At Loveday Abbey Road, we believe that exceptional dementia care begins with truly knowing the person behind the diagnosis. No two people experience dementia in the same way – their memories, emotions, routines and preferences shape how they perceive the world each day. This is why highly tailored, personalised care isn’t simply best practice; it’s essential to ensuring every Member feels safe, understood, and valued.
As a nurse, I’ve seen first-hand how highly-tailored dementia care transforms lives. It reduces anxiety, builds trust and helps Members live each day with comfort and joy.
What Highly Tailored Dementia Care Means
To me, highly tailored dementia care means seeing the person, not the condition. It’s about understanding who they are – their life story, what brings them comfort, and how they like things done. Everyone living with dementia experiences it differently, so a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.
When care is personal, people feel valued, respected, and in control. It allows us to support independence, even as needs change. Most importantly, it helps create a sense of familiarity and emotional security that is vital for wellbeing.
In practice, highly tailored dementia care means:
- Taking time to understand each Member’s history, personality and preferences
- Building trust through consistency, empathy, and communication
- Adapting daily care and activities to match changing needs
- Supporting emotional as well as physical wellbeing
- Involving families in every step of the journey
How Loveday Abbey Road Delivers Truly Personalised Care
At Loveday Abbey Road, we begin with a deep understanding of every Member before they even join us. We take time to learn about their routines, values, likes, dislikes and what brings them comfort or calm. This information often comes from family conversations and detailed assessments, but also through daily observation once they move in.
Every day offers new insights. I pay close attention to how Members respond to different people, activities, and environments, then adapt my approach accordingly. The care team shares updates constantly so that everyone provides consistent, coordinated support.
For me, it’s about treating each Member as an individual and ensuring they always feel recognised, safe and respected.
Developing and Adapting Care Plans
Our care plans are living documents – never static or generic and always evolving. They begin with comprehensive assessments before admission, shaped by conversations with both the Member and their family. Once in residence, the plan evolves continuously based on what we observe and learn each day.
Regular reviews ensure care remains aligned with the Member’s current needs, preferences and routines. This flexibility allows us to respond sensitively to any changes – whether it’s adjusting mealtimes, modifying medication, or introducing new ways to communicate and engage.
The Role of Families
Family members play a crucial role in shaping personalised care. They hold invaluable knowledge about their loved one’s personality, routines, and life experiences – from favourite meals and music to meaningful habits and phrases.
By working closely with families, we can tailor care that feels familiar and authentic. This collaboration also builds trust and offers reassurance, helping families feel confident and supported throughout their loved one’s journey.
The Power of Environment in Dementia Care
The physical environment is a vital part of dementia care. At Loveday Abbey Road, every detail of our design supports safety, comfort, and calm. Clear, intuitive layouts help Members navigate easily, while good lighting and colour contrast reduce confusion and enhance independence.
We also encourage Members and families to personalise their rooms with furniture and keepsakes from home. Familiar objects and sensory cues such as a favourite armchair, photographs, familiar scents or music, provide comfort and help trigger positive memories. These thoughtful touches make the space feel safe and deeply personal.
A Real-Life Example of Tailored Care
One of our Members, whom I’ll call Mr X, often experienced agitation and confusion due to his medical condition. After observing his patterns and preferences, the team created a personalised daily routine built around familiarity and trust.
We ensured that he was supported by the same carers he connected with most, incorporated memory aids, and refined communication methods to make every interaction calm and reassuring.
The results were remarkable. Mr X became noticeably calmer, more cooperative, and increasingly independent with daily tasks. His overall quality of life improved, and his family felt a renewed sense of peace knowing he was thriving in a supportive environment.
Building Relationships When Communication Is Limited
Communication can become challenging as dementia progresses, but it never stops entirely – it simply changes form. When words are limited, we listen with our eyes and hearts.
Our team learns to read subtle cues: body language, facial expressions, posture, tone, and eye contact. We observe what brings comfort or distress, adapting our care accordingly. We also engage creatively – through music, touch, or shared activities — to spark recognition and connection.
Family input is invaluable here too. They help us understand triggers, routines, and preferences that guide us in offering reassurance and familiarity. Over time, these strategies reveal the person’s unique personality, even when verbal communication is minimal.
Balancing Clinical Excellence with Emotional Connection
Clinical excellence and emotional connection are not separate goals – they are two sides of the same coin. Every medical decision is made with awareness of the Member’s emotional state.
For me, excellence in dementia care means looking beyond symptoms to the person’s inner world. It means taking time to listen, to notice small changes, and to treat each Member with the utmost compassion and respect. Only by combining clinical skill with empathy can we deliver truly holistic care.
The Impact on Families
Personalised dementia care has a profound ripple effect on families. When loved ones see their family member calm, comfortable, and content, their confidence grows, stress decreases, and peace of mind returns.
Families often tell us how reassured they feel knowing their loved one is seen and treated as an individual. This trust strengthens relationships and fosters a shared sense of partnership between families and our care team.
Why I’m Proud to Work at Loveday Abbey Road
What makes me most proud is seeing the difference our team makes every day – easing anxiety and helping our Members find joy in the little moments.
At Loveday Abbey Road, we don’t just provide care; we create a sense of home, community and belonging. Each Member’s life story is honoured, their individuality celebrated and their wellbeing placed at the heart of everything we do.
That’s what makes our dementia care truly exceptional and why I’m so proud to be part of it.
About the author:
Valentin Lepadatu
Lead Nurse at Loveday Abbey Road
Has over 15 years of nursing expertise, nine specialising in dementia care. Calm, intuitive and endlessly approachable, Valentin is renowned for his exceptional clinical practice and unique ability to comfort and connect with Members, making a profound difference to their health, happiness and wellbeing every day.
