How do you promote meaningful engagement and connection for the people in your care? Tell us about it at #IDC2026...
When Ron* was admitted into residential care last year, after more than 15 placement rejections, there was one immediate action the care staff took that wouldn’t appear on any admission procedures list.
They shaved off his beard and restored the handlebar moustache he’d worn for most of his adult life.
Someone had seen who he used to be – who he still was – and gave that back to him.
Whole person care – that’s the whole point, isn’t it?
We know that by focusing on the person and fostering a relationship-based care environment, we can have a significant impact on quality of life and health outcomes for people living with dementia.
Taking the time to get to know the person and understand their life story and background has many benefits.
It helps us engage with them on a deeper level and understand how different factors may be affecting them, for better or worse.
When we understand a person’s interests, needs and preferences we can introduce activities that promote connection, serving to enhance emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of anxiety or isolation.
What’s holding you back?
The challenges faced in residential care are all too familiar, ranging from communication and language barriers among staff, to time pressure and high staff turnover.
How are you overcoming these?
We want to hear your innovative and creative approaches to instilling a deep culture of relationship-based care, as well as the impact the changes make.
And what are you doing to recruit, retain and uplift a workforce that is empowered and inspired to deliver this care?
Person-centred or relationship-based care, meaningful engagement, and training, retaining, growing and supporting your workforce are just a few of the themes you can submit a paper under at the International Dementia Conference 2026.
