Maidstone care home shows positive approach to dementia during Dementia Awareness Week 18–24 May 2015

Cake decorating, singing and pampering will be the focus of activities in Maidstone, at The Poplars Care Centre, aimed at helping people understand how to live well with dementia, during national Dementia Awareness Week 18 to 24 May.

“There can be very few people who don’t have friends or family who have been touched by dementia, and yet it is quite remarkable how little people know about making life easier for those living with the condition. We take a very positive approach to dementia here at The Poplars and hope that members of the public will come along to see best practice in operation during Dementia Awareness Week,” says Marion Harford, manager of The Poplars.

To highlight some of the many practical ways in which dementia can be managed the team of specialists at The Poplars has organised a series of activities during the week starting with the ‘Great Poplars Cake Decorating’ competition on 19 May. On 20 May there will be a performance by a group of singers and on 21 May a pampering day complete with a hairdresser, hand massage, nail painting and aromatherapy.   Members of the public who want to find out more about dementia and how they can best support relatives, friends or themselves, be it in a care home or in the community, are welcome to visit any time, with no appointment necessary.

“Our dementia residents play an active role in life here at The Poplars. What people may not realise about dementia is that sufferers have a stronger long-term memory than short-term, so it’s important to involve them in things they would have known when they were younger and are comfortable with, such as crafts, cookery or songs from that era. Anything that triggers conversation and discussion, reminiscence and life history are now known to improve the well-being and quality of the life of people with dementia,” says Marion.

The Poplars Care Centre is located on Tonbridge Road in Maidstone, with 56 bedrooms offering a friendly, family environment for persons over 65 with a range of needs, from respite and post-operative care to crisis intervention and emergency admissions. The Poplars is part of the Forest Healthcare group of homes, which includes 13 individual homes throughout the South East of England. For more information on The Poplars, please visit www.foresthc.com or call 01622 752 872.

ENDS

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Pyper York Limited

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