Five paramedic science students from Oxford Brookes University recently completed a two-week placement at MHA The Homestead in Carterton, where they gained valuable hands-on experience working with residents living with dementia. The students—Chris Botha, Isabel Moore, Lauren Watts, Joseph Ridgway, and Marcus Suntharalingam—interacted closely with both residents and staff, allowing them to deepen their understanding of personal and compassionate care.
Initially, some students expressed skepticism about the placement, particularly regarding their prior experiences with older adults. Marcus Suntharalingam noted, “Starting my care home placement I was incredibly sceptical as I already had a large amount of experience working with older adults, and previous students had told me that the care home placement was one of their worst placements.” Despite these concerns, he found the experience to be rewarding, stating, “I feel significantly more confident communicating with older adults, and this has really reflected on my practice both at work and on my ambulance placements.”
The students engaged in various activities during their time at the care home. They assisted with daily care routines, participated in day trips, and enhanced their communication skills. Isabel Moore shared, “I enjoyed meeting all the residents and learnt amazing things about their lives. Doing the placement has helped me to understand so much more about personal care, and I would love to come back and spend more time at the home.”
MHA The Homestead provides residential care and specialized dementia care for up to 68 residents. The placement aimed to foster an educational environment that benefits both students and residents. Pawel Wisniowski, the home manager, expressed his commitment to this mission, stating, “As home manager at The Homestead, I am committed to providing a high-quality placement environment for student paramedics that supports learning, professional development, and compassionate care.”
This placement not only enhances the students’ skills but also promotes a greater understanding of the challenges and rewards associated with caring for individuals living with dementia. The initiative demonstrates the importance of experiential learning in the field of healthcare, preparing future paramedics for the complexities of patient interactions.
