Anchor Launches New Accreditation For Dementia Care

Leading not-for-profit housing and care provider, Anchor, has developed a new accreditation for its care homes that recognises exceptional care that enhances the lives of people living with dementia. The newly created Anchor Inspires has been developed by Anchor’s in-house dementia experts and is awarded to care homes delivering the highest standards of person-centred dementia care.

The innovative model of care for people living with dementia is based on theories and research from around the globe as well as existing best practice in Anchor’s care homes. Drawing on this wealth of experience has enabled Anchor to take successful elements from a variety of practices and make Anchor Inspires a means of recognising outstanding, specialist dementia support.

Anchor Inspires uses 55 indicators to assess performance in four key areas: Memories; Safe living; Activities and Companionship. Within Anchor’s care homes, staff work with residents to find out about their personality, past, interests, and create a safe and happy environment for that person. Focussing on four key areas of development has a beneficial impact on residents and encourages a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Care homes must undertake a rigorous process to gain accreditation and continue to be monitored and reviewed by Anchor to ensure standards of dementia care are maintained.

The standards of dementia care delivered by Anchor Inspires accredited care homes will be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England. The CQC assesses whether Anchor is delivering not just against minimum standards, but against what Anchor promises to deliver through Anchor Inspires. 

Joanne Laverty, Dementia Services Manager at Anchor said:

“It’s exciting to be leading the way in improving dementia care in England.  The Anchor Inspires accreditation celebrates best practice and is awarded to homes that deliver inspiring dementia services where person-centred care is embedded into every element of a resident’s life.

“Person-centred care is all about valuing the individual and we always emphasize that one size does not fit all. We have had real success and in the care homes that have piloted this scheme, such as our West Hall in Surrey; Greenhive in London and Tolson Grange in Huddersfield, where we cater for a number of residents living with dementia.”

Anchor now has 15 Anchor Inspires accredited care homes across England. A quarter of Anchor care homes will implement Anchor Inspires in 2015/16.