Positive practice in supporting people with dementia
19 May 2023
5 min read
This #GoodNewsFriday and Dementia Action Week, we hear from Christopher Tansley, Managing Director, Right at Home Nottingham about how they support people living with dementia.
Christopher tells us that the number one factor when supporting people with dementia is to treat each person as an individual and to connect with them on a personal level.
He highlights the importance of getting to know people’s likes, dislikes, hobbies, and interests and using these to engage with them, to prompt memories, and support cognitive thinking.
This is something which underpins how the Right at Home Nottingham team works with the people they support who are living with dementia. It’s also the reason that they never send a stranger to anyone’s home, they always send a professional healthcare worker who they’re familiar with and who knows their preferences. Another key element of how they work is ensuring that they dedicate the right amount of time to the people they support and never rush them to complete activities.
Right at Home is an ‘Outstanding’ rated care provider based in Nottingham and was set up by Christopher 10 years ago. They provide homecare and support to people, many of whom are living with dementia.
For some of the people they support who are living with dementia they provide a mix of typical at home care services – such as household activities and personal care - alongside cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation, and they also support some people purely with their cognitive health.
This could be arts and crafts, baking, sports, or crucially heading out and socialising within their interests.
While not everyone they support is living with dementia it’s one area of care which the team has been particularly focused on since around 2015.
As well as being Managing Director of Right at Home, Christopher is also the Chair of the Dementia Action Group in Nottingham, which works closely with the local community.
When the organisation first moved towards a greater focus on supporting people with dementia, Christopher undertook relevant training to get up-to-speed with this area of care though he highlights it’s an area of learning and development which is always ongoing as there’s always new information to learn.
All of the Right at Home Nottingham team will have some level of dementia training and understanding they also have the opportunity to focus their role more specifically around dementia care and planning to live well, which many members of the team do.
Christopher says that these team members are very passionate about dementia support and focusing on this area not only means better day to day living for the people who they support, but also greater job satisfaction for the team.
Emma, Registered Manager at Right at Home Nottingham says:
We have a very passionate team focus on our clients, and the right dementia care and support enables our clients to live well after their diagnosis. Our dementia support care plans focus on their abilities and goals, in all aspects of their life. Organising the right dementia support gives me great job satisfaction that we are making a difference.
Bianca, a caregiver at Right at Home Nottingham says:
My experience has been of a management team that are genuinely concerned about the work they do and that it would meet the needs of clients and are committed to the employment of caregivers that would support this vision. Theirs is a person-centred, holistic approach to community support of their clients, which I feel really is what happens on the ground. There are so many extra touches that I just don't think are standard practice in this sector, for example, extensive shadowing during induction and ensuring that caregivers are introduced to clients prior to starting to work with them, of benefit to clients and caregivers.
The organisation has also worked alongside Jackie Pool to increase their learning and understanding of dementia. Jackie is an experienced occupational therapist and dementia specialist, and a researcher with several universities on a ground-breaking study which assesses the impact of cognitive rehabilitation on those living with dementia.
Right at Home Nottingham has used this learning to develop their dementia support programme which is all based around getting to know individuals well, understanding their backgrounds, interests, hobbies, liked routines, and preferences and using this to measure their level of ability. This insight is used to determine the best ways to support people and stimulate their cognitive behaviour based on their personal preferences.
Supporting people to do the things they love is a key part of Right at Home Nottingham’s work. They work closely with local community groups and dementia charities to identify activities – such as cricket or golf clubs – and also work with groups to make these spaces more dementia friendly.
For the people who they support, being able to partake in these activities supports their cognitive function by socialising and doing an activity that works the brain and that they enjoy.
Currently the team are working on creating case studies for each of the people they support, which Christopher explains is important because everyone is different and can have different forms of dementia. These case studies can support all staff to understand each individual they support better so they can provide the best level of care and support.
Christopher says his key advice to other professional healthcare workers supporting people living with dementia is to ask them to list all their preferences, routines, and everything that's important to them. This can support you in connecting with people on an individual level, and engaging over their interests at a sensory level throughout the progression of their symptoms.
Another important element of Right at Home’s work is supporting the relatives and carers of the people who they support. They’ve created carers groups for the carers of the people they support to connect with and help each other and share their own experiences and challenges.
They’ve had some great feedback from the family and carers of people they support:
Dad seems to perk up after his important trip to the GP and that he agreed to go to his friendship group. There was a definite change in Dad when he arrived. While Dad was with you, I went back to Mum's to help with a few things and wanted to see Dad when he arrived home. He was definitely in a better frame of mind in fact he said they had been singing "Bring me sunshine". I said you all will be dancing like Morecambe and Wise next. I think Dad picked up over the day because he was chatting to different people and he was out of the house. Thanks for cheering Dad on.
Ruth C (Daughter of Client)
We have been absolutely thrilled with the care delivered by Right at Home for my 83-year-old Mum. She has a heart condition, has suffered two strokes and has dementia. The carers have been brilliant with her, so kind and respectful of her wishes. They treat her with dignity and the communication from staff has been great. We know exactly when they are coming and which carer it will be. I can鈥檛 recommend Right at Home Nottingham strongly enough. They are brilliant.
Sally B (Daughter of Client)
My husband has participated in the dementia friendship group for a number of months now. Immediately from his first session, as soon as he walked through the door, I could tell that he felt at ease and welcome in the 'home from home' atmosphere. The group take part in a range of activities which are inclusive and enjoyable; staff make an effort to include activities that are of a special interest and significance to the attendees. These sessions are of a great benefit to both my husband and myself. I feel reassured that he is spending a happy three hours while I, as his main carer, have the opportunity for respite.
Helen C (Wife of Client)
Thank you to Right at Home for sharing their positive insights around best practice for supporting people with dementia.
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