title: Supporting staff to care for people with dementia who experience distress reactions.
abstract: This article outlines the development of distress reaction training in a large care home charity, provided by directly employed My Home Life Admiral nurses, who are mental health nurses specialising in dementia. Reference is made to the limitations of a person-centred approach to care, and the importance of relationship-centred care, which underpins the My Home Life social movement for quality improvement in care homes. The authors argue that relationship-centred care is a more helpful approach to improve the lived experience and wellbeing of residents, relatives and staff. Potentially, it might also help to address high staff turnover in the care home sector.
authors.affiliation: The Orders of St John Care Trust, Wellingore, Lincolnshire.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Angelena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Julienne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
keywords: Admiral nurses; care homes; dementia; dementia nurse specialists; distress reactions; mental health; relationship-centred care