insideKENT Magazine Issue 96 - March 2020 | Page 4

Live with friendship, live with fun. Live well with dementia
At Harrier Lodge we believe in seeing the person behind the dementia. We always remember
that each resident who is living with dementia is a unique individual with their own story,
interests and strengths.
the use of life stories, memory boxes and
promoting independence. Implementing
good communication and listening skills
and getting to know the residents.
Providing leadership and ongoing support
through our fulfilling lives training to
enable all staff to deliver a high quality
of person centred care and to play a key
role in raising awareness knowledge and
understanding of dementia.”
Understanding you as a person
Our dementia expertise and training
Our skilled and experienced team have
received the latest dementia care training,
giving them deep insight into what it
may be like to live with dementia. This
teaches them the importance of being
‘in the moment’ with you, orientating
themselves to what you’re experiencing
and looking for ways to ensure that you
have meaningful experiences.
Our home also has a dedicated Dementia
Champion who is here to support you and
your family through your care journey,
understanding your needs and enabling
you to live a fulfilling life, however that
may look for you.
Sandra-Lee Hamilton is a Dementia
Champion at Care UK, “‘my role as a
Dementia Champion is to empower all
members of staff with a wide range of
tools needed to ensure our residents living
with dementia live fulfilled lives. Through
Our ethos of delivering personalised
care means that, with yours and your
family’s help, we’ll find out as much as we
can about you. We put every detail into a
life story book and this forms the basis
of your care and lifestyle plans. We also
update your life story book with the things
you do during your time with us. Residents
continue to make new memories with us
so we’ll add photos of the fun times you
experience with us so you can share them
with your loved ones.
Come along to our Friendship Café - a
regular get-together
Everyone feels lonely sometimes but
for the older generation it can be more
prevalent, and for some the source of
major health issues, from depression and
sleep issues, to hypertension and mental
health problems.
We believe older people deserve better.
That’s why Care UK’s care homes in Kent
are opening their doors to older people
living alone in the local community.
The initiative will see Weald Heights in
Sevenoaks, Harrier Lodge in Whitstable,
Montfort Manor in Ashford, and Invicta
Court in Maidstone regularly opening
their doors to welcome older people
living alone in the local community for
events and activities and a chance to
make new friends.
Weald Heights launched their first
Friendship Café in Sevenoaks and it
was a huge success. Local community
and residents joined us for the day filled
with activities, tea and cake and were
greeted by the lovely TV celebrity Gloria
Hunniford.
Next Friendship cafe events
Harrier Lodge Friendship café launch is
on Tuesday 3rd March 2020, 2pm - 4pm
Montfort Manor Friendship cafe
launch is on Wednesday 4th March
2020, 2pm - 4pm
Invicta Court Friendship cafe launch is
on Friday 6th March 2020, 2pm - 4pm
Come along to any or all of these
events to explore the care homes,
meet new people and enjoy cup of tea
and slice of cake.
We hope to see you there.
careuk.com/friendship