April Newsletter 2024
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & Tips
TEEPA’S COMING TO TOWN!
The Devonshire will become the training venue for PAC (Positive Approach To Care®). We will host a Champions Day on July 1st where you can master Hand-under-Hand® and support a person living with dementia.
shop.teepasnow.com/event/
skills-day-july-1-2024-900-am-300-pm-bst-new-malden-uk/
July 2nd/3rd/4th is dedicated to attendees who have already completed the Champion’s Course to get certified as trainer and consultant. Here’s the links.
shop.teepasnow.com/event/
trainer-certification-july-2-4-
2024-8am-12pm-gmt/
shop.teepasnow.com/event/
consultant-certification-july-
2-4-2024-1pm-5pm-gmt/
Last year, our Residents made a splash with our friends from across the pond in the US. Teepa demonstrated a positive action starter with Beatrice (before being welcomed to join in with doll therapy) She showed us the significance of ‘Hand-under-Hand®’.
As I walked through the dining room at lunchtime doing a check, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Teepa Snow and her PAC (Positive Approach to Care®) team. There was a lovely calm atmosphere at the Devonshire, and everyone appeared to be enjoying their meal. Residents were being supported by staff using Hand-under-Hand® and remarkable things were happening. Residents were taking over the movement and eating by themselves as their muscle memory was activated. Teepa Snow, in our opinion, is a legend in dementia care. Her Hand-under-Hand® (adopted to UK regulations) has been one of the best inclusions into our care model. Our Residents are being supported to eat and drink by themselves and, when possible, to undress themselves, brush their teeth, wipe their faces and bodies. How’s that for better self-esteem and dignity? Our Staff have paid attention and adopted the PAC® way, so everything now comes more naturally. They are kind and compassionate and less overwhelmed. They feel tremendous joy when Residents are content and calmer. For those Residents on the move and always exploring, our creative kitchen staff had made finger foods. A home is only as good as its staff and we are so grateful to Smith, Donna, Jola, Yvette, Daniel and Nassim for your leadership and mentoring the rest of the team.
Sue does the “SUE-Per-Man!” dance in our Day Centre, during Singing Group
DEMENTIA ACTION WEEK: 13th-19th May
We are ramping up the volume and adding more flavour to our Singing Group & Coffee Morning! On Wednesday 15th May, we will be welcoming family carers from the community to our special event that will start at 10:30am and run all the way through to the afternoon! Held in our vintage-inspired Day Centre, we will be singing from the same song sheet and taking musical requests before settling down for a fabulously tasty afternoon tea setup. For any family carers who wish to take part in our ‘dementia experience’ we are on hand to show you what it is like to step into the shoes of our Residents.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are proud to announce that we have three more dementia mappers! Daniel, Jola and Oscar have successfully completed their dementia mapping course from the University of Bradford! Dementia Care Mapping is an established approach to achieving and embedding person centred care to improve the quality of life for those living with dementia. Dr Lindsey Collins, from the University of Bradford Centre for applied dementia studies, says: ‘Once you develop that lens you cannot ignore it’. A big thank you to Dr Lindsey for inspiring us and sharing your knowledge and experience with us in the Advanced DCM for leading practice change. We will continue to persevere and sustain our dementia mapping.
COMING SOON
24th May: Summer BBQ
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