New opening


For example, a distinctive Tudor diamond pattern can be found across certain furniture and fabrics, while dark walnut wood (finished with gold trim) was used for the bar area in reception, as well as in some of the flooring – subtle touches aimed at gently reminding residents of Oswestry’s storied history. The town’s Tudor heritage also had some influence on the colour scheme at Bluebell View, with colours used sensitively and discretely to distinguish one space from another. In addition, flowers loom large in the interior design at the home (not least in giving Bluebell View its name), as the town is also known for its flower gardens and meadows. Indeed, many of the communal rooms are named after flowers. Each floor at Bluebell View has a distinct colour scheme. The ground floor is predominantly soft blue and blush pink, while the first floor (for residents living with dementia) uses calming sage green alongside blush pink. The second floor, meanwhile, uses uplifting and engaging terracotta and duck egg hues. As residents needing nursing care often rely on wheelchairs and hoists, uplifting colours are intended to encourage a happier surrounding.


Designing for dementia


What Lois and Rachel call ‘Life Stations’ – themed areas of interest, interaction, and reminiscence – are dotted around the dementia community at Bluebell View. Each contains items relating to a particular theme, activity, or hobby (music, ironworks, and gardening, to name but three examples). Life Stations are intended as a ‘destination’ – a place where residents (particularly those living with dementia) can visit as they walk around the home to rediscover familiar activities and items that they can wear and interact with. These areas are, of course, useful for wayfinding, too. It was important to Lois and Rachel (and


indeed Michelle, too) that the dementia floor at Bluebell View be carefully and sensitively designed so as to not seem institutional or ‘childish’ – eschewing gaudy bright colours and any features that might shout ‘DEMENTIA’. Instead, the team – working closely with Professor Graham Stokes, HC- One’s director of dementia care –adopted a more subtle and sophisticated approach. For example, the patterns on furniture fabrics have been chosen to be pretty without being confusing or overstimulating, with Lois and Rachel placing patterns on the backs of chairs rather than on the front, so that those


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sitting in them are not distracted by them. Another innovation is that objects found on the dementia floor – vases and other decorative items – are far less heavy than they might appear. Ceramics and glass – easily smashed – are not allowed, so objects such as lamps and decorative items are instead made of tin and wood. “Everything is lightweight,” says Michelle. “So, if we do have somebody that presents with any challenging behaviour, nobody’s actually going to get hurt from it. It’s really well set out.”


Rooms on the dementia floor (and indeed throughout the home) feature soft-closing wardrobes and drawers to minimise the risk of residents trapping their fingers. Doors have large, purpose-cut notches rather than handles, which are designed to allow residents to see inside, reminding them what that particular item of furniture is for, and therefore prompting them to, for example, dress themselves. Meanwhile, corridors and doors at Bluebell View are notably wider than the norm, further enhancing the sense of space inside the home.


“The doors are wider so that wheelchairs can go through,” Michelle explains, “and we have the potential for moving beds out of rooms and transferring people into the communal lounges. “What I’m very proud to say about HC- One is that it’s not like other companies,” she continues. “There has been no cost spared on the dementia unit, which is absolutely lovely to see.”


Very safe hands


Ultimately, what really shone through for me on my highly enjoyable visit to Bluebell View was the clear enthusiasm and commitment of Michelle and her team.


A beautiful state-of-the-art care home is all very well, but it is nothing without a dedicated, caring team, and with Michelle and the rest of the staff ready to give a warm welcome and the very best of care to their new residents, it is clear that the older population of Oswestry will be in very safe hands at Bluebell View.


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SCAN HERE


to view a promo video of Bluebell View https://vimeo.com/ 1008726053/657af14905


Suppliers list


Developer/constructor: Greenchurch Developments Architect: MTC Planning and Design Ltd Furniture: Shackletons Beds, curtains, soft furnishings: Renray Laundry machines: Girbau Kitchen:


Qube Catering Staff software:


Nourish, Radar Healthcare


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com November 2024


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