“I shared Natalies frustrations and had unfortunately experienced much of the same whilst working in several care homes. I remember back to one of my first jobs in care and I often reflect on this experience when I tell people about why I am so passionate about supporting people living with dementia. I was working on an EMI unit and we had just finished serving lunch so I headed to the staff room for my break. I passed through the residential unit and overheard a conversation where I learned that the residents on the EMI unit had not had the same beautifully presented meal as other residents in the care home. When I asked the chef why this was their response was “well they won’t remember”. This has always stuck with me. Every single person, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and I was going to do everything I could to make sure that that happened.
Several years later…
Having completed my degree in Occupational Therapy and seeing the unfortunate closing of local health run day centres for older people with dementia and other mental health needs, I knew I wanted to set up my own day services but due to a lack of confidence and experience, I put the idea to the back of my mind.
And a few years after that…
I was working as the head of activities in a large care home. I knew the importance of meaningful and purposeful activities for people living with dementia but felt unable to give residents the time they needed. Due to my training I was also keen to help and enable people to live as independently as possible. Natalie and I soon became friends, and with our shared passion we developed my previous vision for a day service and Over The Rainbow Care Ltd was born…
Megan x
