The Carebase approach to dementia care defined

Finding the right home for a loved one who has dementia is probably one of the most important decisions of your life.

You might have just discovered that they have dementia, perhaps it was diagnosed after a serious fall or the result of a check-up after a spell of forgetfulness. Maybe you have been struggling to cope as the primary carer for some time. Whatever the reason, it will certainly be a distressing time and you are likely to have many questions.

You can feel reassured that we are here to help. Our credentials are solid. Not only do we have many valuable years of experience looking after people living with dementia, we genuinely care. We understand the fears you might be experiencing. We recognise the vital importance of choosing the right home, and more often than not, the absolute urgency of this. We will work with you every step of the way, not only to address your concerns but also to build your trust. 

Settling into life with us

Moving your loved one’s entire life into a new home is a significant moment.

We understand that there are likely to be mixed emotions and our team makes every effort to help settle you both in. We work with you to help develop the right care plan. We start by finding out as much as possible about your loved one’s history and your role is vital in this. Taking the time to understand an individual’s likes and dislikes helps tailor the environment to a resident’s needs.

Recreating surroundings our residents can identify with is an effective way to make a connection. We know that those with dementia are happiest doing the things they know.

Working with Dementia Care Matters

We keep on top of what is happening in the dementia arena, and part of this involves working closely with Dementia Care Matters (DCM).

This organisation works tirelessly to shift the focus of dementia care to the philosophy of ‘feelings matter most’. Traditionally dementia care was all about policy and procedure which inevitably led to frustration, boredom and lethargy for those with the condition. DCM believes that an emphasis on feelings and relationships can dramatically transform care for those living with dementia.

We have been working with DCM since 2009 and this invaluable relationship has helped us to really develop the service we offer.

We are now even more focused on the wellbeing of those with dementia. Our homes are not clinical but homely, with intimate living areas and kitchenettes. We’ve taken away any aspects of our surroundings that were acting as barriers. Residents see staff with friendly faces rather than strangers in uniforms. All this helps residents and their families feel as comfortable in our environment as they would in their own homes.

DCM acts as a consultant, developing courses and running intensive training days for care staff and our nurses. In 2010, DCM launched the Butterfly Services kite mark centring on the ethos ‘live, not exist’.

It is about making every second count. The dementia-specific training uses the metaphor of a colourful butterfly that flutters in and out of a space brightening up a moment of someone’s life. This can be likened to those living with dementia, particularly in the late stages, flitting in and out of different realities. The training helps carers to understand that every minute is precious and they can touch the life of a person with dementia through the briefest of moments.

Three of our homes now carry the butterfly services kite mark and we will be working toward all of our sites being awarded this standard by 2012.

To achieve this kite mark, auditors spend six consecutive hours in our communal spaces to assess the quality of interaction between staff and residents. They make sure there is no negative or controlling behaviour, such as ordering people ‘to sit down’ or restricting movement. They also assess the activities staff create for residents have meaning to meet individual needs.

Investing in staff

Each member of staff undergoes two full days of dementia specific training, which incorporates the Butterfly approach and the Alzheimer Society methods.

This training helps employees to gain a greater understanding of how residents can flit between different realities. They learn how to join in these realities rather than enforce a new one, and link activities to a resident’s life story. We show them techniques of how to occupy people to minimise boredom and frustration.

These techniques include carrying objects which can create moments, like a tactile fabric to touch or prompt conversations. However small an interaction may seem, our staff learn how this can simply make a difference to someone’s quality of life.

Our ongoing training covers a wide spectrum from life story work and managing unusual behaviours to end of life training. Staff work towards Health and Social Care diplomas as part of the process. All staff across the spectrum of job roles (from senior management to ours chefs and gardeners) are encouraged to complete accredited dementia training.