Friends of the Elderly鈥檚 dementia champions support people living with dementia
21 Oct 2022
5 min read
This Good News Friday we hear from Friends of the Elderly about how they've trained dementia champions across their services as part of their Dementia Education Programme.
Charity, Friends of the Elderly, which runs and manages care homes and day care services has trained up dementia champions as part of its Dementia Education Programme. The trained champions are on hand to support residents and their families, and strive to demystify dementia to help those who are either living with, or supporting a loved one who is living with dementia.
The charity’s dementia champions focus on encouraging independence, giving reassurance, inspiring communication and creativity, and providing high-quality bespoke care with dignity that meets each person’s individual needs.
Talking about the Dementia Education Programme, Friends of the Elderly’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Wilson said:
Our programme, which has been rooted and adopted throughout the charity at all levels, is an ongoing, inclusive education programme. It not only educates our team members, but also builds on their existing knowledge-base and skills, expands their capabilities, and heightens their proficiency.
At Friends of the Elderly in Malvern, Worcestershire, there are three dedicated homes and a day care service which specialise in residential, nursing and dementia care.
Adrian Tyrer, the dementia champion at Malvern said:
I have tremendous respect, regard and appreciation for our residents and work hard to ensure they receive meaningful, personal connections and that every interaction, regardless of the context, is bespoke and tailored to their needs.
I鈥檝e been with Friends of the Elderly for over nine years and, as a dementia champion, I regularly host namaste afternoons. The namaste sessions are a sensory experience in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Namaste is an expression of appreciation and respect towards another person which resonates with seeing dementia care in different light and from the resident鈥檚 point of view. This is key to everything I deliver every day. Taking time to listen and talk to the residents is very important. Giving them reassurance, support and encouragement with a friendly smile goes a long way.
One of the best things about my job is being able to put a smile on somebody鈥檚 face every day.
Mark added:
We want everyone using our care homes and day care services to have the best experience we can possibly provide, which is why our Dementia Education Programme has been actioned by the whole charity.
Our dementia champions know how imperative it is to focus on what they know about a person living with dementia and what that person is confident in. If they're engaged, motivated and inspired, even for a little while, they're cheerful and content - and that time is quality time.
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