With only 29% of care home staff having received any dementia training, Trevor Salomon thanks his lucky stars that the care home he chose understood his wife Yvonne’s condition.

Before her diagnosis, my wife Yvonne astonished everyone with her ability to do anything she set her mind to.

She was an amazing cook and hostess, and our house was always full of family and friends. She loved gardening and especially weeding the borders, taking pride in immaculate flower beds. There was little or nothing she couldn’t make or repair on her sewing machine.

It was 2013 when we finally received confirmation of young onset Alzheimer’s. By that point, Yvonne’s capabilities had dramatically declined so we simply switched roles. She became my sous chef, and I took over most of the gardening. I confess, though, that I never did get my head around sewing and interlock machines.

In 2019, Yvonne needed full-time care. Having Yvonne in a good care home is one thing I don’t have to worry about, they pride themselves on specialist dementia care staff with specific dementia training. The care home staff knew straight away that being only 63, Yvonne would have capabilities and needs different to other residents. They took time to ask what her hobbies and interests were and treated her as an individual – which is essential in my view.

On day one when I handed over responsibility for Yvonne’s care to the care home they took her straight out to the local pet store to buy bird feeders. She told them which ones to buy and they made a huge fuss of her. As Yvonne also loved cooking and gardening, they baked with her and asked her to help in the garden.

From day one, she loved the home. She never once asked why she was there or why she wasn’t leaving with me after a visit. I hope this proves that, fortuitously, we got the timing spot-on, and I made the right decision.

Today I joined broadcaster and journalist, Angela Rippon CBE, and others affected by dementia, at a special Alzheimer’s Society event in Westminster, calling on the Government to make dementia training mandatory for the social care workforce.

Everyone should have the experience Yvonne was given. A person-centric approach, which recognises the symptoms of dementia, and helps the individual thrive in the best way they can. Without staff with an understanding of dementia, I dread to think how different her experience could have been…and mine too.

Dara de Burca, Executive Director of Dementia Support and Partnerships for Alzheimer’s Society said:
“Dementia is a progressive and complex condition. People with dementia need and deserve personalised care which enhances their quality of life and supports their wellbeing.

“Care staff make a difference to people’s lives every day so it’s alarming that only 29% have received any dementia training. We wouldn’t expect a midwife to deliver a baby without any training, but we expect care staff to provide high-quality care for people with dementia without the appropriate training.

“We all want the best possible care for the people we love. Our research shows investing dementia training reaps significant benefits and is cost-effective. It can reduce agitation in people with dementia, cut emergency admissions and GP visits, and decrease the use of antipsychotic drugs.

“Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time, costing the UK £42 billion per year, but it isn’t the priority it should be amongst decision makers. We’re calling on the governments to take urgent steps to improve dementia care by making dementia training mandatory for the social care workforce.”

Angela Rippon CBE, broadcaster and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador said:

“I was a carer for my late mum, Edna, who lived with vascular dementia. After mum’s diagnosis, I saw the difference the right care and understanding of dementia can make. It helped to preserve Mum’s dignity, made her feel loved and that she was still a valued part of our family.

I’ve seen first-hand how dementia changes a person’s behaviour. When Mum was diagnosed, she became agoraphobic, angry and aggressive; she had a complete change in character. I learnt not to take it personally; it was dementia speaking, not my mum. But it so clearly showed me the importance of dementia training – how the right attitude towards an understanding of dementia can truly revolutionise and transform care.”

To download the dementia training report, or to campaign with Alzheimer’s Society, visit alzheimers.org.uk