Boutique Care Homes has hosted a community session on the importance of supporting people living with dementia at its Surrey-based The Burlington care home.

The Dementia Friends session covered topics including the signs and symptoms of dementia, communication strategies, and the different ways that dementia affects people. It was led by Alison Hesketh, a Dementia Ambassador and director of TimeFinders, which supports older people to live more manageably. Participants learned about the small things that people can do to make a difference.

Dementia Friends is a national initiative, set up by the Alzheimer’s Society, that aims to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.

Kirsty Ford, admissions manager at The Burlington, said: “The information session was an important step in educating our community on the small things they can do to make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia.”

Emma Dudhee, home manager at The Burlington, added: “It was amazing to see the enthusiasm of the participants and their willingness to learn about dementia care. We believe that educating the community on dementia is crucial, and events like these play a vital role in raising awareness.”