Preston is set to benefit from a state-of-the-art Specialist Dementia care home unit which will provide therapeutic care for people in the local area who live with dementia. The brand-new service - called a Specialist Dementia Care Community (SDCC) - has now opened at HC-One's
Meadow Bank Care Home, just in time for Dementia Action Week (from 15th May).
The specialist nature of the home’s new unit has been described as ‘revolutionary’ and promises to transform the lives of people with dementia and complex care needs in Preston and across Lancashire.
Caring for up to 20 people at a time, the care home community focuses on the welfare and wellbeing of people who are emotionally distressed by their dementia and so require specialist care and support.
The local Preston home’s pioneering therapeutic model of care has been developed by an experienced team, including a world-leading dementia expert, and is geared towards reducing distress for people with dementia in every area of their life in the home.
The recently refurbished community includes a realistic cinema room, home-like lounge and dining areas and a vintage tea parlour so that care home residents are able to live comfortably in places that feel familiar, doing activities that are right for the setting they take place in to reduce confusion.
A highly specialist team including Assistant Psychologists, Specialist Dementia Care Leads and Dementia-trained Wellbeing and Activity Leaders will support Residents in the new unit. Care staff across Preston will have the opportunity to progress their careers into more specialist roles as a result of the jobs created by the new specialist care unit and enhanced training on offer.
The new dementia community in Meadow Bank has introduced a series of trailblazing measures to reduce distress and confusion amongst Residents living with dementia:
• Assistant Psychologists will support the Preston care team by analysing Residents’ behaviour to advise on recommended pastimes and care plans that will actively enrich their lives.
• Interior design that is evidenced to reduce distress and ensures that living environments feel homely and less clinical, whilst offering various communal spaces for a more peaceful, soothing living environment which can help to prevent distress.
• An enhanced admission process led by the Home Manager and a Dementia Specialist to ensure that all Residents are able to thrive within the unique environment.
• Flexible and tailored support to make sure that when somebody is able to, they are supported to move back into traditional care settings or even leave residential care as a result of the therapeutic effects of the home.
Evidence has shown that these approaches to care can reduce distressing incidents which can lead to hospitalisation or being prescribed medication. It is hoped that the ground-breaking approach to complex care at Meadow Bank will also relieve pressure on Preston’s social care and NHS services.
Julie Rennie, the daughter of one of the first residents at the Meadow Bank Specialist Dementia Care Community, said:
"I’ve noticed recently that my Dad is doing more... He gets involved with Karaoke and doing jobs around the home – the staff keep me updated as to how he is and what he is doing. I’m really happy that he has put a bit of weight on and is doing well. I can’t thank staff enough."
Tracey Yates, Area Director at HC-One, said:
“We are proud to bring this bold new service to Preston, which engages with our Residents as individuals rather than as their dementia diagnosis. This is a really revolutionary moment in dementia care.
“By offering specialist care in a homely and therapeutic environment, we are excited to support those living in our Specialist Dementia Care Community to live calm and fulfilling lives.”