Watford Care Home Opens Pioneering Reminiscence Space

Dementia Café improves quality of life for care home residents

RMBI care home Prince Michael of Kent Court in Watford has opened a pioneering Dementia Café for the use of its residents who have a dementia, their family and friends. The space, the first of its kind within the nationwide RMBI network, is designed to the principles of reminiscence and will stimulate conversation and help to develop relationships.

Situated within Prince Michael of Kent Court’s existing Dementia Support Unit, the project was enabled by the award of a Department of Health grant following Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s comments that dementia has replaced cancer as the biggest challenge facing the NHS.

The number of people with dementia in Hertfordshire has risen by over 10% over the past five years, a trend which is set to continue with a projected 36% rise by 2021[1]. Pioneering initiatives such as the Dementia Café will help to improve the quality of life for residents of the county for years to come, whilst helping to educate the wider community about best practice in dementia care.

Debra Keeling, Deputy Director of Care Operations at RMBI said: “To have been included in this pioneering dementia care pilot project is a huge achievement for RMBI and we are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to create the first Dementia Café at Prince Michael of Kent Court.

“The project is the final chapter in our extensive refurbishment programme which has had such a positive impact on the staff and people with a dementia who live and work in the dedicated Dementia Support Unit. The café plays a huge part in our providing a relaxed and homely environment, which in turn will result in our residents being more able to participate in daily life, therefore increasing their emotional and physical wellbeing.”