while at the same time, develop a new, fit-for-purpose identity that portrays the right message about the charity, our aims and agenda.” Dementia Matters worked exclusively with Northumberland-based agency, Fusion PR Creative, to develop the new branding which was then rolled out across the charity’s new website by Raising IT. The website is the final piece in the puzzle for Dementia Matters’ rebrand. Designed to encourage donations and provide an online hub of information for existing service users and those looking for dementia specific care, the site features useful information about the different types of dementia, what to do pre-and-post diagnosis and the different services available both through Dementia Matters and other key healthcare providers. “We wanted our website to a digital representation of the expertise that we have in-house at our Bradbury Centre and Dementia Advice Centre to provide people with a 24/7 source of trustworthy information for when they need it most,” Dr Quin added. “As we continue to grow our services, we will further develop our website to ensure that we have all of the most up-to-date information and that we are meeting the needs of our service users through our online provision.” The charity has coincided the launch of its new website and branding with the launch of its latest fundraising campaign. Focused around one of Dementia Matters’ real-life service users, ‘Edith’s Story’ gives visitors to the website a unique insight into how big an impact a small donation can make to someone’s life when they are living with dementia. Dementia Matters provides respite, residential and specialist day care services to over 300 people living with dementia across the North East. In 2018, Dementia Matters celebrated its 25th anniversary as a registered charity with an inaugural conference which brought together over 80 healthcare professionals from across the UK to discuss the future of dementia services in the social care sector. For more information about Dementia Matters, visit www.dementiamatters.net.
The Latest Technology That’s Driving Quality of Life in Dementia Care
With dementia care in residential care settings becoming increasingly important as diagnoses rise, Person Centred Software has launched a new ‘Who I Am’ feature as part of its electronic evidence of care and care planning system, Mobile Care Monitoring. The feature enables staff to provide a more responsive and personalised quality of dementia care and improve residents’ quality of life. The new feature enables care homes to share vital information about residents’ routines, life story and wishes from the care plan with carers via the mobile application. These personalised routines are vital when caring for those with dementia as it helps them to maintain their daily functions and minimise their anxiety. Benefits of the new feature are already being realised. The manager at a care home in Sussex reports that the ‘Who I Am’ feature helped a carer to know how to support a resident when they were anxious and upset; the carer saw on ‘Who I Am’ that reading a prayer would soothe them. Similarly, a care home in North Somerset said that when a resident went to hospital, staff were able to provide personalised care and support. A hospital nurse got in contact with the care home to say that it was the best information she had ever seen Jonathan Papworth, co-founder and director of Person Centred Software, says, “It became apparent to us that whilst administration software helps care providers’ efficiency, it doesn’t actually help those delivering care. Social care really only exists because of these people, so we decided to focus on improving the lives of the care staff users. With the new capability of ‘Who I Am’ at their fingertips, carers have all the information they need to further help and support their residents.” ‘Who I Am’ is modelled on Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘This is Me’ tool and other one-page profiles that are widely used in social care to improve the quality of information and ease of information sharing. Not only is information available on carers’ devices, but the hospital pack provided within Mobile Care Monitoring automatically collates the information from residents’ ‘Who I Am’ profiles to ensure staff fully understand residents at every stage of their health and social care journey. Person Centred Software’s ‘Who I Am’ software addition is electronic, so staff can access up-to-date information securely whenever they need it, even when offline. This instant access is particularly important for new and agency staff and supports NICE best practice guidelines on dementia care. In 2018, NICE updated their dementia guidelines for the first time in 10 years, “With diagnoses on the rise, and 1 million due to have dementia by 2021, all health and social care professionals must be properly equipped to support people with dementia at every stage.” With the addition of ‘Who I Am’, Mobile Care Monitoring further helps care providers comply with CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) to improve quality of life for the 69% of residents living with dementia in UK care homes. Notably the KLOEs C1.4 and R1.2, which ask, “Do staff know and respect the people they are caring for and supporting, including their preferences, personal histories, backgrounds and potential?” and “How does the service make sure that a person’s care plan fully reflects their physical, mental, emotional and social needs…?”. ‘Who I Am’ creates a holistic resident profile that gives staff immediate insight into how best to support residents. Read more here about dementia care technology
“Being part of this has honestly been the highlight of my life”
Rita Newman, who is a carer for her husband who lives with dementia, tells how a National Lottery funded arts project has helped her cope with loneliness Rita Newman is originally from London but has lived in Mold, Flintshire for over forty years and has been attending Arts from the Armchair workshops since 2016. The weekly creative sessions are for people with early onset memory loss and dementia and was founded in 2015 as a collaboration between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Theatr Clwyd. Arts from the Armchair works closely with the carers involved, who’s daily experiences can be lonely and both physically and emotionally tiring. Rita said: “I feel absolutely dreadful sometimes and my role at home can be mentally draining. When you are caring for someone with dementia, you don’t have time to do all the things you normally do. I’m a painter but I haven’t painted for years. Coming to the workshops is such a solace and it’s as if a big burden is lifted from my shoulders. “It’s a warm, friendly environment where we do all these wonderfully imaginative things. They get our imagination working and we do silly things we would never do at home. I couldn’t have gone on as long as I did if I didn’t have this.” The project provides a positive, creative and participant led experience with actors, musicians, costume makers and painters leading the sessions and performances. Activities include story making, puppetry, set design and word games which have proven to be stimulating, interesting and fun for those living with dementia. A wealth of research by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reveals that taking part in creative activities such as singing, painting and story writing can promote health and wellbeing and improve the quality of life of those living with dementia and their carers’. According to the health board, 11,000 people in north Wales alone are living with memory loss. Rita said: “Thanks to the workshops, we get to work closely with the staff at Theatr Clwyd and we’ve made costumes, painted sets and visited the sound room where they take care of the audio for plays. We’ve been shown all the secrets and it’s wonderful. Having a part to play in a real theatre production was a dream come true. “I started acting when I was eight but my parents wouldn’t let me pursue it as a career. To come here and be immersed in every aspect of the theatre is incredible. Most recently, I got to go on stage with professional actors and it truly was the highlight of my life. I just wish this project was all over the United Kingdom, it has without a doubt rejuvenated our lives.” An award of £26,000 thanks to National Lottery players through the Arts Council of Wales has helped Arts from the Armchair reach people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment and their carers’ in the Wrexham and Flintshire areas. The programme was winner of the Arts, Business and Health award 2017 for its successful arts and health partnership. Andrea Davies, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Arts in Health and Well-Being Coordinator said: “We are incredibly proud of this project which has opened doors for the participants and been a positive experience all round. The idea was to develop a project where creative and health professionals would collaborate to design the perfect intervention project; one which would be inspiring, positive and engaging and create a sense of community for those taking part. “Independent evaluations reveal that those taking part and their carers feel the benefits with many saying that coming to Arts in the Armchair is the highlight of their week and that the feel-good factor can last for days after the sessions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved, not least the Arts Council of Wales and National Lottery for funding the Creative Well scheme, without which, we could not deliver the programme.” In Wrexham and Flintshire alone, the National Lottery has awarded around £101m to over 4,600 good causes since it was launched 25 years ago. Charities, community groups, grassroots sports projects, arts organisations, athletes, film makers, and heritage sites have reaped rewards from the funding. Keep an eye in local media and on National Lottery Good Causes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and the hashtags #LotteryLovesWrexham #LotteryLovesFlintshire #Chwedlau’rLoteri over the next month for more inspirational stories like Arts from the Armchair which illustrates how National Lottery funding has helped to change the lives of people in Wrexham and Flintshire for the better.
First Dementia Support Group Launched at Winchester Care Home
The Winchester care home, Tegfield House has launched a new dementia support group for relatives who want to gain a greater understanding of their loved ones who are living with dementia. The two-hour session gave families a chance to talk, listen and share experiences. All attendees have something in common – they have a relation living at Tegfield House, who is also living with dementia. The gatherings allow conversations to reflect on emotive topics such as the changes we see as people get older. The welcoming and family orientated Chilbolton Avenue care home hosted the first session recently with General Manager Jo Aitken, Deputy Manager Jacqui Standing welcoming eight relatives in to the friendly setting. Hartford Care Brand Director Jo Gavin attended the first meeting as a guest speaker. The group discussed the challenges that families face and how dementia can change the lives of individuals. The Support Group was the bright idea of Deputy Manager Jacqui. The compassionate and experienced team member joined the Hartford Care family as a Senior Care Assistant in August 2013 and then accepted the role of Deputy Manager in November 2017: “I often speak to residents’ families who watch the behaviours of their loved one change over time. They have questions and want to find ways to connect so they can still spend quality time together. Dementia is a difficult topic to understand so I approached a few families to tell them my idea and they agreed that it would be beneficial to meet. It’s all about creating understanding, empathy and awareness!” Tegfield House is a family home created with three underlying values at its core. These are care, comfort and companionship and Jo Aitken is the Manager: We are a friendly and caring home, so a Support Group seemed like a good idea. Our staff are keen to make a positive difference to the lives of our residents and their families. We have a little community here at Tegfield House and we think of all the relatives as family and we want to be here to support them. Loving a person who is older and living with dementia can be confusing or even a little sad at times. We will always put those in our care, first. Those who love them, matter hugely to us as well, and we are pleased to be able to listen and we look forward to seeing more people at the next meeting. The impact of the first meeting is hugely positive and gladly received. Feedback from the participants include comments such as: “I feel better to know I’m not alone and other families are going through the same thing as me”. The support group will continue every 8 weeks and hopefully will help the families further in their journey. The next interactive session in April will focus on factual information to help the relatives understand dementia, with information provided from the Alzheimer’s Society.
Thousands of ‘glow-getters’ put dementia to bed at Ready Steady GLOW in Manchester
Thousands of people took to the streets of Manchester at the weekend to unite against dementia. More than 3,400 attended Alzheimer’s Society’s special 5km night walk, known as Ready Steady GLOW, which started and finished at Media City. Participants, most of whom were walking in memory of – or to pay tribute to – a loved one affected by dementia, formed a sea of blue in their Memory Walk T-shirts as they made their way along the city’s waterfront. From there, they snaked their way across some of the city’s iconic bridges and past the famous Imperial War Museum and Lowry Theatre. Before the walk got underway the Piazza was a hive of activity as participants enjoyed a lively ‘zumba dance’ warm up session – and the high spirits continued as medals were handed out as people crossed the finishing line. Hazel Bayley, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager for the North West, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes. “I am so glad that thousands of people from across the region stepped out to improve the lives of people living with dementia. “Dementia devastates lives; it slowly strips people of their memories, relationships and identities. “Every pound raised through Ready Steady GLOW will help Alzheimer’s Society provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition. “Alzheimer’s Society is committed to spending at least £150 million over the next decade on dementia research to improve care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow. “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this year’s first Ready Steady GLOW event such a brilliant success.” To find out more about Ready Steady GLOW and Alzheimer’s Society’s daytime Memory Walk events, go to memorywalk.org.uk
Residents at Pelton Grange care home enjoy dementia friendly screening of hit musical
A DEMENTIA friendly screening of blockbuster musical Mamma Mia! was a hit with Pelton Grange care home residents in the North East. More than a dozen residents and staff from Pelton Grange Care Home watched the movie at Pelton Community Centre, on Front Street, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street. Popcorn, crisps, biscuits and tea were served throughout, with residents free to chat, get up and move around if they wished. Many staff members attended on their day off with their children. Chris Hogan-Hind, home manager at Pelton Grange Care Home, even got up for a dance with resident Brenda Clifford during the movie’s finale, accompanied by ABBA hit Waterloo. He said: “Everybody sang along to the songs. There was laughter and joy all round. “For the residents who couldn’t necessarily follow the story, they were able to enjoy the music and have a wonderful afternoon.” Pelton Grange Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Fortune cookies helping elderly with dementia
FORTUNE cookies are having a therapeutic effect on those living with dementia in the North East. Residents at Pelton Grange Care Home, in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, have been making the popular takeaway biscuits in celebration of the Chinese New Year. The home’s cooking enthusiasts took over the kitchen to create the cookies using a traditional recipe – before inserting their own handwritten fortunes. Using their culinary skills has proven beneficial for those with dementia, according to home manager Chris Hogan-Hind. He said: “We are always looking for activities to get the residents using familiar skills, especially for those living with dementia, as it has a very positive effect on their mood and wellbeing. “Many of the residents used to cook for their families and friends, so the Chinese New Year was a good opportunity to get them involved in preparing a meal for fellow residents. “They thoroughly enjoyed making the fortune cookies and testing their culinary skills.” Resident Brenda Clifford said: “It was the best day in a long time, and I enjoyed watching the mixer going round and round. “It was nice to go in the kitchen and see where our food comes from. I couldn’t believe the size.” As well as learning the making fortune cookies, residents were treated to a dinner of chicken curry with rice and noodles, prawn crackers, spring rolls and prawn wraps. Resident Lillian Ford added: “The meal was delicious. I can remember having a takeaway with my husband and the smell coming from the dining room was like being in a proper Chinese restaurant.” Pelton Grange Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
Innovative dementia training showcased at Encore Care Homes
Encore Care Homes is proud to introduce ‘Mind the Gap’, an insightful dementia training programme, across its care homes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Fareham. The programme comprises four modules and is led by a trained expert from Encore who covers various topics, including wellness and behaviour, the positive impact communication can have on a person with dementia and the strategies which can be used to ensure they feel positive and comfortable at all times. One of Encore’s key objectives is to invest in training programmes and provide a host of professional development opportunities, which allows staff to continue to provide the highest standard of care. As a result, all staff at Encore, which manages Fairmile Grange in Christchurch, Great Oaks in Bournemouth and Hamble Heights in Fareham, take part in this mandatory training. ‘Mind the Gap’ training is also offered to the relatives of Encore’s residents who are interested in extending their knowledge of dementia. The various modules take place at Great Oaks, with the next session being held on Monday, January 28 from 10am – 4pm. Luke Wiltshire, training manager for Encore, said: “We recognise that by investing in high quality training, we are able to build on the existing skills and knowledge that we currently possess around dementia. Each module has been carefully selected and thought out in association with the Dementia Training Company, so the sessions are beneficial to all those who attend. “Understanding the impact dementia can have not only on the person, but their loved ones, is also why we decided to offer this training to our residents’ relatives. Not only will guests who attend the sessions be able to learn more about dementia, but it also provides an opportunity for them to share their experiences with our team and discuss their viewpoints. Providing support to our residents and their family members is at the heart of what we do, which is why we highly recommend relatives attend the sessions and experience the positive outcomes from it.” To find out more information about ‘Mind the Gap’ training, contact the Encore team on learning@encorecarehomes.co.uk or call 01202 087 444. www.encorecarehomes.co.uk
Care home uses pies to help residents remember
PIES helped care home residents living with dementia to recall their younger days, this National Pie Day. The smells, tastes and sights of one of the nation’s favourite dishes were used as part of an active minds session at Halton View Care Home, in Widnes, Cheshire. Staff organised the activity to coincide with National Pie Day – when they asked residents to remember their favourite ingredients. They were also shown pictures of various sweet and savoury pies and asked to name as many different types as they could. The residents were then treated to a buffet dinner, with a wide selection of pies to choose from. Victoria Brown, home manager at Halton View Care Home, said: “Multi-sensory activities like this, using smells, tastes and sights, have a therapeutic effect on those living with dementia. So we’re always looking for different ways to engage residents and get them thinking about the past. National Pie Day offered the opportunity to discuss a dinner time favourite of many of the residents. We asked them to recall memories of making pies and what ingredients they need to make the pastry and fillings. The response was amazing. Everyone got involved and had an opinion on the best pie – from meat and potatoes to apple pie with custard.” For more information about National Pie Day please click here
