Rebecca Evans has praised an award-winning Conwy dementia centre for putting the care of individuals at the heart of everything it does.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Fairway Care’s Ty Cariad Dementia Care Centre in Abergele works with everybody involved in a resident’s life, including family and friends, to enhance their wellbeing.
Centres like Ty Cariad are a key part of the Welsh Government’s vision to make Wales a dementia friendly nation. To support this ambition, the Welsh Government is investing an additional £3.3million in services for those affected by dementia this year and is developing a new Dementia Strategic Action Plan for Wales.
The Centre comprises four small households, each catering to people in different stages of the condition and with varying needs. There are also large gardens and fold away exterior glass doors, to bring the outside in, as well as innovative technology to help keep residents safe.
Designed in conjunction with Professor Bob Woods, director of Bangor University’s Dementia Services Development Centre, Ty Cariad has received recognition as one of the best dementia environments in the UK.
The Centre has also been using a new app designed by social enterprise ‘Book of You’ in conjunction with researchers at the Health and Care Research Wales Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research, which is funded by the Welsh Government. The app allows people with dementia and their carers to enjoy shared activities such as listening to music or creating a digital photo story book while also completing well-being surveys. The data collected is then used to help improve the care of people with dementia.
Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said:
“In Wales there are currently around 37,000 people living with dementia, with this number set to increase year on year. This is why it’s so important to make Wales a dementia friendly nation, where people get dignified, first-class support and care.
“Services like Ty Cariad are a key part to achieving this vision. Through using innovative research the centre is creating an uplifting environment and providing tailor-made care.
“I want to see award-winning centres like this, which put the wellbeing of people with dementia at the heart of their work, across Wales.”
Mark Bailey, Managing Director Fairways Care Ltd, said:
“Dementia, and dementia care, present enormous challenges in Wales. The Minister's support is tremendously encouraging and very much appreciated.”