Bolsover care home given new facelift

A celebration open morning took place at Thomas Colledge House home to mark the improvements which have cost almost £250,000.

Coun Janet Hill, county council vice-chairman, attended the open morning and had a tour of the home, including one of the upgraded bedrooms, and met residents and staff.

Coun Clare Neill, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “The extra money we have been able to secure from the Dementia-Friendly Environments funding will make a real difference to the quality of life for residents of Thomas Colledge House.”

Improvements include refurbishing ensuite bathrooms and installing level access showers, which residents will find easier and more comfortable to use.

Lighting in corridors and bedrooms has been improved, which will reduce anxiety for residents when getting around the home and help improve their independence, as well as reducing the chance of falling.

A secure, accessible furnished patio area has been created so that residents can spend time outside safely and signs around the home have also been improved so people can more easily find their way around.

Thomas Colledge House is one of four Derbyshire County Council-run homes for older people to benefit from a share of £623,000 from the Department of Health’s Dementia-Friendly Environments funding.

The county council’s bid for the Dementia-Friendly Environments funding was one of 116 projects at care homes and hospitals successfully awarded a share of the £50 million fund nationally.

The funding was made available following research released by The King’s Fund which showed that poor signage in hospitals and care homes and cluttered layouts were the main reasons for causing confusion and distress in people with dementia.

All the work is focused on making improvements which will help people with dementia find their way around, give them more confidence, make them feel more valued and understood and enable them to make their own choices and have more control over their lives.

New look: Derbyshire County Council Vice-Chair Councillor Janet Hill with Thomas Colledge residents Sandria Turner, Edith Blunt and Lily Moss.