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Dedicated dementia carers recruited to improve end of life care

Two healthcare support workers have been appointed to help care homes in Walsall become more dementia-friendly and ensure patients receive individualised care

Two healthcare support workers have been appointed to improve end of life care for people with dementia in care homes across Walsall in the West Midlands.

The appointment of the support workers dedicated to improving dementia care are part of a year-long project led by St Giles Hospice and Pathways for Life, a joint partnership scheme between Age UK Walsall and Accord Housing Association. The scheme provides advice and support for people with a diagnosis of dementia.

The support workers will help care homes become more dementia-friendly and ensure that end of life care plans are tailored to each individual.

They will also encourage the use of the Namaste Care approach, a programme designed to improve the quality of life for people with severe dementia by creating safe and relaxing spaces. Central to the approach is to provide person-centred activities that include sensory stimulation and advocate holistic care.

St Giles Walsall Hospice clinical nurse manager Helen Reeves said: ‘This joint collaboration integrates the philosophy of the hospice into dementia care and will enable equity and equality for people with advanced dementia at the end of their lives. The support workers will help enable all involved to achieve true person-centred care in the last 12 months of life.’