When Dementia Detailing was engaged by a retirement and aged care facility in South Australia, the initial focus was on improving service delivery to continue providing an enriched and safe living environment for its residents.
Matt, General Manager at the facility, knew that training would be helpful, but he soon saw what was possible through Dementia Detailing’s training, mentoring and strategic planning services combined.
With a dedicated Memory Support Unit (MSU), the residential care facility offers 24-hour care and dedicated programs for residents living with dementia. Training and mentoring were the necessary first step to improving the care provided to the residents in the MSU.
“We engaged Dementia Detailing to provide side-by-side coaching with our memory support unit,” Matt explains.
“They mentored our staff to a level where our teams were ‘dementia-ready’ and confident dealing with complex behaviours.
The training really develops staff so they can build real, enduring connections with our residents that are not simply task-based.”
Matt saw the positive effect that the training and mentoring were having and saw an opportunity – a tailored education program for the MSU unit.
“With Thean, we developed a nine-month tailored education program that also trained the trainers,” Matt explains.
“This meant that the program became self-sustaining as new staff join us, and it’s embedded into our culture.”
Dementia Detailing also worked with families helping them to understand the limitations and opportunities with the person they’re caring for.
The results of the education program have been incredible, with a noticeable difference seen in staff, families and residents alike.
“People like to feel like they’ve contributed,” Matt says.
“And the satisfaction and connection of making a difference to a life is so real and rewarding when you’re working with people living with dementia.
And all our families got a heck of a lot out of it. Dementia Detailing shows how this is possible, making it rewarding for our staff and our residents and their families.”
Through working with Thean, Matt saw the value of Dementia Detailing services at different stages and in many different areas.
“Dementia Detailing showed us how much one can do at the beginning of a diagnosis as well as the latter stages when people can no longer stay at home,” Matt says.
“You can have a quality of life, even with dementia. They showed us how.”
And there’s value from a business perspective, too.
“Dementia Detailing’s services could be built into packages to support people at home,” Matt says.
“They could be used to develop a training program to help attract and retain staff.
Or for anyone really, the minute they feel out of their depth in caring for their loved one and don’t know where to turn any more.”
“I wouldn’t hesitate to engage Dementia Detailing for any organisation or individual involved in caring for people living with dementia,” Matt says.
“Thean is enquiring, interested and full of life. Her approach is infectious.
She provides a specialised service with experienced practitioners… the investment pays for itself in more ways than one.
I’d like to see every memory support unit working with Dementia Detailing to find answers that are tailored to their organisation, staff and residents.”
Find out how we can help your organisation improve the care of those living with dementia. Contact us today to start the conversation.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to engage Dementia Detailing for any organisation or individual involved in caring for people living with dementia. Thean is enquiring, interested and full of life. Her approach is infectious.”
“With the training, our staff were educated to be much more intuitive, responsive and understanding of a resident’s needs, while better understanding how to communicate with a person living with dementia.”
“Dementia is such an individual experience. Having Thean support us gave us confidence that Dad was receiving the best care and attention. I can’t speak more highly of her.”
Improved life quality for all affected by dementia is possible. Get in touch with Thean.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia, in particular the Kaurna people of our local Area, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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