" "

Q&A with… Cora Wilkie

How did you get involved in dementia care?

As a social psychologist I have always been interested in Ageing. I find it a challenging stage in life and I admire people who can deal with it in a creative and encouraging way. I realized, through personal experience in my family, that Dementia is another level of complexity within Ageing and I felt drawn to working and developing in this area of Ageing.

What do you love most about working for Atlas?

I like Atlas because it has a very good working atmosphere. Atlas offers a person centred and small group experience for its members and as a facilitator I work in a flexible and very supportive work place.

Tell me a memory that makes you smile when you’ve been working at Atlas

When I see members engaging and enjoying their day. When one of them who seems disconnected engages in a conversation or simply smiles at me or anyone in the room. This is why I love the song: When you are smiling!

What does a typical day look like for you at Atlas?

It’s being aware of member’s needs and accompanying them to have a good day, while engaging in different types of stimulation. Usually morning outings with lots of conversation going on, and after very enjoyable meals, afternoons which offer focused therapy in a fun environment.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Present moment, wonderful moment!

How would your family and friends describe you in 3 words?

Sociable, creative and insightful!
Follow us on Facebook for more of our latest updates from Atlas.

Q&A with… Kate Bath

We caught up with our Specialist Coach, Kate Bath to ask her a quick fire Q&A…

How did you get involved in dementia care?

I originally got into Dementia care when I was working as a carer in the community. I found I had a particular connection with those who were suffering with the disease, particularly the advanced individuals. Working with them in their own homes, seeing the struggles they faced in their day to day lives gave me great insight into the disease, and created a strong passion within me to help make their lives better, in any way I could.

What do you love most about working for Atlas?

My favourite thing about working for Atlas is Jonathan’s and my colleagues’ drive to deliver incredibly beneficial therapies across the country. It feels amazing to work alongside colleagues who show such passion to improve the lives of those living with dementia, to be part of something that you can see making a difference, it’s the greatest job in the world and I’ve never felt happier in my career.

Tell me a memory that makes you smile when you’ve been working at Atlas

My favourite memory from my time so far at Atlas is when I overheard a group of members discussing how amazing it felt for them to attend the centre and how it made each of them feel like a respected human being in society, and to not be treated like someone with memory problems. They mentioned that for the few hours of the day they attended, they forgot about their diagnosis and just had fun, and went home happy, for me personally I don’t think there’s a sweeter memory, or higher credit to those I work with, than that.

What does a typical day look like for you at Atlas?

I am privileged to work in a few of our hubs at atlas which means my typical day varies quite a bit, which I love. It often includes morning meetings to discuss any changes of clients, what the plan for the day is, what members I have in my sessions, logistics etc. We are also currently in the process of opening two additional centres one which i will manage so some of my time is spent preparing for the opening.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Breathe

How would your family and friends describe you in 3 words?

Full of life, supportive and funny.
Follow us on Facebook for more of our latest updates from Ness Care Group.

Q&A with… Jade Barlow

We sat down with our Manager & Specialist Coach, Jade Barlow for a quick tea break and asked her some questions about working for Atlas, her dementia experience and her mantra in life…

How did you get involved in dementia care?

I studied Health & Social care at college and I had to find a placement, I was offered a space at The Croft residential home in Newton Abbot, this is an E.M.I setting. Throughout my time here I learned a lot and gained so much experience I enjoyed it so much I was offered a permanent position alongside studying.

What do you love most about working for Atlas?

I have been with Atlas from the start, I have watched us grow and seen us through some tough times. However, working for Atlas has been my most favourite experience. Jonathan’s ability to create such an amazing & unique clinic has inspired me to help make us the BEST, that’s what i love most!

Tell me a memory that makes you smile when you’ve been working at Atlas

My most favourite memory was when we had therapy animals come in for the afternoon, we get to hold them and talk about them. Julie the animal expert placed the lizard in the middle of the room on a box so he can just relax, she then showed the others a rare Spanish cockroach.. She handed it to a chap called Keith, the cockroach started to move its legs which tickled Keith’s hands which made him scream & chuck the cockroach up in the air… the lizard then bolted to catch this cockroach in which he did and all you could hear was the crunching of this poor, rare cockroach. We then had a room full of members Hysterically laughing & moving about. Least to say she didn’t hand us the cockroaches again!!!

What does a typical day look like for you at Atlas?

A typical day for me is firstly, ensuring the boiler is on for our team to have a well deserved tea first thing. I start the day with a morning meeting, ensuring all information has been communicated. I look around the zones to make sure all is tidy & clean, I may help out with transport or preparing the rooms. Once everyone arrives I make sure I go and greet everyone once they have sat down, I spend half my time in the office doing all the admin and ensuring the centre runs smoothly. I am the one to communicate with families etc. Lunch period I always ensure I sit out with everyone.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

‘You are the Sky. Everything else is just the weather’

How would your family and friends describe you in 3 words?

Funny, Caring, Bubbly.
Follow us on Facebook for more of our latest updates from Atlas.

Technology in Dementia

For many years I have been sceptical about the potential of technology in cognitive decline. Not against it but sceptical and I must admit a little frustrated that a lot of money went into shiny looking flash-in-the-pan tech that went out of fashion a few months later. At Atlas, we kept an open mind to using the latest tech and over the years have trialled Virtual Reality, motion sensor games, Nintendo, and tablets. Each had short term benefits, short term attention spans and worked well as a marketing tool to engage families but didn’t appear to impact the person or the illness. We quickly reverted back to the core therapies based on social connections.

This year I have seen the light! I have recognised and seen the opportunities and potential technology brings to holistic dementia treatment and support. Attitudes within the community have changed radically in the last 12 months and this has allowed us to take advantage of some clever technology that I believe can do 3 things for families across the UK:

  1. Reduce the financial burden
  2. Improve Quality of Life (happiness)
  3. And maintain cognitive health

Alongside the change in attitude to tech within the older population, there has also arisen a greater need. Covid has reduced access to community support, reduced the number of voluntary organisations and traditional social interactions have been seen as high risk. All of us have been forced indoors and this has seen a devastating collapse in older peoples mental health (both those with cognitive decline and those without).

Finally, in the last 20 years, we have seen an increasing move towards individualised living. By that I mean an expectation and desire for products and services to cater for me, not in a generic sense but personally for me; my interests, my needs, my desires, now. This has crept across from the large technology platforms like Google and Facebook into the local way we view care. This is particularly important in dementia, where each person’s version of the disease is unique! The only way to cater to that is by making the most of tech platforms that allow us to both offer and demand a personal experience.

Technology has been a core part of many areas of healthcare for years, including robots in surgery, telehealth and algorithms to predict disease. I believe technology in dementia is now starting and is the future.

If you would like to talk to me or a member of my team about the benefits of technology in dementia care, please phone 01626 774 799 or email [email protected].

Get in contact with us

We would love to hear from you. Whether you are looking to book a free trial or would like to learn more about our care partnerships. Fill in this form and our team will be in touch.

    Free Consultation