BAGS OF CONFIDENCE FOR RESIDENTS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

Residents at a Bridgwater specialist dementia care home have been enjoying their own personalised walking aid storage bags and blankets, thanks to the efforts of the local Women’s Institute (WI).

Hazel Hillman along with her group of volunteers at the Somerset County federations have been hard at work sewing and knitting colourful materials for the residents at Avalon Nursing Home.

The bags help residents identify which walking frame belongs to them and personalise them according to their individual taste. They also make it easier for residents to store and transport their important items such as glasses, books and mobile phones.

Lisa Priddice, activities co-ordinator for Avalon, said: “All our residents have their own unique tastes and are happiest when being able to express themselves, so they love being able to show who they are through these items’ colours, patterns and logos.

“Having multiple walking frames in a care setting can cause confusion for people living with dementia so it’s important to keep things like mobility aids immediately identifiable as your own.

“The blankets are great too – giving residents the immediate reassurance to think ‘Mine!’ when they enter their room.

“A huge thank-you to Hazel and all the other volunteers at the WI for their hard work with this project – it’s a perfect example of the person-centred approach we take to ensure our residents live their best lives.”

Hazel Hillman and her group of volunteers are regular visitors to local care homes, hospitals and schools which provide support to people with high needs.

Choosing their personalised walking aid storage bags and blankets is part of a year-long programme organised by the team at Avalon, with activities devised to engage residents physically and through the senses in a way that is integral to quality dementia care.

Avalon is run by award-winning dementia care provider Camelot Care which has other specialist homes in Wellington and Plymouth.