Dementia care
and programmes such as FaceTime or Skype can enable them to connect with their GP. Apps can also help to keep individuals engaged and mentally active with games that test problem solving and memory. There is even a gardening app for people with dementia who are no longer able to take part in this activity. Where possible we should strive to protect the dignity and wellbeing of those with dementia through the future proofing of the built environment. We can do so by channeling the resources of both developers and local authorities to create an environment that can be adapted to meet residents’ needs.
Case study
Stoke Extra Care Housing Project is a £64 million PFI development that provides 390 extra care apartments across three village sites in Stoke on Trent, which include Willow Barns in Blurton, Oak Priory in Abbey Hulton and Maple West in Chell. Kajima Partnerships, the Your Housing Group, the Eric Wright Group and Seddon Construction were appointed by Stoke on Trent City Council to develop and deliver the retirement villages. The architect for the site was Manchester based PRP. All three sites have now been completed.
Each of the developments delivers a well located independent living environment that aims to meet the aspirations of a new generation of older residents, but also acts as a vibrant community hub that serves older people in the wider area. Willow Barns includes 75 apartments and was the first of the three sites to be completed; Oak Priory, which includes 175 flats, was the second site to be handed over in August 2016; and Maple West, which was recently completed and handed over, offers 140 units. All of the apartments are available for social rent, helping to meet local housing needs. The development has been designed to ensure that older people are able to access good quality housing in the latter part of their lives and to adapt to their varying care needs; the apartments are equally split to cater for those requiring low, medium and high levels of support.
The project is designed to encourage independence, while providing the highest standards of care. The core design principle was inclusivity; catering for a wide range of abilities. The 10 recommendations set out in Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI)5
have
informed the foundation of each design and special attention has been paid to how residents move through the
development (see Table 1). Frequent stopping points create opportunities to rest, encourage social interaction and provide visual clues as to location, helping residents to move independently through the building. By using such techniques each development has been designed to enhance self esteem and confidence, allowing people to maintain skills as they become increasingly frail.
Dementia friendly design helps residents to stay independent for longer and prevents them from becoming frustrated or confused, which in turn makes demands on care staff more manageable. This has been achieved as a result of the team working collaboratively with fellow consultants, housing managers and experienced care staff, delivering an integrated approach that is specifically focused on enhancing the residents’ experience.
Each of the three sites offer one or two bedroom apartments within a community setting that includes lounges, café/restaurant facilities, a launderette, landscaped gardens and hair and beauty salons, as well as a number of communal areas where a variety of social events and activities take place. The design of each building has sought to exploit the opportunities particular to that specific location to ensure that residents are able to stay actively involved in the wider community.
User experience
The scheme has been instrumental in delivering accommodation that encourages independence while providing the highest standards of care as required. Residents are enjoying the range of facilities offered across the three sites and have an improved quality of life. The three extra care developments are a perfect example of how extra care can be provided within a community setting.
January 2019 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
References 1. Alzheimer’s Research UK. Dementia Statistics Hub. [
www.dementiastatistics.org].
2. Alzheimer’s Association. (2017) Designing Environments for Alzheimer’s Disease. [
www.alz.org].
3. NHS. How to Make Your Home Dementia Friendly. [
www.nhs.uk].
4. Alzheimer’s Society. Alzheimer’s Society’s View on Assistive Technology. [
www.alzheimers.org.uk].
5. Home and Communities Agency. (2009) Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation.
Jitesh Patel
Jitesh Patel is senior development manager at Kajima Partnerships, the property and project finance investment company that delivers and manages innovative buildings for the public sector. Kajima Partnerships has completed over 20 PPP public sector projects, across sectors such as education, healthcare, government offices, emergency services and civic facilities, with a combined value of £400 million. While at Kajima, Jitesh has led on the development of many projects including the Primary and Community Care Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Prior to working at Kajima, Jitesh spent 11 years as project director at Bilfinger Berger Project Investments.
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