Discover Great Dementia Care
in Portishead BS20
Who is it for?
At Harbour Care Centre, our approach to dementia care rejects institutionalised care in favour of enabling residents to “live a good life and live well.” Our residents living with dementia do not merely want to be “cared for”; they have a fundamental right to lead a fulfilled and purposeful life.
Although we care for people with a wide range of cognitive impairments, each case is assessed individually by Renata, our deputy manager, to understand the level of care required.
Although we have a dedicated suite for dementia (our Willow suite), residents living with milder forms of dementia are encouraged to mix freely with residents from other floors. Out of necessity our Willow suite often has its own activities but if an event or activity is suitable we will bring residents up from our ground floor Willow suite. Some residents living with milder forms of dementia may even reside on our other floors until their circumstances change and the situation needs re-assessing.
Our approach to dementia care in Portishead prioritises personalised support, ensuring that each resident receives the best possible care tailored to their needs. We empower residents to engage in meaningful activities that foster independence and social interaction.
Our 'life story' approach
We work with residents and their families to understand the lives they have led, and use this knowledge to guide our carers in the kinds of interventions that work. We call this our Life Story Work.
By using a person’s background, experiences, or achievements, carers can connect meaningfully with our residents. It is particularly useful when a resident is feeling some distress and is unable to communicate that. Conversations about a person’s life can be calming and help them feel less distressed.
Our commitment to dementia care in Portishead means we constantly adapt our services to meet the evolving needs of our residents.
By collaborating closely with families to understand a resident’s history, career, and personal preferences, staff can deliver a more person-centered care that respects each individual’s unique identity. In the Willow Suite, meaning is also found in the “activity of life” rather than just passive entertainment. Harbour Care Centre emphasizes that mundane, day-to-day tasks—such as housework, gardening, or putting away laundry—are what truly make a person’s day feel fulfilled. Residents are actively encouraged to participate in the daily running of the home, whether assisting our house cleaning team, setting out the tables or engaging with visitors.
Live well with dementia in Portishead
Harbour Care Centre champions an evidence-based approach care, moving away from confusing fake decor and instead focusing on what promotes independence and genuine local community connection around Portishead. Our philosophy of dementia care in Portishead focuses very much on enhancing quality of life through community engagement and holistic support.
We let our residents mix freely, enjoying entertainment together or socialising in the garden. This includes maintaining vital links to local pubs and churches and fostering intergenerational engagement with preschool children.
Our dementia care model also acknowledges that every member of staff, from chef to maintenance, has a role to play in ensuring residents find meaningful companionship in every interaction.
In our specialised ground-floor Willow Suite, the approach to dementia care rejects institutionalised thinking and values spontaneity and independence. We ensure that our dementia care in Portishead aligns with the values of dignity, respect, and personal choice for all residents.
Our dementia focused activities at Harbour Care Centre
Dementia care in Portishead includes various activities designed to stimulate cognitive function and encourage social interaction. We aim to provide dementia care in Portishead that not only meets physical needs but also nurtures emotional well-being.
We see ‘living well with dementia’ as having four basic categories.
| Category | How we facilitate |
| Outdoor & Nature | Marina Trips: Outings to Portishead harbourside and local pubs. Sensory Gardens: Access to refurbished, sunny front gardens or our secure, shady rear gardens. Resident Pets: Interaction and feeding our beloved rabbits (Tom and Jerry). |
| Cognitive & Sensory | Reminiscence: Group work evoking personal or local history and memories. Life Story: Activities based on personal “life histories”. |
| Social & Community | Community Ties: Links with local churches and community clubs. School Visits: Regular visits from nearby schools. Digital Connection: Facilitating FaceTime with family members. |
| Physical Movement | Themed Socials: From “pub afternoons” to festive parties, these events provide a familiar social structure in a safe environment. Gentle Movement: Interactive games like balloon toss or light exercise sessions help maintain physical mobility. Intergenerational Visits: Collaborative events with local groups foster a sense of community and joy. |
Our dementia care fees in Portishead
Care home fees include all meals and accommodation, bills, laundry and activities. The final price depends on each resident’s individual needs, which are assessed by one of our managers.
Currently, we have availability in our Willow suite for dementia care, and we update this daily. Shorter stay dementia respite care is also available.
Our availability of rooms is constantly changing, so we ask anyone interested to contact Eloise or Jeanette at reception to begin the enquiry process.
- Residential Dementia Care is from £1375 per week
- Dementia Nursing Care is from £1625 per week
- Respite Dementia Care is from £1475 per week
- Certain larger rooms have a small premium