Councillors
have approved proposals to fund two new day care facilities to support
adults living with dementia in Kirklees. (see artists impression)
A
£6.3m investment in Knowl Park House in Mirfield and £4.7m in The Homestead in
Almondbury will modernize existing services and support delivery of continued
high quality services that achieve positive outcomes. The proposals were based
on work with service users, carers and staff who helped to shape the plans.
Both
new proposed schemes benefit from improvements to the environment by using the
Stirling University dementia friendly design standards to improve accessibility
for all, with the accommodation layout focused around four main zones: A Home
Therapy Zone incorporating a homely open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area;
an Activity Zone incorporating a large arts and crafts room; a Wellbeing Zone
with a sensory and cinema room, a spa and a bespoke accessible sensory garden.
Councillor
Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said: “I’m delighted
to announce that we are investing £11m in new facilities that will provide
essential day care services for our residents living with dementia. We will be
taking advantage of the latest research and technology to enhance support for
our elderly residents in Kirklees.
“We
have worked collaboratively with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services
Development Centre (DSDC) to ensure the new facilities incorporate dementia
design principles and meet the DSDC dementia design standards. Once open, the
new flexible space could allow for access on evenings and weekends to meet the
needs of people in a more flexible way and to provide a wider range of support
for family carers.”
Works
will commence first at Knowl Park House that will also have a Centre of Excellence.
The centre will offer advice and support for people with a dementia diagnosis,
their carers and adults and children with other physical and sensory
disabilities.
The
facility will showcase to people how areas of home-living design and new
technology can help them make positive changes to their current
accommodation. There will also be opportunities for partnership working
and the focus will be on early intervention, so people are better able to stay
independent for as long as possible.
For
further information about Knowl Park House, please visit the website: www.kirklees.gov.uk/knowlparkhouse
