When families begin exploring dementia care for a loved one, they are not just looking for a facility. They are looking for reassurance. They want to know that their parents, spouse, or sibling will be safe, treated with dignity and that someone will understand what they are going through.
At Livewell Bryanston, we often reflect on what truly defines high quality dementia care. For me, it begins with one non-negotiable standard: safety. When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, their experience of the world changes dramatically. Confusion can turn into fear and fear can manifest as anger, resentment, or withdrawal. Familiar surroundings may no longer feel predictable. In that emotional landscape, our first responsibility is to restore a sense of security. Through constant reassurance and a high degree of compassion, we work to ensure that each resident feels safe in our care.
When residents feel safe, trust follows. And trust is the foundation upon which all meaningful care is built.
Safety as a living system, not just a policy
Safety at Livewell Bryanston is layered and intentional. It is not something we speak about only in theory; it is something embedded in the way we operate every single day. Our estate entrance is guarded 24 hours a day. The perimeter boundary walls are monitored around the clock through video and audio cameras by off-site agents. Within the estate itself, over 200 cameras are monitored continuously at the nurses’ station by a registered nurse. These measures provide families with peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are protected at multiple levels.
But safety is not only about security infrastructure. It is also about oversight and accountability. Staff members monitor the way caregivers perform their duties, ensuring standards are maintained consistently and respectfully.
Even the design of our facility reflects this philosophy. We are a barrier-free environment with wheelchair-friendly doorways, ramps, and wet bathrooms to minimise risk while maximising accessibility. The built environment has been carefully considered so that residents can move comfortably and safely without feeling institutionalised.
Small details matter deeply in dementia care. Residents are always addressed by name, reinforcing identity and dignity. Our staff, including senior staff, wear scrubs. Many residents are highly tactile and seek reassurance through physical closeness, often in the form of a hug. Scrubs allow us to maintain hygiene and professionalism while embracing the reality of a warm, human environment.
Perhaps most importantly, we maintain consistent routines. Dementia residents thrive on predictability. Routine provides a structure to the day, offering reassurance in what can otherwise feel like an unpredictable world. When residents know what to expect, anxiety decreases and confidence increases.
Finding the balance between clinical protocol and personal dignity
Livewell Bryanston operates as a sub-acute facility, which means clinical care remains of the utmost importance. Medication regimes are strictly dispensed according to the prescribing doctor’s instructions and are not varied unless formally reduced in writing. We strongly adhere to the fact that clinical discipline protects health and safety. However, high quality dementia care cannot be purely clinical.
We strive to create a residential environment where residents feel at home rather than hospitalised. Rooms are furnished with normal beds, and hospital beds are introduced only when there is an acute medical need. Wherever possible, residents are encouraged to exercise choice — whether in clothing colours, food preferences, or activity participation. Preserving independence, even in small decisions, plays a powerful role in maintaining dignity and emotional well-being. In our experience, the most effective dementia care exists where structured medical protocols and genuine human compassion coexist. At Livewell, we believe we have achieved that balance.
What families often discover along the journey
Families come to us with hope, concern, and often understandable misconceptions about dementia. It is not uncommon to hear that a loved one “only has dementia twice a week.” The reality is that dementia presents in waves. Mood shifts, confusion, clarity, and agitation can fluctuate throughout the day and a short visit may not reveal the full pattern of behaviour.
We are sometimes asked how we sedate our residents. The simple answer is that we do not. By law, we are not permitted to use restraint or sedation as routine practice. In rare and extreme situations involving violence, a doctor is called to assess and determine appropriate intervention. But day-to-day care relies on communication, reassurance, and the trust we build with each resident. When residents feel understood and spoken to with sincerity and compassion, they usually calm down quickly. Trust proves far more effective than force.
Another important truth families come to understand is that dementia does not reverse. Residents are not placed in our care until they “get better.” The goal is not recovery, but quality of life. Our focus is on managing symptoms, maintaining dignity, and enhancing quality of life for as long as possible. That is what high quality dementia care truly means. It is not about promises of cure. It is about consistency, compassion, structure, and safety — delivered every day, often quietly, but always intentionally.
Ultimately, high quality dementia care is built on consistency, vigilance, and compassion. It is found in the quiet systems that protect residents, the routines that create stability, and the human connections that restore confidence. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, its impact is deeply felt by the individuals and families we serve. At Livewell Bryanston, our commitment remains clear — to provide care that is safe, dignified, and thoughtfully delivered every single day.
– Written by Quito Esteves, Joint CEO of Livewell Estates Bryanston