Lord Mayor of Oxford praises Wytham House

The Lord Mayor of Oxford Mohammed Altaf-Khan praised the ‘excellent facilities’ at Wytham House where he attended a dementia awareness event last week.

The Lord Mayor, who previously visited the Caring Homes residential, nursing and dementia care home to plant a rose bush when it opened last year, attended the event along with representatives from other local businesses and organisations.

“At Wytham House it is good to see some of the most vulnerable people in our community being cared for in a well designed and well-run home,” said Cllr Altaf-Khan.

“It must be very reassuring for families to know their loved ones are well looked after and good to see that as a society here in Oxford we are caring well for our elderly people, some of whom may be in the last stages of their lives.”

The Lord Mayor met with Wytham House manager Koren Evans-Slade as well as area manager Julie Taylor, Regional operations director Micky Shirley and other members of staff.

The event gave participants an in-depth understanding about, and empathy for, the psychological needs of a person with dementia. Sessions are based on Caring Homes' in-house dementia training programme, Living in My World, which has won a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award. There were hints and tips to improve communication and a practical session to help people understand some of the day-to-day frustrations that affect someone living with dementia.

The session, as well as a similar event in the morning especially for family members of those living with dementia, was run by Caring Homes' Dementia Training Lead Michele Saunders. Michele explained: “These events enable participants to learn about dementia and help them to challenge the way people think, act and talk about the condition.

"We want to actively promote a dementia friendly community through sharing our knowledge and expertise and were delighted to have the Lord Mayor of Oxford attend. These sessions really help people understand what life is like for those living with the condition.”

Wytham House is a Caring Homes Group care home, part of the Oaken Holt Estate off Eynsham Road, providing specialist residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 40 people.

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