Our Treatment Philosophy for the Dementia Service
Person-centred care is vital to all of our treatments at St Andrew’s. We aim to deliver a safe, structured, respectful and caring environment, staffed by experienced professionals in conjunction with an extensive multi-disciplinary team.
All treatment begins with a full evaluation of the individual’s needs, so that we can deliver care pathways which reduce the impact of cognitive and behavioural disturbances.
A full risk assessment accompanies initial diagnosis, which includes behavioural and mental health risks, but also incorporates those particularly relevant to dementia.
The main priority for all treatment is to maintain a normal life as much as possible, whilst minimising the effects of any challenging behaviours and maintain the focus on an individual's abilities rather than the deficits associated with dementia. Residents are encouraged to be involved in their care and have input into how the service is run. St Andrew's puts emphasis on resident involvement. We offer an independent advocacy service for those that require it.
Our dementia service works closely with St Andrew’s Healthcare speech and language, occupational and physio therapists to maintain the health and wellbeing of service users. Supported community outings, freshly-prepared meals and regular use of the gymnasium and swimming pool are all available.
Treatment progress is assessed on a regular basis with a range of validated measurement tools. We pursue an active research and training programme to ensure that our approach is at the forefront of care in the industry.
A dedicated Social Worker ensures that regular communication is maintained and that family and carer needs are assessed in conjunction with local services.