Supporting Prue with Specialist Dementia Care in a Care Home

Prue* was living with mixed dementia and had reached a point where her previous care home could no longer meet her needs. She was moved to a new setting, but the transition was difficult and she felt unsettled and resistant to the change. We became involved to offer companionship, dementia care and relationship-centred support.

Challenge

Prue’s dementia presented in complex ways. She could be warm and affectionate one moment and very distressed the next. She valued her personal space deeply and often reacted when staff entered her room without her permission. The unfamiliar environment and lack of connection to her past made her feel unsettled, and she struggled to feel safe or calm in the new home.

Approach

Support focused on respect, choice and a gentle pace. As a companion, Carrie visited Prue regularly and always knocked and asked permission before entering, restoring a sense of control that Prue had lost. To help Prue feel connected, Carrie brought photographs of her home village and displayed them in her room. She also introduced meaningful activities such as playing Mozart, offering her favourite treats like banana milkshakes, and sharing newspaper clippings about Prue’s husband and their life together in Wye.

Carrie approached Prue softly and patiently, allowing her to lead each interaction. Over time, these consistent, respectful moments built trust and encouraged Prue to feel more settled. Carrie also remained present during Prue’s final days, providing comfort and companionship when it mattered most.

Outcome

Although Prue’s dementia continued to progress, she experienced moments of calm, familiarity and emotional connection. She recognised Carrie and allowed her into her world. Family and friends noticed the relationship and acknowledged the difference this support made.

Through gentle, respectful companionship and a focus on what mattered, we helped Prue to feel more at peace and supported in a setting where she had previously felt unsettled.

If you'd like to chat to us about care or support for someone living with dementia, contact us today.

*Name changed for privacy