Grenada Dementia Care Initiative exists to inform, educate, inspire and empower individuals who have dementia of any type, their caregivers, relatives and stakeholders.
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Ms Claudia Thomas is a Registered Nurse and Founder/Director of the Grenada Home Care Agency – Connections Care@Home. this has been in operation for almost 10 years, training care givers to look after vulnerable elderly people with a high percentage of these living with dementia, in Grenada and Carriacou.
She holds a BA degree in Educational Studies and Religious Education. She secured a role at the University of Hertfordshire, assisting foreign students with assessments on their social work degrees programmes.
Ms Thomas has recently completed a MSc degree in Dementia Studies with the University of Stirling in the UK and gained a certificate in Counselling Skills (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). She also holds a certificate in Teaching in Clinical Practice (University of Hertfordshire UK). She is a certified Disability Assessor – assessing basic neurology, physical and mental health (University of Derby UK). Ms Thomas completed ‘Train The Trainer’ Courses for the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) and trained nurses to conduct medical and mental health assessments.
She has been a registered nurse for over 40 years and has a wealth of experience working across many specialist areas. This includes being a Nurse adviser for the NHS in the UK and Working as a Disability Analyst for the government department for Work and Pensions. This role entailed conducting medical assessments on both the physical and mental health conditions of claimants, producing robust reports to the government to advise the government on claimants suitable for benefits or work. Ms Thomas also worked for some years as a senior community nurse, mainly with vulnerable elderly people with many differing medical conditions and dementia.
Ms Thomas’ interest in dementia care was borne out of many years caring for people living with dementia, and more recently, caring for vulnerable people with cognitive impairment in Grenada and Carriacou over the past 9 years. She is also a registered Nurse with the Grenada Nursing Council for the past 6 years.
She has a love for the elderly and strives to improve their quality of life, especially those with living with dementia. She hopes to use the knowledge and skills gained through her years of experience and the MSc Dementia Degree programme, to bring awareness, education and to enhance the care for those living with dementia on the Tri-Island State of Grenada.
Ms Petronella St Clair completed her training in elderly care and dementia care in 2016, with Connections Care@Home and she is currently working with a client who has had dementia for a number of years.
She originally lived and worked in the UK. She worked with a local council borough in London catering for school children and worked privately with a Restaurant as a supervisor. She has experience as a receptionist for an advisory service. She enjoyed working for a private company caring for elderly people in their own homes, and those living with dementia. Her duties were varied and was able to escort clients on shopping trips and medical appointments and helping them with their banking needs and general household tasks and personal care.
In 1998 Ms St Clair made the decision to return to Grenada permanently and started working at a home for abused women and children. She had responsibilities to assist them in court appearances, and helping to find jobs and housing. She also help with literacy and helping children to complete homework. She worked in the capacity of an assistant manager, keeping accurate records and making phone calls to clients to find out which services they would be needing for the week ahead.
She has taken several dementia courses, including certification in dementia care, and dementia awareness level 2 (VTQ) This course gives a foundational understanding of dementia and it’s impact on the individual, as well as training in communication and engagement strategies for people living with dementia. It covers as type of dementia, causes, signs and symptoms and person-centred approaches to care. It also covers support and advocacy and management of challenging behaviour.
Ms St Clair has had a long interest in dementia care and this was piqued in her current role as a caregiver. She was recently asked by the Care Agency she is employed by, to help with a difficult case of someone who had advanced dementia and whose family was travelling abroad leaving the elderly person with dementia home alone. The family was very impressed with the care compassion and professionalism she displayed. They contacted the agency to express their thanks. Her knowledge and skills gained through her years of life experiences will enhance the overall skill set of the team.
Rena Augustine Wilson has a love for elderly care and has worked with the elderly for many years, gaining valuable experience over the years. She has taken several dementia courses, including certification in dementia care, and dementia awareness level 2 (VTQ) This course gives a foundational understanding of dementia and it’s impact on the individual, as well as training in communication and engagement strategies for people living with dementia. It covers as type of dementia, causes, signs and symptoms and person-centred approaches to care. It also covers support and advocacy and management of challenging behaviour.
Rena is certified in dementia care. She has completed a management in geriataric nursing, and is a member of the community disaster response team for Grenada in the St Patricks area
Ms Wilson was also a former caregiver and shift leader at the Hilarion Home for the Aged and caregiver and assistant manager at Connection Care@Home Agency where she undertook her dementia care and First Aid training.
Rena has also completed advanced classes with other institutes offering course in working with senior citizens.
She brings a wealth of experience to the team and feels honoured to be a part of this ground breaking Dementia Initiative.
Allana Hankey-Thomas is an experienced educator, with over thirteen years of expertise in academic advisement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Investment and a Master of Science in Education from Baruch College. Most recently, she served as Associate Director for Academic Advisement at the City University of New York, where she was known for her student-centered approach and commitment to academic success. In 2020, Allana made the difficult decision to resign from her role in education and return to her native Grenada to care for her mother, who had entered the advanced stages of dementia. Alongside her sister and cousin, she has been a devoted caregiver, an experience that has deeply shaped her perspective and priorities. In addition to caregiving, Allana is the managing partner of Samaritan Farm, a small, familyowned organic farm located in Samaritan, St. Patrick’s. Since 2021, she and her partners have been dedicated to cultivating the farm with a focus on sustainable practices and food security in Grenada, guided by the personal motto: “You become what you eat.” Her journey as a caregiver has also inspired a growing passion for dementia advocacy. Allana is committed to raising awareness about the widespread impact of dementia—not only on those diagnosed but also on their families and communities. She envisions a Grenada where compassion, education, and support systems ensure that no one faces the challenges of dementia alone.
Freda Smith, is currently Shift Leader & Caregiver at the Hilarion Home for the Aged. Freda is certified in Dementia care, care of the elderly, CPR and First Aid. She is also the Assistant Needs & Assessment Officer for the St Patrick’s West constituency of the National Agency Disaster Management Authority (NADMA).
Ms. Smith was also a former caregiver with Connection Care@Home Agency where she undertook her Dementia care and First Aid training. She continues to be a valued member of the team. She has taken several dementia courses, including certification in dementia care, and dementia awareness level 2 (VTQ) This course gives a foundational understanding of dementia and it’s impact on the individual, as well as training in communication and engagement strategies for people living with dementia. It covers as type of dementia, causes, signs and symptoms and person-centred approaches to care. It also covers support and advocacy and management of challenging behaviour.
Ms. Smith recognises the lack of knowledge about dementia in the community leading to poor outcomes and would like to be a part of the agenda for change, working with stakeholders to address issues like stigma, and inequalities associated with the disease and to help especially, those challenged by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Freda aspire to become one of the educators of Dementia Training and life coach.
Asha Francis has been a caregiver with Connections Care@Home Agency for the past 3 years. After leaving school, Asha had the opportunity to travel to Canada and was employed as a Care Support worker after completing an Elderly Care Course at a University in Canada after she gained experience working for a few short months in elderly care. She then found employment at The Baycrest Hospital Home of the Elderly.
Asha returned to Grenada a few years later and furthered her elderly care and dementia training with Connections Care@Home Agency and graduated with a Certificate of Achievement. She also completed her First Aid Course with the agency. She thoroughly enjoys her role as a carer, and as she puts it ‘It’s what I do best’ She is able to engage well and build rapport with clients which are her best attributes. She states ‘I would love to utilize the skills I have gained over the years, with this new dementia initiative, to develop and enhance dementia care across the Tri-Island State of Grenada.
Rhonda Joseph agrees with and is a strong advocate of the systems theory. She believes that when all the systems that impact on an individual operates efficiently that person experiences holistic growth and development. Ms. Joseph provides individual and group mental health and counselling services. She especially enjoys working with children, young people, and students. She is skilled in crisis intervention, post traumatic psychosocial recovery, academic and career education. She has been employed as a Guidance Counsellor with the Ministry of Education for the past twenty-one (21) years. Ms. Joseph holds a Bachelors in Guidance and Counselling and a Masters in Education. She is also trained in couples therapy, therapeutic writing, somatic experiencing, and the fundamentals of addiction. Ms. Joseph is experienced, dedicated and committed to facilitating the process for the holistic development of the individual through counselling, guidance, advocacy, and education. She also volunteers with the Grenada Dementia Care Initiative since having a family member diagnosed with dementia. Ms. Joseph has successfully completed Assisting and Caring for People with Dementia Level 2 (VTQ) Training. Ms. Joseph believes that early diagnosis will go a long way in helping individuals and families come to terms with the condition. Additionally, it will help them plan for and care for loved ones with dignity and respect when they can no longer function cognitively. Her resolve is to bring awareness to this condition, thereby improving lives and empowering communities.
Currently a physician at the Mt Gay Mental Health Hospital at St. George’s in Grenada.
Dr Spencer is skilled in carrying out Mental health and dementia assessments. He has been working in this capacity with Conections Care@ Home for the last 11 years and is now a valued member of the Grenada Dementia Initiative.
