SCA is Finalist in Dementia Care Awards
SCA Group has reached the final of the National Dementia Care Awards 2011 for its dementia respite service at Fenwick2 in Lyndhurst.
Dementia Respite Services Manager Elena Prieto-Ruiz (below, middle) has reached the final shortlist in the Best Dementia Care Manager in a Community Setting category. She will attend a grand awards event on November 2 in Liverpool, where the winner will be announced.
The respite day care service allows people with early memory loss to take part in stimulating activities at Fenwick 2 Health and Well-being Centre and to socialise with other people. Their carers can also have some valuable time off, knowing that their loved ones will be well looked after. The service is now available three days a week.
Elena has been shortlisted due to her excellence as a care manager. As manager she ensures that an enjoyable and stimulating environment is created for the service users, through activities such as gentle exercise, art and crafts, reminiscence, music, puzzles, quizzes, outings or visits from specialists such as podiatrists.
However, people who attend the day centre are never forced to do activities they don’t want to do and efforts are always made to find out what they enjoy and what might interest them as individuals.
“I am very proud to be nominated on behalf of Fenwick2 and SCA Group,” said Elena. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the carers and the people who use the service, as well as the staff and volunteers. This service has expanded to meet a local need and is very much appreciated by the carers and service users who come here. The staff and volunteers can see the positive results of their efforts every day, and that’s very rewarding.”
