What Does Great Dementia Care Look Like?

• gathering a life history for each person from the person, their family and friends
• valuing our people for who they really are and responding to individual preferences
• supporting people to live in the here and now by embracing their reality
• ensuring that a person’s preferred activities are integrated into their care plan by obtaining life history.

• recruiting staff that have a natural ability to connect with people and wear their heart on their sleeve
• training staff in all levels of dementia care
• ensuring that staff have a clear understanding on an individual’s life history, routines and interest
• training staff to understand how to recognize and respond to the emotional needs of a person
• regular supervision and appraisals
• ensuring staff have an understanding of effective communication of behaviors.

• supporting managers to work within a person-centered framework
• guiding managers to identify and appoint team leaders/seniors to create a leadership team
• providing platforms to share ideas and encourage mentoring and peer support

• undertaking regular review meetings
• offering information, support groups and sharing knowledge How we deliver person-centered care e.g. dementia cafes and living well with dementia seminars
• residents and relatives forums
• operating an open and transparent service
• welcoming feedback from families
• yearly Quality Assurance audits.

Ensure that people are empowered to make informed choices about their lives and the care they receive by:

• acting in a person’s best interests and working in line with the values and ethos of the Mental Capacity Act
• providing people the opportunity to take part in decisions about their care
• help and support to make choices
• encouraging people to do things for themselves
• understanding that choice is a way of promoting freedom and maintaining a sense of control and self-worth

• creating a home from home, family atmosphere in a tastefully decorated environment with soft furnishings
• encouraging people to bring familiar items with them to create a sense of security
• providing enabling environments to help people to live well – pictorial menus, orientation

• are people chatting and involved in activities?
• are people properly dressed and well groomed?
• do people talk to you as you walk around?
• do people seem occupied and busy?
• talk to other people on your visit –are they happy?
• do people appear happy, content and comfortable?

• do the staff talk to you as you walk around?
• are the staff well presented?
• do staff speak to people in a way the person likes? Does it feel right?
• are staff responding to a person’s feelings and behaviors?
• do you hear staff going with the individual’s reality?
• is there evidence of staff training, like certificates of achievement?
• are key workers allocated?
• do you get the impression that people’s past lives and memories matter to the staff?

• is the décor and furnishings pleasant?
• are you able to bring your own items of furniture and personal belongings into the home?
• do staff respect privacy by knocking and waiting at bedroom doors?
• are there individual room indicators to assist people in finding their own room?

• are there juices and snacks available around the home
• is there a choice of menu and how often is it reviewed?
• are special diets catered for? Can you see the current menu?
• can people eat in their rooms and at different times if they prefer?
• can a person snack at any time if they wish?
• are staff trained to sensitively assist people to eat if necessary.

• are there juices and snacks available around the home
• is there a choice of menu and how often is it reviewed?
• are special diets catered for? Can you see the current menu?
• can people eat in their rooms and at different times if they prefer?
• can a person snack at any time if they wish?
• are staff trained to sensitively assist people to eat if necessary?

• are people occupied in doing things?
• what opportunities are there for a person to pursue their chosen activities and interests?
• does the home provide tailored activities that are suitable and engaging for a person with dementia?
• are there opportunities for people to help staff with small tasks if they wish?
• are activities available each day?
• are people encouraged to take exercise?
• are there outings and is the home involved in the wider community?
• how does the home support cultural differences?

• does the home have a feeling of living?
• does the home feel like a place where people really matter?
• what is the community’s person-centered care philosophy? Make sure to ask questions about it.
• does the home have a dementia care accreditation?
• ask how a person’s care plan is put together. It should summarize how staff can encourage and maintain the unique strengths of the person while meeting their needs for support. It should include involving the family, friends and other professionals to encompass the widest knowledge of the person. This should be reviewed regularly.

• what security measures are in place to keep people safe?
• what measures are taken to reduce falls? how might a person call if they need help?

• are visitors welcome anytime?
• are visitors encouraged to take people out or join them for a meal?
• are families and friends supported to become involved in the life of the home – e.g. a relatives group?
• are family and friends supported to understand the journey of dementia?
• what does the home do to support families of those who live with a dementia? Workshops, seminars, focus groups etc.

• is the manager friendly with staff, people and families?
• are they open with answering your questions? are they knowledgeable about dementia?
• is the manager knowledgeable about care fees management, social services support?
• do you feel you would be able to talk to the manager and staff about how you feel?