Dementia Care
Our approach
Around 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. We know that behind that number are hundreds of thousands of individual stories, each one different. What unites them is the need to feel understood, valued and at home.
That's why we take the time to get to know each person. Their history, their routines, the things that bring them comfort or make them smile. We build our care around who someone is, not just what they need. And we design our homes to support independence: clear signage, familiar colours and thoughtful layouts that help people feel confident in their surroundings.
We focus on what people can do. Always.
At OSJCT, our compassionate dementia care philosophy focuses on creating a supportive, understanding, and engaging environment for residents to live well.
My Mum has advanced dementia and has lived at Watersmead for 4 years. She is well cared for and all the staff I have had contact with are friendly and helpful. The home has a lovely feel about it. I am kept up-to-date with any issues, however minor and I am very happy with the care provided.
Daughter of Resident, Watersmead, Westbury
Our Admiral Nurses
Our commitment to providing exceptional dementia care is exemplified by our Admiral Nurses. We invite you to take a look at this informative video to discover more about the invaluable role our Admiral Nurses play.
We're proud to be one of only a small number of care providers in the country to directly employ our own Admiral Nurses, specialist dementia nurses trained and supported by Dementia UK.
These specialist dementia nurses offer expert practical and emotional support to families affected by dementia, working tirelessly alongside them from diagnosis to end-of-life care. They are a vital resource, providing tailored advice and guidance to improve the quality of life for both the person living with dementia, their caregivers and our employees.
For families, this matters enormously. Our Admiral Nurses offer something beyond day-to-day care: genuine expertise, a steady presence and the kind of guidance that helps families feel less alone in what can be an overwhelming journey.
They provide skilled assessments to ensure both residents and families receive the appropriate dementia care, emotional guidance and practical advice, alongside dedicated groups for relatives and members of the local community. They also offer expert mentorship for our wider care teams and lead our dementia training pathway, some of which is endorsed by Dementia UK.
Supporting our teams
Every member of our team receives dementia training, because understanding dementia really does change the way you care for someone.
Each of our homes has a dedicated Dementia Lead, responsible for keeping colleagues informed, championing best practice and sharing learnings from specialist workshops with our Admiral Nurses. Some of our homes specialise in supporting people living with advanced dementia, led by managers with deep expertise in this area.
The dementia wing at Coombe End Court (Pearl), where my wife is a resident, has a wonderfully friendly and welcoming atmosphere as does the whole care home. The team on Pearl are consistently kind, gentle, and attentive, with nothing ever feeling like too much trouble for those in their care. The management team at Coombe End Court are highly skilled and dedicated, always putting residents first and ensuring that families are kept fully informed about their loved ones. Overall, I am absolutely delighted with the care my wife receives at Coombe End Court.
Husband of Resident, Coombe End Court, Marlborough
Life in our homes
We believe that a fulfilling life doesn't stop at the front door. Our homes are places where people continue to live: baking, gardening, creating and chatting, with support that fits quietly around them rather than taking over.
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Familiar activities and living skills - From making a sandwich to hanging out the washing, we encourage residents to keep doing the things they've always done. Staying active in small, meaningful ways supports both wellbeing and identity.
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Creative and sensory experiences - Arts and crafts, sensory areas with lights, textures and colours and interactive magic tables that encourage movement, engagement and connection.
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Comfort and attachment - We encourage the use of comfort objects: beloved blankets, soft toys and familiar things that bring reassurance. We also use PARO therapeutic seals, social robots designed to provide gentle, calming interaction.
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Animals and nature - Our homes often welcome animals such as donkeys, alpacas, dogs, and other gentle creatures bringing joy, stimulation, and a sense of calm to our residents. Animal‑assisted interactions can be especially meaningful for older adults and those living with dementia, as they help reduce distress, ease feelings of loneliness, and spark positive memories.
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Designed to feel familiar - Our homes include small, household-style living spaces so residents can enjoy visiting familiar faces each day. Many feature themed areas, from an old-fashioned tearoom to an indoor potting shed or a beach-inspired corner, designed to feel welcoming and spark fond memories. Residents are encouraged to bring the things that matter most to them: a favourite cushion, treasured photographs and the objects that make a room feel like theirs.
Dementia care resources
We've developed a range of resources to help residents, families and professionals understand our approach and find the support they need.
Stories from our homes
Jill.
When Jill’s husband moved into an OSJCT home, she found herself at a loss and feeling lonely. Watch the video below to find out more about our dementia-specialist Admiral Nurses and how they supported Jill through her new chapter.
Rachel.
Rachel’s Mum now lives at The Larkrise Care Centre, where the entire family benefits from the home’s sensory room, an enriching environment that helps them all navigate dementia together.
Find a dementia care home near you
Call us on: 0800 988 8133
Frequently asked questions about dementia care
Families often have many questions when exploring dementia care for a loved one. Understanding how care works, what daily life might look like and how families remain involved can help bring reassurance during what can feel like a difficult decision.
Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions about dementia care, how our homes support residents and what families can expect when someone moves into an OSJCT community.
Understanding dementia care
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Dementia care focuses on supporting people living with dementia to maintain their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. It involves understanding each person’s needs, routines and life story so care can be tailored to them as an individual.
At OSJCT, this approach is supported through Life Story work, where care teams take time to learn about a resident’s background, interests, experiences and people that have shaped their life. Understanding someone’s life story helps colleagues provide more personalised care, create familiar routines and ensure residents feel comfortable, valued and at home.
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Dementia care requires specialist knowledge and an environment designed to support memory, orientation and confidence. This includes trained teams, clear signage, supportive layouts and meaningful activities that help people stay connected to their abilities and interests.
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Care is centred around each individual. Teams take the time to understand each person’s life story, preferences and routines so they can tailor care plans that reflect who they are, not just the support they need.
Information from Life Story work helps shape daily life within the home, from meaningful activities and familiar routines to supportive environments designed to help residents feel comfortable and confident. By focusing on what people can still enjoy and take part in, care teams help residents maintain a sense of purpose, connection and wellbeing.
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Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses supported by Dementia UK. They provide expert guidance, practical guidance and emotional support to residents, families and care teams.
OSJCT is proud to employ its own Admiral Nurse team. Across the care home sector, there are relatively few Admiral Nurses working directly within care provider organisations, and five of those specialists work at OSJCT. This means families have direct access to compassionate and informed dementia expertise all throughout their care journey with us.
Moving into a dementia care home
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Families often begin considering residential care when daily support needs increase or when it becomes difficult to provide consistent care at home. Speaking with care professionals can help families understand their options and make informed decisions about the next steps.
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Many people live safely at home with the right support. However, as dementia progresses, additional care and supervision may be needed to ensure wellbeing and safety.
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Moving into a care home can be a big change, especially for an individual living with dementia. Care teams spend time getting to know each resident before and after they move in. Understanding their life experiences, routines and interests helps create a familiar environment and smoother transition.
Daily life and personalised care
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Care plans are developed by getting to know each resident as an individual. Teams take time to understand a person’s life story, preferences, routines and interests so that care reflects who they are and what matters most to them.
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Activities are designed around residents’ interests, abilities and life experiences. These may include creative activities, gardening, music, baking or other familiar daily routines that help residents stay active and connected to the things they enjoy and bring them joy. For residents in the later stages of dementia, activities and meaningful occupation focus on the senses. The aim is to encourage connection, enjoyment and a sense of purpose.
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Residents are supported during mealtimes and care teams aim to understand individual preferences and routines so that mealtimes remain comfortable and enjoyable. This includes dietary requirements due to health conditions, faith or just preferences.
Mealtimes can also be a challenging time for many older people, especially those living with dementia who may experience dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). These challenges can impact their safety, dignity, and general wellbeing.
To address this, our care team has received training in eating, drinking, and swallowing. This specialised knowledge equips them with the skills and confidence necessary to effectively identify and manage difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing.
Staff training and support
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At OSJCT, we also have our own learning and development advisors that support the Trust's dementia training pathway.
This training is mandatory for all care employees and includes training such as dementia risk reduction and prevention, communication, interaction and behaviour in dementia care as well as living with dementia and promoting independence. Some of the dementia training pathway is endorsed by Dementia UK and is facilitated by our Admiral Nurses. Each home also has a Dementia Lead who helps ensure colleagues stay up to date with the latest learning and best practice in dementia care.
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Residents benefit from being supported by familiar team members who get to know their routines, preferences and life stories. This helps residents feel more comfortable and reassured in their daily lives.
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Care teams are trained to understand how dementia can affect a person’s emotions and behaviour. When someone becomes distressed or confused, colleagues focus on understanding the possible cause, offering reassurance and adapting support to help the resident feel calm, understood and safe.
Safety and the care environment
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OSJCT homes aim to provide environments that feel safe, supportive and comfortable for residents. The design of the home and support provided by care teams helps residents move around confidently while ensuring their wellbeing is protected.
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Yes. Homes are designed with dementia-friendly features such as clear signage, colour cues and visual prompts that help residents find their way around more easily and feel confident in their surroundings.