A Short Feature on Our Dementia Care Transformation from Tatenda:

When memory fades, we don’t lose the person—we learn to meet them somewhere else. Not in our world, but in theirs. At Church View, we’ve been quietly shaping a new approach to dementia care. It’s not just a strategy. It’s a way of being. And it’s reshaping everything we thought we knew about what person-centred care truly means.

We’ve stopped asking how to bring people back to orientation. Instead, we’re learning to live where they are. And where they are is often emotionally rich, even if cognitively uncertain. They might not remember your name, but still reach for your hand when they’re afraid. They may no longer follow your words, but soften the moment they hear your voice.

Recognition isn’t always found in facts or memory. Sometimes, it lives in muscle, in rhythm, in scent, in trust. And that’s where we begin. The scent of lemon may go unnamed, but hunger stirs when it passes. These aren’t fragments of a fading life. They are expressions of the life still present—still speaking.

In our work, emotion has become the new intelligence. While cognition may decline, emotion only grows louder. It appears in glances, in sighs, in repeated footsteps. We hear it in laughter that doesn’t need explanation, and in tears that fall not from words, but from memory embedded deeper than language.

This is where care must evolve. Our job is not to correct, it’s to attune. If someone believes they’re in a bank, we walk them to the counter. If they are waiting for a child long grown, we sit beside them, patiently. These are not performances. These are acts of deep respect.

This approach didn’t begin in a boardroom. It was born in corridors, in the quiet moments when staff didn’t know what to say, but chose to stay anyway. It grew from questions like: What is this person feeling? What might they be reaching for? What matters most right now—not to me, but to them?

The answers aren’t clinical. They’re human. They come through presence, repetition, and trust.

Over time, we’ve turned these moments into something measurable. We log emotional cues. We track patterns. We review outcomes—from reduced medication to calmer transitions. We align with national dementia policy, and with Surrey CountyCouncil’s eleven strategic ambitions. We meet every point in CQC’s five key questions.

But this model isn’t special because it’s structured. It’s special because it’s felt. It reminds us that personhood isn’t stored in memory. It’s revealed in emotion. That dignity doesn’t require recognition—it requires presence. That even when names are gone, the need to be understood remains.

What we’ve built is deeply humane. It doesn’t just support end-of-life, it honours every moment before. Because no one should live emotionally abandoned. And no one should feel unseen.

We are still in the process of naming this model. Until then, we’ll simply say this: we’re building something original. Something rooted, quiet, and quietly revolutionary. A new way of knowing. A new way of seeing. A way of feeling without needing words.

A movement has already begun.

At Church View Nursing Home, we are proud to introduce Mr. Yuvaraj Ganesan, our skilled and compassionate physiotherapist, dedicated to helping residents live healthier, more active lives.

With expertise spanning neuro, cardio-respiratory, musculoskeletal, sports, and rehabilitation physiotherapy, and holding both a Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy (India) and a Master’s in Sports Health and Exercise Science (University of South Wales), Yuvaraj combines advanced knowledge with a passion for restoring independence and well-being.

As a registered physiotherapist in India and the UK and a qualified Moving & Handling Champion, he ensures every resident receives safe, effective, and personalised care.

Transforming Lives Through Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy at Church View is more than treatment—it’s about restoring confidence and independence. One of our residents arrived at the home bedridden and unable to stand. With just four weeks of structured physiotherapy and rehabilitation under Yuvaraj’s guidance, she progressed from being confined to bed to walking independently once again.

Moving & Handling Champion

At Church View, resident safety and dignity are at the heart of everything we do. As our Moving & Handling Champion, Yuvaraj leads this vital area with expertise and care. He:

• Trains and mentors our care team in the latest safe moving and handling techniques.
• Carries out regular spot checks to ensure best practices are always followed.
• Provides hands-on guidance and support when residents require assistance with mobility.
• Works closely with staff to create a safe, comfortable, and dignified environment for every resident.

Through his leadership, we not only protect our residents and staff from risk but also promote confidence, independence, and wellbeing in daily life.

Falls Prevention Team

To further strengthen resident safety and independence, we are proud to be forming a dedicated Falls Team, led by Yuvaraj under the supervision of our Clinical Lead. This collaborative team includes nurses, carers, and our maintenance staff, all working together with support from the local council. The aim is to create a proactive approach to reducing falls, ensuring early intervention, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Church View.

Looking Ahead – Private Physiotherapy at Church View

In addition to supporting our residents, we are delighted to announce that a new private physiotherapy service will soon be available at Church View Nursing Home. This service will be open to the public, offering professional physiotherapy support within our welcoming care setting. Whether it’s for rehabilitation, injury recovery, or maintaining overall health, our upcoming clinic will provide the local community with access to high-quality, personalised physiotherapy care.

At Church View, physiotherapy is not just about treatment—it’s about empowering people to live well every day.