Luxury suite offers first class care at Woodlands Park

With a stunning uninterrupted view across the Chilterns from its own living room, fully accessible ensuite facilities and separate bedroom, one might be forgiven for believing it to be a luxury hotel or apartment, but the new suite at the Woodlands Park care home in Great Missenden is setting a new standard for dementia care in Buckinghamshire.

The new suite is the latest initiative from the team at Woodlands Park, designed to further enhance their 24-hour residential care for people living with dementia.  Formerly a twin room, the suite is located at the front of the historic property, which looks out over unspoiled Buckinghamshire countryside, and will offer a home-from-home for its next lucky resident.

“We pride ourselves on offering a real homely environment to those living with dementia, which is essential so that they don’t become disorientated by formal settings, and this new suite really takes the idea one step further – a largely self-contained suite that would be ideally suited for someone who wants to retain a feeling of independence, yet who may need round-the-clock support now or in the future,” comments manager, Marie Shouler.  “The families of some of our current residents have had a preview of the room, and several have asked if they can move in – it really does have a feel of a private apartment, yet with the security and convenience of a residential care home.”

For Marie, it has been a wonderful project that has brought in the knowledge and expertise of many of the staff of Woodlands Park.  Rather than bring in external contractors to design the space, Marie and her team have devised the best and most practical use of the space to both facilitate care, and to maximise the living space.  The work was undertaken by the home’s maintenance team, Dean Oxlade and Mandy Bodger, and housekeeper Sue Taylor, who did all the work – from plumbing in the new bathroom to decorating the suite – whilst still managing to stay on top of the day-to-day work.

“Historically, this used to be a twin room, but families are now wanting a higher specification of care, with private facilities for their loved ones to reflect the homes from which they are moving,” explains Marie.  “It has been wonderful seeing this space transformed into such a super suite, but we are hoping that the first resident to move in here will bring many of their own creature comforts with them, whether that be furniture, ornaments or pictures, so that they can truly make this into their new home.”

The new suite is one of 27 generously-sized bedrooms at Woodlands Park, many of which also have ensuite facilities.  The home specialises in long-term, respite and postoperative care for adults with dementia, promoting independence, choice and dignity in a stimulating and safe environment.  Facilities include a beauty salon and barber, lounges and a dining room with garden views, quiet reading rooms and a secure garden.  A nostalgic old-style shop has been set up in the entrance hallway, and the hallways around residents’ bedrooms are decorated according to different themes, to make it easier for residents to find and recognise their own rooms.

Woodlands Park was recently awarded the Dignity and Wellbeing in Care award from Buckinghamshire County Council, in recognition of the outstanding dementia provision.

The home is located on Aylesbury Road, just outside the village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire.  Woodlands Park is part of the Forest Healthcare group of homes, which includes 12 individual homes throughout the South East of England.  For more information on Woodlands Park, please visit www.foresthc.com or call 08444 725 252.  If you are interested in looking around Woodlands Park with a view to choosing the home for a loved-one, visits are welcomed at any time, with no appointment necessary.

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk