Specialist reminiscence care home opened by health minister

A new care home in Bearsden has been officially opened by Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in Scotland.

The residential home, which cost £9.1m, has been caring for its residents since it opened May 2013 but this week had its official opening, with performances from a local bagpipe player and Violin, Viola and Cello players the The Rannock Trio.

A key feature of the home is its several reminiscence rooms designed for staff to spend time in with residents helping them remember happy periods of their lives and prompt memories which have been forgotten due to dementia or other age related illnesses.

Care home manager Bobby Dougan said: “We’ve created a modern, luxury home that provides first class accommodation for our residents. People are now living longer and have more complex needs and associated health issues that we have the experience to care for. We tailor our care plans to meet the needs of each resident who deserves to enjoy the later years of their lives in a comfortable, safe and fun environment.”

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “All of Scotland’s older people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in a safe, caring and homely setting. This is particularly important for people living with dementia when their needs mean that living independently at home is no longer an option.

“With its modern facilities and innovative new approaches, such as reminiscence areas which take patients back to more familiar times, Antonine House Care Home can provide care with dignity and respect in a personal manner.”

The home is part of care provider Meallmore, which has a further £30m of development planned over the next five years.

All staff have been trained as champions of dementia, continence, nutrition, palliative care, falls and skin integrity to ensure all residents receive high standards of care.

Managing director of Meallmore Ltd, Gerry Hennessey said: “It’s a particularly exciting time for Meallmore and all our care homes. Our achievement and growth would not have been possible without the hard work and loyalty of our dedicated staff. In the next five years, we will be investing up to £30million in Scotland, which includes developing new high quality care homes as well as improving our existing homes.

“Antonine House is a great example of the exceptional standards of care that has come to be expected of Meallmore. We’re a dedicated family who are completely ‘hands-on’. We know our staff and residents well, that’s important to us.” Resident since the home opened, Marion Smith said: “I enjoy the company of my fellow residents and the sanctity of my room. I can participate in many of the activities and outings organised by the care home but I’m under no pressure to do so. “Having lived in the area for some time it was easy for me to choose to live here. I quite literally moved from across the road so it’s been nice for me to continue my interests in local activities which I have been part of for many years, as well as visit the local shops that I’m familiar with. Yes, life has changed but now there is security along with freedom and friendship.”