Dementia Care

Based on an established dementia support approach of building a ‘household’, the Shire Oak House dementia care facility - based at Headingley Hall care home in north Leeds - is about creating an environment that helps grow relationships and a sense of home.

Our offer is about putting the person at the heart of how we support them. The small environment means when people move to Shire Oak House life can continue on their own terms – we fit around their routine and their likes and dislikes, and aim to make the move to more supported living feel as natural as possible.

With 11 individual suites and a separate kitchen and lounge, the space has been decorated to create a sense of calm - a home from home.

Another West Yorkshire location that provides dementia care, The Cedars care home in Methley (to the south of Leeds) is a larger home established along similar principles and is registered with the Care Quality Commission to care for adults who experience dementia and other mental health difficulties. The home has been supporting and caring for many local people and their families, as well as those further afield, since 1981.

We strongly believe that experiencing dementia is not the end. We look to create short - and long-term goals with the person and their families - taking small steps, asking for help, building support and recognising and celebrating accomplishments.

Our trained staff are on hand to provide continuous, 24-hour support.
At every touch point we consider the best interests of the person experiencing dementia and we aim to use every interaction as a source for engagement – dressing, eating, dining, creating, reminiscence.

Where possible we encourage the person with dementia to be involved in the discussion about their care, even if they don’t have capacity to make the decision themselves. This is because they are likely to have preferences and feelings about the decision.

We will visit your relative at home or in hospital or invite them to visit the home before they move in.

We will speak with you and your family to capture as much information about you as possible so we can help you decide if this is the right option for you or your loved one.

Any move can be stressful, and our staff are on hand to make it as easy as possible A short respite stay is available if you think this might ease the transition and or support the decision.

Each person moving to Shire Oak House or The Cedars will also be supported with a bespoke transition plan to ensure that any move meets your needs.

A care plan will be drawn up with direct input from yourself and your family so it reflects the daily aspirations that will enable you to feel included and able to actively participate in home life.

We encourage families and friends to visit as little or as often as they want to help you settle in.

It’s your space and we encourage you to make your room homely, for example with photos, treasured ornaments, key pieces of furniture or a favourite blanket.