Glen King meets the team at Hendford Care Home with Nursing - the first new care facility for the 21st century based in Yeovil….
Developed on the former Milk Marketing Board site at Hendford Hill on behalf of health care providers Aurora Care Limited, Hendford Care Home opened in spring this year. Offering seven communal spaces and forty beds, the home provides much needed nursing, palliative and dementia care to the elderly population of South Somerset with 24 hour registered nursing staffing provided by Matron Sue Aldworth and her dedicated team. “Our aim is to create a state-of-the-art care facility providing hotel standards coupled with personal care and specialist expertise. We have taken on highly qualified staff with the relevant experience and caring values which are very important” says Sue.
Aurora Care also operates Hurst Manor Nursing Home based in Martock. This won ‘The Caring Business Pinder Award for Best Development’ which aims to promote and recognise the very best developments in all types of care related property and this winning formula has been adopted at Hendford. Michael Lawson managing director of Aurora Care accompanied by Matt his hearing dog is my guide for the day. First stop is one of the individually interior designed en-suite bedrooms furnished with domestic lighting and pine furniture. Residents are actively encouraged to make the accommodation their own, including the knocking of holes in the walls to put up mirrors, pictures and photographs from home. To make it even more homely they have the option to replace some or all of the furniture with their own. “Our residents enjoy a home from home atmosphere with the knowledge that they have expert and friendly staff on hand for all their needs, physically, mentally and emotionally but without the clinical environment.”
In the spacious and tastefully designed lounge we are greeted with laughter and high spirits as the residents enjoy a fun game of giant dice organised by Chris Hewlett the resident activities manager. Michael says “There are no set visiting hours as it is important that they invite friends and relatives over, after all it is their home and we want them to feel happy, comfortable and enjoy living here”
The delicious aroma of food draws us to the kitchen boasting cutting edge equipment. Here top chef Manager Dave Duggan serves home cooked cuisine to restaurant standards. A three course lunch is the main meal of the day with complimentary wine, bottled water and soft drinks served in one of the three dining rooms or in the resident’s room. After lunch they can do as little or as much as they wish; sitting with friends in the spacious dayroom, resting or taking a walk in the garden which has raised beds for the keen gardeners, joining in crafts and hobby classes such as flower arranging or listening to talks on bee-keeping or vintage motorcycles. “We have even had owls brought in and later this year we are expecting a donkey” says Michael. There are also regular outings in the minibus with the most popular days out at West Bay and the bluebell woods at Batcombe Down.
Next stop is a designated leisure room enjoying a ‘No TV policy’ providing both residents and relatives access to computers and a library. There is also a hair and beauty salon utilised by a visiting hairdresser and beauty therapist with many treatments including aromatherapy and reflexology. Michael says, “In addition to providing specialist palliative care and general nursing care we want to enhance the quality of lifestyle for our residents.”
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