Warren Lodge offers open invitation for dementia awareness week 18 – 24 May 2015

With the growing incidence of dementia now receiving far more national attention, Wokingham care home Warren Lodge in Finchampstead is opening its doors to visitors throughout Dementia Awareness Week (18-24 May 2015) to invite businesses, healthcare professionals and members of the public find out more about caring for those living with the condition.

“There can be very few people who have not got friends or family who have been touched by dementia, and yet it is quite remarkable how little people know about making live easier for those living with the condition,” comments centre manager, Anthony Browne. “We desperately need to educate anyone who might come into contact with people living with dementia about some of the simplest ways of dealing with them, particularly to try to avoid causing them more confusion in stressful situations, and we hope that members of the public will come along to see best practice in operation during Dementia Awareness Week.”

One common example is when those with the condition ask about people from their past – often forgetting that parents or partners have passed away. “Our natural instinct is to try to correct them, but this will simply cause them stress and more confusion. If you imagine that they may believe that they have seen the person very recently – because in their minds, they are living a memory – it would be deeply distressing to hear that a person has died. Instead, you need to step into their world, and offer calm reassurance,” explains Anthony. “This technique can make a huge difference to their wellbeing, and you can see it in action every day in the home.”

The home’s events team has also organised a series of activities during the week, so that visitors can see the kinds of events residents at the home enjoy, from hand and head massage on Monday 18 May to a visit by a Shetland pony called Mr Cheddar, on Wednesday 20 May. A local representative from the Alzheimer’s Society will also be visiting the home between 2pm and 4pm on Monday 18 May to answer any questions that visitors have about the condition, and an Admiral nurse will be available on Friday 22 May, also from 2pm-4pm.

Visitors are welcome to drop in for the Dementia Awareness Week activities from Monday to Friday, 2pm to 4pm. The home also welcomes visits at any time from those looking for residential care for themselves or a loved one, with no appointment necessary.

Warren Lodge is a 51 bedroom property set overlooking the Berkshire countryside. The home offers 24-hour residential care for people aged 65 and over, with a particular specialism in dementia care. Warren Lodge is part of the Forest Healthcare group of homes, that comprises 13 properties across the South East of England. For more information, please call 0118 973 4576 or visit www.foresthc.com

ENDS

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Jay Commins or Sam Orange

Pyper York Limited

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