Most people are walking not wandering. They are usually walking to communicate something such as that they may be in pain/ bored/ lonely/ frustrated or maybe they just want some exercise. People tend not to wander once they settle in at Reflections because they are kept busy and empowered to still do things. They feel wanted and if they still want a walk one of our team will walk with them.

Yes, according to our medication policies and procedures.

Firstly our centre is nurse led. All the team have health and social care qualifications or are working towards them. All the team have had specialist dementia training using the QCF Dementia Units. We are fortunate that one of our non-executive directors is an approved trainer for the Alzheimer’s society. We also use lots of E Learning resources including the Dementia Gateway.  All of our team have been trained in Safe Guarding of Vulnerable Adults and the Mental Capacity Act plus Conflict Resolution etc. We have an extremely comprehensive library of policies and procedures linked into the Essential Safety/ Quality Standards as laid down by the CQC.

All volunteers are given induction training using the units developed by Skills For Care. All have had Health and Safety training including Safe Handling of People & Manual Handling, Infection Control and Safe handling Of Medicines.

On our initial assessment we will find out any special dietary needs that you have and our cook will ensure that these needs are met.

The family dog is only around if people like dogs. She has her special place if we have guests who are allergic to or frightened of dogs.

Our activities are very much based on what people enjoy/ past interests etc.
We have a varied program which includes formal activities i.e. outside entertainers/ practitioners booked in.

Here is a list of what can happen:

• Reminiscence therapy
• Art/ Crafts
• Music/ dance/ movement
• Gentle exercise
• Cooking
• Community outings
• Poetry
• Quizzes/word searches
• Life Story work
• Flower arranging
• Pottering in the shed for the men
• Computer games/exercise
• Digital reminiscence therapy
• Photography
• Themed days
• Sing-alongs
• Tea Dances
• Looking after chickens etc.
• Board games/dominoes/cards
• Pub trips
• Tai Chi on the lawn

People can attend as many times as they choose. On average most people attend a minimum of twice a week to take full advantage of the benefits for living healthier and also for carer respite.

Our standard cost for daycare is £61.20 per day.

We charge also £7 for a cooked lunch. Usually, people using personal budgets managed by the local authority pay for their lunch privately.

For people with severe dementia or who need one to one sessions, we do individual assessments and these costs are usually met by the NHS Continuing Care or a health budget.

Transport can be arranged by your social care officer or funded privately.

People can be referred through: 

• Self-referral
• Your social care officer
• Your GP
• Or any other health care professional

Reflections can support most people living with dementia from early diagnosis through to the later stages.
We would also like to add that it is important that people with dementia be encouraged to attend centres like Reflections as early as possible from the point of diagnosis and not to wait for a crisis. This is for several reasons:

• The therapy that Reflections provides helps people live well with their dementia for longer
• Being part of a family unit, engaging in meaningful activities, feeling valued and wanted all helps delay deterioration
• Trained staff are able to detect sudden deliriums which could be caused by urine infections etc.
• People with dementia and their carers can find carer attachment/ separation quite a problem but by attending our centre this can be alleviated which of course is of great benefit to everyone involved with the care.

At present there are no requirements for day care services to register. However Reflections still complies with the Essential Quality and Safety standards just as if it was registered.

Reflections Wigan’s board of directors is formulated by two executive directors and a non-executive director who is a chair of reflections and is a local businessman.

Reflections is a Community Interest Company which is a not for profit social enterprise. In many ways, a CIC runs the same as any other business as it has to cover its overheads etc. but the difference is the way that any profit generated is used. Any surplus monies have to be reinvested back into the company and the community that it serves. An example of this in practice was Reflections SW setting up a community tea dance which provided, free of charge, a weekly gathering in the local community attended by people with dementia, carers, friends and other interested local residents. A CIC can also apply for grants e.g. Awards For All.

Reflections provide its services from large family homes, as far away from institutionalism as possible, creating a family atmosphere. People with dementia do not like the thought of attending a daycare centre so Reflections uses the terms day club/ social club/ activity centre. Reflections use the principles of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy throughout the day. The staff are paid well and enjoy their work and become part of the “family unit” too. Reflections values all the people it comes into contact with, people with dementia, their carers and our staff plus all our community visitors and the kettle is always on…