Quality of Care for Dementia Patients: Beechlands Care Home, London

This report presents a study on the quality of care provided to dementia patients at Beechlands Care Home in London. The research includes an introduction to dementia, its causes, and the impact on patients. The study's aims, objectives, and research questions are outlined, focusing on assessing the care provided, maintaining quality, and identifying areas for improvement. A literature review explores different types of dementia care, quality maintenance strategies, and measures to enhance care services. The methodology section details the study location, research design, participants, and data analysis methods. The findings highlight the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The discussion section analyzes the results, focusing on sustaining care quality, potential improvements, limitations, and recommendations. The report emphasizes the importance of effective techniques, innovative technology, and staff training to provide appropriate medical facilities and psychological support for dementia patients. The study concludes with recommendations for future research and improved care practices, providing valuable insights into enhancing the quality of life for dementia patients.

Quality of care for dementia patients: A study of
Beechlands Care Home, London

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................2
1.1................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Motivation for the study........................................................................................................3
1.3 Research aims and objectives................................................................................................4
1.3.1 Aim of the study.................................................................................................................4
1.3.2 Research objectives............................................................................................................4
1.3.3 Research questions.............................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................5
2.2 The type of care given to dementia patient...........................................................................5
2.3 How quality of care can be maintained for dementia patients..............................................7
2.4 The measures that can be taken to improved quality of care................................................8
CHAPTER 3: METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION................................................................10
3.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................10
3.2 Study location......................................................................................................................10
3.3 Research design...................................................................................................................10
3.5 Study participants and sample.............................................................................................11
3.7 Questions.............................................................................................................................11
3.8 Data analysis.......................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS.............................................................................................................14
4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.............................................................14
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION.........................................................................................................19
5.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................19
5.3 Sustaining the quality of care provided to patients.............................................................19
5.4 Measures that could improve quality of care for dementia patients...................................19

5.5 Limitations of study............................................................................................................20
5.6 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................20
5.7 Recommendations...............................................................................................................20
5.8 Future research....................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................25

ABSTRACT
Dementia is any decrease in knowledge that is essentially adequate to interfere with
independent daily functioning of an individual. Quality of care needs to be given to patients
suffering from dementia including care given by the caseworkers, doctors and nurses. The aim of
this study was to assess the quality of care for dementia patients in the UK. Data were collected
using in-depth interviews with dementia patients and their relatives to generate information on
the quality of care received from care homes. The results includes that effective technique and
methods are required to be applied by care professionals along with adopting new and innovative
technology to deliver appropriate medical facilities for well-being of patients. However,
technical support is effective to help patient with dementia to overcome with their psychological
problem. It is essential for management of hospitals to provide training for professionals and
follow guidelines of quality maintenance in proper manner.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Dementia is a kind of mental disorder which include the degradation of behaviour,
thinking, memory and all the day to day ability and capacity to engage in everyday role and
activity (Lai and et. al., 2017). Though, it has been observed that the ability of retaining the
memory is mostly affected. The power of problem solving and fluency in language also gets
hampered (Cipriani and et. al., 2017). Alzheimer has been considered as the most frequent cause
of dementia and affects the active neuron of the brain, which actually aids in gaining and
retaining memory. It results when certain type of protein gets accumulated and in turn prevents
the active and healthy brain cells to work and interact with one another. The brain part especially
hippocampus, has been considered as the main centre for focussing and learning. The most
common and early signs and symptoms of dementia are disorientation in time and place,
misplacing things, problem in communication and language, difficulty in performing easiest task
and sudden change in mood and behaviour.
Depending on the type and part of brain cells affected; the stages and type of dementia may
vary. The damaged Dementia is any decrease in knowledge that is essentially adequate to
interfere with independent, daily functioning. This is caused by primary neurologic,
neuropsychiatric and some medical conditions. The region of the brain particularly hippocampus,
has been considered as the chief centre for concentration and learning. All the types of dementia
start with damaging one or some other brain cells thus, memory loss is the foremost indication
(Beer, 2017).
It has been shown that the number of people with dementia is increasing yearly (Mueller
and et. al., 2017). Such types of dementia can be progressive and their symptoms may vary from
normal to severe one depending upon the condition of the patients. Thereby, cognitive,
psychological, muscular, mood, emotional and behavioural state of mind and body is affected
which obstruct and hinder the completion of daily activities. Due to this, constant, effective and
planned care should be provided to the sufferer or assist them in performing the necessary and
essential day to day life activities. This study was therefore, undertaken to generate information
on the quality of care provided to dementia patients in Beechlands Care Home, London.

1.1
Beechlands Care Home is located in London which is a private residential care service
home that is operated and managed by South End Care. The main purpose and goal of
Beechlands is to assist and provide a care centre to people’s loved ones suffering from any kind
of disorder. The care centre provides safe, happy and secure environment to patients so that they
feel homely and get better while receiving treatment in the care home (Bail and Grealish, 2016).
They operate and work according to the policies and standards of CQC to provide high quality
care and services. A team of general physicians, rehabilitation psychologist, geriatric
psychiatrist, physiotherapist, nurses and trained social workers and caregivers ensures that every
case is diagnosed and addressed to generate planned and appropriately made care plan, that is
accessible (Bolt and et. al., 2016). The dedicated team constantly monitor and come around to
check and get reviews on the current condition. The caregivers undergo prior training and special
care programs before they get posted or provided with regular and basic module so that they
perform each function professionally while giving patients full care.
The progressive and chronic syndrome may be caused by combination of various injuries
and diseases that basically affects the brain either primarily or secondarily. The affects of
dementia may vary from person to person depending upon the type of dementia and the stages.
During the early stage it has been observed that forgetfulness and becoming lost in often familiar
places are common (Digby and et. al., 2017). The middle stage symptoms become more
restricted which include, becoming lost at home, high trouble in interacting, experiencing
behavior change with frequent and continuous questions. The late stage marks with complete
inactivity as well as dependency of an individual over a helper because they face difficulty in
recognizing the relatives and family members at this stage and also become unaware of the place
and time.
1.2 Motivation for the study
It has been analysed from the past few years that the patients distressing from the
dementia are not provided with the proper care or attention which is required to make their life
less miserable and help them in attaining their memory (Noel, Kaluzynski and Templeton, 2017),
it has been observed that there is a lack of care in many care homes, service centres and even in

medical centres (Collet and et. al., 2018). The poor condition and state of sufferers is the
motivator for this study.
1.3 Research aims and objectives
1.3.1 Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of care needs of dementia patients resident
in Beechlands Care Home in London.
1.3.2 Research objectives
 To investigation the type of care provided to dementia patient.
 To evaluate how better quality care can be maintained.
 To recommend measures that can be taken to improved quality of care.
1.3.3 Research questions
 What type of care is provided to people suffering from dementia?
 How can a better quality of care can be maintained for dementia patients?
 What measures can be taken to improve quality of care provided for dementia patients?

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
In context of this chapter, a literature review will be carry out on the basis of objectives
established for this investigation. It includes to gather related information which are given by
views of different authors bases on their own studies and researches. However, it will primarily
focus on the types of care services delivered to those patients who were suffering from problem
pf dementia. It will also consist the effective ways of maintaining quality of facilities provide to
dementia patients. The information about efficient measures that can be taken by care
professionals in terms of improving care services related to patients with dementia is given
below.
2.2 The type of care given to dementia patient
The Beechlands organisation provides high quality services with safe, homely and caring
environment. This organisation basically provide services to aged people including those with
dementia. According to Brook (2019), they provide and fulfil the needs according to the patient's
perspective. There are many conditions that cause symptoms of dementia such as vitamin
deficiencies, short-term memory and thyroid problems. The people who are suffering from
dementia need quality care. The Beechlands organisation provide high quality services with
safe, homely and caring environment. This organisation basically provide their services to the
dementia old age people. It has been analysed that different types of care is based on the
differentiated symptoms and causes of patients suffering from dementia according to which
effective treatment can be provided. Meanwhile, it is very important to conduct proper diagnosis
of specific type of dementia along with its specific cause individually which leads to separate
behavioural symptoms (Herr, Zwakhalen and Swafford, 2017). It will facilitate to establish an
effective care plan with appropriate interventions in order to improve their psychological
condition. Specific and efficient clinical methods are required to be deliver for reducing the
behavioural symptoms of patients and enhance their quality of life as well as well being.
Basically, there are different types of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's
disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and many more. These all mental problems are
differentiated on the basis of their symptoms and causes according to which different treatments

are required to solve them. It is necessary for care professionals to generate the trust factor with
the dementia people and create a mutual understanding which helps to engage in social activities
for establishing social relationship. It will impact positively on the mental health condition and
facilitate to increase speed of recovery. The care providers need to be patience and show full
level of interest towards dementia people. Meanwhile, the people with dementia need extra care
as the increase in their disease cause them less able to take care of themselves (Nakanishi and et.
al., 2017). The caregivers need to prompt for dementia people. In addition to this, the care which
is to be given to the dementia people is must be sensitive and accordance to the person's ability.
With the lack of these, the person can feel unpleasant and threatening can be occur. The
providers are to secure the person feelings to reduce them from discomfit.
Care providers need to be patient with dementia people. So the care providers need to
improve the pain and treat by routine check-up as people with dementia need extra care as their
conditions could cause them less able to take care of themselves. Moreover, providers should
give proper diet and fluid, a proper and regular exercise to prevent them from having
constipation (Heßmann and et. al., 2016). The affects of dementia may vary from one individual
to another individual depending upon the stages and type of the dementia the person is suffering
from. The folks who are tormenting from dementia are required to present care very keenly and
effectively which help in making the condition of such patients stabilise.
According to Beth Logan. (2019), the dementia people have higher risk of falling so the
service providers of organisation provide high quality of services such as well-arranged quality
rooms. So that the risk of falling can be minimised. However, they also provide high quality
bathrooms and toilets to avoid the risk of infection. Moreover, the organisation also provides lot
of activities in their daily routine from which the dementia people can maintain and memorize
their daily needs. They also build such regular activities so that the old people can communicate
with each other. Additionally, these organisation ensure that their services should be free from
physical restraints as it can affect them both physically and emotionally. Furthermore, the
providers provide all types of needs including environmental, physical and emotional needs
(Dale and Helton, 2018).

2.3 How quality of care can be maintained for dementia patients
If the person with dementia achieve appropriate environment, they can live gratifying
lives for many years after diagnosis. Stevenson (2019) states that they are blessed and less liable
to anger or displaying worrying action.
Quality of care for Dementia patients can be maintained in several ways such as-
Help the person with dementia feel safe and comfortable-
Beechlands Care Home can help patients to adapt in homes and adjust their daily routines
so that they are safe. They can help reduce the frustration people with dementia do express due to
their condition. The Beechlands Care Home"in London is a comfortable and suitable care home
for older citizens with dementia in order to become well-being. They provide effective treatment,
medicines along with peaceful environment to them which improve quality of care facilities as
well as patient outcomes.
As per the views of Steiner (2019), the company uses suited mode to talk to dementia
patients so that they understand them.
Provide a relaxed environment and emotional support
Beechlands Care Home do provide instrumental music, traditional songs, lighting
incenses, and erecting small alters for worship.
On the basis of opinion provided by Penhale (2018), dementia person who are
affectionate of pets may respond well to pet medical care. It is also called animal aided therapy.
Some experts say that this can support them because the unconditional love a pet gives can be
very accomplishing and comfortable with dementia patient.
Add meaningful activities
An Individual with dementia has led helpful, active lives before the dementia. The
reduction of their abilities could make them feel worthless and useless. In Beechlands Care
Home, they select activities to be performed by dementia patients based on the state of the
disease, for example-
spreading clothes to dry, or picking them up and folding them, removing stones from
pulses or rice, shelling peanuts, making colourful art, helping in the garden, rolling out dough for
sweets, helping children with their craft projects, walking a pet, re-arranging photos in albums
etc. There are some things included that in context of The Beechlands Care Home are

instrumental music, traditional songs, instrumental music, lightning incenses, a small alter for
worship. These activities are favourable to improve mental condition of patients.
Spend time relaxing with them and talking to them
The care workers frequently blank out to spend time with loved ones who are suffering
from dementia. There are several ways that can be effective in terms of improving condition of
such patients having problem of dementia like the family can spend time together. Meanwhile,
some of other similar measures are mentioned here. Initially, it includes listening to old music
and talking about favourite songs (Häusler and et. al., 2016). However, it consists of watching
old movies together and sharing anecdotes from the past. Moreover, it is also beneficial to look
again to family albums or re-arranging photos in them.
2.4 The measures that can be taken to improved quality of care
As the symptoms and signs of the disease are so severe and complex, constant support
and attention have to be provided. Though, many care homes are there that provide care
measures should be designed in such a manner that they can improve the quality of care more
accurately and sensitively (Sarabia-Cobo and et. al., 2016).
The crucial measures which has to be taken by family members
The family members and the people around the patient should be well aware about their
condition and what medicines they should provide to them at the time of any mental episode. As
per the views of Arons et.al., (2016) the more the family members learn about the state and
condition of patient more stress and frustration is reduced. During the early stage, the loved ones
should provide support in such a way that the patient can become more self-dependent. The
quality of care can be maintained by comforting the patient, adding meaningful and fun activities
in their routine, interacting with them on daily basis. Such measures and support quality can be
improved and the quality can be enhanced by understanding the role of family members in
patients life and by updating the skills and knowledge of the care providers so that they can
handle any situation professionally and give care to such folks immensely.
Upgraded function of caregivers
The caregivers of Beechlands Care Home in London should update their skills by engaging
in different workshops and programs to make their practice more authenticate and reliable. They
should read books on how to understand the mind-set of dementia patient to comfort them during

their distress time. They should also get enrolled into online training resources and data to
understand the new way of handling the patients and to get an idea about how the disease is
progressing which in turn could assist in improving way care is provided to patients. The
caregivers should adapt different relaxation techniques for overcoming the behavioural changes
and mood swings of dementia patients (Mueller and et. al., 2017). The techniques like interacting
face to face with each other and making them perform meditation and yoga in fresh air helps in
combating stress and making them breath smoothly which could boost their mood.
Moreover, it has been observed that use of close-ended question when interacting with
patients can easily be answered by straight no or yes. Though, according to Andersson et. al.,
(2017) such measures help patient to give appropriate and correct answer. Open ended question
comes with many answer options which make the individual confuse and they get irritated,
perhaps that could be the reason for growing stress and frustration among them (McKenzie and
Brown, 2017). The service providers of Beechlands Care should find different ways to say the
same things more kindly and clearer way so that they get a lucid picture of what is being said.
Repetition is important as patient keeps forgetting the things which were said and taught,
therefore, frequent repetition is required in most creative and innovative way tot help in retaining
the memory (Goren et. al., 2016). Indulging patients in senior centres and engaging them in adult
day care programs may enhance their sensory experiences and help them in becoming more
social and stimulated, such measure makes them active and rejuvenated for a long period of time.