Our Philosophy of Care

Residents’ Life Histories

These are an excellent way to get to know the residents better. They empower residents to talk about their memories and give them a chance to contribute and feel involved. They are also beneficial to staff by helping them to understand the residents’ care needs from a much wider perspective. Where possible, the histories are compiled by friends and families and they ideally include testimonials by significant people in residents’ earlier lives.

Contact with wider family & friends

Regular e-Newsletters

Having built a wide contact base of residents’ relatives and friends, the use of email provides efficient distribution of regular news updates and allows it to be read much more widely (particularly by grand children and outside professionals).

Understanding more about dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms of dementia vary depending on the cause and the area of the brain that is affected. Memory loss is usually the earliest and most noticeable symptom. Other key symptoms of dementia include:

» Having difficulty recalling recent events.
» Not recognising familiar people and places.
» Having trouble finding the right words to express thoughts or name objects.
» Having difficulty performing calculations.
» Having problems planning and carrying out tasks, such as managing their money, following a recipe, or writing a letter.
» Having trouble exercising judgment, such as knowing what to do in an emergency.
» Having difficulty controlling moods or behaviors. Depression is common, and agitation or aggression may occur.
» Not keeping up personal care such as grooming or bathing.

Some types of dementia cause key symptoms:
People who have dementia with Lewy bodies often have highly detailed visual hallucinations. They may fall frequently.
The first symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may be personality changes or unusual behavior. People with this condition may not express any caring for others, or they may say rude things, expose themselves, or make sexually explicit comments.

Symptoms of dementia that come on suddenly suggest vascular dementia or possibly delirium-short-term confusion caused by a new or worsening illness.

Early warning signs:

When to call the Doctor about Alzheimer's

Are you worried about an older loved one’s memory or behavior? Has your mum been getting lost while running errands? Has your dad started to ask the same questions, over and over? Signs of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease aren’t always clear-cut -- after all, it can be hard to distinguish them from age-related memory changes.

To help guide you, here are some Alzheimer’s warning signs to watch for, along with advice about seeing a doctor and getting a diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Disease Warning Signs

Many people confuse Alzheimer’s disease with dementia. What’s the difference? Alzheimer’s is a disease; dementia is a group of symptoms that include loss of memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. However, dementia isn’t always caused by Alzheimer’s disease; it can result from other conditions as well.

Although some memory changes may be age-related, memory problems that interfere with daily life are not. According to experts, common early signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias include:

Memory loss. Although older memories might seem unaffected, people with dementia might forget recent experiences or important dates or events that interferes with daily life. Anyone can forget some details from a recent event or conversation or recall them later. People with dementia might forget the entire thing.

Repetition. People with dementia may repeat stories, sometimes word for word. They may keep asking the same questions, no matter how many times they’re answered.

Language problems. We all struggle to remember a word occasionally. People with dementia can have profound problems remembering even basic words. Their way of speaking may become contorted and hard to follow.

Personality changes. People with dementia may have sudden mood swings. They might become emotional - upset or angry - for no particular reason. They might become withdrawn or stop doing things they usually enjoy. They could become uncharacteristically suspicious of family members -- or too trusting of telemarketers.

Disorientation and confusion. People with dementia may get lost in places they know very well, like their own neighbourhoods. They may have trouble completing basic and familiar tasks, like cooking dinner or shaving.

Lack of hygiene. Sometimes this is the most obvious sign of Alzheimer’s disease. People who have dressed smartly every day of their lives might start wearing stained clothing or stop bathing.

Odd behavior. We all misplace our keys from time to time. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are prone to placing objects in odd and wholly inappropriate places. They might put a toothbrush in the fridge or milk in the cabinet under the sink.

If your loved one is exhibiting any of these Alzheimer’s warning signs, don’t panic. Having these symptoms doesn’t mean that your loved one necessarily has Alzheimer’s disease. But you need to schedule an appointment with the doctor for an evaluation.

More information is available at: www.alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets