Royal Trinity Hospice has welcomed its first patients to its new “home from home” room, a specialist room on the ward for people living with dementia. Funded by a £10,000 grant from the Rank Foundation, the newly refurbished room has been designed to provide better support for the increasing number of people who are living with dementia.

The room is located in a quiet location on Trinity’s ward where the ceiling heights are lower, helping patients to feel less anxious. There are a number of colourful reference points to help people living with dementia feel more comfortable. Modern appliances have been removed and old photos and vintage furniture have been installed. There is even a bespoke TV which has the latest LCD screen housed in 1970’s casing.

Catherine’s husband, Peter, is one of the first patients to use the room. She said:

I am really impressed with this new room on the ward. My husband seems very happy, calm and relaxed there. I visit him every day and the nurses told me that he is smiling all the time. The room is really large and there is a nice, homely atmosphere. I’m so grateful that he is being looked after so well.

Ward Sister at Royal Trinity Hospice, Katie Spencer, said:

I realised that there was a need for a more dementia-friendly environment when we had to discharge a patient early because they had become agitated in part due to our modern, state of the art rooms. We knew that we could do more to cater for the  needs of our patients living with dementia.

 The new room is just one of the ways Trinity caters to the needs of people living with dementia. Trinity also helps people in the community through its outpatients group, the Monday Club which offers a programme of activities, designed to support people who are living at home with dementia and their carers.