Sanctuary Care home manager shortlisted in National Dementia Care Awards 2014

Sanctuary Care home manager, Anita Fletcher of Heathlands Residential Care Home in Pershore, has been shortlisted for the Best Dementia Care Manager award at the National Dementia Care Awards 2014.

In addition to Ms Fletchers’ nomination, resident Ray Perry of Beechwood Residential Care Home in Upton-upon-Severn is in the running for the Best Resident/Relative Contribution category and the home’s senior care worker Denise Bayliss is a finalist in the Best Dementia Continence Care category.

Heathlands Residential Care Home and Beechwood Residential Care Home both provide residential and dementia care for older people.

Ms Fletcher has managed Heathlands since March 2012 and said: “I was surprised when I found out and cried when I saw the lovely things people had written about me. I am nervous - but feel great that people have put their faith in me.”

Regional manager Anastasia Meredith said: “It is always hard to express this in words but when you walk into Heathlands you ‘feel it’ – a happy home and this is because the person leading it is truly dedicated and has a genuine passion for people.”

Mr Perry, who lives with dementia and has been at Beechwood since April, is responsible for organising nightly dominoes games to entertain his fellow residents. He has been nominated for the contribution that he makes daily to the homes team and visitors and the lives of fellow residents. The former football referee feeds back to staff at monthly meetings acting as a ‘voice’ for his fellow residents.

Mr Perry said: “I haven’t done anything, not me. I’m just a normal chap who loves a game of dominoes. It is lovely here though and the staff are the real stars.”

Stacey Warren administrator for Beechwood called Ray “our ray of sunshine” and said: “He will always let me know how the staff or ‘stars’ as he calls them are getting on. He is an asset to our home.”

Ms Bayliss, who has worked at Beechwood for 12 years, was shortlisted for the dignified and sensitive way that she manages the continence care of residents.

The National Dementia Care Awards, an annual event organised by The Journal of Dementia Care, is now in its fifth year. The awards contain 18 categories with the potential for five finalists in each.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 11 November and presented with their trophies by international stand-up comedian Paul Sinha at a high profile Gala Night in Brighton.