Partnership leads to new dementia care facility

Charity Vale House purchased land between Littlemore and Sandford-on-Thames in 2008 from Oxfordshire County Council to build a 40-bed home – known as Vale House – replacing its same-named, award-nominated and over-subscribed facility in Botley, which could only accommodate half the number of residents.

The new home, designed by Oxford firm GBS Architects with advice from Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre, opened in January and has many particular features specifically catering for the needs of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, such as natural lighting, internal courtyard gardens and well-equipped bathrooms and en-suite facilities.

Its rooms are situated in wings arranged around the two internal gardens, providing a pleasant outside environment for residents to enjoy. Memory boxes are situated near to occupants’ rooms displaying their name and some of their favourite small objects and photos.

The kitchen opens into the lounge, bringing familiar sounds and smells of dinner into the room, which is an important aspect of the facility’s design, as those with dementia often need to be reminded or even tempted to eat meals.

The site, which previously housed a nursing home, was sold to Vale House following a competitive tender under an agreement that a specialist dementia home would be built.

Growing demand

Because of the growing number of people needing specialist dementia care in Oxfordshire, a lack of places meant that a number of Oxfordshire people are currently being cared for out-of-county. This is often disruptive or even upsetting to the person themselves and for their loved ones. The expanded Vale House gives the county council the option of placing some of these people within the county of Oxfordshire and not elsewhere.

Assessments of people presently residing out of county who could potentially move to Vale House are currently being undertaken.

Vale House in its previous location consistently achieved the highest three-star rating from regulator the Care Quality Commission and was nominated for the 2011 Charity of the Year at the recent Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards. It was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, more than two decades ago.

Vale House Manager Tricia O’Leary said: “Vale House has doubled in size with this move, from 20 to 40 beds, and including the courtyard gardens, its footprint has trebled.

“Oxfordshire has an ageing population, with people living longer, but also because many people choose to retire in our county. We needed to move to a better building, and increase the number of beds because our waiting list is growing, and will continue to do so.”

Working together

Councillor Arash Fatemian, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “This change is an excellent example of investment in local people and local communities as well as a great achievement resulting from strong partnership working by the council and other agencies.

“Vale House has been specifically designed to meet the exact requirements of people in Oxfordshire with dementia and the council looks forward to continuing to work closely with the home in the future.”

John Jackson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Social and Community Services, added: “The council is of course extremely proud to have this fantastic facility in Oxfordshire – it is win-win for everybody as it will allow us the opportunity to place people currently residing in similar out-of-county specialist facilities at Vale House instead, allowing them to return to the Oxfordshire area and be closer to their friends and family.”