New opening
if they don’t hit those targets, they’re penalised heavily, so it’s in their interests to make sure that [the build] is as green and sustainable as possible, and to use modern technology to achieve that.” Were heat pumps and other such
technologies a part of this build? “Building regulations have changed, so going forward, our new builds will have to look at that,” Rebecca explains. “I think we’re all going to be on a bit of a learning curve. None of us know for sure exactly how it’s going to pan out. The belief is that it will be fine, but there will be changes because it is a different system. You will need to have more external items [ie. heat pumps on the sides of the building] so there will be more noise, which is going to be an issue with neighbours. We have to factor heat pumps into the build. All new projects have to look at those features now. I think we’re all going to be learning over the next year or two as to how this integrates into our homes.”
Nostalgia and stimulation The facilities and bedrooms at Chartwell House are arranged across three floors. The first floor is known as the Nostalgia Floor, and this is where residents living with dementia will reside, although all residents are, of course, free to wander between floors, safety considerations permitting. Bedrooms throughout are spacious and finished to a high standard, with en suite wet rooms, profile beds, wardrobes, and chests of drawers. However, Boutique is keen for the rooms to feel homely rather
than hotel-like. All bedrooms feature floor- to-ceiling windows – a Boutique standard. Residents can, in theory, bring their own furniture if desired, although any items brought into the home will, of course, need to be fire regulation compliant. Corridors, meanwhile, are notably wide – lending all three floors a sense of openness and space – and are regularly punctuated by areas and items of interest, from seating and bookshelves to, on the Nostalgia Floor, a rack of hats that residents can enjoy trying on. One corridor ends in a cleverly designed
train area, where residents can sit on an authentic ‘train seat’ and watch through the ‘train window’ as real footage of a train journey plays out on a large screen. Passengers can even choose a specific route to watch from a variety of journeys and reminisce as familiar views and sights roll by. The ambience of the area is completed by railway signs, coat racks, luggage, pictures, and a wall-mounted destination list with raised lettering. I was also particularly struck by an indoor garden area, in which attractive wooden seating sits under a panel of gentle blue light, mimicking the sky. Artificial foliage lines the walls, and residents can relax and enjoy listening to the sound of birdsong. Key facilities at Chartwell House include a hobby room with abundant art materials, a snug and relaxing sensory room, therapeutic bathrooms with ambient lighting, and a well-appointed hair and nail salon. Jude tells me that residents are able to invite their favourite hairdressers into Chartwell House to cut their hair – a lovely way of maintaining continuity and keeping things familiar for them, as well as bringing members of the local community into the home.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com April 2023
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