If organisations and carers are to ensure that services are fit for purpose for those living with dementia, there is no doubt that adopting person-centred care principles are essential. In its true sense this means seeing each person with dementia as a unique individual with a rich history of experiences, abilities, knowledge, preferences, desires and personality. 

In practical terms, this means individuals should be given the opportunity to engage in daily activities that are meaningful, participate in the life of the care home (which is, after all, home) and extended community, and take part in interesting activities independently with safe support and have the opportunity to enjoy and be outdoors.

The aim of person-centred care is to make life for those with dementia less distressing.  A fundamental step in creating relationship-based care and support is through the development of individual living stories – personal stories that have a beginning and are ongoing and promote the individual’s lifestyle choices and interests. There is no set format for developing an individual’s living story – it’s about spending time with a person and getting to know them, recording information and supporting the individual so that they can express themselves.

At Anchor, all employees receive specific dementia training that is designed to value each individual and the lives that that person has led and continues to lead, rather than focusing on the person’s dementia. The training helps carers realise that uncharacteristic behaviours, such as changes in mood and personality, are a form of communication. These manifestations require patience and understanding. 

One of the key parts of the training is ensuring that those committing to person-centred care understand the need to remain flexible with each person’s daily routine. What an individual wants to do each day may vary, depending on their personality or simply how they are feeling.

It is important to focus on ‘living well’; creating a balanced relationship that plays on people’s strengths, not their losses and dependencies. In order to create a safe and meaningful relationship, carers must also adopt a feelings-based communication approach, which means reacting to a customer’s emotions with patience and empathy, and look for meaning behind commonly used words to help enhance the individual’s living experience. It is essential to do so with compassion and kindness, in order to gain and maintain their trust.   

At Anchor, we offer dementia care in environments that promote a sense of freedom and have a number of features to help customers find their way around and enjoy their home. For example at West Hall (pictured above), Anchor’s flagship care home, these include pictorial signs to help customers locate their room or dining room, and colour contrast to help make the environment more understandable. As a result, we aim to maximise a person’s independence and well-being and promote activity, which then leads to increased self-esteem. 

There is still a huge stigma attached to the word dementia – and care is not always what it should be for individuals. As World Alzheimer’s Day comes and goes again, my hope is that we will continue to encourage the culture shift that is needed in our society to improve care for those living with dementia – today and also for future generations.