Why Wellbeing Matters in Care Homes: Dementia, Burnout and Better Support with Surraya Sadr

When people think about care homes, they often picture routines, medication, and maybe a bit of bingo. But what if the most important part of care is the part we can’t easily measure?

In this episode, I’m joined by Surraya Sadr, Head of Wellbeing and Lifestyle at Mindful Care, to unpack what wellbeing in care settings really means - especially for those supporting people living with dementia.

We explore the emotional reality of being the person everyone leans on, why wellbeing roles are often misunderstood or undervalued, and how small everyday moments - not big activities - are what truly shape quality of life.

If you’re a parent, teacher, caregiver or support professional, this conversation will challenge how you think about behaviour, connection and what “good care” actually looks like.

🧩 About Surraya Sadr

Surraya brings a powerful blend of experience across youth work, occupational therapy and dementia care.

• Former Dementia Care Coach in the NHS

• Led wellbeing across 40+ care homes and 50 staff

• Finalist at the National Dementia Awards (Best Wellbeing Lead)

• Now Head of Wellbeing & Lifestyle at Mindful Care

Her work focuses on improving dementia care, staff wellbeing, and practical, person-centred approaches that actually work in real settings.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

• Mindful Care: https://mindful-care.co.uk/

• Wellbeing Forum (April 2026 – Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge)

• Email Surraya: https://able-training.co.uk/podcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abletraining/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abletrainingexperience

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/able-training-ltd-/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abletocarepodcast

💡 Three Key Messages 1. Wellbeing is not an “extra” - it’s the foundation

If someone doesn’t feel safe, connected or understood, no amount of task-based care will meet their needs.

2. The most important work is often invisible

The conversations, the noticing, the small adjustments - this is where real care happens, but it’s rarely measured or valued.

3. You cannot pour from an empty cup (even if you try)

Burnout doesn’t arrive loudly. It creeps in through disconnection, anxiety and emotional exhaustion - and many carers ignore it until it’s too late.

⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Introduction 02:30 – What wellbeing roles really involve (beyond bingo) 06:00 – Why dementia care requires emotional skill, not just tasks 10:30 – Why wellbeing staff are undervalued in care homes 14:30 – Surraya’s journey into wellbeing and dementia care 18:30 – What’s improving in care homes (and what still isn’t) 22:30 – Signs you might be heading towards burnout 26:00 – Compassion fatigue and emotional load in care roles 30:00 – Why wellbeing fails in some care settings 34:00 – Adapting activities for different cognitive needs 38:00 – A real example of turning a struggling team around 41:00 – Why mental wellbeing is so hard to measure 45:00 – Realistic self-care (not bubble baths) 51:00 – How families can support wellbeing teams 55:00 – Common challenges shared in wellbeing forums 58:00 – Rethinking the “activities coordinator” role 1:02:00 – Final message: your worth as a caregiver

🎯 Why Listen to This Episode

If you’ve ever:

• Felt like behaviour is misunderstood or labelled too quickly

• Been the one “holding everything together” for others

• Struggled with burnout, guilt or emotional exhaustion

• Wondered how to better support someone living with dementia

• Questioned why care systems focus more on tasks than people

This episode will give you a different lens.

Not a perfect framework. Not a checklist.

But a more honest, human understanding of what care really requires.

🔄 A Thought to Take Away

Surraya said something that stuck:

“It’s not about big activities. It’s about the everyday moments.”

And maybe that’s the challenge for all of us.

Are we focusing on what’s visible… Or what actually matters?