Prudhoe Community Gathers For Opening Of Specialist Unit At Care Home

Red Brick House, in Prudhoe, has made a significant investment that will benefit its residents and the local community, with the opening of a new dementia unit.

Staff and residents were joined by guests and Prudhoe GP Dr Stephen Haywood, of Adderlane Surgery, who officially marked the opening of Butterfly Valley.

The residents at the home, which is operated by Akari Care, were given the opportunity to name the unit, as part of the celebrations on the day, which also included live entertainment and tours of the facility for members of the community.

The unit comprises contrasting coloured themed rooms, in similar fashion to the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre model, which makes it easier for furnishings or items to be noticed and promotes a safer, more navigable environment.

Angela Chisholm, home manager at Red Brick House, said: “This significant investment will benefit even more people and offer those residents, who live with dementia, a comfortable and homely setting to relax in. We have taken into consideration that an older person with dementia will perceive their surroundings differently and this reflects on our choice of colours throughout the unit.

“Dementia affects so many people and the unit will go a long way to helping to deal with the illness.

Angela added: “I would like to thank everyone who attended the home to mark the launch of Butterfly Valley.We are very grateful to Dr Haywood, who is a respected figure in Prudhoe, for opening the unit and it was great to involve the whole community in such a momentous occasion for Red Brick House.”

Red Brick House offers nursing care for up to 50 elderly residents.