The Future of Ageing

It’s eight years since dementia became the leading cause of death in the UK and, with its ageing population, that trend is only going to continue.

And yet, hospices – the very places championed as the centres of excellence when it comes to providing quality palliative and end of life care – are, in most cases, not offering this growing patient group that support they so need.

That’s why, following on from the half-day care home conference and a day devoted to dementia, St Christopher’s is hosting a two-day event, designed to bring together commissioners and clinicians from hospices and care homes.

In fact, emphasising the need for these two workforces to pool their knowledge, skills and experience, St Christopher’s is actually co-hosting the conference with one of the leading care homes in this field – Nightingale Hammerson.

St Christopher’s Chief Executive, Helen Simmons, who previously performed the same role with Nightingale Hammerson, says:

“There are around 8000 care homes for older people and given the scale of the demographic challenge approaching the country I don’t believe that 220 hospices opening care home wings is the solution, although I totally understand why some are tempted to move in this direction.”

Over the two days, delegates should expect to be challenged and provoked as well as informed and updated with the latest best practice in dementia and palliative care.

The programme of speakers includes some of the country’s leading thinkers and practitioners as well as several people with lived experience.

Jill Horn, from Rowcroft Hospice will share progress on her project to develop a care home dementia village, while Ally Tomlins, of Nightingale Hammerson will describe how her approach, underpinned by medicine, but also dedicated to finding the person behind the disease, is working.

Ros Taylor will expand on her firm belief that care homes will be the hospices of the future and that education will be fundamental to this transition.

Maaike Vandeweghe, Course Director and Senior Associate, St Christopher’s CARE, who has worked with Helen Simmons to pull together the packed programme of speakers, believes the two-day event is a priceless opportunity for professionals at all levels from across the two sectors.

“We’re convinced that hospices have a lot to learn from care homes and they have a lot to learn from us. It’s about offering an opportunity to respect each other’s skills and expertise.

“Some care homes may feel that are a second-best provider, but we all need to move away from that idea and be clear that it’s not about care home versus hospice but about putting patients and families at the centre of everything. Neither sector can do it on its own, we need to work together and with district nurses and old age mental health, and share that expertise.

“I would like everyone who comes to the conference to feel empowered and feel like they can be a leader in the field.”

Zena Aldridge, National Institute for Health and Care Social Care Nurse Fellow, will be speaking to that point in her presentation about the future of social care nursing, highlighting the need to recognise the crucial role these nurses play.

Maaike adds: “Palliative care nurses often say they struggle being with someone with dementia as they’re not used to dealing with the psychiatric symptoms. Care home staff are doing this 365 days a year and know how to respond. And that’s the sort of knowledge sharing we need to facilitate.”

Far from being a passive listening experience, Maaike says the conference will be looking to stir delegates to return to their organisation motivated to instigate change.

“All of the speakers have been asked to come with provocations, to challenge people to think about the potential action their organisation can take and to think about who, if not them, should be leading the change.”