Dementia care praised in Greenock care home

The Care Inspectorate has praised staff at a Scottish care home for their new approach to dementia care that’s had positive effects on their health and wellbeing, even reducing the amount of medication being administered to some residents.

Kincaid House in Greenock has introduced a number of simple but effective changes such as introducing ‘destination stations’ – informal seated areas in corridors where residents can gather and chat. Hand rails have been painted to make them more prominent and to make it easier to move around the 90-bed care home, while bags and scarves on coat racks encourage interaction and help them reminisce.

Snack boxes were introduced for those who don’t like to sit down at meal times and brightly coloured trays and cups were placed around the home to encourage residents to drink more, which has helped to increase their levels of hydration. Empathy dolls have helped soothe residents and reduce the need for medication and art work around the home has been replaced with images more familiar and meaningful to residents.

In a recent Care Inspectorate newsletter, Isabel Purdue, said: “Kincaid House is out to do its best to look after people with dementia. Many of the changes are simple and straightforward, but they have had a tremendous impact on the quality of care residents receive.”

Barbara Lawson, Deputy Manager of Kincaid House, said: “Some of our residents have significant dementia care needs and although the home’s practice was already good, we decided on introducing a new approach that’s been hugely beneficial to our residents. We have introduced dementia ambassadors with advanced knowledge of the condition and its treatment. Instead of white tunics, staff now wear colourful polo shirts which has reduced agitation levels and created a sense of togetherness between staff and residents.

“We’re seeing a difference in our residents who are now more likely to reminisce and share fond memories of their lives. They are also more likely to move around the home and chat to other residents.”

CASE STUDY

Helen McCracken, aged 96, has been a resident at Kincaid House since June 2012. She was no longer able to live at home due to her dementia. Her son David has noticed a big difference in his mum since the care home developed a new approach to dementia care.

He said: “The recent dementia initiatives are making a real difference to my mum, especially the brightly painted handrails. These have allowed my mum and other residents to move around the home more freely and safely. Simple changes such as brightly painting the handrails means residents with dementia can see them better. As a result my mum is walking more and seems even happier and more content.”