New Dementia Care Centre Opens in Westminster

A new £300,000  dementia care centre has been officially opened.  This comes at a time when the number of people in the UK with Dementia is increasing and is expected to reach reach around 1.2 million by 2031.

Baroness Greengross, Vice-Chair of the APPG on Dementia and Ageing and Westminster Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Rachael Robathan opened  the specially designed centre  to meet the needs of people with dementia on Friday 15thMarch.

 The centre was totally remodelled for use by people with dementia using advice from the Dementia Services Development Centre of the University of Stirling, including changing lighting; decoration and upgrading hydrotherapy pool facilities. The centre combines social care and health services and uses web chat technology and other innovative ways to help people with dementia manage their condition. It offers activities including arts, music and cooking and a hydrotherapy pool and is managed by housing and care provider, Housing 21. 

Cllr Rachael Robathan, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, said: "This cutting edge facility will help the hundreds of people living with dementia in Westminster to lead independent lives as far as is possible and offer them innovative new ways to help manage their condition."

Mrs Anne Moses is the full time carer of her husband Wilmoth, 89, who has been living with dementia for two years. Wilmoth visits the centre three times a week.

 "I have more time look after myself now. I used to sing in a choir and go to art classes, with this free time I am going to look into starting them up again". Whilst Wilmoth is at the centre Anne is able to have some time to herself which she uses for seeing friends, keeping active by going for walks and relaxing.

 Baroness Sally Greengross, Vice Chair of the Government's All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia & Ageing commented: "This fantastic new facility will support people with Dementia to help them manage their own care for as long as possible, bringing vital services to the people of Westminster."

 "The services provided, including health and social care and working together with GPs will ensure people know where to go for help and support, ensuring the best possible care for people with dementia and their carers."

 "We welcome the investment that the council and the NHS are providing for this very important area of care."