This film series was made possible through the generous support and cooperation of the care settings featured, for which the production team is very grateful. For clarity, the NHS does not promote or recommend individual care homes.
Introducing: a new series of training films for dementia carers
This introductory film explains the background to an innovative series of lived-experience training films about working in residential care. Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board has collaborated with the University of Gloucestershire and eHealth Digital Media to create a series of training films aimed at delivering insight into life in residential care from the perspective of the residents, the carers, family members and friends. The films demonstrate valuable skills and share examples of best practice in a real world situation.
Does this person have a dementia?
Family and friends
This film explores how it feels to be a family member or friend of a person living with a dementia in residential care. We hear about the complex emotional feelings that are involved and learn about ways to support people in their relationships with a person in a care home or sheltered housing.
What do I say?
This film is full of information about how to get started which is incredibly useful for everyone whether a family member or someone working in care. If you are a carer you need to watch this before your first shift! If you can make these habits part of your practice and share them with others then you will feel more confident and people in your care will feel better understood and supported. Watch mindfully as not EVERYTHING you will see is perfect all the time – life is not like that – listen to the best practice and watch to see is delivering the best possible care.
Meaning, Home
What do I do?
Unmet need, Care home, Hallucination
Responding to distress
This film is based on a situation that unfolded in the night when one of the residents thinks he is on a sinking ferry. The team reflect on how they handled it and in doing so share some important learning about how to respond to people when they are distressed – and you are not sure what is going on.
Supporting eating and drinking
IMPORTANT: if the person you are supporting is showing difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing (this could include coughing or choking during mealtimes) discuss with your GP and ask for a referral to a speech and language therapist. Remember that dining rooms should be calm spaces – try to reduce the number of staff members standing around to give people the best chance to concentrate on their meal.
Supporting complexities
IMPORTANT: At the start of this film you will see someone fall over. We warn you, before it happens, to look away if you think you will find it too distressing. There are different types of equipment available that can help monitor people who may be at risk of falling. However, these devices only work well if: they are chosen specifically to meet the individual’s needs, are reviewed regularly to see that they are still meeting that need, are comfortable and acceptable to that individual and are easy to use. Talk to your team leader, an occupational therapist or consult your dementia education team to find out more about the options available and be aware of working with the person in your care to find a solution that is comfortable and acceptable to them.
Choice, Respect form, Personal care
Meaningful engagement
In this film we learn about the benefits of meaningful activities and what can work to bring joy to the people in your care and their families. Importantly it shows you how to look out for those who might be overwhelmed by too much going on so that you can be aware of their needs too.
Resilience for carers
This film acknowledges the pressures on carers and suggests ways of looking after yourself. One of the key ways to do that is to develop your skills and expertise to the benefit of both you, your team and the people in your care. Below the films on this webpage you will find a range of resources that offer further support.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the development of this series of ten training films. Over the past two years, the creation of these films has been a collaborative effort involving the invaluable input of people living with a dementia, families and the dedication of staff at Wentworth Court and Hanover Court. We hope the films will provide a meaningful resource to those working in dementia care and/or supporting people who are living with a dementia, including family carers.
The aim of the films is to provide a series of practical tools that support proactive, personalised care. We’ve worked hard to showcase examples of best practice in real-life settings; these are authentic scenarios. If you’re using the films in a training environment, we encourage you to reflect on what represents best practice and consider if improvements could be made or done differently.
Gloucestershire Support Services
National Support Services
If you are accessing these films nationally and have been impacted by any of the content in the films, you can reach out to the following national organisations. There will also be local support services for people affected by dementia in your area: