Rachel McMillan. Photo by Chris Bull.
St Ann’s Hospice in Greater Manchester has launched a brand new service for people with dementia and their families.
The innovative Dementia Café is a new monthly drop-in service which organisers hope will be a helpful resource for people in the local community with dementia and those who support them.
Forming part of the hospice’s brand new Being You Centre, the Dementia Café aims to help people with dementia enjoy life activities for as long as possible, enable them to meet others in a similar situation and aid them in adjusting to changes in their personal circumstances. Visitors will also have the opportunity to talk to a dementia specialist nurse if they wish.
The hospice team have worked closely with NHS Pennine Care dementia specialists to deliver the new service. Rachel McMillan, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Clinical Services at St Ann’s said: “It’s exciting that the Being You Centre team at the hospice have been able to develop this service to help us to better serve patients with dementia in our local communities.
“As a hospice, we’re constantly trying to broaden our reach to ensure that as many people who could benefit from our care can do so. This latest initiative is something I’m really looking forward to seeing progress and grow over time, and it will hopefully provide a much-needed additional resource for people with dementia and their loved ones.”
“We’re creating a calm, welcoming space, where people can take time out, have some refreshments, and benefit from a range of services. As well as being able to get to know other people with dementia and their families, visitors can take part in art and craft activities, such as creating memory boxes, with our specialist team. There will also be quiet areas and break out rooms if people need some time to themselves and they will even be able to have a massage from our complementary therapist if they wish.”
Last year, thanks to funding from Health Education England, St Ann’s worked with Springhill Hospice to deliver a special lecture series to hundreds of healthcare professionals, focussing on the provision of palliative and end of life care for vulnerable populations, including people with dementia, those with mental health problems, those who are homeless, in prison, have learning disabilities, or are transgender. They also looked at ways to better engage BME populations with hospice care, as well as travelling families and those with long-term conditions.
Rachel added: “As experts in specialist palliative and end of life care, hospices are perfectly placed to offer training, advice, and other support to professionals. By continuing to break down barriers, build relationships, and reach out further than ever into our local communities, there’s a real opportunity for us to continue to lead the way in ensuring people across the UK, whatever their background, are able to receive the very best, specialist care at a time they need it most.”
For more information visit St Ann’s Hospice
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