November 2019  –  New Residential 24 Hour Secure Dementia Care Unit Now Open in Silloth, Cumbria

The Good Companions, a leading Residential Care Home in the seaside town of Silloth, Cumbria has just announced the opening of it’s new New Residential Dementia Care Unit offering 24 hour specialist support.

Mark Newby, Managing Director at Good Companions, says: ” We are humbled and proud to announce the opening of the newly built Solway Suite – Our New Secure Residential Dementia Care Unit, which will allow more people to live a higher quality of life with Dementia.”

It has been a really worthwhile project, and we’re hoping it that it will do a lot of good for the local community, and Dementia Care in Cumbria.

Dementia has been very much in the News this year. Dementia is now Britain’s biggest killer, overtaking heart disease for the first time. Approximately 850,000 people in the UK have dementia reports the Alzheimer’s Society. The condition currently affects one in six people over the age of 80. By 2025, it is estimated that approximately one million people in the UK will have dementia. Although there are some promising developments in drug therapy that may slow the disease a cure is still a long way off. In the meantime managing, this debilitating condition is the priority.

Living with dementia can become more difficult over time. The time may come when a person can no longer care for themselves and keep safe, so professional care may need to be considered. As dementia progresses, many find it increasingly difficult to manage by themselves, and moving into a specialist care home is the best way forward. Many people worry that moving into a care home will mean losing their independence or giving up the things they love to do. However, specialist care homes such as the Good Companions help people to remain as active as possible and ensure they continue to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life. The Good Companions has been caring for people living with dementia for over 20 years, and it is this experience that allows them to offer the best possible care and quality of life.

Moving to a care home can be emotionally difficult for both patients and their families, but the highly trained staff at the Good Companions makes it easier, offering support and reassurance every step of the way.

Because no one has the same journey or path through dementia, support is customised around individual needs, preferences, and wishes. The emphasis is on engagement and involvement wherever possible, allowing them to continue making their own decisions and determine how they spend their time. Experience shows that when people with dementia are encouraged to stay active, they benefit from improved physical and mental health and a sense of well-being. For this reason The Good Companions provide activity based care, support, and encouragement. Many residents enjoy the sense of purpose that comes with keeping bus, and are encouraged to participate in the life of the Good Companions.

Care and consideration extend to family and friends, as well. They understand that close relatives and friends may want to continue to be involved in daily care and every effort is made to ensure that everyone feels included and welcome.

One patient remarked, “My family is the most important thing to me – seeing my granddaughter brightens my day. I have such wonderful memories of seaside holidays when my own children were small. Now, of course, they are grown up with families of their own. But they visit often. The staff always make them feel welcome, they even join in the activities and entertainment”

Moving into The Good Companions doesn’t mean having to stop doing things you love. They help customers to continue with favourite hobbies and activities and give them plenty of opportunities to try new things too. Their Activity Coordinators organise a wide variety of individual and group activities, entertainment and excursions. These are tailored around residents’ abilities, interests and personalities so there’s always something for everyone. Popular activities include reminiscing, singing, dancing, baking, floor games, and quizzes. Events might include film nights in our cinema room, dances, pampering sessions. The Good Companions are pro-active and lively members of the community and often play host to events such as fetes and local competitions. Visits from entertainers, schools and local choir and music clubs are always welcomed and residents benefit when we have visits from various animal visits. They even arrange excursions and entertainment away from the home. These include meals out, visits to local places of interest. As part of the activities even have “make a wish” and try to fulfil residents wishes wherever possible.

As Mark Newby observed “It’s our people who really make the difference…” At The Good Companions, when we employ new members of our care team, we’re just as interested in their caring, compassionate natures as we are in their qualifications and experience. After all, it’s those personal skills that are the difference between good and great care. A designated carer will help you to move in and settle into life at your new home. They and the rest of the team will spend time getting to know you, finding out about your likes and dislikes and ensuring you receive care in the way that suits you best. Every member of staff receives specialist dementia training to enable them to support best practice in dementia care. Staff are able provide empathetic and sensitive care and find simple and creative solutions to support residents to lead more fulfilled lives. We are committed to continually improving the care we provide for people living with dementia and our team includes a Head of Dementia care, facilitator in Best Practice in Dementia Care trainer and Dementia Champions.”

Further information about Good Companions, and Vacancies at the new New Residential Dementia Care Unit can be found at https://goodcompanions.net or call 016973 31553