Care Home’s Dementia Training Session for Friends and Family

Family-run care home group Athena Care Homes is extending its dementia awareness training to residents’ families to help break down barriers and create a greater understanding of the condition.

The learning and development team will be running workshops at our Amberley Hall Care Home in Kings Lynn and Avocet Court Care Home in Ipswich in January, open to friends and relatives of those living in the homes.

Learning and Development manager Lucy Hoddy is keen to share the team’s expertise with those closest to their residents to give them greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of dementia.

She also wants to give them the tools they need to support their loved ones on their journey, from jumping into their world to reducing the risk of harm to them.

Lucy said: “At Athena Care Homes we are proud of our dementia teams and the skills they have. They go the extra mile to support our residents with dignity and compassion.

“Now we want to share that with those closest to our residents. We know residents can become frustrated and even angry when they are confused, and helping their families understand what is happening and how to react can reduce that frustration.”

The workshops will last two hours and will cover the early signs of dementia, facts and figures about mental health, the different types of dementia, and person-centred care for those with dementia.

The sessions will be rolled out at the three other homes operated by Athena in East Anglia during the first quarter of 2023.