At Athena Care Homes, we believe dementia care is about far more than meeting everyday needs; it’s about promoting belonging, dignity, and meaningful connections. That’s why we are delighted to share that we’ve begun our journey towards accreditation with the National Dementia Care Accreditation Scheme (NaDCAS), with 5 of our 7 homes already having started their journey.
Why This Accreditation Is Important
Pursuing NaDCAS accreditation isn’t just about recognition; it reflects a deep commitment to delivering excellence in dementia care. The process challenges us to continually evaluate how we support people with dementia, their families, and our teams, making sure compassion, respect, and individuality remain at the heart of everything we do.
As our CEO, Lorna Rose, explains:
“We are thrilled to be embarking on this journey with NaDCAS. It offers us the chance to strengthen the quality of life for the people we support, while highlighting the passion and dedication of our teams who strive to deliver outstanding dementia care every single day.”
What the Framework Involves
The NaDCAS Framework provides a nationally recognised, evidence-based structure to guide sustainable improvements in dementia care. It focuses on nine key areas that together shape the foundation of high-quality support, including:
- Creating enabling and dementia-friendly environments
- Building emotional connections and relationships
- Encouraging active participation and person-centred care
- Developing strong leadership and well-trained teams
Over the coming months, our staff will be working closely with NaDCAS to reflect on these areas, identify opportunities for growth, and build on the excellent practices already in place.
How We’re Moving Forward
As part of this commitment, Athena Care Homes will be:
- Providing enhanced training and professional development for our staff
- Ensuring our environments are warm, supportive, and truly dementia-friendly
- Listening carefully to feedback from residents and families to shape how care is delivered
- Embedding dignity, compassion, and connection into every aspect of daily life
A Shared Commitment
This is more than an organisational goal, it’s a team-wide effort. Every member of staff, from care assistants and Lifestyle coordinators to managers and leaders, plays a vital role in making Athena a community where people living with dementia feel valued and supported.
Looking Ahead
Working towards NaDCAS accreditation is both an opportunity and a responsibility. It allows us to celebrate what we do well, challenge ourselves to go further, and, most importantly, ensure those we care for receive the very best.
We look forward to sharing our progress as this journey unfolds and to inviting our wider community to be part of it. Together, we can continue to create homes that celebrate life, dignity, and connection.
For more information about NaDCAS and their work in dementia care, visit www.nadcas.org.
