Our why, how & what
Why Sareos exists
As I got older and my body began to change, my thinking changed with it.
In my early 50s, I found myself navigating menopause, a divorce, declining mobility and a growing sense of uncertainty about what the next stage of life might hold. Physically and emotionally, I wasn’t in the place I wanted to be — and I began to question what quality of life really means as we age.
When I looked around, I saw that I wasn’t alone.
Many women my age were living with chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, or long-term reliance on medication. Others were already living in care homes with dementia. This wasn’t coincidence — it was a pattern. Around 65% of people living with dementia are women, and similar proportions are affected by autoimmune disease. Increasingly, Alzheimer’s is being discussed as a metabolic condition, sometimes referred to as “Type 3 diabetes.”
These are complex, chronic illnesses with no simple answers. Too often, treatment focuses on managing symptoms rather than improving day-to-day life — and the pressure on our health and social care systems continues to grow.
By this point, I had been running care homes for over 20 years. I had seen first-hand how people living with dementia often deteriorate over time. Physical needs could be met. Risks could be managed. But one question continued to stay with me:
What about quality of life?
I believe there should be more to living than simply existing. Purpose, dignity, connection and joy matter — at every stage of life. That belief is the foundation of Sareos.
My intention is for our homes to become centres of excellence for people living with dementia — places where individuals remain known, valued and supported to live meaningful lives.
“Purpose, dignity, connection and joy matter — at every stage of life.”
“Creating places where people living with dementia can live meaningful lives.”
How we are working towards this
This vision is not a claim of perfection. It is a commitment to a direction.
We are deliberately building towards a different way of caring, learning as we go.
Shaping a purpose-led culture
We are working to create a culture where care is guided by purpose rather than process. By sharing our vision openly with staff, families and partners, we aim to create alignment around why we do what we do.
We are developing ways for staff to feel supported, listened to and involved, recognising that a cared-for workforce is essential to high-quality care.
Re-thinking the environment
We are committed to evolving our homes to be more dementia-friendly over time — calm, intuitive spaces that support independence, reduce anxiety and feel like places to live, not institutions.
Developing skills and understanding
We are reviewing the skills within our homes and identifying where we need to grow. Our ambition is to move beyond minimum training requirements towards deeper understanding of dementia and the lived experience of those affected.
This includes improving face-to-face training, building in-house expertise, supporting ongoing professional development and exploring experiential learning that builds confidence and empathy.
what this means in practice
A clear focus on quality of life, not just safety and compliance
Families treated as partners in care
Teams supported to care with intention, reflection and empathy
Our vision shows up in the everyday moments that shape life in our homes.
It means providing residential dementia care that focuses on the whole person — their history, preferences, relationships and sense of self — not just their diagnosis.
In practice, this means:
Homes grounded in dignity, kindness and respect
Care shaped around individuals rather than routines
Ultimately, we are working towards care homes that feel like places to live — not places to wait.
Places where people living with dementia can still experience purpose and pleasure.
Where families feel supported and reassured.
Where staff feel proud of the care they give.
Sarah Yilmaz
Founder & Owner
Sareos Care Homes