Person centred care developed with University assistance

A leading provider of care for the elderly in the region, Burlington Care Homes, is implementing a move to person-centred care with the assistance of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

Burlington Care Homes has been providing a professional care service for the elderly and those with mental disorders, such as dementia, in three residential homes in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes for over 20 years. Now, it has enlisted the help of the KTP programme to develop its services into complete person-centred care.

Craig Smith, Group Director of Finance, of Rochmills Group of Companies which owns Burlington Care Homes explains:

"Care homes are generally very good at catering for residents' physical needs but not necessarily their psychological needs. Research has shown that through active stimulation and by focusing on relationships a person's life becomes more meaningful and the effects of dementia reduced.

"Over the next two years we will be conducting 'dementia care mapping' so that the individual needs of our residents are assessed, and meaningful activities that can keep residents physically and mentally active are identified. These will then be incorporated into their daily programme by our carers and the residents' relatives encouraged to continue the activities during their visits.

"Through the KTP we have engaged Amrita Patil who will be managing the process of change in our homes and moving us towards our ultimate aim of being recognised as a leader in this kind of care provision."

KTP programmes are available UK-wide and enable businesses and organisations to access knowledge and skills within academic institutions to improve their competitiveness and productivity. Recent graduates are recruited to work on a high priority project and are then supported by an academic who brings valuable experience.

The primary academic for the project is Adrian Newman, Senior Lecturer in Elderly Nursing Health, School of Health, at The University of Northampton.

Adrian said:

"Statistics predict that in the next 20 years over a million people in the UK will have dementia so it is becoming increasingly important to find the best possible way to care for sufferers.

"Burlington Care Homes are embracing new techniques and, with the help of the KTP, are embedding them in their business to make the future care for dementia sufferers as stimulating and interactive as possible."

There are opportunities for a KTP partnership through The University of Northampton for businesses, not-for-profit and other value driven organisations including social enterprises, charities, co-operatives and mutuals.