A care home in Worcestershire has launched a free guide to support people whose loved ones have been diagnosed with dementia to mark Dementia Action Week.
A poll of 2,000 adults carried out by Care UK, which operates Perry Manor, on Charles Hastings Way, found over a third of British adults (35%) have many questions about dementia – but do not know how to get the answers.
The guide, titled ‘Let’s talk about dementia’, follows an easy-to-read Q&A format. Tapping into more than 40 years of experience of providing care for people living with dementia, it has been designed by Care UK’s experts, including Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia, Suzanne Mumford, as well as Home Managers and team members across more than 150 care homes.
Aimed at those caring for a loved one living with dementia, the one-of-a-kind guide is filled with answers to the questions care home teams across the country have been asked by relatives or members of the community – from identifying the signs of the condition, and interacting with a person living with dementia, to everyday questions regarding diet changes and sleep patterns.
It also addresses topics rarely covered in other guides, including behaviour changes such as swearing and loss of inhibitions, making it a unique toolkit for families and friends of people living with dementia, whether they live at home or in a care home.
Katherine Matthews, Home Manager at Perry Manor, said: “Here at Perry Manor, we always try to highlight the ways we can support those living with dementia and their loved ones – and Dementia Action Week gives us the perfect opportunity to do so.
“Our survey has shown that dementia remains a misunderstood condition, and so we want to help educate our community – which is why we’re excited to have launched our new guide, ‘Let’s talk about dementia’ to celebrate Dementia Action Week.
“We’d like to encourage local people to download a copy of the guide or reach out to us directly if they need any support, so together we can create a more dementia-friendly community.”
As part of the launch, Care UK has also teamed up with Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, award-winning journalist and TV presenter Angela Rippon. She commented: “I know first-hand just how families feel when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. It’s often a confusing time and it’s easy to feel powerless and alone.
“There are so many common misconceptions when it comes to dementia, and getting a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean the end is in sight – it’s simply the beginning of a different journey. I strongly believe educating the nation on the signs of dementia and what it’s like to live with the condition is essential, which is why I’m delighted to be working with Care UK to launch their new guide, ‘Let’s talk about dementia.’
“I’d like to encourage everyone to download a copy, so we can create a more dementia-friendly community together.”
To pick up your free copy of the guide, contact Customer Relations Manager at Perry Manor, Donna Townley, on donna.townley@careuk.com or call 01905 886 715.
You can also download a digital copy here: careuk.com/letstalkdementia
Perry Manor is a state-of-the-art Care UK home, which provides full time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short term respite care. Rated outstanding by the CQC, the home is designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, cafe and hair salon, with plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.
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Notes to editors
Care UK is one of the largest providers of residential care for older people. As a well-established organisation with over 40 years of experience in caring for older people, we are proud to run more than 150 homes offering both residential and nursing care.
For two years running, Care UK has won more major care sector awards than any other large care home provider. We also have more outstanding rated homes than any other organisation. Those are just some of the reasons why we’re trusted by more than 8,000 families.
Our care homes provide an impressive range of services for older people, ranging from short stay respite care to nursing care, end of life care, plus specialist care and support for people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
We are proud to be building so many modern, luxurious and comfortable new care homes – we have opened 54 new homes since 2013 and expect to open at least 13 more before the end of 2025 in locations including Thame, Shrewsbury and Cardiff.
For more information about Care UK, visit careuk.com
