Meadowbrook care home in Bishop’s Stortford has launched a new ‘Forget Me Not’ dementia library to help families and friends better understand the condition and support loved ones living with dementia.
The new resource brings together specialist books, guides and practical advice in one easy-to-access library at the home. Materials will be free for relatives and friends to borrow, offering greater insight into dementia and the different ways it can affect a person’s behaviour, communication and everyday life.
The project was initiated by Meadowbrook’s designated ‘dementia champions’, who are responsible for finding new ways to improve day-to-day life for people living with the condition. They chose the name ‘Forget Me Not’ to reflect the importance of memory and identity in dementia care, while reinforcing the need to listen to and advocate for people who find it difficult to express their needs.
Catherine Frost, Commissioning Manager at the Connaught Care Collection, says:
“One of the hardest parts of dementia care can be seeing somebody with complex needs, feelings or worries that they cannot easily put into words. That can be heartbreaking for the person themselves, and difficult for families as well. We wanted the library to be somewhere people can turn when they have a question, want to understand a behaviour, or simply try to see the world from a resident’s perspective. If this project helps even one family gain a better understanding of dementia and the person behind the condition, then we’ll consider it a job well done.”
Dementia can affect much more than memory, also impacting a person’s ability to find words, follow conversations and clearly express how they are feeling. Alzheimer’s Society advises that adapting the way we communicate can help those living with dementia feel better understood and make it easier for others to respond to their needs.
Unfortunately, significant knowledge gaps remain. Research by Alzheimer’s Society found that about 51% of UK adults say they don’t know enough about dementia, while 50% don’t feel confident even visiting somebody with the condition in a care home.
By creating the ‘Forget Me Not’ library, the home’s team hopes to share its extensive dementia-care experience relatives and friends, helping them better understand the condition and the person behind it.
Laura Adams, General Manager at Meadowbrook, commented:
“Dementia care is at its best when we keep looking beyond the diagnosis and remember the person in front of us. Every resident has a history, routines and relationships that make them feel at home. The more our team and families understand those details, the better we can respond when somebody struggles to tell us what it is they need. I am very proud of what the team has achieved”.
Diane, one of Meadowbrook’s Dementia Champions, reflects:
“For me, being a Dementia Champion is about advocating for people living with dementia and ensuring they receive the care, understanding and support they deserve. Above all, it’s about putting Connaught’s values into practice and ensuring that the care we provide is always tailored to the individual needs of each resident.”
The home is also sharing its dementia-care expertise more widely through its immersive ‘Dementia Perspectives’ training. The hands-on programme uses sights, sounds and disorienting tasks to recreate some of the everyday challenges associated with dementia, helping families and local participants gain greater insight into the condition.
Meadowbrook is part of the Connaught Care Collection, an award-winning provider of luxury care homes. For more information, please contact Denise Gilchrist at denise.gilchrist@meadowbrookcarehome.co.uk or call 01279 212280.
