Kent care homes shortlisted for national dementia award

 

Two care homes in Kent are celebrating after being shortlisted for a national accolade. 

Care UK’s Invicta Court, in Maidstone, and Weald Heights, in Sevenoaks, have been nominated for ‘The Most Inspiring Dementia Care Provider Award’ 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. The awards serve as a platform for sharing best practices and innovative approaches to inspire others to adopt a person-centred approach to dementia care while fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the dementia care community.

Both Weald Heights and  Invicta Court’s nominations were the result of the dedication and focus of the care teams in providing outstanding care for residents living with dementia. 

At Invicta Court, judges praised the team’s pride in their strong connections with the community and innovative dementia care initiatives. This includes the home hosting monthly Age UK dementia cafés and dementia-friendly cinema sessions for residents and the community.

Judges praised the home’s ‘comfort boxes’ initiative, where residents living with dementia fill their boxes with pictures and objects that reflect their lives and personalities. These boxes are then used as conversation starters by relatives and team members to better connect with residents, encouraging reminisce and sharing of happy memories. 

Commenting on the shortlisting, Sara Barbosa, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: "We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this award. At Invicta Court, we strongly believe professional knowledge, insight, and shared experiences can make a real difference to the everyday lives of those looking after a loved one living with dementia.”

At Weald Heights, the team is equally dedicated to providing high-quality dementia care with around 75 per cent of the residents at the home living with dementia. Judges applauded how the care at Weald Heights goes beyond meeting medical needs as each member of the home’s senior management team is a registered nurse – with carers also supported professionally to become registered nurses. 

Judges praised the home’s innovative approach to namaste care too, highlighting that the home has created a quiet room for this form of care, which is provided seven days a week and designed to calm and relax residents living with dementia. Team members have undergone rigorous training to host the sessions, which include hand and foot massages, music therapy, and themed sensory and movement sessions.

Maria Convington, Home Manager at Weald Heights, said: "It’s an honour to be shortlisted for this award. Our team works tirelessly to provide the best possible care for residents, and this recognition means the world to us. We’re proud of the community we’ve built here at Weald Heights, and we look forward to continuing to inspire excellence in dementia care."  

Invicta Court and Weald Heights have been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The homes provide full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite and palliative care.