The team here at The Beeches Residential Home are trialling a new uniform: their pyjamas!
Our home, based in the village of Ixworth, is trialling an initiative with the aim of providing a visual cue to residents. Our hope is that it shows it’s time for bed, helping our community to settle happily for the evening.
For many individuals living with dementia, it can be confusing and disorientating to get ready for bed or wake in the middle of the night and see our care staff working. So, by wearing our nightclothes, we hope it will remind our residents that is it night time, helping them get back to sleep.
Bev Shave, Deputy Manager here at The Beeches Residential Home, commented:
“Many of our residents living with the later stages of dementia. We, therefore, appreciate how confusing it must be to get ready for bed when a care worker is in a day-time uniform.
“Many individuals with dementia regularly struggle with sleep deprivation. This then leads to irritability and mood swings the next day, along with a lack of energy. We’re hoping that this trial will reduce their stress at bedtime and help them feel more at ease about going to bed.
“The quality of life for our residents is of the utmost importance to us. So, by improving sleeping patterns, we’re hoping to increase the happiness of our residents.”
Dementia is an illness caused by damage to the brain by other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Symptoms often include memory loss and difficulties with problem-solving or thinking. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, around 850,000 people are living with dementia in the UK.
The Beeches Residential Home is a specialist dementia care home. We have been rated as Good across all areas of operation (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led) by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Recently, our home has expanded the building with a ten-bed extension, with all rooms fitted with modern furnishings and en-suite bathrooms.
For more information on The Beeches Residential Home, or to take a look around, please call 01359 230773 or visit our contact page.