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

Two care homes in Hampshire have 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 Carpathia Grange, in Southampton, and Sway Place, in Sway, 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, Carpathia Grange organised A Time for A Cuppa tea party with the local community. Time for a Cuppa is Dementia UK’s annual tea party fundraising event. 

While down the road at Sway Place, the team took part in a hospice to hospice walk in aid of the Oakhaven Hospice.

The team supported the event and walked a combined 117 miles from Mudeford Quay to Lymington’s Oakhaven Hospice and raised £819.

Sway Place also hosted a musical tea party. Residents living with dementia made homemade gifts including lavender bags and cards and were sold at the party to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society.  

Pooja Dhoot, Home Manager at Carpathia Grange, 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.”

Jane Baxter, General Manager at Sway Place, also commented: “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 access the guide, please visit careuk.com/one-step-at-a-time

To find out more about Carpathia Grange, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Nikki Toomer, on nicola.toomer@careuk.com or call 0238 098 8733To find out more about Sway Place, please call Laura Blake, Home Admissions Advisor, on 01590 607371, email laura.blake@careuk.com 

Carpathia Grange and Sway Place provide residential, dementia and nursing care. The homes have been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The layout of the buildings are configured into a series of individual suites, to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.