The sitting room of one of the new dementia
care apartments at Richmond Villages Northampton
Date: May 2008
A FIRST FOR RICHMOND NORTHAMPTON IN DEMENTIA CARE
New Dementia Support Initiative launched in Northampton
UK retirement village pioneer, Richmond Villages, is to offer special accommodation and facilities to people with dementia and their partners in Richmond Northampton. This new facility will allow couples, where one party has dementia, to remain living together, whilst providing an enhanced quality of life and peace of mind. In many instances, couples are forced to separate because of inadequate support at home. This leaves no alternative other than a residential care home for the partner with dementia.
Richmond Northampton can now offer serviced apartments in a dedicated area which will allow couples to remain living together in a safe environment. Whilst the person with dementia receives appropriate daily support, their partner can enjoy the activities and facilities that a Richmond Village offers while benefiting from respite from the day-to-day responsibilities of caring.
“Historically, a person with dementia would have to enter a residential care home, causing a great deal of anxiety and heartache for both partners who may have been together for most of their lives,” comments village manager Bridget Penney.
In addition to daily communal activities specifically tailored for those with dementia, each resident with dementia will have an hour of one to one support, maybe for a bath, a walk in the garden or a trip to town. This allows their partner to socialise with others in the village community, participate in activities or simply to have a well earned rest.
Serviced apartments come complete with all meals, soft beverages, laundry, cleaning and utilities (heating, energy, water) provided, subject to a weekly fee. All residents benefit from the security of knowing that a member of staff is available 24 hours a day and that all staff throughout the village have received appropriate training to support residents with dementia. Single residents with dementia will be considered for these apartments if their needs can be met within an independent residential environment.
Kate Simcock, Richmond Villages operations director, says “Richmond Northampton is the first of our villages to offer a dementia support package. Once this service is established, we intend to offer similar accommodation in our new villages.”
Richmond Northampton has one and two bedroom serviced apartments available for purchase or to rent. For information on property prices and the cost of dementia support services, please contact Richmond Northampton, Bridge Meadow Way, Grange Park, Northampton, NN4 5EB. Telephone 01604 432600 or visit www.richmond-villages.com
| Dementia is a disease which affects the brain and the order of mental processes. People with dementia can suffer memory disorders, changes in personality, impaired reasoning and disorientation. |
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Issued by: Paula Cole/Tracey Bretherton
tracey.bretherton@lawsonclarke.co.uk
LawsonClarke PR
Tel: 01285 658844
Fax: 01285 650080
www.lawsonclarke.com
Ref: RV27/2008
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The sitting room of one of the new dementia |
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Richmond Villages Northampton - external view |