Supporting Dementia Care Beyond Our Own Front Door
When you work closely with people living with dementia, you become part of a much wider network of care that stretches far beyond the front door. GPs, consultants, hospital ward teams, community nurses: these are the people working alongside us every day, and the quality of what they do has a direct impact on the people we support at home.
That’s why, when we had the opportunity to give something back to one of those teams, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
We are delighted to share that Home Instead Watford has made a £500 donation to the West Herts Hospitals Charity Dementia Appeal, a fund dedicated to improving the experience of patients living with dementia at Watford General Hospital.
What We've Witnessed at Oxhey Ward
Our donation didn’t come from a marketing idea, it was inspired from something our team has lived through alongside our clients.
As a home care provider supporting people across Watford, Bushey, Rickmansworth, and the surrounding communities, we have accompanied a number of clients through hospital stays at Watford General. In doing so, we have seen first-hand what the staff on Oxhey Ward deliver, day in and day out, for patients who are often frightened, disoriented, and struggling to communicate what they need.
The dedication there is genuine and it is remarkable. And we wanted to say so in a way that was more than words.
Stephanie Turner, our Group Business Development Manager, was at the heart of this:
“At Home Instead Watford, we are deeply committed to supporting the wider care community. Having seen first-hand the journey of some of our clients through Oxhey Ward at Watford General Hospital, we recognise the exceptional standard of care, compassion and professionalism delivered by the team. This donation reflects our appreciation and our desire to support the continuation of their outstanding work.”
Stephanie was joined at the cheque presentation by Alex Murray, Senior Fundraising Officer at West Herts Hospitals Charity, who shared the direct impact this support has on the frontline:
“Thank you to Home Instead Watford for their donation of £500 to the charity’s dementia appeal which will help to provide enhanced care and specialised resources for patients living with dementia at Watford General Hospital.
As a charity, we believe that every patient deserves the highest quality of care possible and donations such as this means that staff in our three hospitals can provide a level of patient care beyond that which would be possible with NHS funding alone. Support from local partners is invaluable in helping us reach our goals and improve the hospital experience for the local community and you can find out more about our dementia appeal here: https://lnkd.in/eFtySGde“
About the West Herts Hospitals Charity Dementia Appeal
Funds raised through the Dementia Appeal are directed towards enhancing the environment and resources available to patients with dementia at Watford General, from specialist equipment and sensory tools through to changes that help patients feel safer and more settled during what can be a very disorientating experience.
For anyone who has sat with a loved one on a hospital ward and watched them become distressed or confused, you will know how much the small things matter. A calmer environment, familiar objects or a member of staff who pauses to really connect; these are such important elements that are part of dignified care.
If you’d like to find out more or support the appeal yourself, you can do so via the West Herts Hospitals Charity website.
Part of a Broader Dementia Care Commitment
This donation is one part of a wider picture of work in our local community. We were recently awarded Gold accreditation by Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire, the highest level of recognition under the scheme, which reflects the depth of our team’s commitment to dementia awareness, training, and community engagement. If you’d like to understand more about what that accreditation means in practice, that article gives you the full story.
And if you are looking for dementia support contacts and resources across Watford more broadly, our Watford dementia support guide brings together the local organisations and services we’d point families towards.
Here When You Need Us
If you are at the early stages of thinking about dementia care for someone you love, whether that’s understanding your options, talking through what support might look like, or simply needing someone to help you make sense of where to start, please do reach out.
There’s absolutely no pressure to use our services; it’s just a conversation with a local team that genuinely understands what families in your position are going through.
Call us on 01923 250513, or visit our dementia home care page to learn more about how we support people across Watford and the surrounding area.