The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a research report on good practice in dementia care.
Commissioned as part of the care watchdog’s dementia strategy, the good practice in health and social care services when caring for people living with a type of dementia review was conducted by IFF Research in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.
Researchers reviewed good practice published by UK and worldwide universities and organisations in health and social care which support people with dementia.
They also conducted 3 discussion groups with experts, other regulators of health and social care and people with lived experience of dementia or of caring for someone with dementia.
Ensure people have a good experience of dementia care
The report identifies areas of good practice which are vital for ensuring people have a good experience of care. These include:
- Care plans should be co-developed with people with dementia and their carers and families, not made for them
- Social interaction and structured, meaningful and inclusive activities are essential for supporting wellbeing and reducing symptoms of dementia
- Opportunities to feel part of a community allowed people to continue exercising choice and control in their lives
- Supporting people to keep doing things that were important to them in smaller-scale, homelike settings helped maintain a strong sense of ‘home’
- Where possible, its important to respect people’s preferences to be supported by individuals who can speak their first language and relate to them culturally, as this helps maintain trust, identity and a sense of belonging
The findings from this latest review will be used alongside the CQC’s Health and social care support for people with dementia report, published last year, to develop the CQC’s dementia strategy.
The care watchdog will also speak to people with lived experience, charities and support organisations, stakeholders with dementia expertise and the government to develop the strategy. This is in line with the immediate recommendations on dementia made recently by the Casey Commission.
The CQC will also work to co-produce guidance for providers on how to best care for people with dementia throughout health and social care services. This work will begin in autumn 2026.
Improve dementia care and support with training
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
Their diverse portfolio includes training awards specially designed for health and social care workers, such as Dementia Awareness, Safeguarding Adults, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support, Dignity in Care and many others.
Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, mandatory training awards, clinical skills, special focus courses and training for supervisors and managers.
A Trainer at FRT, says:
“Around 900,000 people in the UK are affected by dementia and researchers anticipate that this will increase to 1.6 million people by 2040.
“There is currently no cure for the disease but there are treatments available to help manage symptoms and lots of specialist support for people and their families.
“Early dementia diagnosis is key to enable individuals to make preparations for their future and because starting treatments as soon as possible can help to slow deterioration over time. It also enables family and friends to access support and helpful resources.
“Training in dementia awareness is key for all individuals working in health and social care and can help ensure that care provided for people is safe, effective, compassionate, person-centred and dignified.”
Key signs and symptoms of dementia can include:
- Memory loss
- Disorientation
- Poor concentration
- Mood changes
- Self-neglect
- Weight loss
- Perception changes
- Sensory loss
- Depression
- Incontinence
- Behavioural changes
- Repetitive behaviours
- Communication difficulties
For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.