HC-One has evolved its dementia strategy to ensure that dementia care is accessible, sustainable, and fit for the future, as it seeks to meet the growing demand for dementia care and provide the best possible care to those living with dementia.
There are currently approximately half a million people living in care homes across the country, with over 70% of them living with dementia – and this is growing. People’s needs are also becoming more complex and acute.
As the largest provider of dementia care to the public sector, HC-One understands the increasing complexity of dementia and, in order to meet this need, is developing services that sit above the traditional categories of care.
HC-One’s enhanced dementia strategy is re-imagining dementia care to ensure people living with the condition are supported to live their best life. Through its dementia strategy, HC-One is striving to enhance how Residents living with dementia are cared for in a way that further supports Residents’ independence, confidence and identity, with person-centred care continuing to be at the heart of this. This is part of HC-One’s kind care approach, providing support for people with kindness in all areas of their life.
The strategy has been developed by HC-One’s specialist Dementia Care team including Director of Dementia Services, Professor Graham Stokes, a leading thinker and academic authority in Dementia Care in the UK.
It is developed around strategic commitments to support it to best meet the needs of Residents living with dementia now and in the future, including:
Model: Developing a model that is rooted in evidence and best practice, including being underpinned by the Kitwood Flower of Emotional Needs which encompasses the 6 key psychological needs (love, comfort, identity, occupation, inclusion and attachment). This helps to shape the care we provide, and the workforce and skills we deliver.
Workforce: A redefined workforce, incorporating staffing models/structure, leadership, competence and excellence, with skill mix defined by levels of Resident need.
Learning & Development: A future-focussed tiered Learning & Development proposition delivered through both e-learning and face-to-face delivery, further equipping Colleagues with the skills and expertise needed to provide Residents with the best possible care, including those with complex behaviours.
Environment: New industry-leading standards for our built environments (innovative and low arousal communities) which support Residents’ individual needs, independence, and identity, in a homely setting.
HC-One’s dementia strategy focuses on a model that is a clearly outlined, clinically excellent standard of dementia care delivery. HC-One is seeking to lead the way in the delivery of innovation and excellence in the standard of enhanced dementia care services it offers, and in doing so, become a sector leader and provider of choice for those living with dementia. The roll out of the strategy across HC-One homes and Colleagues begins in earnest in 2023, building on pilots that have taken place to date. To support the ongoing development and implementation of its forward-looking dementia strategy, HC-One has also invested its Dementia Clinical team, enhancing its expertise as it meets the evolving care needs.
Professor Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia Care at HC-One said:
“The evolution of our dementia strategy is a key moment in enhancing the way we care at HC-One.
“As the largest provider of dementia care to the public sector, it’s only right that we’re continually reviewing and refreshing the way we care. The need for accessible and high quality dementia care is growing, and will continue to grow, and HC-One is ready to work with our partners to support individuals living with dementia to live the life they want.”
Anna Selby, Director of Kind Care at HC-One commented:
“Our purpose at HC-One is to support those in our care to lead their best lives. HC-One’s dementia strategy is an integral part of this and is rooted in our kind care approach. As well as transforming our homes to best support Residents living with dementia, our dementia strategy will also help to retain and attract professional carers to the social care sector, equipping them with the necessary specialist knowledge and skills required to meet the demand for dementia care, whilst also enabling carers to enjoy a rewarding career as experienced specialists in dementia care.”