Dementia projects up for awards

A Perth-based care home group’s steps to address dementia have been recognised with two industry award shortlistings.

Balhousie Care Group, which has 25 homes across Scotland, is a finalist in the Scottish Social Services Awards.

The company’s Dementia Ambassador Programme and the Clement Park care home in Dundee have been shortlisted for their work in taking dementia care to a new level.

The ambassador scheme involves at least two staff members in every care home, plus head office staff, who have become active ambassadors for Balhousie’s dementia strategy.

The ambassadors gather regularly to share ideas and learn new techniques.

Balhousie Clement Park, shortlisted in the “living the codes” category, has encouraged residents to decorate their own bedrooms and work together to create focal points around the home.

Public areas include an indoor dementia garden with essential oils, bird music and bird and butterfly objects and memory-stimulating areas with themes such as dancing, the seaside and a bar area.

This collaboration has resulted in lots of different focal areas which support residents to have some reminiscence time, space to be on their own, and family time.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Edinburgh on Wednesday June 6.