Dementia care

Our dementia care

We focus on person-centred support, offering care with empathy and understanding. We have evolved this to include new developments in dementia care and the use of technology. These are improving diagnosis and outcomes, while keeping veterans and their partners at the heart of what we do. We have seen an increase in the number of residents requiring specialist dementia care and have expanded our capacity so that we now provide tailored support for around 40 percent of our long-term residents.

What does the new approach involve?

We developed a robust diagnosis framework which is based on the latest research and training from several universities. We support the journey from nursing to dementia care using technology, staff training and by creating dementia champions across all services. We constantly develop our environments, while assessing and challenging our work.

Supporting our residents

Our teams are empathetic and comfortable ‘being with’ rather than ‘doing for’ our residents, ensuring that every day is special, and everyone feels valued. The use of observational tools supports staff to recognise needs, personalise care, promote individuals’ rights and ensure supportive social environments. We live and work as a family and our dementia care spaces group residents into smaller households. These are bright, comfortable and filled with pictures and sensory objects that support conversations and prompt reminiscence. We are using the King’s Fund’s environment assessment tool, which covers seven areas to promote residents’ wellbeing and independence.

Supporting family

We know families are also impacted by dementia and work with them to understand the challenges, to be better prepared to face them and to recognise their loved one is changing. We help them to focus on the person-centred ethos that sits at the heart of our care, acknowledging their relatives’ current needs, abilities and experiences. Families and volunteers are offered Dementia Friends sessions, promoting understanding and empathy, while creating a support network.

What makes our care ‘specialist’?

We recognise that proper support for people living with dementia requires a skilled workforce. Led by our Head of Dementia Services, Iuliana, all of our staff receive dementia training and care staff also have specialist training to deepen their knowledge and underpin their work. Senior staff undertake a postgraduate certificate, so that they can work with our residents with skill, care and compassion.

Our Dementia Training Programme is built around an internationally recognised framework, ensuring that every member of staff understands not only what to do in dementia care, but why it matters.

Observation and reflection

This approach guides staff to adopt a more deliberate way of working where they record observations and engage in reflective discussions to understand the people they care for. It prompts them to question and encourages a culture of continuous learning. One staff member says it helps them to ‘think more about how the individual may be feeling.’

Crucially, as Shirley, our Director of Care explains: “Our staff are recruited for their caring approach, emotional intelligence and compassion. When we take the time to connect and care in the right way, it makes a huge difference to residents’ quality of life and brings peace of mind to their families too.”

Using technology

We use acoustic monitoring in our dementia households to identify unusual night-time events such as movement, which supports better rest for residents and reduces the risk of falls. We also use an AI facial recognition system which helps to support pain assessment, which is especially useful for people who cannot express themselves. Virtual reality headsets are successfully used for our residents to help stimulate memory, reduce agitation and enhance wellbeing.

Who guides us?

We work with GPs to ensure accurate diagnostic records: all residents identified as having dementia now have a specific diagnosis. To tailor support strategies to each individual, we use assessment tools to identify cognitive and functional ability, guiding activities and care. We also collaborate with the Royal British Legion’s Admiral Nurses to further enhance our approach to dementia care.

Our working groups consist of residents living with dementia and their relatives, staff, and volunteers who drive new ideas and improvements that enhance the daily lives of both residents and the people who use our wider services.

This work creates better pathways, more personalised care, and earlier diagnosis and support.

Norman's story

RAF veteran Norman lives with dementia in our High Wycombe Home. His son Andrew lives abroad but sees or calls his dad often.

At the Home, Norman takes part in activities and outings, including a special visit to the Officers’ Mess at RAF High Wycombe where he was stationed at Strike Command and, although he was retired, he was the most senior officer there and everyone saluted him.

Andrew said the Home’s close links to the Armed Forces has a big impact on his dad’s wellbeing. “He’s living with Alzheimer’s but simple things like the (military) decorations on the wall provide a level of familiarity for him. There’s a camaraderie between the residents and staff that is very powerful. It elevates the whole experience, and I can’t stress how important that is for Dad. People here pay attention to him and they celebrate his long, successful career. We feel so blessed that we’ve found such a place. Being so far away, it gives me a level of comfort that I can trust implicitly how his life is here. I don’t think Dad can receive better care. I feel so lucky.”

Hear from our staff

Good dementia care isn’t just about meeting needs, it is about assisting people to live well with dementia, and using skill, compassion and imagination.

Shirley Hall

Director of Care & Wellbeing, Royal Star & Garter

I am immensely proud of the dementia care we provide in our Homes. Our approach has always been rooted in person-centred care and innovation, as evidenced by our decision to evolve our already award-winning care. Our staff work with relatives to get to know each resident’s life story, preferences and abilities and use this to shape care that is outstanding and nationally renowned. Whether through tailored activities, thoughtful use of sensory environments, or small but meaningful adaptations to daily routines, our Homes are constantly finding ways to help residents living with dementia to feel safe, valued and truly known. Relatives regularly tell us the impact our dementia care has on their loved ones as well as themselves. They tell us they feel reassured, involved and supported, providing them with peace of mind during a very difficult time for them. Good dementia care isn’t just about meeting needs, it is about assisting people to live well with dementia, and using skill, compassion and imagination - I am proud to lead a team which demonstrates this across our Homes each and every day.

Shirley Hall

Director of Care & Wellbeing, Royal Star & Garter

New technology enhances our work – but it is the skill and compassion of the staff that bring our care to life.

Iuliana Hodson

Head of Dementia Services

The observation tool encouraged us to slow down and really observe the residents’ interactions and connect with their feelings. One resident was anxious and as a result was making several trips to the toilet day and night. The staff members were worried as she was increasing her risk of falls, and they felt helpless as they could not understand her needs. We involved the GP looking for clinical evaluation, but tests showed no abnormalities. When we used the observation tool, we identified that when the resident is engaged, she is relaxed and happy for long periods of time without showing any physical need or expressing verbal requests to use the toilet. This helped us become more aware of the small but significant ways we can improve our care, making us understand how lack of engagement might affect the resident’s wellbeing. We started planning special activities for the resident as she liked reading, quizzes and Scrabble.

Carer

Hear from our families

When he was able to make decision for himself about what he wore each day my father usually dressed fairly smartly in a shirt and tie, and often a tweed jacket. I’ve been really impressed how his carers at Royal Star & Garter help him dress in the style of clothing that he was used to before his dementia advanced - it shows they have noticed his preference and recognise that it's an important part of his identity.

Sarah

Michael M's daughter

My husband has severe dementia and has been a resident for four years. I cannot fault this Home. The care and attention my husband receives is second-to-none. He is treated with respect and love by the staff. I am kept well informed of various situations that occur affecting my husband. I would also like to add that the staff are considerate and understanding with regard to my emotions connected with my husband’s condition. Before I made a decision to choose Royal Star & Garter I had visited other care homes which frankly filled me with dread. I have never regretted my decision to choose Royal Star & Garter.

Wife of resident

Our 92-year-old father who suffers from vascular dementia has been resident at the Royal Star & Garter for nearly five years now, and I can honestly say that I cannot imagine a better care home. My dad's dementia means that he has no short-term memory at all and therefore is constantly lost and confused as to where he is and cannot make new friendships or relationships. Despite this, the staff show endless patience and kindness towards my dad, treating him with utmost respect and care which has the result of making him feel relaxed and at ease. The staff have made the effort to learn my dad's 'ways' and adapt to them so that his experience of life is as pleasant and sociable as it possibly could be. From the management of the Home, through the level of care given by the staff, the high standard of the rooms and interior, to the delicious food served, I cannot praise the Royal Star & Garter highly enough. Their communication with us the family is also excellent and extremely considerate.

Daughter of resident

My mother went into dementia care some 18 months ago and settled very quickly thanks to the wonderful staff team. She has dementia so is unable to ask specifically for anything. The staff soon got to know her well and regularly checked with us regarding her usual routine, likes and dislikes. She always looks lovely, her appearance was always very important to her and she was always well-dressed. The staff have maintained her very high standards and always set her hair and apply her makeup beautifully. She regularly has her nails painted too. Mum always has a smile for the staff who make her feel special.

Daughter of resident

Royal Star & Garter is undoubtedly top of the league. The staff always go the extra mile. Mum always looks amazing, hair set, make-up and nails vanished, just as she did at home. The environment and food are just like a five-star hotel. Staff are all dedicated and treat Mum as family. They totally get the terrible dementia symptoms and are equipped to deal with everything

Daughter of resident

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