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Best practice in supporting people with dementia

September 14, 2023

This episode of CMM OFF THE PAGE explores how collaboration and person-centered care are integral to supporting people living with dementia whilst placing innovation at the heart of provision. This month’s guests also highlight the importance of community, opportunities to maintain social connections and looking for ways that care providers can work together.

Guest speakers also explain the specialist strategies needed to enhance the experiences of residents with dementia and explore what can be taken from other social care settings to support individuals and workers.

Eddie Coombes

Chief Executive of Optima Healthcare group

Eddie is the Chief Executive of Optima Healthcare group of companies which focuses on providing care to vulnerable adults with complex needs. These services have two areas of care which includes dementia / complex nursing services in residential care homes as well as support for people with learning disabilities and autism in both residential and supported living settings. As a care provider Optima’s focus is to deliver care to the most vulnerable part of society who sometimes cannot access good care and support.

Dr Richard Ward

Senior Lecturer in Dementia Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences

Dr Ward is a Senior Lecturer in Dementia Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences. His background is in social work specialising in working with older people and people with dementia in particular. As a result, he has an interest in social care practice and the evolving landscape of dementia care and is also a member of the British Society of Gerontology and the British Sociological Association and belong to the BSA study group on Ageing, the Body and Society. Much of the research that he’s been involved in has been participatory and he is particularly interested in using methods that can support people with dementia to meaningfully participate in research. Current interests include dementia and place, with a focus on the lived experience of dementia in time and space. Richard is also part of a knowledge partnership leading a dementia enabling community development project across Stirling called 'Our Connected Neighbourhoods'.

Amanda Gardiner

Care Home Owner

Amanda has worked in the NHS as a registered nurse and has been working in the social care sector for the last twenty five years – ten years as a care home manager and 15 years as a care home owner. She has two care homes in Dorset, both specialising in caring for older people with dementia and Amanda is on the Dorset Care Association Board. Her PhD research focuses on the processes and the lack of person centered pathways involved in ‘transitional care’ for older people with dementia moving into long term care from the perspective of care home providers.

Robin Hall

Works for Oaklands Rest Home

Robin works for Oaklands Rest Home, a small residential care home on the edge of the New Forest caring for up to 29 residents, most of whom have some degree of cognitive impairment. She works in electronics and broadcast before moving into social care and have an interest in how providers use innovation and technology to optimise the care they can give, and the performance of their businesses. Serving on the board of the Hampshire Care Association has helped Robyn to learn from a wide variety of providers and share experiences with peers in other organisations.

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Eddie Coombes

Dr Richard Ward

Amanda Gardiner

Robin Hall

THIS PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY

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