Encore Care Homes has signed up for Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme, which aims to transform the way that people think, act and talk about the condition.
The Dementia Friends training has been introduced across Encore’s four care homes in Dorset and Hampshire so that the team can provide greater support and individualised care to residents, some of which have varying levels of the condition.
Staff across all departments, including the care team, catering, housekeeping and administration, will learn about dementia, as well as how to support and communicate effectively with residents.
All new members of the Encore team will receive an additional day of training during their induction which will be dedicated to dementia, and will incorporate the Dementia Friends programme.
The team will learn about the different approaches, strategies and tools which can support the person-centred care and positive communication which works best for people with the condition.
“I have been a dementia friend for a number of years and believe the initiative is a really simple way to engage people with the valuable and important concept that it is possible to live well with dementia,” said Encore director of health and care Lindsay Rees.
“The initiative is fully in alignment with our mission to put the residents’ needs and wishes at the heart of what we do, which is why we have committed to embed it in the foundations of the dedicated dementia care that we offer,” she added.
Encore provides residential, nursing and dementia-dedicated care at Great Oaks in Bournemouth, Oakdale in Poole, Fairmile Grange in Christchurch and Hamble Heights in Fareham.
