Dementia day care in Leighton Buzzard: Try a free taster session at this brand new centrally-located group
Whether you have dementia or are caring for a loved one with dementia there is some positive news for those in Leighton Buzzard.
Rainbow Care Group is a brand new day care organisation which puts the person with dementia at the heart of everything it does – whether that’s choosing activities for them to take part in or serving up their favourite meals for lunch.
And with a staff to client ratio of one to four people, and a dedicated support worker assigned to each client on day one, the owners say the level of care and attention is second-to-none.
The new venture is centrally located with good parking and public transport links and currently has vacancies to take on new clients, giving them expert support and stimulation and offering carers the chance for some time out to themselves.
Meet the owners
Anna Wiltshire and her husband Rich are the couple behind this new provision. Anna, who has had a career in the corporate world and Rich, who has run various charities for the last 10 years, were so impressed with the work of The Rainbow Care Group – the umbrella organisation – they jumped at the chance to buy a franchise and set up in Anna’s home town.
“What is really impressive is how the dementia patient is the most important person in the whole experience – it’s all about how we can tailor their care exactly to fulfil their likes and interests,” says Anna, who spent weeks training and observing at Rainbow Care’s day centres in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, where the parent company was set up a decade ago.
“There is a very high level of dementia training for all staff,” said Anna, who will be running the facility and working with clients and carers day-to-day.
“This is a pioneering person-centred approach and a new thing for this area. The Rainbow Care Group has been going for 10 years and has won many awards for its care. This allows us to mirror that award-winning approach here.”
Anna Wiltshire“We can really take our time to get to know the people we are working with. It becomes a family, and we will get to know the clients as well as possible. We will make sure all our activities are designed to support individuals with dementia in maintaining the best quality of life possible. If they like fish and chips for lunch or playing golf - we offer everyone the chance to do those things.”
Whilst setting up the franchise Anna’s own father developed signs of dementia and she says the training helped her enormously, and gave her an insight into life for carers.
“I was able to use my experience to make his last couple of months very different from what they would have been otherwise,” said Anna.
Respite for carers
Having quality day care from trained and experienced dementia care providers gives carers peace of mind, and they know they can leave their loved ones in safe hands and take a much-needed break from the physical and emotional responsibilities – whether that’s just having time to yourself, enjoying a coffee and catch up with a friend, attending their own appointments, or just enjoying being a parent or grandparent.
“We get to give the carer and the family some time off – six hours, twice a week – when they are not a carer and they can be just themselves.”
Anna says the stimulation of social interaction with other people and the activities organised at the centre also mean the clients are more ready for a rest at the end of the day – and it can really help reset their body clock and help them get a good night’s sleep.
About the club
The new day care provision is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 4pm and is held at Leighton Buzzard Town Cricket Club, Bell Close, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1RX.
This recently refurbished facility has outdoor and indoor spaces ideal for socialising and activities. Meals and snacks will be provided as well as activities throughout the day.
Free taster session
Information is collected on every potential new client in the form of an initial document ‘My Life Story’, to gather as much information as possible about the person who has dementia.
Anna says this helps build a picture of them, their likes and dislikes, their interests and experiences, so that their care can be uniquely tailored to them. Then they are invited to a free taster session. A record of what they have done, including Polaroid photos, will be given to the carer to take home, and they will have a full debrief on how the day has gone.
Anna says she hopes to see the business grow and to be able to offer more days to more clients, as demand arises.
To find out more visit the website here, or call Anna on 01525 649 986