Dementia or simply old age? Upcoming Staffordshire care home shares advice with local community
As part of a nationwide initiative, Care UK, which is currently building a new care home in Staffordshire, is offering free advice to help people better understand dementia.
Care UK is also hosting a series of free special events across the West Midlands region, and the wider UK, as part of The Big Dementia Conversation, a nationwide initiative designed to show people how to better understand common symptoms and live well with the condition.
Dementia care is a core offering in Care UK homes, and the home currently under construction in Stafford, which is set to open in August 2026, will provide essential, high-quality dementia care for the local community, as well as residential, nursing and respite care.
While general awareness of the condition has improved, data from Care UK shows two thirds of people who have a relative living with dementia (62%) initially put their symptoms down to old age. Many Brits remain unaware of the ways older people can lead meaningful lives with the condition, prompting Care UK to relaunch its Big Dementia Conversation for the second year running.
The Staffordshire community is being encouraged to visit a newly launched online advice hub. The hub includes in-depth conversations with families of people living with dementia, as well as expert advice from Care UK’s dementia specialists to learn how to reduce the risks and symptoms of the condition.
Those in Stafford wishing to attend a Big Dementia Conversation event can do so by visiting other Care UK locations within a 40-minute drive, including Mercia Grange, in Sutton Coldfield.
From 2pm–4pm on Wednesday, 19 February, Mercia Grange will be hosting a session on ‘Adjusting to a dementia diagnosis’, led by Barbara Stephens, CEO of Dementia Pathfinders. Barbara will share insights into how someone’s journey with dementia might unfold following a diagnosis and offer advice on how to live positively with dementia, while making emotional and practical adjustments along the way. Complimentary refreshments will be available.
Suzanne Mumford, Head of Dementia and Lifestyle at Care UK, said: “Awareness of dementia has improved, but many people still struggle to confidently differentiate between signs of old age and dementia.
“Understandably, it can also be a worrying time when a loved one starts acting out of character or begins to display symptoms of dementia. Yet, reaching out for support early on can make a world of difference – whether it’s speaking to an expert about how to manage symptoms or simply connecting with families who may be in a similar situation.
“That’s why we’re relaunching our Big Dementia Conversation for the second year running. We must continue to raise awareness of the condition and its symptoms in order to become a more dementia-friendly nation.”
For more information on the Care UK home coming soon to Stafford, visit: careuk.com/stafford
To support people who may be experiencing symptoms of dementia or their loved ones, Care UK has set up a free helpline and advice hub. To find out more, please visit: careuk.com/bigdementiaconversation
Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the new Care UK home in Stafford will incorporate plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities, including beautifully landscaped gardens, a hair and beauty salon, cinema and bar. The layout of the building will be configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities The home will provide full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.
