Caring Homes’ Dementia Trainer Hosts ‘Understanding Dementia’ Workshop For Local Community

Earlier this month, Castle View Care Home hosted a Dementia Awareness Workshop for friends, neighbours and colleagues from the local community, led by Caring Homes’ dedicated dementia trainer Chris Elsley.

Specialist Dementia Training Adapted for Relatives, Neighbours and Local Colleagues

Chris delivers training to team members across all 21 of the group’s care homes. As well as providing tailored sessions for staff, Chris also holds workshops for members of the local community near each home – whether healthcare professionals, friends or family of those living with dementia, or anyone who simply wants greater understanding of how dementia can affect lives.

Not only did Chris travel from the UK to Castle View Care Home in Peel, she had also made time for an interview with Manx Radio the week before where she described her role with Caring Homes and what she hopes to achieve by hosting dementia workshops for the community alongside the work she does with Caring Homes’ teams. Chris’s radio appearance boosted interest in an event that was already booking up fast. The evening event was so popular – with 24 attendees confirmed – Chris held an additional session the following morning.

Well-Attended Session Offers Insight and Practical Advice

The evening began with a warm welcome from the Castle View team as guests were offered drinks and the chance to mingle and chat. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, perfect for open conversations around the subject of dementia. Attendees included relatives of Castle View, professionals from Nobles Hospital, two psychotherapists, representatives from a local homecare company, as well as individual guests and couples who were looking after family members at home.

The ‘Understanding Dementia’ workshop is designed to provide valuable insight into dementia and also to offer practical advice. Chris guided participants through key topics, including the different types of dementia, early signs and symptoms, effective communication strategies, and the importance of creating a supportive environment. Living with dementia was also brought to life more practically, as attendees took part in activities designed to go some way towards recreating how dementia can manifest itself physically.

Interactive Workshop Includes Hands-On Experiences

The highly interactive session included hands-on experiences using special headphones and glasses designed to help people better understand some of the challenges faced by those living with dementia. It was an eye-opening and powerful part of the evening.

After the workshop, everyone enjoyed a lovely spread of cheese and biscuits, fruit and cakes - time that gave everyone the opportunity to reflect on and chat about what they’d experienced. The Castle View team also shared information about their regular monthly Dementia Cafe and weekly Friendship and Craft Café – both designed as drop in events to give support, information and a friendly, welcoming space to members of the local community.

Positive Feedback on “Informative, Thought Provoking, Educational and Inspiring” Session

Feedback from participants after Chris’s workshop was overwhelmingly positive. The psychotherapists said the training was a great help as they hadn’t always considered the effect of dementia progression when looking at someone's mental health. A couple of guests found it helpful to be able to wear the glasses Chris provided to get a perspective of what it is like for their partners who are living with macular degeneration.

A few days later, Rodney emailed Chris to say how informative the workshop had been and that she had presented a difficult subject in an easy-to-understand format. He added “It is now with hindsight that we understand the changes that were occurring in our mother over the last few years which we thought were out of character and confusing. Moving forward I can appreciate the hard road that lies before us and thanks to your workshop we may be able to anticipate the issues that Mum will face in the future”.

Rachel and Tom also contacted Chris with thanks, describing the workshop as informative and thought-provoking, and continuing to say, “Your expertise and compassionate approach made a deep impression on us both. You provided a clear and empathetic overview of the challenges faced by individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, and your insights into practical strategies were especially valuable. It was both educational and inspiring, we have never known two hours pass so quickly & was very much an eye-opener for us”.

Castle View Home Manager, Sam, summed up the impact of Chris’s sessions – for both Caring Homes team members, and guests to the Understanding Dementia workshops across the UK and beyond:

“Chris is an absolutely fantastic trainer. She has a real gift for making dementia awareness accessible and meaningful. These workshops were a great reminder of how important understanding and empathy are in supporting those living with dementia.”

Welcome to Castle View Nursing Home

Castle View Nursing Home on the Isle of Man has landscaped grounds with stunning views over the hills and down to the sea, located on the outskirts of the picturesque city of Peel on the island’s west coast. At our Peel care home, you’ll find first-class facilities with exciting activities and plenty of places to relax or entertain. Residents and families make the most of our location to browse in the local shops and have lunch in the cafes and cosy pubs.