Dementia Care at St Brelades and The Cumberland

St Brelades and The Cumberland residential care homes have been designed with the needs of residents with dementia in mind.

From the quality of personal care to the design of the accommodation, every aspect has been carefully considered to support the wellbeing and quality of life of our residents.

What is dementia?

1. Dementia is not a disease in itself. Dementia is the word used to categorise a set of symptoms that happen when the brain stops working properly. These symptoms vary, but commonly include memory loss, trouble thinking, and reduced capacity to solve problems or to access and use language.

2.Dementia it isn’t a normal part of ageing for everyone. It is caused by damage to the brain, which can be as a result of strokes, or certain diseases. The most common of these dementia-causing diseases is Alzheimer’s, which accounts for about two-thirds of people with dementia.

3. Currently, around 850,000 people in the UK are affected by dementia, most of them over 65. We don’t yet know why some people develop dementia and others don’t, but doctors and scientists are constantly researching the causes.

4. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse.

Our approach to dementia care

Dementia can make people feel disoriented and uncertain, especially if they have moved from the familiar surroundings of the home
they were used to.

We’ve paid careful attention to the design of St Brelades and The Cumberland, to help our residents feel comfortable and safe.

1. Large spaces can be intimidating, so although the rooms and lounges are spacious, we make sure they feel cosy and welcoming.

2. We’ve chosen a homely style for décor and furniture.

3. Familiar daily household activities are often comforting, so our residents can get involved .

4. Safety and security are important, but our security measures are unobtrusive

5. We’ve chosen age-appropriate furniture and fittings to ensure our residents’ comfort.

6. We’ve made sure that outside spaces are safe.

7. Our rooms are traditionally furnished, and big enough for our residents to bring personal belongings to make them feel familiar.

8. Signage is important, with multiple cues where possible – using objects and shapes as well as language and colour