A provider’s dementia journey services and support

Zara Ross

November 2014

St Monica Trust Introduction

• Charity established in 1919 by the Wills Family;

• Legacy included provision to build/support St Monica Home and a Community Fund;

• 2000: 1 site in north Bristol;

• 2014: 4 sites, 3 with care homes (287 beds); 550 apartments on 4 assisted living communities with care; a care at home service; community fund supporting individuals, groups and LinkAge hubs

Our dementia journey at St Monica Trust

• Pre 2000 - St Monica Home: little acceptance that dementia was part of caring for residents; required different approach;

• Myra2002-2006 - two residential units within nursing home services; training and much greater awareness of dementias;

• Gordon2007-2012 – understanding more about designing for dementia; development of the Russets; acceptance of increased level of dementia within people’s own homes/our communities;

• Margaret2012 onwards – organisation-wide commitment to doing more...

The Russets, Sandford Station

St Monica Trust Dementia Strategy – Doing more…D ementia champions in all our teamsO utcomes-based care planning in all care-givingI ndependent assessment against quality standardsN ursing beds increased within specialist dementia servicesG rowth in awareness/education about dementia and engagement with other providers and dementia services

M aximised care at home for people with dementiaO ffering day opportunitiesR esearch dementia-related well-being areasE nd of Life support enhanced for people with dementia.

What we continue to learn re staff working in dementia settings

• Staff who work best in dementia settings are emotionally intelligent; know themselves and their impact on others;

• Advertising/recruiting for dementia care staff needs to focus/test for particular qualities, values and attitudes;

• Inducting, developing, training and supporting staff should focus on emotional contribution, as well as knowledge/skills;

• Sometimes the most unlikely people are the best at dementia care, and not just in care teams!

• Relational dementia engagement takes time; it’s not cheap.

What we continue to learn• Relational engagement is crucial, whether or not

the individual recognises they have dementia (CAMEO café);

• Carers’ need for support and education (Alzheimer Café);

• The fantastic contribution of volunteers;

• People with dementia/their carers tell us what works – we need to listen to them;

• Our built environments continue to evolve – we never build exactly the same service twice!

• There’s always more to learn!

The Russets, Sandford Station

“We can’t afford to be doing things

as we have always done them”

Zara Ross (Head of Care)telephone: 0117 949 4093

email: zara.ross@stmonicatrust.org.uk