Group launches dementia service

ORCHARD Care Homes has opened a fourth Reconnect community to support people with complex dementia care needs at Paisley Lodge in Armley, Leeds.

Paisley Lodge’s Reconnect Community embraces dementia care practice and a training programme for its care team.

The operator seeks to re-frame dementia care through its ‘Dementia Promise’ initiative, launched last month, by focusing on people’s strengths, abilities and what they can meaningfully achieve in their lives, instead of focusing on their diagnosis and difficulties.

Dementia lead Hannah Miller said: “As we have seen from the success of our three other Reconnect Communities, the need for specialist, people-focused dementia care is essential.

“We strive to ensure people continue to have a sense of purpose, maintain and enhance independence, whilst embracing the new research and resources available.

“Our aim will always be towards reconnecting people as far as possible; both to the world around them and to their own identities.”

With the capacity to care for 18 people, the Reconnect community will provide care for people living with complex needs arising from their experience of living with dementia, who often experience heightened levels of psychological distress.

The service will aim to reduce the dependence on psychotropic medication; through support focused on who the person is, striving for people to live life to the full.