Preparing for the Future: Why Dementia Training for Care Staff Cannot Wait
By Satya Cashman, partnerships manager on partnerships@dementiacarers.org.uk.
As the UK faces a growing dementia crisis, with cases projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040 care homes find themselves at a critical point. The alarming reality is that 71% of residential care home staff do not have dementia training (data from Alzheimer’s Society). This Dementia Action Week, we must ask ourselves: what if we could change this statistic and prepare our care workforce for the challenges ahead?
The Growing Need for Specialised Care
The dementia care landscape is changing rapidly. The number of care home residents living with dementia is growing, yet staff there often feel underprepared to provide the person-centred support required. This gap in dementia training not only affects the quality of care delivered but also impacts staff confidence and retention rate.
“With dementia prevalence ever increasing, the demands on the social care workforce are growing” highlights Frances Lawrence, CEO of Dementia Carers Count. “Our training and support can help equip carers with the confidence, skills and knowledge required to deliver much needed high quality dementia care.”
Special Dementia Action Week Offer
To address this pressing need, the team at Dementia Carers Count is offering a CPD accredited introductory dementia training session with a special 30% discount during Dementia Action Week when booked before May 23rd. This training provides care staff with practical skills to:
- Better understand the experiences of people living with dementia and their unpaid family carers
- Develop effective and person-centred communication strategies
- Create supportive environments that reduce anxiety and confusion
- Recognise and respond to changing needs
- Build meaningful connections with family carers
“What If…”: Planning Ahead for Better Outcomes
Dementia Carers Count is here to support care providers who want to improve outcomes for residents living with dementia and their families. What if every care home staff member had the knowledge to provide personalised dementia care? What if care homes could build stronger partnerships with families, improving trust and communication? What if family carers choosing a residential home for their loved one knew they would be cared for with knowledge, confidence and empathy? What if we could prepare now for the increasing demand for specialised dementia support?
By investing in training today, care homes aren’t just preparing for tomorrow. They’re enhancing their current service delivery, improving CQC ratings, and building reputation as centres of excellence in dementia care.
The Invisible Carers: Supporting Families Behind the Scenes
A critical yet often overlooked aspect of dementia care is supporting the family members who remain deeply involved in their loved one’s journey. At Dementia Carers Count we are encouraging care homes to partner with us to provide interactive family support sessions and offer our counselling and advice services to their wider communities.
When care homes choose to engage with family carers, they’re not just improving care for the resident, they’re offering a lifeline to overwhelmed carers feeling isolated and invisible. This inspiring community approach leads to better outcomes for everyone at every stage of care.
Success Story: A Class Care Transforms Through Training
A Class Care exemplifies how specialised dementia training can elevate care standards. After participating in DCC’s training, their team of professional carers reported significant impact in confidence and capability.
Bethany, Care Quality Manager at A Class Care, shares: “The dementia training delivered by Dementia Carers Count was incredibly informative and insightful. It has enhanced our care team’s understanding of those living with dementia, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to provide more compassionate and tailored support. They now feel more confident in creating a positive environment for the individuals they support.”
Krystal, Care Quality Officer, adds: “The dementia training delivered by Dementia Carers Count was highly engaging and provided our team with practical, actionable tips on how best to support someone living with dementia. The session was both informative and interactive, leaving the team feeling more equipped and confident.”
Even experienced staff found value in the training, with one professional carer noting: “I have a strong knowledge of dementia already, but I did learn new things, especially about how different coloured plates can determine how much a service user eats and other trigger points… I also enjoyed hearing other people’s perspectives and experiences with dementia as it’s different for everyone.”
Take Action Now
With dementia cases rising and the care sector already stretched, there’s never been a more critical time to invest in dementia training. Contact Dementia Carers Count today to take advantage of the 30% Dementia Action Week discount and join forward-thinking care providers like A Class Care who are preparing for the future by enhancing their care delivery today.
For more information about training sessions or to book, email Satya Cashman, partnerships manager on partnerships@dementiacarers.org.uk.
[IH1]I’d rather we asked the ‘What if’ question than naming it as a campaign. I also think we shouldn’t say ‘long term’ outcomes as I don’t think length of stay is necessarily very long in a residential home (though don’t know what the average time is.)
[IH2]I think we should keep repeating our name for brand awareness
