Newcastle based charity, Dementia Care, has officially opened its second development of specially designed bungalows for people living with dementia.
The custom-built housing in Sheraton Park, Dinnington Village, Newcastle has been designed in consultation with Dementia Care, to address the unique challenges faced by people with dementia, with special internal and external features to enable them to live comfortably and securely in a friendly, community environment.
The five, new bungalows will be staffed by specialist carers, who will be in the homes 24 hours a day. Residents are encouraged to carry out domestic tasks in line with their abilities, which promotes independent living and creates a home away from home atmosphere in the bungalows.
Each bungalow has five bedrooms and features dementia friendly additions, including wardrobes and drawers with visible content, specially adapted washing and toilet facilities and kitchens with specially designed utensils. People with dementia struggle to recognize food on white plates so the homes use coloured crockery for example. There are protected gardens between the properties to make the residents feel safe and secure and allow them to enjoy the outdoors.
There is also the additional reassurance of state of the art audio technology, linking each bungalow to Dementia Care’s head office in nearby Brunswick Village, Newcastle. The audio monitoring system is fitted in each bedroom to alert staff if residents need additional care, so that carers can avoid disrupting residents’ valuable sleep and causing distress.
Dr. Fraser Quin, chief executive of Dementia Care, said: “We are delighted to be opening our second development of specialist bungalows for those living with dementia. They have been designed to recognise the needs of the residents in both the internal and external design, and in the way in which we run and staff the houses”
“The new bungalows in Dinnington provide safe and secure accommodation with staff on site 24 hours a day. The aim of the new accommodation is to allow people with dementia to feel at home in a relaxed environment, while retaining their independence and privacy, in a home for life.
“The cutting-edge audio technology installed in each of the bedrooms is the most innovative aspects of these homes. As well as providing reassurance to families that their loved ones are being cared for around the clock, it also changes the previously intrusive nature of care, leaving residents to sleep in their bedrooms without the constant disruption of people checking in through the night.”
Dementia Care already runs five dementia friendly bungalows alongside their state of the art day centre and residential respite centre in Brunswick Village, and is continuing to expand its offerings to support both its residents and their families.
The new housing has been built in partnership with Leazes Homes and Newcastle City Council as part of their wider initiative to make Newcastle a truly age friendly city, with 32 properties for older people being built on the same estate.
Bill Midgely, chair of Leazes Homes, said: “This is a fantastic mix of accommodation for older people in a really lovely, peaceful area.
“The bungalows for people with dementia provide a sensitive, new approach, with each of the rooms in the bungalows occupied by different people, who are able to socialize and move freely between the properties.”
Councillor Victoria Dunn, Cabinet Member for Resources at Newcastle City Council, said: “This is a fantastic scheme that enables those with dementia to live in homes that are safe, comfortable and secure while still being part of a vibrant community.
“We are committed to providing high quality, inclusive housing that meets the needs of all Newcastle residents but we know we can’t do it on our won. By working in partnership we have been able to maximise resources to deliver a mix of new homes and create a community that isn’t just aimed at families and young people, but that is a great place for older people as well.”
For more information on Dementia Care and the services it provides please visit http://www.dementiacare.org.uk/ or call 0191 217 1323.