Ongoing And Up-To-Date Training At Stanfield

At Stanfield we ensure that all of our employees are equipped with the skills they need to do their job effectively. This is why we insist that our staff complete a course on Malignant Social Psychology, delivered by DC training. The aim of the course is to develop our staff’s understanding of Malignant Social Psychology and to highlight the importance of a person centred approach to the care of those living with dementia.


“Training was clear, interesting, and very informative.”

The Training at Stanfield draws upon the work and research developed by Tim Kitwood at Bradford University into Malignant Social Psychology. During the course our staff develop a clear understanding of Malignant Social Psychology (MSP) and how it may be addressed in every day practice. The research, conducted by Kitwood, recognises the importance of person centred care for those suffering with dementia. Person centred care values the patient as a whole person and allows them as much autonomy as possible so that they are able to live their lives in the way they want to. This type of care takes into account wider events happening within someone’s life and tailors treatment around them.

“It was a really interesting, relaxed, friendly environment but still very useful and informative. Enjoyable education”

The staff at Stanfield nursing home have well established skills and expertise in their field. However understanding of Dementia is always growing and so it is important to stay up-to-date with this insight. The DC training offers our staff to further develop their knowledge and to update their skills by attending two hour training workshops. To ensure the training is relevant and applicable Staff draw upon their own experiences within the work environment. There is also a valuable opportunity for the sharing of thoughts, feelings and ideas amongst colleagues.

“Increased my confidence in my role with residents”

At the core of the training is the fundamental belief that a person centred approach is a way of  ‘being ‘with individuals living with dementia. The emphasis is upon the PERSON rather than the DEMENTIA. By focusing upon experiential learning all trainees have a genuine experience of a person centred way of being that enriches the whole ethos of care at Stanfield.


References:
Tom Kitwood - ‘Dementia Reconsidered’
Dawn Brooker - ‘Person-centred dementia care’

Graham Stokes – ‘Challenging Behaviour in Dementia’

People Are Creatures Of Habit

At Stanfield Nursing Home we appreciate the individual needs of our residents. Many of our residents are experiencing dementia. We have specialist staff who are highly trained and experienced in supporting those with the illness and appreciate that routines and habits are important in their care.

“People are creatures of Habit”

People are creatures of habit. We are able to understand others’ emotional states, show empathy and are able to solve day-to-day problems. Although these tasks may not seem difficult, relative to the rest of the animal kingdom, these are extremely complex and intricate behaviours. Every day we act out these complex behaviours and many more, but how do we manage to do all of this?

The answer is habits. Habits allow us to get through the day and perform tasks that would be otherwise mentally demanding. When we first learn a behaviour it requires a great amount of concentration and focus, however when we have repeated the task several time it becomes easier and eventually we become ‘Habituated’ towards that behaviour. Take learning to drive for example. When we begin we must engage ourselves mentally to learn all the activities involved in driving, then once we have practised, made a few mistakes and learnt from them, it starts to become easier and easier. After a while the complex task of driving almost becomes second nature to us and we become habituated to it. We do this with almost every behaviour in our day-to-day lives, whether it’s making our breakfast, learning the protocol of restaurants or engaging in conversation. We learn how to do these activities and are then prepared for the next time we must complete these tasks.

However what happens when something changes? What do we do if we buy a new car and suddenly the switch for the headlights are on the other side of the wheel? Or the windows are electric rather than wind down? We must adapt our behaviour to integrate these changes. This is something people suffering with Dementia typically struggle with.

“We understand the symptoms of dementia”

At Stanfield we understand the symptoms of dementia and are able to tailor our care around individual’s needs.

Dementia typically affects a person’s ability to form new memories and develop new habits, however many habits before the onset of the disease tend to remain in the memory for a long time. At Stanfield we understand routine is particularly important for residents who are experiencing dementia. Routine allows them to complete tasks without too much demand on them mentally. Routine activities may include such simple things like: brushing teeth before going to bed or drinking a cup of tea before having a wash.

Our specialist carers understand that when supporting someone with dementia their behaviour may change week-by-week or even day-by-day. Because of this it is important to keep a degree of flexibility, whilst maintaining important day-to-day routines and activities. Important routines include:

• Hygiene rituals: such as brushing teeth, having a bath, washing hands before dinner
• Food Preparation, eating and washing up
• Little jobs around the home, such as making tea or tidying away books

By involving our residents in day-to-day routines it can engage their habitual memories, which are long lasting. It may be possible to communicate in meaningful conversation for longer as other memories may be associated with these activities.

The needs of our residents are crucial, but what about the carer?

Carers are human like anyone else and are creatures of habit themselves. Supporting people with cognitive impairment is demanding work and requires our carers to live in the moment and respond to the needs of our residents accordingly.

Conflict can arise when carers attempt to maintain their own routine, such as having lunch at 12 o'clock, which may not fit a resident’s needs. It is the job of colleagues and senior staff to review the situation and identify what should be done and how to go about doing it. At Stanfield, although we respect our hard working and committed staff, we see the needs of our residents as paramount and ensure that everything which can be done to make the resident happy is done, before our staff’s requirements are fulfilled.

A Guide to Maintaining Routine

• Determine routines. A routine is something a person does regularly, on a day-to-day basis, something that they are comfortable and familiar with. This might include having a morning shower or have a cup of tea with breakfast. However new activities, like going on holiday with distant family, may be unsettling for a person suffering with dementia.
•  Sticking to important rituals. If someone is used to a certain activity, such as eating their dinner in their dining room whilst listening to the radio, by continuing with this habitual behaviour it may be a cue to other positive memories the person may have associated with that activity.
• Preventing distractions and narrowing choices. This might involve watching one or two television channels asking the person whether they would like to wear a particular outfit rather than showing them all the various options.
• Change happens. Someone with dementia may like to help to make a cup of tea as one of their activities, however as the disease progresses this may no longer be possible, for safety reasons. It may be possible to adapt this routine so they might only pour the milk, thereby still maintaining the routine whilst remaining safe. 
• Flexibility. It is important to stay flexible, as it is impossible to keep to a strict schedule every day. Just start the routine again the following day.

Project Reaches Completion

We are pleased to announce that residents are now able to use the newly completed extension and beautifully landscaped gardens at Stanfield Nursing Home.

The project, which began in May has successfully completed on time and to budget- thanks to great co-operation between all parties involved.

Everyone has been in high spirits this week as residents and the project team looked forward to seeing the final results. The project team have been hard at work to make sure that the carpet and vinyl floors are laid, furnishings fitted and the extension deep cleaned in time for the official opening. 

Richard White, owner of Stanfield Nursing Home, is said to be extremely pleased with the outcome of the project. His aim was to develop upon the great work already achieved by the independent nursing home with a new modern extension, including seven bedrooms, a community space and landscaped gardens. These modern facilities will undoubtedly be enjoyed by all residents. 

Photos of the completed project can be seen below:

Landscaped gardens with water feature and seating area.

Wicker Fence surrounding the gardens.

Large sitting room with projector installed for regular screenings.

Seven new en-suite bedrooms.

Less Than A Week To Go

The residents have been enjoying watching the finishing touches being carried out this week through the glazed screen.

The solid oak bedheads reflect the quality of finish throughout the project and are present to each bedroom. All en-suite shower rooms have received the vanity units, safety vinyl flooring and colourful hygienic cladding to the various walls. The carpet and vinyl floors are due to be laid imminently throughout the bedrooms and activity space and the light fittings fitted. Following this a thorough clean will take place and the building will be handed over as per the programme ready for the loose furniture to be placed.

The external garden has taken shape and the stunning hand crafted oak pergola can now be admired. The curved oak benching will provide an area for the residents to sit and enjoy the plants and colourful Clematis as they climb and twine around the pergola and bloom in the late summer. The willow fence is currently being hand weaved which will create a safe, natural surrounding for the residents. The garden will also provide the residents a sensory water feature and suitably raised planting boxes which will offer sensory plants. The Victorian style cedar greenhouse will provide a potential area for residents to grow their own vegetables or sensory plants.   

Week 14

Internally the underfloor heating has been laid and covered with screed ready for the floor finish, once dried. Externally the scaffolding has now been removed to allow for the installation of the eaves, gutters and downpipes and the external works have commenced starting with the block paving. 

Week 12

The timber roof structure was completed followed by the installation of the natural slate coverings and the external windows and doors making the building watertight.

The feature Oak Screen is now fitted and will provide ample natural light into the activity space for the residents.  

Week 10

The works are progressing well in relation to the programme with the substructure now complete. The scaffold and masonry superstructure were built a couple of days ahead of programme allowing for the wall plate and timber roof trusses to be installed.  The underground drainage installation has been tested and the temporary hoarding to the existing corridor was placed to allow for the opening up of the existing walls and roof. A vision panel within the temporary hoarding provides light into the existing corridor and has been kindly decorated by a local artist Anne Bennett.