Home Instead UK enhances dementia training for staff by teaming up with Alzheimer's Society

To coincide with World Alzheimer's Month beginning 1 September, Home Instead UK has teamed up with Alzheimer’s Society to offer its employees a chance to train to become dementia care champions and support clients living with dementia in their communities.

The Alzheimer's Society training is in addition to Home Instead’s current City & Guilds Assured dementia training, which gives care professionals the skills and knowledge to deliver care tailored to people living with dementia.

Aligned with Tier 2 of Health Education England’s Dementia Training Standards Framework, the course meets the national standards for dementia training. Those undergoing the course will boost their awareness of issues such as how to respond to distressed behaviour and equality, diversity and inclusion in dementia care.

Tim Howell, learning and development partner at Home Instead UK says: “To expand the scope of training and education around caring for people living with dementia, we worked closely with Alzheimer’s Society, who have developed a fantastic bespoke learning experience aimed at our senior care professionals and key players.

“The enhanced skills and knowledge will further enable Home Instead to deliver the best quality care and support to our clients living with dementia.”

'Employees who undergo training will be beacons in the communities'

This course equips trainees with specialist skills and knowledge about dementia, which they can then share with Home Instead care professionals and further their ability to help people with dementia live well at home.

Right from the first communication with a client enquiry, the trainee will be able to make extra effort to ensure a smooth journey from the care consultation and care planning stage and beyond.

Trainees will put themselves in the shoes of people living with dementia, helping them empathise with clients as they understand the various symptoms and behaviours associated with dementia.

Martin Jones, chief executive of Home Instead UK, says: “We are delighted to be working alongside Alzheimer’s Society in bringing this training to our teams across the UK.

“We have made it a reality for our clients living with dementia to continue living at home, receiving the care crucial to their wellbeing. We wanted to take it further.

“Our employees who undergo this training will be beacons in the communities that they live and work in, showing people that specialist care is available to support those living with dementia and their families.”

'We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Home Instead'

World Alzheimer’s Month is an annual international event, always held in September and run by Alzheimer’s Disease International, (ADI).

The aim of the month is to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia. The event has been running since 2012, and 21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day.

Gabby Morris, senior partnerships executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Most people with dementia want to continue to live at home for as long as possible, so having quality home care is essential.

“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Home Instead to enhance the dementia-specific expertise of its staff through our tailored training.

"It’s great to know they are incredibly dedicated to helping some of the 100,000 people with dementia who choose to receive professional care at home.”

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