Businessman Sir Gerry Robinson returns in a new series in which he tries to turn around three struggling care homes.
In the next twenty years over a million Britons will have dementia, and sufferers are likely to end up in one of the country's privately run care homes. It's a huge business worth six billion pounds, largely paid for by taxation, yet a great deal of the care is woefully inadequate. Can Gerry, whose father had the disease when he died, change a culture of stagnant lounges, a lack of specialist training among staff, and a focus on keeping people alive rather than helping them to live a happy life?
Following last week's shocking BBC programme 'Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes?', Cathy Baldwin, Dementia Training Manager, Alzheimer's Society gives her response.
Many of you watching last week's programme will come away shocked at just what goes on behind the closed door of too many care homes. The real shock is that good dementia care is not only possible but also easy to achieve with a little knowledge and know how.
The sad truth is that our expectation of care is unacceptably low. I only had a few hours with Gerry, after which he asked me why no one insisted that everyone working in care attended a dementia training course. Perhaps this is a question we should all be asking?
Dementia is caused by physical diseases that slowly destroy memories, skills and abilities yet leaves the feelings and emotions we all experience exposed. As unique individuals everyone will experience their journey through dementia in their own unique way, this is why good dementia care must focus on the person and not the disease.
The two greatest barriers people with dementia will face is the ignorance of those around them and the experience of living in an environment that enhances the disability.
Good care can make all the difference, the willingness to see the world through the experience of a person with dementia is the key. Good care is not simply about performing tasks that allow people to function; it is about recognising the person behind the condition, caring for people’s emotional needs as well as their physical. We can’t know what it is like to live with dementia, but I’m sure we would all agree that our quality of life is not only dependent on simply being washed, fed and kept warm: we all need social interaction at some level, stimulation to make life a little more interesting.
Watching the programme it is clear to see that many staff didn’t have a clue how to help residents. I wanted to be in that home to show them how easy it can be not only to improve the lives of the residents but also to gain a true sense of job satisfaction. Engaging with the people in their care at every opportunity, supporting them to continue to live their lives rather than simply existing in misery and confusion would bring everyone immense happiness.
I know that I need a purpose in my life, I need to feel valued and respected, I need to feel dignity and pride in myself, what right do we have to deny anyone these feelings and opportunities just because they have dementia?
We must see beyond the body, beyond the disease and see the unique person inside who has a lifetime of experiences, no sense does not mean no feeling, there is always ‘sense’ if we are willing to truly listen.
My lifelong passion for dementia care began as a nurse at the age of 17. Even at that young age I knew the way people with dementia were treated wasn’t right but it wasn’t until I joined Alzheimer’s Society that I understood what was missing and saw another way forward. My passion now is to share the knowledge I have gained, by providing high quality dementia care training to anyone who is willing to listen. But we all have a responsibility in changing the way we care for older people. We must challenge ignorance and misperception and speak out when we see bad practice, our complacency will only encourage the status quo!
I am thrilled that Gerry shares this passion but one man alone cannot change the system. I hope having seen the programme you too will join our mission.
To join Alzheimer’s Society campaigners’ network to help campaign for a better quality of life for everyone with dementia visit the website below or email campaignersnetwork@alzheimers.org.uk.
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