27 April 2009

It is estimated that there are over 700,000 dementia sufferers across the UK. Many are unable to cope and they and their families often believe that a move into a care home is the only choice.

In East Anglia a Suffolk based company, Christies Care, is making living at home a viable option for dementia sufferers and their families. This registered agency specialises in providing care assistants who live with the client full time. The company invests heavily in training and ensures that its care assistants are trained to understand and manage the needs of those who suffer from dementia.

Christies Care has over 80 clients with various stages of the illness who live in their own homes and have a care assistant 24 hours of the day.

Nicola Warner, managing director of Christies Care, says: “The option of live-in care allows people to stay in their own home in familiar surroundings, which is very comforting for dementia sufferers. We understand that caring for a client is a developing process and we are able to respond to changes in each client’s condition or wishes.”

Christies Care already runs a one-day introduction to dementia course for its care assistants and has developed a partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society to run a new, two-day workshop this year, which will enable care assistants to improve their skills in working with sufferers. Care assistants will be assessed on completion of the workshop and The Alzheimer’s Society will mark and accredit the examination paper.

Christies Care, which has clients across East Anglia, has full registration with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Around one third of its clients receive direct final support, with the remainder privately funding their own care. For more information about Christies Care, telephone 0844 477 6460 or visit www.christiescare.com