Informed by evidence-based practice and guided by an advisory board, KYN is committed to changing the entire landscape of dementia care, not just for our residents but for all those living with dementia.
KYN Dementia Lead
The KYN Dementia Lead is an essential part of the clinical team, responsible for ensuring residents' medical, physical, social and emotional needs are met. Their extensive knowledge and experience of working with people living with dementia means they can provide advice on symptoms and behaviours associated with the condition as well as therapeutic interventions, offering life-changing support to KYN residents and their families. They also provide information about the condition and specialist education and training to KYN team members.
Improving quality of life as dementia progresses
Residents living in a KYN home will be supported to maintain their wellbeing through a carefully curated programme of life enriching activities and artist residencies with a strong focus on maintaining links with friends and the local community. Please refer to KYN Life Enriching and Well-Being Strategy. KYN residents will also benefit from the following latest evidence-based practices that are proven to improve quality of life as dementia progresses:
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Music Therapy
Music can help to improve overall health and wellbeing, lower stress-related hormones, maintain cognitive health, and encourage social and communication skills and physical health through movement.
Musical interventions have been shown to improve general attention, cognition, memory, speech, and communication skills. Residents living with dementia in a KYN home will benefit from a rolling programme of music residencies led by professionally trained musicians. -
Namaste Care
There are many different approaches that have been proven to be effective in supporting people living with advanced dementia in a care home setting, including music and singing, the use of aromatherapy, doll therapy, animal therapy, massage, and touch. Namaste Care incorporates all these elements by providing a structured daily programme of interactions in a dedicated, comfortable space within a care home.
There is increasing research evidence suggesting that this approach results in a significant decrease in the symptoms of agitation, distress, depression, disengagement, and pain for people living with advanced dementia and an overall improvement in their quality of life.
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Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
CST is a fun programme of activity sessions which helps people with living dementia with communication, memory, and confidence. The sessions, which cover topics like food, current affairs, using money and word games, aim to stimulate and engage in an effective learning environment with the social benefits of being in a group.
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Reminiscence
Reminiscence activities help improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia and their carers. Reminiscence can give people a sense of competence and confidence through using a skill they still have. Many people living with dementia find themselves routinely having things done ‘for’ them or ‘to’ them. When a person shares something about their past and another person shows interest or enjoyment, it is a wonderful opportunity for that person to feel that they are the one who is giving something to another human being, rather than always being the one who is receiving or listening.
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Art Therapy
Art therapy has been found to have numerous benefits for people living with dementia. It is a proven method of soothing and empowering individuals living with dementia, providing them with an opportunity to be fully present in the moment without worrying about their past or future. In addition to the mental benefits, art therapy can also have physical benefits, such as improving manual dexterity and spatial awareness. Residents will be able to benefit from regular workshops led by professional artists trained in the art of therapy. These workshops will help strengthen their sense of self-worth and improve their overall wellbeing.
How we talk about people living with dementia
KYN is very passionate about language and ensuring that all residents living with dementia are treated in a way that ensures their dignity,
KYN commissioned Innovations in Dementia (iD) to collaborate with people living with dementia to create a comprehensive good practice guide on the words and images that are acceptable when talking about and writing about people living with dementia.
You can find out more, or download our guide by visiting the link below.