Cheadle care home team shortlisted for national dementia award

A Cheadle care home is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national accolade.  

The team at Care UK’s Abney Court, in Abney Hall Park, has been nominated for ‘Best Inclusive Dementia Care in our Diverse Society’ at the National Dementia Care Awards. 

The National Dementia Care Awards aim to reward and recognise those who have demonstrated excellence within their field of work.

Each member of the team strives to create a warm and accepting environment for everyone, regardless of gender, race or sexuality, and has undertaken additional training. For example, the team have introduced new processes to better support residents who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, are allies, or are interested in learning more. Measures implemented by the home include ensuring all residents have a person-centred gender and sexuality care plan, where preferred gender pronouns and choice of clothes are taken into consideration.

Through the team’s ethos of creating a welcoming place for everyone, Abney Court has become a well-known hub within the community, teaming up with the local dementia café and running events alongside the Alzheimer’s Society. The home has also formed strong connections with Stockport Re-Engage’s Rainbow Call Line, a local support line for over 75-year-olds who identify as LGBTQ+.

As a result, the home’s open environment has enabled a resident and her granddaughter, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, to enjoy a closer relationship. 

In a drive to improve awareness around mental health, bi-monthly wellbeing workshops have also been introduced for team members. These workshops have not only helped support team members, but have positively impacted residents who have more confidence in opening up, knowing mental health is not a taboo topic within the home.

Care plans are now more personally tailored to include specific triggers of distress for those living with dementia, and the team make sure to set the living areas up in ways which they know are beneficial to resident’s mental health – for example, filling birdfeeders, ensuring there is ample fresh air and choosing calming music.

Amcia Hara, Home Manager at Abney Court, commented: “We’re delighted to have been announced as a finalist in the ‘Best Inclusive Dementia Care in our Diverse Society’ category at this year’s Dementia Care Awards.

“The whole team here at Abney Court works incredibly hard to support residents lead fulfilling lives through compassionate, person-centered care and this shortlisting is a wonderful recognition of the team’s dedication. It’s incredibly important to all of us that everyone who visits Abney Court – whether for five minutes or five years – feels safe and welcome, and knows that they’re somewhere they can be their true self. 

“The Abney Court family is made up of team members, residents and relatives from all backgrounds and we’re proud to say that we celebrate everyone. I couldn’t be prouder of what the team has achieved, and I’m pleased to see their efforts recognised nationally. Winning would be the icing on the cake!”

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

For general information, please visit: careuk.com/abney-court

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.