Last night over dinner we were able to talk at length with Erin about all we had seen during the day and the large differences we have noted between the American model of care and the British model.

I saw a similar disparity when I was on holiday in Australia in February.

Compared to the size of American and Australian care facilities British ones are much smaller so if we are going to find a model of care that will make a real difference to service users and staff then it must reflect that difference.

The homes we went to yesterday all had teams of activities staff.

We do not think this is impossible though but it will need a great deal of thought and planning.

We have also heard about European models based upon small units of residents.

The important thing we have seen is that the difference that can be made to residents even with advanced levels of dementia by connecting them with their past.

I am trying to get more photos from Erin which will demonstrate what we are saying.