Dementia awareness experience

Dementia Action Week

Dementia Action Week is an annual campaign that raises awareness about dementia and encourages action to support individuals affected by the condition. The campaign aims to promote understanding of dementia, reduce stigma, and encourage communities to take practical actions to create supportive environments for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

During Dementia Action Week, our Deputy Nurse Manager and John’s Campaign Ambassador, Maggie Candy, led two informative sessions for our nurses and carers.

Dementia awareness experience

Maggie covered various topics including:

• The Brain – understanding behaviours
• Main types of dementia
• Signs and symptoms
• How dementia is diagnosed
• Medications and interactions
• Dementia sensory experience
• Playlist for Life
• John’s Campaign

Dementia sensory experience

Towards the end of the session, Maggie introduced a sensory experience. This was designed to help people understand the everyday challenges faced by those living with dementia. The impact of dementia can look different for everyone. For some, it may affect vision. For others, it can change coordination or hearing. Mobility may also be affected, along with many other aspects of daily life.

Staff were asked to perform simple activities such as tying shoes, opening wrapped sweets, pouring water and walking around. These activities were performed wearing earplugs, gloves and glasses smeared to impact vision.

Staff thoughts

We asked our nurses and carers how they felt after taking part in the Dementia Awareness Training:

“I found the dementia sensory experience really insightful. It puts you in their place and makes you aware of how the person living with dementia feels. I could feel the anxiety and frustration that they must be feeling by trying to participate in simple tasks during today’s dementia sensory experience.”

“I think the training has helped a lot and I have an even better understanding of how the person living with dementia feels. It has made me realise that it is much more difficult for them to perform basic daily activities.”

“I found the training really refreshing and it is good to share information from a different perspective. I have learned some interesting facts during this experience including the person not recognising themselves, how the environment and safety are important as well as diet and holistic input from the family.”

“The most important thing I have learned today is to avoid generalisations and categorisations when caring for people living with dementia. Every person living with dementia will have a different experience. It is important for nurses and carers to have a personalised approach to care. Each of us here today has had a different experience with a particular client and everybody can share and learn from each other.”

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing dementia homecare for clients who want to remain in their own homes. When it comes to your health and wellbeing, choosing the right homecare package is of utmost importance and navigating this process can be overwhelming. With Cavendish Homecare by your side, you’ll have the support you need to remain safely at home while enjoying elevated health and wellbeing.

If you would like to enquire about our homecare services, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

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