Previous Fundraising Projects
The Bristol Dementia Care Centre
In 2002 a review of dementia care services in Avon by the Nuffield Institute confirmed limited availability and capacity of services for people with dementia and their families. A group of three charities, led by Aspects and Milestones Trust with Alzheimer’s Society (Bristol and South Gloucestershire) and Dementia Care Trust sat down to consider the development of a Bristol Dementia Care Centre. Five years later, following a successful appeal (The Helping Minds Appeal) the centre was officially opened by Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol in September 2006.
What We Set Out To Do – What We Delivered
The original concept of the Centre and the basis of the appeal changed little during the process of design, build and appeal for funds. Our analysis of the evidence of need proved accurate with a strong take up of services as each element became available to service users.
The twelve additional beds with two additional beds in the existing home (total available now is forty-four) were soon filled. We had high demand from people with learning disabilities and dementia, as well as people whose dementia had progressed to a point where a non-specialist home could not meet their needs. We also worked with people and their carers where ‘caring at home’ was causing too much pressure for carer and the person with dementia alike. The approach of the Centre is to include carers in any way they wish to be included. Many carers spend time at the Centre, participating in the care of loved-ones and gaining support from fellow carers and staff.
We have achieved full occupancy in the nursing home beds. The respite/short break care beds have also proved popular. A persistent complaint from carers was the absence of homes that took advance bookings. The Centre is unique in allowing families to book respite up to a year in advance. The Alzheimer’s Society was successful in raising funds from the Big Lottery to support an Information Worker based at the Centre four days a week.
The Day Centre is attended by between six and ten people a day and we are achieving our ambition of ‘bespoke’ packages of support that help to keep people living at home for as long as possible by linking day places to MODS (Milestones Outreach Dementia Services) where appropriate.
The Training and Meeting Rooms have also been well used for both dementia focused training courses and other courses related to health and social care issues. The funds raised from ‘external’ bookings are recycled into the Centre activities.
By working together, the three charities are influencing developments on a reconfiguration of day services in Bristol and the development of services in general by representing the voluntary sector on various working groups established by the local authority and PCT (Primary Care Trust).
What Makes the Dementia Care Centre Special
We concentrate on preserving life’s everyday routines and emphasise the importance of human contact. Staffing ratios are high so that staff can spend time with residents, not just do the basics of health and social care in the shortest possible time.
We actively encourage family and friends to participate in social and care activities of their choosing. Many relatives say the centre becomes a ‘home from home’, others simply appreciate the peace of mind that their relative is well cared for.
Staff look for a person’s strengths on a day to day basis. Dementia may make previously easy tasks difficult. Looking for what a person can do at any given moment is a way of celebrating the person that is and remains.
Funding
The Appeal Group raised almost £500,000. The £2 million development was funded by £500,000 from Trust reserves and a £1 million loan from AIB (Allied Irish Bank). This enabled us achieve a ‘competitive’ bed price without compromising on our high staff : resident ratio which is crucial to our person centred approach. As one carer said ‘to see a staff member using ‘talk and touch’ to calm my agitated mother rather than ignoring her or suggesting increased medication is one reason why this Centre is so special’.
Lessons for the Future
All those involved in the development of the Dementia Care Centre are convinced this model of having a variety of services based in one building promotes a person centred approach to care. We are now talking to local authorities and PCT’s in adjoining areas to assess interest/demand for a second centre in the their locality. The Regional Director of the Alzheimer’s Society is also canvassing the views of their staff and carer members.
Further Work
Our annual carers survey, CSCI inspections and our own internal quality assurance tool will continue to teach us about where we can continue to improve services. Our three charities will continue to advocate for individuals and the needs of people with dementia and their families. We will also look for ways to raise awareness amongst the public in general.