Sheffield care home uses ancient healing techniques to support residents living with dementia
Heeley residential care home Valley Wood is using the techniques of ancient healing systems to support residents who are living with dementia.
Valley Wood, one of the nine homes operated across the city by charity Sheffcare, has opened a new facility, the Namaste Room, created specifically to enhance relaxation and wellbeing.
“Our new room is a calm, welcoming space on the ground floor which opens out onto a peaceful garden space and is ideal for small groups or one-to-one engagement, although activities can also take place in residents’ own rooms,” said Valley Wood manager Louise Crocker.
“Sessions celebrate positive touch in a peaceful setting, offering soft music, gentle lighting, soothing aromas, sensory items and hand massage, all designed to awaken the senses and encourage connection and communication.”
Valley Wood was only recently given platinum status by the National Dementia Care Accreditation Scheme.
The National Dementia Care Accreditation Scheme (NaDCAS) was developed to recognise excellence and drive improvements in dementia care and platinum is its highest accolade.
Sheffcare Director of Quality and Care Louise Beaumont said: “Dementia care is an increasingly important part of the services provided by Sheffcare and is absolutely central to everything we do at Valley Wood, our first home dedicated entirely to this specialist area.
“The launch of our Namaste Room shows the many imaginative approaches that our team are taking to supporting people who live with dementia.
“The work that is being done at Valley Wood also helps us to improve care at all our homes across the city and I am certain we will see projects similar to the Namaste Room being launched at our other sites.”