By Leah Conway –
Yesterday, Kirklees Councillors approved proposals to fund two new daycare facilities to support adults living with dementia in Kirklees.
There will be a £6.3m investment in Knowl Park House in Mirfield and £4.7m in The Homestead in Almondbury.
The funds will modernise the existing services and support for dementia patients across Kirklees.
Service users, carers and staff helped inform and shape the proposals.
Both newly proposed schemes will use the Stirling University dementia-friendly design standards, which are designed to improve accessibility. Accommodation will focus on four main zones:
- A Home Therapy Zone – a homely open plan lounge
- Dining and kitchen area
- An Activity Zone – with a large arts and crafts room
- A Wellbeing Zone – with a sensory and cinema room, a spa and a bespoke accessible sensory garden.
Read more: £11m plan to develop dementia daycare facilities in Kirklees revealed
“Delighted”
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 daycare 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.”
Knowl Park House
The Knowl Park House project will commence first, it will also have a Centre of Excellence.
The centre will offer advice and support for people with a dementia diagnosis as well as their carers and adults and children with other physical and sensory disabilities.
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.