Helping Hands’ commitment to dementia care
We understand how dementia affects and impacts the lives of everyone it touches.
Our dementia champions ensure that the home care our carers deliver is completed tailored to each individual and their preferences, so that they can live well at home with dementia.
With over 900,000 people in the UK currently diagnosed with dementia and this number set to rise sharply in the next few years, it’s more important than ever that we can provide the right support for those living with dementia at home. That’s why we are committed to providing exceptional dementia care that uses the latest practices and guidelines.
Meet our dementia experts and champions
Specialist home care is at the very heart of Helping Hands, and with the help of our dementia experts, we’re determined to help families stay together in their own homes as much as possible.
Deanna Lane
Deanna Lane
Denny Bruce
Dementia Champion
Sarah Franklin
Dementia Champion
Person-centred dementia home care
Home care offers personalised, tailored support without having to leave your home comforts.
Living with dementia can be very disorientating, made even more so by having to leave your beloved home and get used to the new routines of a care home. Care at home allows you to remain part of your local community, live close to family and friends and stay by the side of a partner or spouse.
Having bespoke support in place means that your care plan is unique to you and takes into account your preferences and routines. So, if you have hobbies that you don’t want to give up, use specific cutlery at mealtimes or have a favourite chair you like to sit in, all of this can be accommodated by our professional and empathetic care teams. We aim to minimise disruption and keep everything just how you like it, so you can continue living life the way you choose to.
Specialist dementia training
All of our carers receive theoretical and practical dementia care training.
Created and overseen by our Dementia Expert Deanna, training includes what dementia is, the types of dementia, understanding the condition and the best way to support those with dementia.
We place a special emphasis on carers treating all of our customers with dementia with dignity, compassion and kindness, and to always remember that they are still the same person, even if they are unable to function as they used to. Patience is key to caring for someone with dementia, as carers may find they are having to repeat themselves, deal with different behaviours and support people who are experiencing confusion and cognitive impairment.
Here are some of the many things that make our carers exceptional:
A rigorous recruitment process
We’re exclusively searching for the most kind, compassionate and dedicated people to support our customers, so we only hire a small percentage of applicants
Regular refresher courses
Not only do all of our carers receive industry-leading dementia care training when they join us, they all enrol on regular refresher courses to keep their knowledge up to date
Our dementia helpline
We provide a dementia helpline for any carers who need additional support or advice for their customers, which is managed directly by Deanna
A fully regulated home care provider
Here at Helping Hands, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
This means we need to consistently meet high standards and are monitored by our regulators.
Why is being a regulated care provider important?
Independent inspections of our service, giving you peace of mind
Fully vetted, high-quality carers
Guaranteed training and development for our staff
Dementia-friendly branches
We are committed to being specialists in dementia throughout the company, which is why we are creating brand-new dementia-friendly branches in our local communities. Having this inclusive space means we can have an accessible space for anyone in the community to access and also provide an insight for carers, customers and their families on how a dementia-friendly home might look.
Our new branch fitouts include:
Clear labels
Our branches feature clear labelling of key items such as pushing or pulling a door, the toilet, way out, etc
Plain colours
Plain colours of items without patterns, i.e., plain carpet colour to limit confusion when walking around
Accessible walkways
Clear, widened and uncluttered walkways accessible to wheelchair users or those who require mobility aids
Bright spaces
All of our branches are bright, welcoming spaces that are easy to navigate, with plenty of natural light
A welcoming sitting area
A welcoming sitting area that resembles someone’s front room to make them feel more at home
A sensory bookshelf
A sensory bookshelf – an analogy to show how one’s memory changes when they have dementia
In my professional and personal life, I’ve experienced the impacts of dementia for customers and their families, and also for my family. I am passionate about living well with dementia and promoting that at Helping Hands.
Deanna Lane Senior Clinical Lead
