Free Dementia Care Training For Volunteer Carers In Northamptonshire Launched Today

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 05 Dec 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Health professionals and carers today heard about the launch of a new free training scheme for volunteer carers of people with a dementia. This scheme, launched at Richmond Villages Northampton and lead by trained dementia nurses, will offer volunteer carers a better understanding of the person, their experience of a dementia and how to connect and respond to feelings. In addition, a support group for these carers will be set up to overcome some of the feelings of isolation that a full-time carer may experience.

David Sheard, a world renowned dementia care expert and an external training consultant to the Alzheimer's Society, launched the scheme on behalf of Richmond Villages. Mr Sheard acknowledged the huge healthcare challenge that dementia presents. "In the UK an estimated 700,000 people have a dementia, 7,000 of them here in Northamptonshire. Initiatives such as offering carers free training are hugely important to educate people about dementia, how to support each other along the journey of a dementia and demonstrate that they don't have to cope on their own," he said.

The training will provide information and skills in caring for a person with a dementia within the community. The content of the training will cover the following areas:

- The experience of people with a dementia
- What is dementia?
- The need for good communication
- Values & attitudes
- Activities of everyday life
- Supporting eating, drinking and personal care
- Building and maintaining relationships
- Working together to make quality dementia care successful

This training will be provided within Richmond Northampton and will be offered to those who are caring for a person with a dementia.

Richmond Northampton will also be able to offer care for the person with a dementia whilst their carer is attending the training. Each session will last for 2-3 hours over a four week period.

Evidence shows that poor health is particularly associated with those supporting older people with cognitive impairment. Particular groups affected are partners who are acting as carers. Recognising the growing number of people in the UK with a dementia - by 2020 it is estimated that there will be over one million people - Richmond Villages has launched a specialist dementia facility at its new retirement village at Grange Park, Northampton. In the specially designed apartments to be known as Horizon Suites, people with a dementia can have all the help and support they need, whilst maintaining their independence. In some cases, if a dementia affects one partner in a relationship, a couple may eventually have to live apart, often after many years together. A Horizon Suite now means couples can remain living together, with both partners benefiting from a quality of life and facilities for their individual needs.

To obtain this press release electronically and download high-res images, please visit the LawsonClarke on-line press centre.

Richmond Villages

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