Residents and the caring team at our care home have collectively walked 297 miles to raise funds for the charity Younger People with Dementia.
The number of miles poignantly represents one mile for every estimated person living with Young Onset Dementia in Surrey Heath, with an estimated additional 50% remaining undiagnosed. The figure gave Claremont Court care home a powerful target, inspiring us to complete the distance and raise more than £800 to support those affected and their families.
Our specialist dementia care home in Harts Gardens has 57 ensuite bedrooms and caters exclusively for people living with advanced and complex dementia.
Resident Terry Ryan, 79, who moved into our home two years ago, has been amongst those taking part in the challenge.
“I enjoy going for walks,” he said. “This has been a lot of fun.”
Alongside our dementia specialism, Claremont Court offers residential, nursing, respite and compassionate end-of-life care, and has been led by qualified dementia interpreter Karen Byres since 2014.
She said: “We came up with the idea of this challenge because we strongly believe in the importance of engagement, compassion, personalised routines that promote dignity and wellbeing, and creating opportunities for our residents to remain active and connected.
“Some of our residents may have only been able to manage a few steps, but every step has been a valuable contribution. This challenge has been about inclusion, participation and celebrating every achievement, no matter how small.
“We understand the unique challenges that come with a dementia diagnosis, whether that’s in younger people or those with complex needs, so the charity’s work really resonated with us.”
Claremont Court is proud of our strong community connections and this charity partnership is just one example. Residents’ friends, family members and loved ones have all joined in with the challenge.
“Having families and loved ones join in has created more opportunities to spend quality time together, which is important to us” Karen explained. “We understand that all behaviour is a form of communication and not all communication is about words. We know how much our residents have enjoyed the challenge because the enjoyment on their faces and their smiles during the walks says it all.”
The challenge has not only raised vital funds for families affected by Young Onset Dementia but has also helped raise awareness that the condition affects adults aged 65 years and under, with symptoms sometimes developing in people’s 30s, 40s or 50s. Their needs are very different to those who are diagnosed in later life.
“We wanted to acknowledge the number of younger people living with dementia in Surrey and support them in a way that would also involve our residents,” said lifestyles coordinator, Sofia Montoya Smith, who has relished the ‘Walk for Change’ challenge.
“We support our residents to live with purpose, and this challenge has enabled the older generation to give something back to the younger generation through a cause that means so much to them. We are incredibly proud to have made a difference and we have made every mile count.”
Amy Pagan, marketing, fundraising and social media lead at Younger People with Dementia, said: “We are so grateful to everyone at Claremont Court for embracing this challenge with such enthusiasm. Their partnership means so much to us, and their support is helping us continue to provide life-changing activities and support for families affected by young onset dementia.”
Claremont Court is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and holds platinum accreditation with the Gold Standards Framework for end-of-life care. Last year, the home won the Best Specialist Care – Dementia category at the National Care Home Awards. This year, it was a finalist in the Dementia Registered Manager category at the Dementia Care Awards and for the Palliative Care Team Award at The Palliative & End of Life Care Awards.
The month-long challenge began on the 1 July, with walks taking place everywhere from the home’s gardens to local beauty spots reached on the home’s minibus.
“Knowing each resident’s history and preferences gives us a deeper understanding and helps us tailor our care to their complex needs,” Karen said. “A lot of our residents grew up in the Guildford area, so they have loved walking around the ponds and especially visiting the Refresh Café, where we are well known.
“I’m so proud of our residents, their families, friends, loved ones and the team for all their efforts in raising money for such an amazing cause. We are also grateful to everyone who has helped and donated. As a specialist dementia care home, we know the importance of increasing understanding, breaking down stigma and supporting people living with dementia, whatever their age.”