Caring for someone with early-stage dementia is a profound act of love. But it can also be emotionally and physically draining. You might find yourself juggling appointments, managing medications, and providing constant companionship and all while trying to maintain your own well-being.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. You may ask yourself, “Am I doing enough?” or “How can I find time for myself without compromising their care?”
At Tapestry Day Club, the carers of our guests are equally as important to us as providing an engaging and stimulating day to our guests. We know that for a carer to relax and enjoy some respite, it has to be in the knowledge that their loved one is being supported and cared for with compassion and respect.
Feeling anxious about leaving your loved one alone
Worrying about their loneliness or isolation
Struggling to find time for work, errands, or rest
Needing support you can truly trust
Our club days provide invaluable time for our guests’ carers and families to recharge, knowing their loved ones are in safe and compassionate hands. We believe that supporting the carers of our guests, all of whom are living with dementia, is crucial. Carers often face challenges such as managing behavioural changes, navigating health systems, and balancing their own needs with their caregiving responsibilities. Our day, between 4½-5½ hours (depending if transport is provided), can help towards providing some valuable respite.
Each new guest receives a home visit from our trained staff, including a two-hour pre-assessment, risk and needs evaluation and personalised support planning. The main objective of the assessment is to capture our guests’ life stories, family, former occupation, hobbies, interests and dietaries. Nothing medical is noted unless it impacts on the day or any financial details. Family carers are actively involved throughout the assessment to ensure their concerns are heard and they receive appropriate guidance and reassurance.
Guests are then invited to attend a welcome day in the home of a trained Host to build familiarity and confidence before regular attendance begins. Our small-group, home-based model allows us to tailor each day around guests’ personalities, medical needs, and interests – building trust and comfort from day one.
We also recognise that the needs of our guests and their carers and families often extend beyond the hours of our club days. To ensure a comprehensive and supportive experience, we:
The safety of our guests and their hosts is paramount and we want to assure all carers that we take it seriously. We have a detailed Safeguarding Policy and reporting system.
Hosts are carefully selected individuals who welcome guests into their homes. All hosts are required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and receive extensive training, including Emergency at Work First Aid, Food Safety Level II, Safeguarding Adults, Awareness of Mental Health, Dementia, and Learning Disabilities, Moving and Assisting of People and attend the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness course.
A host’s home must have a downstairs toilet, easy access, and be thoroughly risk-assessed. Hosts also need a full driving license and a five-door car for transport.
For our guests, we conduct a comprehensive Guest Assessment and Risk Assessment is completed prior to joining the service.
Our Risk assessment covers nine areas: signs of abuse and exploitation; eating and drinking; daytime medication; orientation and wandering; moving and handling; allergies; personal care; mobility; and behavioural changes.
The outcomes of the risk assessment determine the review frequency, which can be monthly to three-monthly or every six months.
Unfortunately we cannot offer the day service to anyone who falls into the high-risk category based on the assessment.
We also carry both full Public and Employer Liability.
“Tapestry Day Club normalises something that is not normal. I have a day to feel like I can cope, that everything is normal. My husband has his day, happy and active, and I have mine. Sadly, it doesn’t last long
enough, but for a brief moment, it feels like the old days.”
A carer explains some of the benefits of Tapestry Day Club for both himself and his wife.
