Healthy body, healthy mind: Luxury care home with rooftop spa and library opens in Merseyside

With the number of people aged 75 and over expected to reach ten million by 2039 and with one in four living with a health condition, The Hazelwell is one of the latest care homes striving to enhance the health and well-being of its residents.

A rooftop salon and nail bar, a state-of-the-art gym combined with exercise classes and a comprehensively stocked library are just some of the facilities designed to support healthy living at the purpose-built home, which opened in June 2016.

Liza Millington, The Hazelwell Care Home manager, said: “At Hazelwell it is important that we encourage an active lifestyle and promote independence, whilst ensuring we care for the whole individual. The home has been built and designed to combine the best of modern design and technology with the highest levels of supportive care and premium comfort for residents.”

Supportive care

Being active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Studies show that older people who regularly exercise are healthier and less likely to develop serious long-term conditions, including: heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and back pain as well as high blood pressure and dementia. Exercise can also improve older people’s muscle strength and tone, reducing their chances of having an accident or a fall that could lead to an injury.

The rooftop gym at Hazelwell Care Home offers a simple circuit training workout or an individually tailored programme which offers residents cardio and strength training to help their bodies become stronger and more flexible. Each piece of equipment has been designed to guarantee stability and comfort during exercise and can be adapted to each individual user, helping to facilitate their independence.

Dr Clare Walton, research communications manager at Alzheimer’s Society, commented: “We know that what is good for the heart is good for the head and people who are physically active throughout life have a reduced risk of developing health conditions such as dementia.”

All-inclusive home

Situated in the heart of Heswall in the Wirral, the £5.5m care home offers a new experience in care, taking a holistic approach to ensure residents’ needs and interests are cared for equally.

“We want to make sure life is as simple, straightforward and enjoyable as possible so residents can make the most of every day,” said Ms Millington. “As an all-inclusive care home everything is included in the weekly fee from care to meals, drinks, haircuts, activities, trips and transport.”

With fees starting from £850 per week, residents can take trips out in a chauffeur driven Mercedes, watch their favourite film in the cinema, socialise at the piano bar or enjoy restaurant quality meals prepared by on-site chefs.

Residents also have the opportunity to relax and unwind in a carefully designed library. According to Anchor Housing and the University of Liverpool, reading can sharpen the minds of older people, uplift their mood, increase their concentration and improve both long- and short-term memory.

Ms Millington has found that reading is a ‘true joy for residents and is food for their imagination”.

She added: “The library is a quiet place for residents to relax and get stuck into a good book and is also a quiet little nook for those who may wish for a little time on their own.

“The library is also where the residents’ computer is located which is great for emailing and video calling families. Our care team are always on hand to help out with any technical questions or to assist with online shopping, emails and more.”

Therapeutic living space

Hazelwell Care Home offers residential, nursing, palliative and respite care tailored to individual requirements. An experienced and dedicated team of 50 care staff are trained and qualified to nurse those living with physical disabilities, those who require end-of-life care and those with high dependency needs.

Hazelwell has worked hard to bring the outside in. Ms Millington said: “Hazelwell boasts a therapeutic outdoor space and raised beds for gardening, which is a key feature in our home and one which residents are encouraged to use all-year-round.”

Hazelwell Care Home provides care for people aged 50 and over, subject to an assessment.

click here for more details or to contact The Hazelwell Care Home