New approach to dementia care

A Perth care home will now be able to offer specialist dementia care.

Craigieknowes Care Home in the Fair City has been accredited for a “pioneering”new way to care for people who are living with dementia.

The Dementia Care Framework uses technology to monitor residents to help adjust the care for their own individual needs.

All the staff at Craigieknowes will also now undergo specialist dementia care training to help increase their understanding of the condition, including undergoing a simulated experience of what it is like to have dementia.

Dr Claire Royston, group medical director for Four Seasons health care, who run Craigieknowes care home, said:“Everyone working in the home has completed training, including an experience of what it is like to live with dementia.

“The experience simulates the sensory and cognitive impairments, the confusion and the frustrations and even the emotional effects associated with dementia.

“This helps them to understand something of the perspective of the person who is living with the condition and increase empathy with them. It makes learning best care practice so much more meaningful.”

She added:“This is a new generation of dementia care. Sadly, we know that in the absence of a clinical cure it is a progressive condition, but with the right support the effects of dementia progression can be slowed and the person with dementia can enjoy a good life experience and be happy.

“That is what we have designed the dementia care framework to achieve.”

The technology will also allow the staff to create a full picture of each resident’s physical, psychological and emotional condition and their day-to-day experience.

The reports will also be updated to electronic versions, helping to eliminate the slowness of paper audits, which the care home says will help keep staff ahead of the changing care needs of the person.