What families notice first at Old Shenfield Place is rarely the building or the home’s facilities, impressive as both are. It’s actually the staff. Families constantly praise our carers for treating their loved ones like family. That is the kind of confidence our dementia specialist carers in Essex build with the families and residents they care for, which doesn’t happen by accident.
Old Shenfield Place has an exceptionally low staff turnover. Members of our care team have been recognised individually with awards, including Unsung Heroes and Prosper, which acknowledge the commitment and quality they bring to their work day in and day out. That kind of recognition reflects a team that genuinely cares about what they do, and your loved one benefits from that directly.
Our dementia care support is delivered within a 17th-century building that has been thoughtfully adapted for the needs of residents living with dementia.
The layout is clear and easy to move around, with a range of spaces available, from the sensory room and music room to the library, bakery and gardens, giving our dementia specialist carers in Essex a rich environment to work with when supporting your loved one through their day.
A Team Built Around Your Loved One
One of the things families tell us sets Old Shenfield Place apart is how much our team remembers about their loved ones.
Every detail you share about your loved one, their preferences, history, what unsettles them and what cheers them up, is taken on board and acted on. Many families tell us how much it means to them that the team remembered everything they had shared. For your loved one living with dementia, being cared for by people who genuinely know them makes daily life considerably more comfortable.
Our dementia specialist carers in Essex work under the direction of our manager, whose approach and positive energy have been singled out by families as one of the reasons the whole team functions so well. When the leadership of a home sets the right tone, it comes through in every interaction your loved one has throughout the day, and that consistency is something families notice immediately when they visit.
Thanks to the involvement of NHS dietitians, who work with our kitchen team, we can ensure that residents living with dementia receive the right nutrition for their individual needs.
Many of our residents visibly improve after moving to Old Shenfield Place, having arrived in poor health. Proper nutrition is a straightforward thing that makes a significant difference to our overall care and we take it very seriously.
Supporting Life at Our Alzheimer’s Care Home
Dementia care support at Old Shenfield Place means your loved one is supported by a team that is present, attentive and consistent, within an environment that has been made to give them as much independence and enjoyment as possible.
A Team That Stays
Old Shenfield Place has one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the sector, which we’re extremely proud of, because stability is crucial for those living with dementia. Carers who have been at Old Shenfield Place for many years have a depth of knowledge about each resident that informs every decision they make, from how they approach a difficult morning to which activity is likely to lift your loved one’s mood on a harder afternoon. That knowledge cannot be bought or quickly trained for and is built over years of paying close attention to each of our residents individually.
Dementia Qualifications and Training
Our dementia specialist carers in Essex hold relevant qualifications and receive ongoing training from local district nurses as well as specialist trainers in dementia, palliative and elderly care.
At Old Shenfield Place, that training includes:
- Health and Social Care diploma qualifications with dementia specialisation units
- Advanced training in Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia
- Recognising and responding to changes in behaviour, mood and communication
- Supporting residents through personal care with dignity and patience
- Reminiscence and sensory techniques tailored to each resident’s personal history
- Regular refresher training and updates delivered by district nurses and specialist providers
Individual members of our team have been recognised with external awards for their contribution to care. For families choosing dementia care support in Essex, knowing that the carers have been independently recognised for their work adds a layer of reassurance, creating trust and confidence in their loved one’s care.
Specialist Dementia Approach
Our dementia care support at Old Shenfield Place draws on the full range of resources available within the home.
Care includes:
- The sensory room for calm, low-stimulation one-to-one sessions with a familiar carer
- The music room for sessions that draw on memory and personal connection
- A structured activity programme covering yoga, baking, arts and crafts, quizzes and community visits
- Weekly visits from local nursery children every Friday, which residents consistently respond to with warmth
- Clear visual signs and a layout to help your loved one move around confidently
- Key-coded garden access so your loved one can spend time outside independently and safely
Accreditation and Partnerships
Old Shenfield Place is proud to be working with the Dementia Care Accreditation Scheme (NaDCAS). This partnership helps us look closely at how dementia care is delivered in the home and gives us access to guidance that keeps our approach up to date.
For residents and families, it means our dementia care support is checked against recognised standards rather than relying solely on internal training. Not only that, but the partnership also encourages our team to keep learning, try new ideas and build on the experience they already have.
Working with NaDCAS gives us another way to make sure the support we provide continues to move forward and reflects the needs of residents living with dementia at Old Shenfield Place.
Keeping Families Connected
Our door is open at any time, and we mean that.
Families visit Old Shenfield Place unannounced regularly, and what they find is consistent, meaning no surprises. We are frequently told that every time families drop by, the home is clean, well presented and their loved ones are being looked after with genuine care. That is the standard we hold ourselves to every single day at all times.
As mentioned earlier, our team can share photographs of your loved one taking part in activities and daily life here if you request it, keeping you connected to what their days actually look like. For families who cannot visit as often as they would like, we’re aware that those updates matter. We are also happy to chat through how your loved one is doing whenever you call, and if our dementia specialist carers in Essex notice anything that needs your attention, we will be in touch with you straight away.
If you would like to come and see Old Shenfield Place for yourself, please do get in touch and we will arrange a visit. You are also welcome to pop in without calling — we are always happy to see you.
