Care home set to unveil new dementia suite

St Georges Park Nursing Home, part of the Rotherwood Healthcare Group, is continuing its investment in the local area, with the imminent opening of a specialised dementia suite as part of a newly refurbished wing of its residential home.

The care group purchased the home in July 2015 and immediately started the extensive refurbishment and renovation on the ground floor to create an additional 32 dementia friendly bedrooms.

Commenting on the renovation at St Georges Park Nursing Home, acting manager Sue Hindes, said: “We are at present in the midst of a very exciting time at St Georges. Rotherwood Healthcare are extremely supportive and endeavour to provide an individualised person-centred approach to all residents within our care.

“It became apparent very early on to all of us within the home that there is a huge need for dementia nursing units within the Telford area. We had the social services calling us regularly requesting we take dementia residents but despite our skilled nursing team we weren’t able to.

“In response, Rotherwood kick-started the development plans and due to their expertise in dementia care have been able to start developing the new unit here within St Georges.”

She continued: “The new dementia suite will provide excellent quality nursing care to residents dealing with the challenges of dementia and has been designed to ensure that the best possible environment is provided using soft tones on the walls, rounded furniture and specialist lighting to ensure that varying types of dementia needs are fully met.”

Dementia friendly care

According to Alzheimer’s Society, 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia and 80 per cent of those living in care homes have a form of dementia or severe memory problems.

The new dementia suite aims to support the resident’s independence and incorporates the latest design approaches recommended for dementia care.

Each bedroom will feature Sky television, new furniture, en-suite facilities and modern décor. Coloured doors will also help residents to identify their own rooms; while a cinema room will help to encourage reminiscence and support social stimulation.

Administrator for St Georges Park, Donna Martin, added: “Many of us haven’t yet seen the inside of the new suite as we want to wait and see it at the completion stage. We’re even more excited to see the new door colours chosen to help the residents identify their rooms easily, as well as the bathroom suites, furniture and treatment rooms.”

With the ground floor of the dementia suite set to open in January 2016, chief executive of St Georges Park Nursing Home, Richard Claridge, explained: “The last few months have been very hectic and we’re pleased to say minimal disruption has been caused thanks to the excellent staff we have within St Georges Park.

“It is not only testament to the team here but everyone who has been involved in the refurbishment plans that we will have a brand new dementia suite dedicated to providing nursing care to those in the area.”

‘Dementia suites offer personalised care’

Commenting on the importance of dementia friendly care homes, George McNamara, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society said: “More than two thirds of people living in care homes have dementia, so it is important that all care homes are dementia friendly.

“Dementia suites can be useful in offering personalised care with specially trained staff who understand the complex needs of people with dementia, but this expertise shouldn’t be locked away behind closed doors.

“Dementia suites should not segregate and isolate people with dementia. There should be plenty of opportunity to spend time with other residents and engage in a variety of social activities. It is very important to encourage people with dementia to maintain relationships outside the care home and engage with their local community. Just because a person has entered a care environment, this should not mean the end of many of the familiar routines which have helped shape their day.”

Ongoing accredited training

St Georges Park Nursing Home pride themselves on the high standards of care they deliver and are committed to working with Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the dignity and independence of residents is respected and maintained at all times.

In light of this, Rotherwood Group have recently opened an accredited training centre to offer ongoing training and development to all members of staff, developing their knowledge and understanding of dementia.

John Fennell, chief financial officer at Rotherwood Group commented: “Our person-centered approach doesn’t start and end with residents, we extend this to our employees also.

"We have now opened our own accredited training centre, Rotherwood Training, to ensure our staff and those in the surrounding homes have adequate up-to-date training and every opportunity to progress in their careers.”

The Rotherwood Group provide care and support accommodation for people living in the Herefordshire and Shropshire areas.

For more information visit on the development of the refurbishment visit: http://rotherwood-healthcare.co.uk/our-homes/st-georges-park/.

click here for more details or to contact St Georges Park Nursing Home