Priory Group opens new dementia suite in Belfast

Priory Group has opened a new dementia residential suite at Cairnmartin Court Care home in Belfast.

The 31 bed building, named Springhill Care Service, was previously used to provide nursing care for elderly residents.

Sharon Butler, Regional Director for Priory Adult Care Northern Ireland, said: “The new dedicated dementia residential suite is a fantastic addition to Cairnmartin Court Care Home and will allow the needs of residents to be catered for at all stages.

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“Our team is also committed to introducing new initiatives to encourage the residents to engage with the local community and one another, which is a crucial part of positive, dementia care.”

Cairnmartin is currently undertaking a project inspired by Channel 4’s series ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’, with two local primary schools.

The scheme involves children from the schools taking part in regular arts and crafts sessions with residents.

Fiona Archer, Home Manager at Cairnmartin Court, said: “We are thrilled by the great start the primary school project has got off to and we’re confident it will continue to grow as more people affected with dementia come to live with us in our new residential suite.

“Just as was shown in the hugely popular Channel 4 programme, everyone involved from the age of 5 to 95 really benefits from this programme and both of the schools we work with have praised how successful the initiative has been, with pupils loving their visits to the home and interacting with residents. We have seen the happiness levels of our residents soar and the teachers have reported the same amongst their pupils.”