ReConnect with Dementia

People living with cognitive difficulties can very quickly become disconnected from everything that was once familiar, and those living with dementia, as well as their loved ones, need to be supported to continue to enjoy living their familiar and established lives. Recognising this, Avery Healthcare has launched ReConnect, a comprehensive organisation-wide approach to dementia care.

The Avery ReConnect strategy utilises the very best evidence-based guidance available, drawing on the work of leaders in the field of dementia care, including the late Professor Tom Kitwood, acknowledged both nationally and internationally as one of the pioneers of contemporary person-centred dementia care; he demonstrated that regardless of the level of cognitive difficulties, it was always essential to remember the person before their dementia.

ReConnect is comprised of five key elements which support the delivery and ongoing development of excellent dementia care at Avery: building relationships; supporting families; skilled staff teams; evidence-based care; measuring outcomes that combine to encompass every aspect of a resident’s life in an Avery Care Home.

Jo Crossland, Head of Dementia Care, comments, “ReConnect provides thorough and accessible information plus guidance for all staff on delivering high-quality, evidence-based dementia care in practice. A bespoke 5-stage Training Pathway ensures that all Avery care teams have the skills and knowledge they require to support residents living with dementia. Importantly, a bespoke Audit Tool measures and evaluates the quality of memory care in Avery homes, with accompanying resources supporting the managers and staff to continually reflect on and develop their person-centred dementia care practice.”