How Bupa cares for dementia
Bupa has 16 aged care homes around New Zealand that specialise in caring for people with dementia. We are committed to bringing care that puts the individual needs of each person foremost, rather than focusing on the disease process. This influences the way we care, the choices we can give, and the meaningful activities we provide – taking cues from the parts of people’s lives that they get pleasure from revisiting.
Each home has specially trained staff to ensure our residents receive individual expert care and support, while respecting personal tastes, preferences and needs. Our staff are trained to see things through the eyes of each resident, not just their own eyes.
Dementia care is provided within our Care Homes, usually as a dedicated unit or wing. This allows us to provide a safe environment adapted to the needs of residents with dementia, while encouraging as much independence and mental and physical stimulation as possible.
Our specialist dementia homes are each striving to offer this kind of environment:
- personal name plates on room doors to aid recognition
- memory boxes outside each bedroom filled with personal items such as photographs, certificates and other memory triggers
- coloured bathroom doors and toilet seats, making them easier to see
- secure landscaped gardens, for peace of mind
- sensory gardens, which are built or adapted to stimulate all the senses through the use of colours, smells, textures and sounds
- reminiscence therapy – some homes have dedicated rooms for providing this
- good quality information for the person with dementia and their family
- a range of meaningful activities both in and outside the care home. Bupa's Dementia Care homes.
Our experienced and well trained specialist staff are set apart by their empathy, their commitment to provide the highest quality care and their understanding of the unique nature of dementia. Our staff work as partners in care with residents and family/whanau.
We employ registered nurses, and highly train our care staff through nationally recognised training qualifications to provide 24-hour professional care and support. All dementia carers have specialist training or are working towards this goal and are kept informed with new developments in care practice. We have a Dementia Steering Group that is committed to ensuring we understand and provide the best dementia care possible – learning from our international Bupa counterparts, and adapting that knowledge to the New Zealand environment.
We have a strategic alliance with the Alzheimer’s Society. Ultimately this is about a joint commitment to provide better care for people with dementia and to advocate strongly with Government for a national strategy that supports better services and support for people with dementia and their families.
For more information visit the Alzheimer’s Society website: alzheimers.org.uk
Because our foremost focus is on the needs of each person, rather than on the disease state, dignity and repect underpins everything we do. We pride ourselves in getting to know each person, having well trained staff, providing a homelike environment, and delivering meaningful activities that are a source of pleasure to each person. We connect with each person as we would a best friend, accepting and making the best of life. We see ourselves as partners in care, keeping you as involved as you wish.
Our carers take the time to learn each resident’s life history. We encourage families to share their in-depth understanding of their loved one with us, as it helps us build better relationships and give better care. Understanding the reasons behind an action, and the people, places and belongings which are important to our residents can help us to overcome the frustration and fear that can happen when they are unable to express what they want.
Mental and physical stimulation through enjoyable activities are important, particularly to people with dementia. Every care home has a dedicated activity co-ordinator who organises activities, such as arts and crafts, gardening, reminiscence therapy, exercise to music, and one-to-one involvement. We encourage residents to carry out small tasks throughout the day, such as helping to lay the table or watering the plants if they wish, which can help retain self-esteem and involvement in daily life. Our activities result in meaningful social interaction and engagement which enrich the resident’s physical and cognitive wellbeing through participation in all that they do. Families, volunteers and community organisations also have a role to play in providing and supporting activities for people with dementia and we encourage you to support us in this area.