Some of you will have been at our Conference in October last year and heard Erin Bonitto speak about the programme that she was implementing in parts of America which included the dementia lounge. There were other parts to the programme but the "lounge" was certainly the element that grabbed everyone's attention.

Many providers were keen to implement something similar in their own facilities.

After that trip to England we had intended to continue discussions with Erin about how something similar could be introduced in England.

That did not happen because within weeks of Erin and her husband Chris returning to America they heard that their dream of adopting two children would soon become a reality. At the beginning of April this year they were able to bring home from Ethiopia a 5 year old daughter and an 18 month old son.

We did not want to allow any more time to elapse so Nadra and I have come to America to visit three facilities for dementia and in particular to witness the Life Enrichment Programme that has been implemented in the facilities by Erin and her colleagues.

On Tuesday we began our Study Tour here in Albany which is the capital of New York State and where we will be staying until our tour ends on Thursday. Erin met us this morning and the three facilities that we are to be spending time in are part of a charity called the Eddy Foundation.

We have visited 2 homes today and have seen so much and heard so much that I am feeling quite overwhelmed but positive that I have already seen some things that enhance the quality of life all residents.

Whether or not his programme would easily transfer to the UK I need to reflect on. The facilities here are much bigger than most in England and of course all on one floor because there is so much land available.

We are going out to dinner now so it will give me the chance to ask loads of questions and I will keep updating the blog as much as I can.