Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost Reflections was one of the first centres in Cornwall established to support people with dementia/ memory loss and their carers. Reflections uses all the latest research and evidence based practice to deliver activities that really help people with dementia to live well for longer.We do not like the term day care centre as we are as far away from what one would envisage a day centre to look like as possible. We treat every person as a unique individual because we all have our individual likes, dislikes and personalities. We are fortunate to have very high staffing levels and a centre with several different rooms so that people can have as much choice as possible in what happens during their day. Our centre also has a wonderful new garden area and is set right in the Valley Park so people who like walking can get out and about. We have a wild west ranch complete with ponies set at Carn Brea which we will use when the weathers good. We also very much work on the principle that prevention must come first and we welcome anyone lonely or isolated to join us too. Our centre has lots of natural light flooding through the building which is so important for people with dementia. Most of our staff are also very experienced carers as well so providing personal care if needed is never a problem.

There is only really one way to see how different we are, come and see us !!!!!

Reflections is a Community Interest Company which is a not for profit social enterprise. In many ways a CIC runs the same as any other business as it has to cover its overheads etc. but the difference is the way that any profit generated is used. Any surplus monies have to be reinvested back into the company and the community that it serves. An example of this in practice was Reflections SW setting up a community tea dance which provided, free of charge, a weekly gathering in the local community attended by people with dementia, carers, friends and other interested local residents. A CIC can also apply for grants, such as Awards For All.

Reflections SW has has a board of non-executive directors.

At present there are no requirements for day care services to register. However Reflections still complies with the Essential Quality and Safety standards just as if it was registered.

Reflections can cater for around 20 people per day.

If people are self-funding they can self-refer. If people are using the personal budget system they need to request that an amount for day activities, care or stimulation is in their budget. Reflections works together with the local Community Mental Health Teams and the councils. We welcome people with dementia to pop in for a chat and a coffee to see if they would like to use our service. During this visit our centre manager will undertake an informal assessment to see whether Reflections is a suitable place for them.
Reflections can support most people living with dementia from early diagnosis through to the later stages. The only people we can sadly not cater for are people who are violent for no reason to others or themselves and people who are sexually explicit.

We would also like to add that it is important that people with dementia be encouraged to attend centres like Reflections as early as possible from the point of diagnosis and not to wait for a crisis. This is for several reasons;

• The therapy that Reflections provides helps people live well with their dementia for longer
• Being part of a family unit, engaging in meaningful activities, feeling valued and wanted all helps delay deterioration
• Trained staff are able to detect sudden deliriums which could be caused by urine infections etc.
• People with dementia and their carers can find carer attachment/ separation quite a problem but by attending our centre this can be alleviated which of course is of great benefit to everyone involved with the care.

We do not provide transport however there are several community volunteer driving schemes in our area whom we can put you in touch with.

Please give us a call on 01209 718586 and we can let you know our daily charges.


For people with severe dementia or who need one to one sessions we do individual assessments and these costs could be met by the NHS Continuing Care or a health budget, subject to certain criteria.

People can come as many times as they choose. On average, most people attend a minimum of twice a week to take full advantage of the benefits for living healthier, and also for carer respite.

Our activities are very much based on what people enjoy/ past interests etc.
We have a varied program which includes formal activities i.e. outside entertainers/ practitioners booked in.
Here is a list of what can happen;

• Reminiscence therapy.
• Art/ Crafts
• Music/ dance/ movement
• Gentle exercise
• Cooking
• Community outings
• Poetry
• Quizzes/word searches
• Life Story work
• Flower arranging
• Computer games/exercise
• Digital reminiscence therapy
• Photography
• Themed days
• Sing-alongs
• Tea Dances
• Board games/dominoes/cards
• Tai Chi.
• Ball games - Football & Volleyball
• Karaoke
• Bingo
• Visiting our own very own Ranch and ponies situated at Carn Brea

On our initial assessment we will find out any special dietary needs that you have and our cook will ensure that these needs are met.

Firstly our centre is nurse led. All the team have health and social care qualifications or are working towards them. All the team have had specialist dementia training using the QCF Dementia Units. We are fortunate that one of our non-executive directors is an approved trainer for the Alzheimer’s society. We also use lots of E Learning resources including the Dementia Gateway. All of our team have been trained in Safe Guarding of Vulnerable Adults and the Mental Capacity Act plus Conflict Resolution etc. We have an extremely comprehensive library of policies and procedures linked into the Essential Safety/ Quality Standards as laid down by the CQC.

All volunteers are given induction training using the units developed by Skills For Care. All have had Health and Safety training including Safe Handling of People & Manual Handling, Infection Control and Safe handling Of Medicines.

Yes, according to our medication policies and procedures.

Most people are walking not wandering. They are usually walking to communicate something such as that they may be in pain/ bored/ lonely/ frustrated or maybe they just want some exercise. People tend not to wander once they settle in at Reflections because they are kept busy and empowered to still do things and they feel safe and wanted.If they still want a walk one of our team will walk with them.