HEATHBROOK HOUSE OFFERS SPECIALIST DEMENTIA CARE

Bupa’s Heathbrook House Nursing Home, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove has recently opened a new facility to care for people with dementia. The home celebrated this by holding a dementia seminar at Avoncroft Museum on Tuesday 29 September, for local health professionals which was followed by tours of the home and the new unit. The creation of the dementia unit was an essential development for the home as there is large demand for dementia care in the area. All staff at Bupa’s Heathbrook House have received specialist training in dementia care to ensure they are fully qualified to care for residents. Tours of Heathbrook House provided the opportunity for guests to view the home’s new dementia care facility. Features include the provision of dementia specific signage and pictures, as well as handrails and door frames painted in contrasting colours. The design ideas allow residents to find their way around and help to maintain a familiar environment. The successful event was attended by 60 guests including Age Concern, members of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), the Alzheimer’s Society and healthcare professionals. The aim of the seminar was to build awareness of dementia and show the facilities Heathbrook House provides. Special guest speakers Graham Stokes, director of dementia care and Dean Cowley, service development director, discussed ‘caring for people with dementia: myth or reality’ and ‘best practice in dementia care at Bupa Care Homes’. Laura Taylor, home manager at Bupa’s Heathbrook House Nursing Home said: “We have had an overwhelming number of enquiries which have arisen from the dementia event and all the comments about the renovated dementia care facility have been extremely positive. The guest speakers were very well received and all those who took the tour of the home were pleased to receive Graham Stokes’ book ‘And Still The Music Plays’. Dementia affects over 7,000 people in the UK and Heathbrook House has an outstanding reputation in caring for older people. We are pleased that we have been able to open the home to residents living with dementia.”