About The ExtraCare Charitable Trust
The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is a registered charity since 1988. Our vision is better lives for older people and our mission is creating sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy and care if it’s needed. To deliver our vision and mission we essentially do three things:
· We develop new villages
· We operate villages and schemes
· We support our villages, schemes and our ‘extra-care’ model through fundraising, advocacy and research
Our villages and schemes each have 5 to 18 social, health and leisure facilities that are accessible to our residents, volunteers and local people representing all age groups living in surrounding communities. There are also three villages in development. Our Charity Shops help fund care and well-being services for older people living at our each of our locations. www.extracare.org.uk
How has The ExtraCare Charitable Trust improved dementia care in the UK?
Dementia Care
ExtraCare's award-winning Enriched Opportunities Programme® (EOP) supports residents living with dementia and common mental health conditions. The service started as a pioneering joint research project between ExtraCare and the University of Bradford which resulted in a programme of support in all ExtraCare housing schemes and villages.
Specialist Staff - EOP Locksmiths
The programme offers tailored support for residents living with dementia and common mental health issues, aiming to reduce the disabling impact of dementia and improve well-being. The programme is implemented through specially-trained support workers known as EOP Locksmiths®. ExtraCare’s EOP Lead Michael Spellman says: “They are called Locksmiths because they help to find the key, unlock people’s potential and unpick issues in their present experience of life.
“Quite often people who experience dementia also experience becoming a mystery to those around them, a mystery that advances as their condition does. A Locksmith is there to unpick the mystery and use what they learn to create better care and quality of life. Developing meaningful activity is a large part of that, but most of all not forgetting to have fun.”
Award-winning Research
ExtraCare’s pioneering work in supporting people with dementia was researched extensively by Bradford University and recognised at the National Charity Awards, Laing and Buisson Healthcare Awards and UK Housing Awards.
The research established that: Residents in the programme were half as likely to need to relocate to nursing homes.Residents were much less likely to feel depressed, and they rated their quality of life as significantly better.
There was a trend towards improved cognitive functioning with thinking, reasoning and understanding skills remaining intact for a longer. The study showed that some of the behaviours associated with dementia that are often seen as a normal consequence of the disease process, are in fact challenges that can be tackled and minimised.
For full research results, click here.Aging & Mental Health Journal: EOP articleRead the National Audit Office's report on the Enriched Opportunities Programme®.
The Programme at Work
One resident with dementia who had serious nutritional problems and was underweight made excellent progress following support from the EOP Locksmith®. The Locksmith was able to spend time with the lady, encouraging her to eat by identifying foods she previously enjoyed, looking at other options such as 'finger foods' and regular snacks and spending time with her during meals, allowing her to take her own time. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is a member of the Dementia Action Alliance
What has been your greatest achievement to date? And were there any measurable outcomes that accompanied this achievement?
Carrying out the research and then putting the EOP programme into action across all locations has meant residents can in the main live in their home even with a dementia for the remainder of their lives. We aim to provide a home for life, so the programme does provide reassurance for residents and their families. It is not always possible depending on the dementia and the presentation, but we feel Locksmiths and the work they do provide reassurance and help with day to day living. The number of residents who do have to move on to more specialist providers / nursing homes is very low at around 2%.
How many organisations/clients currently utilise the service/solution across the UK?
Over 4000 residents can access our service along with their families and carers. We now have two community Locksmiths in the Coventry area and one in Solihull helping older people with dementia to stay in their own homes, or to retain as much independence as possible for as long as possible.
Is there anything you would like to make delegates aware of ahead of the Dementia 2020 conference on 30th April?
See below – the latest research findings that will be launching in March 2019.
What do you feel are the key points delegates need to digest when considering a partnership with The ExtraCare Charitable Trust?
We are a charity, and are able to provide dementia services alongside the well-being programme due to our charitable funding of these services. We are keen to work with other partners, charities or organisations to develop what we do. Our latest research report into our model (Integrated Housing, Care and Support – measureable outcomes for healthy ageing) is available on our website – www.extracare.org.uk We have other health professionals, including Baroness Greengross talking about our model and the difference we make, as well as case studies from our residents.
If you would like to learn more about The ExtraCare Charitable Trust please visit https://www.extracare.org.uk/
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