Jackie Pool, Director of Memory Care at Sunrise Senior Living UK is an occupational therapist specialising in dementia. With over 30 years’ experience, Jackie is at the forefront of her field in designing solutions for dementia care that put the person first. Jackie recently took part in a three-part video series for Sunrise. In the second instalment, Jackie did a ‘brain tour’, where she spoke about the importance of understanding memory care. Jackie began by defining dementia, and by using a memory game she calls ‘the brain game’, she exemplified how someone with impaired memory might have di ..read more

Sunrise of Bassett residents participated in the “Seeds of Change” competition. The competition was initiated by Michael and Janice Hawkins, owners of a local Home Care Removal company. At the beginning of the UK Lockdown in mid-March, Home Care Removals sent a pack of sunflower seeds to local care homes. The competition was to see who could grow the best sunflowers over the spring and summer months. Gosia Sokolska, Activities Coordinator at Sunrise of Bassett assisted residents with planting the seeds and over the past few months they have all been taking great care of the sunflower. Resident ..read more

Jackie Pool, Director of Memory Care at Sunrise Senior Living UK is an occupational therapist specialising in dementia. With over 30 years’ experience, Jackie is at the forefront of her field in designing solutions for dementia care that put the person first. Jackie recently took part in a three-part video series for Sunrise. In the first video she talks about the importance of personhood when caring for someone living with dementia and ensuring they live well with the condition. Jackie explained that to provide the best dementia care, you must explore and respect the essence and uniqueness of ..read more

People nearing the end of life will often experience common physical and emotional symptoms, regardless of their condition. Understanding and recognising these end of life symptoms can help caregivers and relatives to comfort the person, ease pain, and emotionally prepare for the end of their loved one’s life. Physical changes in end stages of life: 1. Increase in sleep The person may experience increased tiredness and desire to sleep. 2. Cold to touch Their skin may feel cool to touch, it may also appear mottled. Keeping the person warm with extra blankets may help to comfort them. 3. Loss of ..read more

Sunrise of Fleet use expert methods and advice to help the residents living in their Memory Care Neighbourhood. They now use ‘Therapy Dolls, also known as empathy dolls; these have many benefits to those with impaired memory. The dolls are made by Swedish Company ‘Rubens Barn’, founded by Ewa Jerenskog in 1996. Ewa wanted to develop empathy dolls that had character, and charisma, that children and adults alike could develop a connection with through the expressive faces on the dolls. They are all made by hand and take about 100 steps to make. The dolls faces are sculpted in soft fabric, for a ..read more

Jackie Pool, world-renowned dementia specialist and Director of Memory Care at Sunrise Senior Living UK, gives us her top tips on speaking to someone living with dementia about Coronavirus: Many families will be faced with the new challenge of helping someone living with dementia through this difficult time. Avoid scaring the person but do explain in simple terms that there is a new illness, and to stop us catching or spreading the virus, the law says that everyone must stay at home. Avoid talking about future arrangements and timescales as the person might not ..read more

Many people are feeling understandably anxious and helpless with the Covid-19 outbreak. People are very worried in particular about older friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more at risk of contracting the virus. Below are some steps you can take to help members of your own family, friends and people in your local community who may need your support. 1. Try to be positive and calm Although this is an unprecedented time, you do not want to panic others. Listen to and follow government advice and try to look after your own mental health as well as helping others. Trying to remain positi ..read more

A Winchester dance group have spread joy in a local care home after sending in video messages to residents at Sunrise of Winchester. The local dance group, Intergr8, responded to a request by Sunrise of Winchester on social media for letters and pictures from children in the community. After recording a series of messages of their students, the studio sent in a montage video to the care home. Intergr8 have also promised to come to Sunrise of Winchester to perform a dance once the current crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has passed. Speaking of the messages, Dawn Sanders, Director of C ..read more

The outbreak of the coronavirus means many older people are choosing to protect their wellbeing by temporarily self-isolating. It is really important to look after your mental health and keep connected with others when doing so. Keeping yourself busy is a great way to maintain your mental health. Here are our top tips for staying busy when self-isolating: Write a diary to keep track of your thoughts, mood and inspiration: Writing in a journal is something many find extremely cathartic, there is also a variety of ways to do this. Some find writing a daily journal of things they are grateful for ..read more

Anyone who has ever owned a pet will know the awesome power of their company. For most, it often feels as if even the gloomiest of days can be perked up by the unconditional love of a loyal family pet. Yet are these supposed positive effects backed-up by scientific research or is it just another urban myth? And, if there are proven benefits, can pet therapy be used to support care of older people? The facts The science is in: pets DO have the power to make us healthier, happier and more content in our lives. What’s more, research has proven that pet therapy, the treatment that uses animal i ..read more