New dementia care suite opens; “I don’t think they could do anymore…they are absolutely incredible.”
04 Mar
A new specialist dementia care suite has opened at Royal Court in Cheltenham and it is already making a difference.
“Within 24 hours of the Dragonfly Suite opening we could see a positive change with the residents. They all seem so content – it’s more like being in your own home. It’s comforting and the staff also love it.” explains Fiona Gillon, Home Manager at Royal Court.
The Dragonfly suite consists of seven apartments around its own lounge, dining room and secure gardens. It’s a calm family-sized environment.
“Our job is to make our residents as happy and comfortable as possible”, explains Cherie, Team Leader in the Dragonfly Suite.
“We are only in our first couple of weeks but it is really working, everyone is settled, relaxed and enjoying things. Myself and Kiara we really look forward to coming to work. With seven residents we get to know them really well and even in a short time I can tune into the little signs about what they need.”
Fiona Gillon continues, “It is enabling our residents do ordinary things that some of them haven’t been able to do for a long time. There are two staff on in the suite each day and they organise the day around our seven Dragonfly residents. For example the other day the staff planned a baking activity in the afternoon so in the morning they took the residents out to the shops buy the ingredients.”
Dragonfly resident Audrey says, “I don’t think they could do anymore, around than they do, they are absolutely incredible. I am looking at the birds and trees – how wonderful. I believe God gave us everything in small packages, and you just make the most of it.”
Team Leader Cherie understands dementia not only professionally but also from her family situation, so has particularly empathy with families considering care;
“My mum had dementia, so it’s always a worry that you don’t want to feel like you are letting them down. It is not an easy illness to deal with being a family member, but you have to do what’s in your family’s best interest. When you start becoming a carer, your family orientation goes – you lose being a son or daughter. Bringing them into a setting like this means that you can go back to being a son or daughter. You can visit and have coffee, tea and cake and take them out and enjoy those moments.”
“I treat these residents like they are family. You can’t do this job without becoming attached. You have a bond, they have a bond with you and you have a bond with them. [Now the Dragonfly Suite is open] I am really excited for what is to come.”
