The Department of Health and Social Security marked the refurbishment of a specialist care unit by holding an open day for families and friends of residents on 19th February.
Sweetbriar Unit at Glenside Resource Centre is a residential facility for people diagnosed with dementia, provided and operated by the Social Services Division. Andrew Swithinbank, Director of Social Services, said, "The care of people with dementia is an area of increasing demand and the care offered in this refurbished unit is at the leading edge of practice."
As well as major improvements to the living environment, new working practices have been introduced based on the best practice in care for people with dementia.
This includes the use of special colour coded signs to orientate people, memory boxes to aid remembering loved ones and display precious memories, provision of talking photo albums, rummage boxes, use of doll therapy, coloured crockery and creating Manx themed areas, among many other changes.
Paula Beattie, Resource Centre and Quality Assurance Manager, stated, "We are committed to providing the best quality care and continuously developing our practice. This is an opportunity for relatives and friends to share and celebrate Sweetbriar’s achievements we have recently made."
