New Unit in Chiswick to Improve Care for the Elderly

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New Unit in Chiswick to Improve Care for the Elderly

Clifton Gardens Facility to Aid Older People with Dementia

A new unit to be opened this week at the Clifton Gardens Care Home, will provide nine new residential places for older people with dementia.

Clifton Gardens is run by Hounslow Social Services and part of Chiswick Resource Centre for Older People. The new unit is in addition to 26 mainstream residential places already provided.

"We are determined to provide the best possible service to older people in the borough. Right across the country there is a shortage of specialist places to care for people with dementia, so I am delighted to be opening this fantastic new resource today" said Cllr Lal, Executive Member for Older People.

"The unit has seven residential as well as two respite dementia care places, which will offer a much-needed break for families caring for their relatives. It has been set up specifically in response to a growing demand for residential and respite places for older people with dementia, in the borough. "

The project was funded by Hounslow Social Services, and is the direct result of joint working between Hounslow Social Services, West London Mental Health Trust and Hounslow Alzheimer's Society.

Over the last six month the staff team at Clifton Gardens has been through an intensive training programme provided by the Alzheimer's Society, which has enabled the team to understand and apply the best practices in supporting older people with dementia to lead lives as normal as possible.

The home has been updated to offer person centred care and safe, stimulating and friendly environment for the residents, and people using the respite service. This includes a state of the art "sensory bathroom", designed to create a less clinical environment during bath times, which can be a stressful time for someone with dementia. The bathroom is equipped with a light projector, bubbles tube, hi -fi system and a high - low adjustable bath. This has proved a real success with the residents who previously - due to their dementia symptoms - were sometimes reluctant to be supported with personal care. A sensory garden, which would provide sensory stimulation to the residents, is also under construction.

May 7, 2004