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17/1/12
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CARINGNEWS
An innovative nurse call system and state of the art lighting that reduces anxiety are just two features of a new 60-bed Devon care home. Helen Williams reports.
Fiona Phillips joins local schoolchildren at the opening of Eastleigh Care Homes Nursing in South Molton.
New facility to be jewel in care group’s crown GROWING business Eastleigh Care Homes added a jewel to its crown with the grand opening of its latest development, Eastleigh Care Homes Nursing in South Molton. The third large home within the Devon and Somerset-based group, the facility is testament to the organisation’s pioneering approach to dementia care. Spokesperson Kirstie Barnes said the group’s managing director Garry Wilson was passionate about pushing the boundaries of care and travelled widely across Europe exploring the latest developments. She added: “Our whole philosophy is based on asking the question what care standards would I look for if it was me, or my family? And those standards are what we set out to achieve.” The new care home is the first in the UK to have an advanced lighting system proven to have a highly positive effect on residents with dementia and cognitive impairments. The system helps residents appreciate the natural passing of the day, and reduces anxiety and subsequent behaviours. The nurse call system places an initial call to the nurse and also switches lights on in the integral en-suite should a resident rise from their bed. It can be individually set to then place a second urgent call should the resident not return to bed within a designated time. Other features in the home include
larger than standard rooms, ultramodern beds that can provide for personal and nursing needs, ceiling track hoists in every room, Wi-fi and private phones. Kirstie added: “Our beds look the same as they would in a individual’s home and that removes the visual association with nursing/hospital beds. “Each resident also has a small hospitality unit which includes a fridge, tea/coffee facilities and dining area, and the home has a designated integral beauty salon with visiting hair/nail specialists. “As well as incorporating the requirements of a nursing resident in a sympathetic and non-intrusive manner, we are confident that our home can rival the opulence of decor in a five-star hotel.” Activities are a central area of the group’s strategy, allowing it to focus on its aim to become a dementia specialist. Kirstie added: “We feel confident that we have provided an exemplary environment with our new home and we are now refocusing on the human aspect of care, including support for families. “Dementia is increasing demographically, affecting more 50 and 60year-olds as well as people in their 70s and 80s, and we have recognised that we have to develop our care within this field in order to differentiate our business.”
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