Expert ARBD Care and Support

With over 30 years experience in the field of alcohol related brain damage, we have combined our knowledge and expertise to develop a way ahead with our 3 Step Enablement Programme that helps an individual to take back control of their life and regain skills to live independently and alcohol free.

At Vane Hill we work from a clinical and rehabilitative model that starts with a thorough assessment and a clear, individualised care plan. Our team brings together registered nurses, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and psychology or specialist mental-health input where needed. We focus on stabilising physical health (including nutrition and vitamin needs), restoring routine and daily living skills and teaching practical strategies that support independence. Rehabilitation is practical and person-centred, therapy is built around real tasks like getting dressed, preparing simple meals, managing money or keeping a small household, so learning transfers to everyday life.

We aim to make care predictable and reassuring. That means consistent routines, clear visual prompts, adapted communal spaces and one-to-one coaching when it helps someone practise a new skill. Therapy sessions are repeated and tailored so progress is steady and meaningful. Family involvement is central, we work with families to agree on achievable goals, support visiting routines and plan safe, supported transitions, whether the next step is increased independence, supported living or longer-term residence.

Best practice emphasises sensitive, person-centred planning that balances comfort, dignity and choice. Our approach is to keep people involved in decision-making as far as possible and to support families through every stage.

Korsakoff’s syndrome (often part of the Wernicke–Korsakoff spectrum) is a chronic memory disorder caused by severe thiamine deficiency. It is marked by profound short-term memory loss and difficulty forming new memories, some people also show confabulation (filling gaps in memory with invented details), while procedural memory (skills) can be relatively preserved. Early recognition and thiamine replacement are critical to reduce risk of irreversible damage, but even when memory loss remains, a structured, supportive environment and carefully designed care plans can make daily life safer and more meaningful.

At Vane Hill our care for people with Korsakoff’s focuses on practical memory supports and respectful routines. Care plans use external memory aids (timers, labelled storage, visual schedules), repetition and task breakdown to help with daily activities. Our staff are trained to use gentle communication strategies and to provide consistent cues rather than correcting mistakes, which reduces distress and preserves dignity. Rehabilitation and life-skills work aims to strengthen independence where possible (for example, safe use of simple kitchen tasks), and nursing oversight reduces medical risks such as dehydration, malnutrition or infection. We also prioritise safeguarding and capacity-sensitive decision making, involving specialists and advocates where necessary.

Wernicke’s Encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological condition caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It often presents rapidly with confusion, problems with coordination or balance (ataxia), eye movement disturbances and even reduced consciousness. If not treated swiftly and appropriately, it can lead to permanent damage, including progression towards Korsakoff’s syndrome. Because of its sudden onset and potential for serious harm, WE demands timely, expert care.

At Vane Hill, we provide specialist residential support for people recovering from Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. We monitor for and correct deficiencies in magnesium or other cofactors, because recovery from WE depends not just on thiamine but on supporting metabolic balance and overall physical health.