‘The start of a new chapter’ – Cheadle care home launches new dementia guide to support families

A care home in Cheadle has launched a unique video guide to support people whose loved ones have been diagnosed with dementia. 

A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Abney Court, in Abney Hall Park, found over two thirds of British adults (67%) admitted they felt they should know more about dementia.  

Launched in response, the guide – One step at a time – A video guide to navigating dementia – is the first of its kind and is split into three sections: Dealing with a dementia diagnosis, Living well with dementia and Supporting the carer. It is the eighth guide to be released by Care UK, following the success of its predecessors – but the first to be available in video format. 

Tapping into more than 40 years of experience providing care for people living with dementia, the videos include detailed explanations and practical advice from Care UK’s experts, including Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia, Suzanne Mumford, Managers and team members from care homes across the country, plus residents’ families and carers. 

Each section is designed to provide a lifeline for families whose loved one has been diagnosed with dementia by dispelling common myths and helping to shine a light on what it means to live with the condition. 

It also includes practical tips from carers to help them understand how they can continue taking care of themselves, but also how their loved ones can go on to lead fulfilling lives after a diagnosis – from keeping active to continuing to enjoy old hobbies.

To celebrate the launch, residents at Abney Court attended a Music Café at Gorton Monastery for a dementia-friendly musical session. Residents thoroughly enjoyed hitting the right note and even playing musical instruments, which has inspired the home with plans to start their very own musical dementia-friendly choir in the near future. 

Amcia Hara, Home Manager at Abney Court, said: “We’re excited to be releasing our brand-new guide, One step at a time, to support families whose loved ones who are living with dementia. 

“As our survey has shown, dementia remains a largely misunderstood condition, meaning a diagnosis is often a worrying and uncertain time for those involved. We designed our guide with this in mind, showing people there are ways to lead fulfilling lives with dementia and sharing our experts’ advice.

“We’d like to encourage local people to watch our guide online or reach out to us directly if they need any support, so together we can create a more dementia-friendly community.”

As part of the launch, Care UK has also teamed up with Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, award-winning journalist and TV presenter Angela Rippon. She commented “I understand the feeling that families experience when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. It's a difficult time, and it's easy to feel powerless and alone.

“There are numerous common misconceptions about dementia, and while it may be difficult to receive a diagnosis, it’s important to remember that it can also be the start of a new chapter. 

“I believe that raising awareness about the symptoms of dementia and what it's like to live with the condition is incredibly important. I'd like to encourage everyone to explore Care UK's video guide so that we can all work together to make our society more dementia friendly.”

To find out more about Abney Court, contact Customer Relations Manager Erminia Anglesea, on erminia.anglesea@careuk.com or call 0161 660 5713. 

To access the guide, please visit careuk.com/one-step-at-a-time

Abney Court has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.