New care home invites people of St. Ives to understand dementia

Home news

Oct 13, 2014

Following the popularity of the understanding dementia seminar held at Field Lodge care home in St. Ives earlier this year, a second free event will take place on Thursday 23 October, giving local people the opportunity to find out more about caring for loved ones living with dementia.

The team at Field Lodge is joining forces with Care UK’s specialist dementia trainer, Mark Harrison, for a session designed to provide attendees with professional support, expert advice and practical guidance.

From 12pm to 1pm, Mark will ask ‘what is dementia?’ and he will take a look at the importance of life history and activity based care. He will also talk about coping mechanisms and tactics for dealing with the condition’s associated behaviours, and attendees will be welcome to ask any questions they may have relating to their own personal circumstances.

Matthew Cox, home manager at Field Lodge care home, explained why there is so much demand for the care home to provide ongoing advice for local people. He said: “With dementia affecting 820,000 people in the UK and a startling 25 million people having a close friend or family member living with the condition, there is a real and pressing need to open up access to professional support and information, and to ensure there are places people can go where they can share their individual experiences.  

“The success of the first understanding dementia seminar at Field Lodge just a few months ago showed very clearly there is a demand in St. Ives for advice which helps to take our knowledge of dementia to the next level. 

“We are looking forward to repeating the event and to welcoming the local community to come along and find out more. Places are limited so I would urge people to contact customer relations manager Toby Swallow toby.swallow@careuk.com or by calling the home on 01480 494378.”

People who attend the understanding dementia seminar will also be able to pick up a copy of Care UK’s ‘Listen, talk, connect’ guide, which helps carers, friends and relatives to overcome the challenges they may face in having conversations and general interaction with those living with dementia.