Care home's perfect idea

A WARRINGTON care home came up with the innovative idea of using a patient’s “perfectionism” to help him act as a champion for others in the home.
Dennis Parkin-Bowes, 75, of Lymm was diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia when he was 58.
His wife Maureen, his principle carer, is a very positive woman, determined to live life to the full and to help Dennis to do the same.
He attends Woodleigh Community Care Home, Callands Road, Warrington for respite care on an ongoing basis and has become passionate about helping his peers and improving the environment.
Staff say that as part of his illness, his natural “perfectionism” became more marked and if everything was not exactly as he thought it should be, he found himself becoming angry and upset.
Care home manager Marine Hall and Maureen saw this as an opportunity to turn his perfectionism into something more positive by encouraging Dennis to act as a champion for others in the home.
He thought this was an excellent idea and has eagerly developed the role.
“I can’t read or write now,” said Dennis, “but we came up with the idea of using a dictaphone to pass on messages.”
Maureen said: “He ‘goes to work’ every Wednesday at the home, where he goes through everything with a fine-tooth comb, speaking to the other people in the home and raising any issues or suggestions with the manager, who values Dennis’s contribution.
“It has given him a new quality and purpose in life and he really enjoys his new work.”
Dennis said: “The new role has seen me become much happier. I enjoy the role and it is a great way to channel my energies in a positive way.
“I won’t have any nonsense, and it’s as important for patients to treat staff well as the other way round. Without the carers we wouldn’t have such a good quality of life.”