On Wednesday 25th March, from 2pm-3.30pm, Care UK’s Sherwood Grange, on Robin Hood Lane, will be holding a special event as part of The Big Dementia Conversation, a nationwide initiative designed to show people how to better understand common symptoms and how it is possible to live well with the condition.
While awareness of dementia has improved, survey data from Care UK reveals families still face challenges when it comes to communicating with loved ones. Nearly four in ten people (39%) said they avoid visiting relatives with dementia because of how difficult it can be, and nearly all of those polled (93%) feel communication barriers prevent meaningful interaction.
To help address these challenges, Care UK has relaunched its Big Dementia Conversation for the third year running, encouraging practical support and greater understanding for families and communities.
The “Staying connected: A guide to dementia-friendly conversations” session at Sherwood Grange will be led by dementia expert Alison Butler. The event will explore practical ways to communicate more effectively with people living with dementia, while offering simple strategies to stay connected, reduce frustration, and create more meaningful moments in everyday life.
Malgo Wcislo, Home Manager at Sherwood Grange, said: “Since we first opened the doors to our care home, we’ve been committed to making Kingston Vale a more dementia-friendly place.
“We know it can feel daunting when a loved one is diagnosed, and families can find it challenging to communicate or provide support. That’s why we’re taking part in the Big Dementia Conversation: to offer practical advice and guidance that helps people communicate in ways that bring joy to loved ones living with dementia, while also enriching the experience for friends and family.
“We are looking forward to welcoming local people to our event and helping to build a community-wide support network.”
In addition to the event, the Kingston Vale community can explore a newly launched online advice hub, which features in-depth conversations with families of people living with dementia alongside expert advice from Care UK’s dementia specialists.
They can also obtain a free guide packed with practical tips to help relatives overcome communication barriers and interact more easily and confidently with loved ones living with dementia. To find out more, please visit careuk.com/bigdementiaconversation
For more information about Sherwood Grange and to book your place for the event, please call Customer Relations Manager, Paul Boyce at paul.boyce@careuk.com, call 020 4502 8956 or visit www.careuk.com/sherwood-grange.
Sherwood Grange has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The home provides full-time residential, dementia, respite, and end-of-life care. The state-of-the-art care home features a cinema, hair and beauty salon and café, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.