End of Life Care Service for People with Dementia Living in Care Homes in Walsall

Published to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week 2016 (9-16 May), this Housing LIN Case Study no 123 focuses on an innovative end of life care service in Walsall initiated through collaboration with Pathways 4 Life (partnership between the Accord Group and Age UK Walsall) and St Giles Walsall Hospice. The core service consists of two community-based Dementia Support Workers (DSWs) who work in care homes across Walsall in order to provide expertise, insight and knowledge to further improve dementia and end of life care. The DSWs strive to empower care home staff, people with dementia and their families through development sessions, support and guidance, along with a strong partnership working ethic. The DSWs use a range of evidence based tools, including the 'Namaste Care' approach, to advance a more holistic approach to dementia and care. This involves helping to create safe and relaxing spaces, and providing a broad spectrum of meaningful person-centred activities, some suitable for using with individuals even at the very end stages of their lives.