Care home brings the outdoors-in with innovative sensory garden

An innovative indoor garden has been created for older people and those living with dementia at Bupa’s Wyndford Locks Care Home.

The home in Mayhill has converted a previously under-used space into a relaxing and comfortable garden environment, complete with an astro-turf hedge, sky blue ceiling with painted clouds, garden furniture and stonework wallpaper to create the effect of an outside wall.

Wyndford Locks Care Home manager Alan Twigg, revealed that the reaction to the indoor garden has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

He said: “Whereas the space was previously under-used, the makeover has given it a new lease of life and all of our residents have enjoyed the chance to relax in the garden without the stress of making their way out of the home.

“We’re hoping to add some speakers and an MP3 player to channel some garden sounds and really complete the effect. The door is always open and the new space is proving really popular.”

An array of indoor plants have also been selected to contribute to the sights and smells of an everyday garden, as well as a carefully designed interior. The area is open to all residents and visitors to enjoy on a daily basis.

The idea was thought up by residents and staff eager to bring something different to Wyndford Locks Care Home and provide a more relaxing and enjoyable living space.

The garden has been particularly welcomed by those living with dementia, for whom going outdoors can be challenging.

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

Dementia takes various forms and can leave people living with the condition feeling confused, isolated or distressed.

However, research has repeatedly shown the benefits of helping those with the condition to channel and focus on positive memories from their lives. Well-designed gardens in care homes, like Wyndford Locks’, help older residents maintain and even improve their physical and mental health.

Wyndford Locks Care Home is made up of five self-contained houses and is surrounded by landscaped gardens with full wheelchair access. A highly-trained team of care assistants and registered nurses are on hand round-the-clock to provide support for residents.

Care is tailored to suit each person's unique needs, with a view to allowing them as much independence as possible.

click here for more details or to contact Wyndford Locks Care Home