S&W Independent Living

17/11/2025

❗ Being prepared for a crisis can often be key.

The Herbert Protocol scheme makes sure that should a person with dementia go missing, their family has all the information on hand to pass to the emergency services quickly.

As you spend time with your loved ones this festive season, take the time to consider whether a Herbert Protocol form could come in useful at a critical time.

The form asks for information about the person living with dementia to make them easily identifiable. This includes:
🔹 An up-to-date photo and/or description of how they look
🔹 Key details of their favourite places/memories
🔹 Any medications
🔹 Important contact details

Those living with dementia may experience confusion and disorientation whilst in public, posing a risk of them becoming injured or placing themselves in a dangerous situation.

Caring for vulnerable people can be challenging. By filling out this form, it ensures the safety of your loved ones and helps us provide the correct support when needed.

For more information on how to access and fill out the form, search ‘Herbert Protocol’ on the Derbyshire Constabulary Website.

In an emergency, call 999.

10/11/2025

Sometimes a person with dementia may become intensely distressed and agitated in the later afternoon or towards the end of the day. This is known as ‘sundowning.’

The symptoms may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep, but they aren’t necessarily linked to the sun setting, or limited to the end of the day.

Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle and later stages.

The reasons why sundowning happens are not well understood, but it is possible that a range of different causes makes it more likely. These might include:

Tiredness, hunger, pain or other unmet physical needs

Not enough exposure to sunlight during the day

Overstimulation during the day, such as from a noisy or busy environment

Disturbance to the person’s ‘body clock’ caused by damage to the brain

Disturbed levels of hormones that vary over the course of the day

Sensory impairment, such as hearing or sight loss

Tiredness in other people causing the person with dementia to become upset

Mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression

Fewer carers around to look after the person (in a care home)

Side effects of prescribed drugs

Sometimes what seems like ‘sundowning’ could be the person trying to communicate a need. This could be needing the toilet, feeling hungry or being in pain.

Uneven indoor lighting and reflective surfaces can sometimes cause confusion by creating disturbing shadows or mirrors.

Close the curtains or blinds once it starts to get dark and cover the television with a dust cover, if it’s not being used.

Think whether something that’s happened during the day has affected them.

If they remain agitated, it could be that they have a need that is not being met.

If they seem agitated, try to calm them by distracting them, perhaps talking about a favourite memory.

[Image description:
A light blue infographic with the title 'What causes sundowning?' centred infront of a yellow glow, surrounding by eight different illustrations depicting each cause, including: tiredness, hunger, pain, lack of sunlight, overstimulation, sensory impairment, body clock disturbance, prescribed drug side effects, mood disorders, and hormone level imbalances.]

07/11/2025

🪻✨November 2025✨🪻

S&W Independent Living is a small independent, family-run domiciliary agency based in central Buxton, Derbyshire. We have a fantastic team of compassionate, loving, and knowledgeable carers.

Being a Care Worker with us here at S&W Independent Living you will finish your shift with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

We have part and full time Community Care Worker positions open in Buxton, including a vacancy for a non-driver.

• £13.00- £14 per hour
• 45p / mile (all visits are in Buxton) plus travel time paid at hourly rate.
• Flexible hours available
• Set days available to promote a healthy work life balance
• Weekend enhancements
• Annual leave incentive scheme
• Refer a friend bonus

☎️ 01298 22299
📧 mail@homecarebuxton.co.uk
Or simply send us a message for further information.

We look forward to hearing from you 😃

S & W Independent Living - Care Agency

07/11/2025

🪻✨November 2025✨🪻

S&W Independent Living is a small independent, family-run domiciliary agency based in central Buxton, Derbyshire. We have a fantastic team of compassionate, loving, and knowledgeable carers.

Being a Care Worker with us here at S&W Independent Living you will finish your shift with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

We have part and full time Community Care Worker positions open in Buxton, including a vacancy for a non-driver.

• £12.60 - £13.75 per hour
• 45p / mile (all visits are in Buxton) plus travel time paid at hourly rate.
• Flexible hours available
• Set days available to promote a healthy work life balance
• Weekend enhancements
• Annual leave incentive scheme
• Refer a friend bonus

☎️ 01298 22299
📧 mail@homecarebuxton.co.uk
Or simply send us a message for further information.

We look forward to hearing from you😃

15/10/2025

Our Gemma and Dotty enjoying a trip to Flash Bar Cafe & Stores for hot chocolates and cake this afternoon! 🧁☕️ just lovely! 💓

07/10/2025

Cold weather reminder ❄️

Colder climes can be tough for people living with dementia – but with the right support, we can help them stay warm, safe, and independent.

Thanks to our Gas Distribution Network partnership, there are several ways to access financial and practical support before the cold weather sets in and things become more urgent.

If you care for someone with dementia, here are just a few actions you can start implementing now to help ensure the coming months are safe, comfortable and affordable:

- Fit & test carbon monoxide alarms regularly
- Get your boiler serviced ahead of winter
- Call our Dementia Support Line for info on local grants for energy costs
- Close curtains at dusk and use draught excluders to keep warmth inside
- Set the thermostat and use timers – aiming for around 18–21°C
- Join the Priority Services Register – a free support service for people living with dementia

[Image description:
A winter-style infographic with a heading that reads: 6 ways to keep someone with dementia safe and warm in winter. Each tip has a small illustration with text underneath that advises the following: setting thermostats and using timers, joining the priority services register, calling our dementia support line, servicing your boiler, testing carbon monoxide alarms, closing curtains and using draught excluders.]

07/10/2025

✨🌈 October 2025🌈✨

S&W Independent Living is a small independent, family-run domiciliary agency based in central Buxton. We have a fantastic team of compassionate, loving, and knowledgeable carers.

Being a Care Worker with us here at S&W Independent Living you will finish your shift with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

We have part and full time Community Care Worker positions open in Buxton.

• £12.60 - £13.75 per hour
• Flexible hours available
• Set days available
• Weekend enhancements
• Additional rates of pay to cover travelling expenses (travel time + fuel) and all visits are in Buxton only.
• You are paid from the start to finish of your shift, i.e. 0700-1300, inclusive of travel time.

☎️ 01298 22299
📧 mail@homecarebuxton.co.uk
Or simply send us a message for further information.

We look forward to hearing from you😃

29/09/2025

Morene fancied an Ice Cream today, so an Ice Cream she had! 😊

23/09/2025

Hands up if you pledge to beat dementia. 🙋

Dementia devastates lives, but we can only beat it by bringing together carers, researchers, volunteers, fundraisers, politicians, and YOU.

It will take a society to beat dementia.

That’s why on World Alzheimer’s Day we’re asking you to share this post to bring everyone together, united to beat dementia.

03/09/2025

https://uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=35b37812feb81e93&from=serp&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Ds%2B%2526%2Bw%2Bindependent%2Bliving%26l%3D%26from%3DsearchOnHP%26sameL%3D1&mclk=default&xpse=SoCR67I3tIl8EiQNgJ0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=12502148-a1f7-412f-9b4b-5fdd7fc89566&xkcb=SoAf67M3tIl9ke2WY50IbzkdCdPP

S & W Independent Living - Care Agency