Research

Guidepost’s Care Research team has several work streams which focus on older people and dementia:

• For carers of people who have dementia, we design and deliver informally run training courses. These have been run in conjunction with local voluntary sector groups e.g. Carers groups and the Alzheimer’s Society.

• For providers of domiciliary care services, we design and deliver bespoke training sessions on all aspects of caring for the person who has dementia. Sessions meet requirements of the QCF dementia pathway and NICE quality standards.

• For providers of residential care services we have the Dementia Care Development Pack. The Guideposts Trust’s Dementia Care Development Pack is the main output of a Department of Health research project lasting three years and with contributions from over 30 care homes. The pack contains audit tools and training materials and has been adopted by a number of care providers with positive outcomes.

• For statutory bodies we assist with the design of publicly accessible help and information services in line with current objectives of the National Dementia Strategy

• We regularly contribute to country wide initiatives in the form of advice, information and strategic planning

• We also conduct practice based research projects in aspects of care of older people and dementia

Feedback

Here are some of the positive comments we have received after training has been delivered:

“The number of incidents involving injury to staff members has dropped dramatically following the training in dementia care. Some residents have gained weight and many have improved hydration.” (Manager, 180 bed residential and nursing facility)

“Staff are taking different and varied approaches on a daily basis to optimise service users well-being.” (Manager, 36 bed care home)

“Staff interaction with residents comes across with far more confidence and there is a more constructive approach when it comes to daily activities.” (Manager, 36 bed specialist dementia care home)

“I enjoyed the whole experience which made me feel valued and cherished as well as more able to cope”

Things I was blaming myself or my husband for were in fact symptoms often found in dementia. (Carers who attended the family carer training)

“Managed to explain everything in everyday terms. Very informative that has not only increased awareness of dementia but also confidence re helping people. Very worthwhile”. (Domiciliary care worker)

Costs:

The Dementia Care Development Pack retails at £175 plus post and packing.

Off-the-shelf courses, delivered in-house are priced at £225 per half day for up to 10 attendees. Sessions include course materials and certificates of attendance.

Our bespoke dementia care training sessions can be designed to meet your individual requirements, please contact our Practice Development Consultant.

We can also help you to identify aspects of your current dementia care practices that fall short of required standards and advise you about how to improve delivery of quality care. Audits can be topic based, e.g. ‘the enabling environment’ or ‘improving eating and drinking’. On a bigger scale, the audit can look at aspects such as learning opportunities, effective staff supervision, well-being of people with dementia. Outcomes of audits are translated into easy to follow action plans.

Hints and Tips for Carers

As a result of research and talking to many people on the telephone and in person over the years, we have developed a useful, clear and easy-to-use booklet for use by anyone who is a carer, family member or friend of someone living with dementia. Hints and Tips for Carers, Family and Friends has become very successful and as result of successive evaluations, it is now in its third edition. Carers can ask for a free copy, GT asks for a donation of £2.50 to cover costs if possible. Telephone 01993 772886 for a copy.

“As a person who did not really understand dementia, as I had not come up against it before, this booklet has changed me as a person. I was always getting stressed out and I could not understand the things my wife was doing or the forgetfulness after telling her what was right to do. I feel I’m a better person now having read your booklet.
When I read the booklet I felt so much better because you explained it so clearly what dementia is all about. I was getting so stressed out every day with what was happening . I was finding it hard to cope and I’ve lost over two stone but now I understand I feel so much better and have more patience. I passed the booklet on to my daughter and a very good friend who helps every day . It’s made us better carers now we understand it. So thank you very much.“
(Mr D Osborn, London)

Downloads

Download Key principles of person-centred dementia care PDF