Certified to care

Silviahemmet is a Swedish foundation including both a nursing home for patients suffering from dementia as well as a dementia education branch founded by Professor Barbro Beck-Friis in 1996. As part of the education branch, an entire dementia unit can be educated to receive the unique quality indicator of the Silviahemmet certification. In order to receive the certification, ALL personnel including nurses, housecleaners, janitors and directors need to be educated in dementia according to the foundation’s guidelines. The aim of the certification is to incorporate a comprehensive view and understanding of the care of dementia patients across all levels in the unit. The certification is followed up yearly and needs to be renewed regularly. Professor Beck-Friis is a geriatrician and a leading expert in the world regarding the care of elderly with dementia and her philosophy is based on four cornerstones;

1)   Patient-focused care/symptom control

2)   Teamwork

3)   Support to relatives

4)   Communication and relationships

Most recently she was awarded the Japanese “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette” for her outstanding contribution to the development of elderly care in Japan and enhancement of the relationship between Japan and Sweden. The reason the Government of Japan awarded her was because she played a vital role in introducing the concept of group home to Japan by accepting many study visits.

Source: http://www.silviahemmet.se/en/

Click to access japanese_order_barbro_beck_friis.pdf