The Way We Care

The Way We Care is our bespoke Christian approach to caring for older people in communities where they can flourish in their later years, especially as their physical needs increase.

The Way We Care in action

The Way We Care – Friederike explains

Friederike Hamilton, our Operations Manager with responsiblity for The Way We Care, explains why this approach is so special, as well as the vital role of Wellbeing & Dementia Leads in each of our homes.

What is The Way We Care?

It’s caring for older people as individuals, recognising that God made each person unique and special. It’s understanding that although physical needs may increase as we age, and we might need help with everyday tasks, spiritual growth continues. We see older people as whole beings and respond to them right where they are at, so they can continue to enjoy life and make a contribution within a loving community.

The Way We Care is rooted in how the Bible instructs us to treat others. In the daily lives of our care homes, this looks like taking the time to get to know family members really well. We get to know their story, what they like and dislike, and learn which Bible verses or hymns are meaningful to them.
Devotional times are a regular part of life in our homes, so family members can gather for collective worship with hymns, prayer, and a Bible talk. We also encourage people to share their gifts and serve one another, taking an active role in the community's spiritual life.

Our Wellbeing & Dementia Leads

Each of our homes has a Wellbeing & Dementia Lead who works closely with family members. Together with care staff and relatives, they carefully observe and address needs as they arise. The Pilgrims’ Friend Society Wellbeing & Dementia Leads play a vital role in our homes by training teams to understand ‘The Way We Care’ and equipping them with the tools to implement it across our busy homes. Through joined-up working with managers, they gather feedback and look at the big picture, ensuring a response to every need, big or small.

News and resources

All news and resources

We have a wide range of articles and resources to help you understand Dementia more.

News

Caring with those with dementia

Even if those in our homes struggle to articulate with words due to dementia, our staff are committed to tuning into their needs in every way and going the extra mile to preempt and provide for every eventuality.

We developed our approach to caring for people with dementia in line with the field's leading figure, Professor Tom Kitwood. At the University of Bradford in the late 1980s, Kitwood advocated for a person-centred approach that prioritised individualised, responsive care over rigid guidelines imposed by the setting. A person-centred approach also means recognising that any unusual or challenging behaviour may be communicating an unmet need which should always be met with compassion and patience.

David Sheard’s ‘feelings matter most’ approach is also a foundation to the way we care, recognising that a person continues to feel even if cognitive function fades, and holding space for emotions without judgement is key. Further to this, the GEMS framework underpins our care principles at Pilgrims’ Friend Society. Dementia care specialist and occupational therapist Teepa Snow developed the GEMS Framework and advocates a deeply thoughtful approach where every person is viewed as a unique, precious jewel who can exhibit different behaviours. This underpins our carers’ readiness to respond according to where older people are at with dementia.

Eight foundational principles

Our care goes beyond just looking after physical needs. We support the whole person, with an emphasis on caring for their spiritual wellbeing, and we love getting to know each of our family members and hearing their unique story. When older people make their home with us, they join a community where their feelings and hopes for tomorrow matter, and their spiritual growth is priority.

We cherish everyone who chooses to live with us as family. We accept them for who they are and we are committed to be there for them on good days and tough days alike.

When older people choose to make their home with us, we welcome them to share their skills and hobbies with the rest of the family! From book club to gardening, if they have a passion, we'll encourage them to develop it further and help others to have a try too.

Family members can use their gifts to support and build each other up. Whether it's a word of encouragement, an offer to pray for someone, or making someone a cup of tea, at Pilgrims' Friend Society, we're there for each other.

We spend time together because we love to have our family members around. We appreciate every single person, and everyone is always welcome to join our social activities and fellowship.

Care isn't done ‘to’ another, but rather ‘with’ a person. It is a respectful collaboration between the able and the less able, where the care recipients' needs are valid and heard. Older people who live with us can rely on us to listen to what they want, because they know what they need most. We’ll give a helping hand when they need it.

Our communities are set up for those living with dementia to flourish. They are a special part of our family, and we value their presence. Each day we spend time with them, we see past the illness and get to know them more deeply as they share the details of their lives. Find out more about our approach to dementia care.

Older people are inherently precious. God made them in His image, and this value does not change as they age. We see our family members as the priceless individuals God created them to be, and it's our privilege to spend time with them every day.