In October 2021, works started to transform Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno, which are due for completion in March 2022.
The new layout of the residential and dementia areas will increase the number of people with dementia the Home can support, from seven to 19.
As part of the changes, four distinct ‘Houses’ will be created, each having a ‘home from home’ feeling – which is so important for the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Our aim is to help people feel safe and secure, whilst enabling them to get the best out of every day. These smaller houses will each have its own comfortable lounge, dining room and kitchenette.
Matt Raslawski, our new Dementia Lead, is passionate about supporting our residents to live meaningful and fulfilled lives. We understand that each person is unique, with their own life history, personality, likes and dislikes. Our dementia care and support will help to promote people feeling valued and included and focus on what our residents can do, rather than what they cannot.
The works will not affect the nursing area, and the Home’s overall capacity will reduce from 67 to 62 to accommodate the enhanced dementia offering.
Home Manager, Michelle Beer, said:
We’re so excited to see the changes come to life at Queen Elizabeth Court. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our residents now and in the future. The additional spaces will help to create a warm and welcoming space for our residents and their families, and further support their wellbeing and independence.
RMBI Care Co. is investing £250,000 to transform Prince George Duke of Kent Court to enhance the environment for people living with dementia.
The care home, in Chislehurst, which currently supports up to 78 residents, will be refurbishing part of its first floor to create a ‘house model’ dementia environment. Once complete, the new area will be able to support 19 residents with dementia. It will have an open lounge and a dining room, creating a central point for residents to go to for socialising, relaxing, or to enjoy different activities.
Other spaces being created to support residents include a country kitchen, sensory zone, technology zone and an ‘outside inside’ area. The ‘outside inside’ area is designed to bring the ‘outdoors indoors’, from the wall décor to the furniture and by introducing animals. By working closely with residents and understanding their interests, the roof terrace will also be a place of interest with animals and a water feature.
Prince George Duke of Kent Court opened its doors in 1968. The works, due to be completed at the end of the year, will add innovative, fresh and modern facilities to a well-established care home, which is full of character and already enjoys vast outdoor spaces, including a putting green and garden area.
Simon Doherty, Home Manager at Prince George Duke of Kent Court, says:
The new environment is based on the current good practice dementia design. We have carefully considered the different areas in the Home’s redesign, from lighting to suitable colour schemes and newly themed areas with a reminiscence approach, introducing animals into the Home and an increased use of sensory equipment.
We’re working closely with our residents to develop these spaces and believe that the new areas will truly enhance and promote their health and wellbeing.
The new Home will provide 45 placements for residents and will offer nursing care and residential dementia care facilities with the latest assistive technologies and design, to ensure a personalised approach to care and support.
Prior to the official grand opening, open days for residents, relatives and staff will be arranged to enable them to explore the new Home. We will also invite other stakeholders to view the care home before our residents move to the new Home. In line with government guidance, visitors will need to adhere to all the infection control measures that will be in place at that time and maintain social distancing as appropriate.
Residents and relatives will receive an orientation leaflet, which will provide details about the Home’s different areas and services available to support the moving in process.
Staff members will also undertake training to allow them to familiarise with the Home and understand health and safety procedures, to ensure they continue to deliver the same high standards of care and support to our residents.
Following the completion of the new care home, we will then move into the next phase, which is the construction of the retirement community. The retirement community will be a new venture for RMBI Care Co. as part of expanding our services to truly offer “a home for life”. The site will consist of 60 apartments, a mix of one and two bedrooms, together with leisure facilities including a swimming pool, gym, restaurant, bar and other communal spaces, which will also be available for our care home residents.
The purpose of the retirement community is to combine high quality housing for older people with tailored support services. Residents will be able to maintain their privacy and independence, with the reassurance of 24-hour on-site staff and communal facilities. Our aim is to help people continue to live at home with the security, social support and activities that comes from being part of a wider community. Residents also have a peace of mind that, as and when needed, further care and support can be provided by our trained and dedicated staff.