About Dementia adventure
Dementia Adventure: Helping People with Dementia to Access the Wellbeing Benefits of the Outdoors and Nature
Dementia is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a progressive disease that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and emotions. As dementia progresses, it can become increasingly difficult for individuals to engage in activities they once enjoyed. This can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.
Dementia Adventure is a company that aims to help people with dementia access the wellbeing benefits of the outdoors and nature through supported holidays and training. The company was founded in 2009 by Lucy Harding, who has over 20 years' experience working in health and social care.
The idea behind Dementia Adventure came from Lucy's personal experience caring for her mother who had dementia. She noticed how much her mother enjoyed being outdoors and how it helped improve her mood and wellbeing. This led Lucy to explore ways in which she could help others with dementia access similar experiences.
Supported Holidays
One of the main services offered by Dementia Adventure is supported holidays. These are specially designed trips for people living with dementia, their families, friends or carers. The holidays are designed to be enjoyable, safe, stimulating and relaxing experiences that promote wellbeing.
The holidays take place in various locations across the UK as well as overseas destinations such as Spain or Italy. Each holiday has a specific theme such as walking or sailing which allows participants to engage in activities they enjoy while also benefiting from being outdoors.
All holidays are fully supported by trained staff who have experience working with people living with dementia. They provide practical support such as assistance with medication management or personal care needs while also facilitating social interaction between participants.
Training
In addition to supported holidays, Dementia Adventure also offers training courses for professionals working within health and social care settings such as care homes or hospitals.
The training courses aim to equip professionals with knowledge on how best to support individuals living with dementia when accessing the outdoors. This includes understanding the benefits of being outdoors, risk assessment, communication skills and practical tips on how to facilitate outdoor activities.
The training courses are delivered by experienced trainers who have a background in health and social care as well as outdoor education. They use a range of interactive methods such as group discussions, case studies and practical exercises to ensure participants gain a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Impact
Since its inception, Dementia Adventure has had a significant impact on the lives of people living with dementia. The company has supported over 2,000 people with dementia to access supported holidays or training courses.
Participants have reported feeling more confident and empowered after attending Dementia Adventure's services. They have also reported improvements in their mood and wellbeing which has had a positive impact on their overall quality of life.
Dementia Adventure's work has also been recognized by various organizations such as Alzheimer's Society who awarded them 'Innovative Dementia Care Award' in 2015.
Conclusion
Dementia Adventure is an innovative company that is making a real difference in the lives of people living with dementia. By providing access to supported holidays and training courses, they are helping individuals living with dementia to engage in activities they enjoy while also promoting their wellbeing.
Their work is not only beneficial for individuals living with dementia but also for their families, friends or carers who can benefit from respite care while participants attend supported holidays or training courses.
Overall, Dementia Adventure is an excellent example of how innovative approaches can be used to support individuals living with dementia while promoting their wellbeing.