Can Gerry Robinson fix dementia care homes. Part 1.

The first part in a series of two, this documentary looks behind the scenes at life in care homes for elderly people with demetia. Gerry Robinson investigates and attempts to offer suggestions to improve the often very sad state of dementia care homes. It is clear that staff are untrained to understand dementia, are poorly paid and often, as one manager put it, 'out of their depth.' Robinson visits a variety of homes rated from poor to excellent and takes on the case of a failing home, Thornhill. Dementia care home specialist, Paul Edwards, an expert in dementia care home mapping, makes an assesment of Thorhnill. A further house, Woodland House in Torquay, is under pressure, particularly as management cuts have left staff morale very low. In contrast, Merevale House is classed as excellent although it is no more expensive to stay there than at any of the other state subsidised homes. Dementia expert David Sheard explains what makes a home a happy and successful place for residents and staff and we see some of his suggestions put into practise.