Blythe Rose Dementia Care FAQ

According to Alzheimer’s Society, ‘dementia’ describes a group of symptoms that may include “memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, and often changes in mood, perception or behaviour. These changes are usually small to start with, but for someone with dementia they become bad enough to affect daily life.”

Although everyone is unique and no-one can predict how fast dementia will progress, symptoms do worsen over time. Some people can live independently and with minimal support for many years, while others may require care and support soon after receiving their diagnosis.

Many residential care homes offer dementia care these days and some may feature an in-house suite designed for residents living with typically early stages of dementia.

There are many differences between these and specialist homes such as Blythe Rose Dementia Care. Purpose designed and built to cater for individuals at every stage of their dementia journey and able to professionally accommodate complex and challenging behaviours, we can offer the constancy and familiarity that is so conducive to enabling residents to feel happy, safe and settled.

For family members it’s re-assuring to know that your loved one is being expertly cared for within a bespoke environment that can manage the progression of the disease and its symptoms with compassion and professionalism, without the stress and disruption of having to find another home.

With its dementia-friendly design and highly trained team, including dementia nurses, we offer residents a lifelong home in which they can live well with dementia.

There are several types of dementia, the most common of which are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), frontotemporal dementia (FTD or Pick’s Disease) and Corticobasal Dementia are less common. It is possible to have ‘mixed dementia’ – often a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Blythe Rose Dementia Care provides expert care for older adults living with all types of dementia. Very often our residents have accompanying complexities, frailty and/or nursing care needs.

Research shows that with a holistic and personalised approach that encompasses good nutrition and hydration, engagement and stimulation from social interactions and activities, together with gentle activity and professional interventions as appropriate – environmental and/or physical – dementia can be well managed and reliance upon medications can sometimes be reduced.

Our aim at Blythe Rose Demetia Care is to provide the support and care needed for residents to enjoy quality of life and live well with dementia.

At Blythe Rose Dementia Care we operate a flexible staff ratio which recognises and is reflective of the care needs, ensuring your loved one receives more one-to-one time, individualised care and attention according to their specific needs.

As a specialist home, Blythe Rose Dementia Care can professionally  support residents living with dementia at any stage. Our staff are highly trained and equipped to care for individuals who may display complex behaviours that can be challenging to manage.

If you are looking for a forever home for a loved one, we urge you to arrange a visit. We would be pleased to discuss the challenges you are currently facing, what to expect and how we are here to support you.

All residents undergo a thorough assessment pre-admission enabling us to determine the kind of environment best suited to them.

Those earlier on in their dementia journey enjoy a vibrant  community with plenty going on. To retain independence and skills for as long as possible, residents are encouraged and supported to complete familiar routine tasks.  Engagement not only increases a sense of wellbeing but ongoing stimulation and involvement in new activities has been shown to help to slow the progression of the disease. Quiet spaces are of course available for relaxation and socialising.

Residents with more advanced disease or complex challenges may benefit from quieter community life and a different range of activities better suited to their needs, though still very much with a person-centric approach and geared around living well.

All residents have their own private en-suite bedrooms which are very much their own spaces.

Blythe Rose Dementia Care takes pride in empowering those within its care to ‘live their best lives’ and continue to enjoy the things they enjoy for as long as possible. Residents are supported to try new experiences, keep up their interests and, so long as they are happy to, partake in social interactions for the enrichment that comes from being part of a community.

Used as necessary, professional interventions keep loved ones, fellow residents and staff members safe. These can range from a simple environmental change, such as gently moving a resident away from a situation that is causing distress or anxiety to de-escalate. Pharmaceutical interventions prescribed by our clinicians on an individual basis can help alleviate symptoms of dementia for residents’ wellbeing.

The home has been purpose designed, specifically for specialist dementia care across all stages of the disease. Small touches throughout the home can make such a difference – clear visual signposting (featuring words and pictures) to make getting about easier; 30% colour contrast on walls; well-placed chairs and seating areas for rest breaks and to help prevent falls; therapeutic lighting; wall art designed to stimulate conversations; rummage boxes featuring a selection of everyday items to encourage activity or again, stimulate conversations.

Blythe Rose Dementia Care also boasts a wonderful range of amenities, designed to support residents to engage in familiar activities. These include a high street store, where residents can shop for basic toiletries or sweets, just as they always used to. We also have a cinema room, hair salon and a wellness suite for gentle exercise and yoga.

A private, self-contained space complete with retro styling is available for families to spend time with their loved ones.

Inside the entrance to each private bedroom there’s a short list of ‘conversation starters’ (hobbies and interests, family members, previous occupation etc.) designed to help staff engage with individuals and prompt memories.

To ensure progressive care that meets the needs of each resident, MACC Care has invested heavily in its people.

Blythe Rose Dementia Care Home has at the helm, a highly experienced Manager and Deputy Manager. Dementia Ambassadors  conduct regular audits and work with Management to ensure best practice throughout the home, guided by evidence-based research and years of frontline experience. Clinically, the home is second to none, with a highly experienced and qualified nursing team.

All staff, including carers undergo ongoing specialist dementia  training.

We are also fortunate to be able to draw on the thought-leadership and guidance of a specialist consultant and visiting old age psychiatrist who is a nationally renowned specialist in assessing memory problems such as the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Our heads of departments, and nursing staff meet daily to discuss home life, residents’ individual wellbeing and to raise and deal with any concerns.

Respectful of individual needs and wishes, our aim is to support each of our residents to live fulfilled and happy lives. Applying current thinking and best practice, our dementia care is multi-disciplinary and integrated in approach and revolves around the specific needs, safety and wellbeing of the individual. This is known as ‘person-centred’ care.

One size simply doesn’t fit all and living with dementia is never ‘linear.’ Continual assessment enables us to evaluate and adapt the care and support we deliver throughout each resident’s journey.

As a relative, you can expect your loved one to be treated with respect, kindness and compassion as a valued part of the ‘family’ at Blythe Rose Dementia Care.