Dementia Action Awareness Week

This important week-long campaign once again brings attention to the challenges faced by individuals with dementia and the need for a more dementia-friendly society.

One of the key objectives of Dementia Awareness Week is to foster empathy and understanding among individuals who may have limited knowledge or experience with dementia. By sharing personal stories and testimonials from those living with dementia and their caregivers, this campaign encourages empathy and support for individuals affected by the condition. It highlights the importance of creating dementia-friendly environments that prioritise inclusion, respect, and dignity for people with dementia, enabling them to remain active and engaged members of their communities.

Here at Oakland Care, our homes provide a wide range of activities for individuals suffering from dementia. We have design features in our homes such as sensory gardens and memory prompting spaces which are designed to engage attention and pique interest in our residents. Our daily activities support independence and ensure that residents’ minds and bodies remain active and engaged and that residents living with dementia can continue to lead a fulfilling life.

Daily activities such as drawing, arts and crafts, knitting and cake decorating are among some of the favourites that our residents take part in. We encourage residents to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise with assisted walks and even a spot of gardening.

Our Hastings Court residents often enjoy regular swimming trips to a pool at a local holiday village. The specialist equipment onsite means that residents, even ones with mobility issues can enjoy being in the water. For many residents the swimming experience has become the highlight of their week and residents who suffer from dementia seem to be calmer and more lucid after a session in the pool, which is an absolute joy for staff, friends and loved ones to see and of course for the residents themselves.

Regular music therapy sessions at our Woodland Grove care home have transformed the home into a festival like atmosphere where residents can be heard singing along to classic tunes or even the latest Top 40 anthems! Some non-verbal residents and ones who suffer with memory problems join in wholeheartedly when Edmund, the music therapist sings to them proving that music is a great way to break down barriers and communicate.

Oakland Care is working hard to include as many activities as possible that encourage participation, create enjoyment and are beneficial to all of our residents. Please take a look at our homes’ Facebook pages to keep updated!