TAKING GOOD CARE

ementia is a subject many of us shy away from, but we ignore it at our peril. According to NHS statistics, one in 14 people over the age of 65 – and 1 in 6 over-80s – are affected by the condition. By 2025 it’s estimated there will be more than 1 million people with dementia in the UK.

Some of us also have outdated – and needlessly pessimistic – ideas about what care homes can achieve. Attitudes and practices have changed hugely over the last couple of decades. The best care facilities nowadays couldn’t be more different from the depressing stereotypes we grew up with.

Franklyn Care is an excellent example of a forward-looking organisation that is championing a positive, enlightened approach towards dementia care in the four care homes that they run here in the North East: Hillcrest in Catterick Garrison, The Gatehouse in Harrogate, Kirkwood in Ilkley and Stobars Hall in Kirkby Stephen.

Franklyn Care is at the forefront of a revolution in attitudes towards dementia

AIMING HIGH

Suzanne McPadden is Franklyn Care’s Operations Manager, and there’s no doubting her passionate commitment to providing the very highest standards of care and support for Franklyn Care residents.

“Dementia can often mean that someone isn’t safe to live at home on their own,” she says, “but we’re keen to get away from the negative idea that they ‘have’ to go into a home. We aim to create an experience so positive that people actively want to come and live with us. Which would you rather do: sit at home and be totally bored, or be part of a community, make friends and have access to a wide range of exciting activities? I know which I would prefer!

“Our philosophy is that dementia shouldn’t be allowed to get in the way of people making their own choices and living their lives with independence and dignity.”

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

“In each of our homes we have different areas set up for sports, music, crafts – whatever people want to enjoy – to keep brains active and create a fun atmosphere. And if residents want to be involved in running the home, whether it’s writing a newsletter or doing the washing up, we’ll encourage that as much as possible.

“It’s all about giving people the tools to live the lives that they used to. So we always look at a resident’s personal history: where they grew up, what their jobs were, what their hobbies and interests are. Equipped with this background understanding we can connect with them, help them personalise their rooms, organise activities that will suit them, and so on.

“Of course when a care home is busy and active, like ours, every day is different and you can’t run to fixed timetables. It’s important to be flexible and take each day as it comes. We tell our carers that it’s OK to take the time to sit down with a resident for a cup of tea and a chat. That one-to-one contact is very important.”

SEE FOR YOURSELF

“Sometimes relatives feel guilty about letting a loved one go into a care home. You can feel like you’re letting them down, whereas in fact you’re making things better for them. If you don’t believe me, come and sit in one of our homes for an hour or two and see everyone’s happy faces! If you’re still concerned I would encourage you to book a two-week respite stay for your relative to see how they cope. You – and they – will probably be very pleasantly surprised!

“Day care can be another effective way of making the transition to full-time residence. Potential residents can make friends and get to know a designated key carer, come to realise for themselves that one of our care homes is something they would positively enjoy being part of.

“You can’t stop dementia, you need to stop being afraid of it and find a way to work with it. If someone has dementia we have to step into their world, rather than trying to force them conform to ours.”

For more information about Franklyn Care and its care homes visit thefranklyngroup.com