Starts at Home Day is a national campaign which celebrates the role supported housing plays in helping people to live healthy and independent lives. This year it is taking place on Friday 29th August. To mark the occasion, we are sharing the story of Barbara, one of our residents at Shore Green, our supported housing facility for people with dementia or other forms of memory loss.
Barbara's Story
Following a dementia diagnosis, Barbara was living in extra care housing. However, as the facility did not have a secure front door, Barbara would often leave and wander by herself during the night. This really concerned her family, particularly as she would withdraw money from cash machines or buy unnecessary items such as phone top-ups. Her son, Tony, spoke to the extra care housing staff and they recommended relocating Barbara to Shore Green, as we have a secure front door which restricts unsupported access into the community. Although her family were initially concerned about Barbara’s ability to settle into her new home, they are really pleased with their decision to move her to Shore Green. Tony told us, “We could not have found a better place. The way Clare runs Shore Green and the way Demi manages the care team is really great.”
One really positive change for Barbara is that, since moving to Shore Green, she has given up smoking for the first time since she was a teenager, much to the surprise of her family! This has really improved her quality of sleep.
Barbara still very much gets out and about, but now it is with support that give her family peace of mind. As well as family visits, she really enjoys regularly going to a local Age UK day centre and benefits from the support of Shared Lives, which is a charitable organisation. They can take her for coffee or to a garden centre several times a week, which enables Barbara to get out into the community with support.
She also enjoys the events that take place at Shore Green, including Christmas parties and orchestra visits. Plus, she recently celebrated her birthday with the other residents, enjoying fish and chips and a big birthday cake.
Barbara likes the facilities at Shore Green, telling us “I like going in the garden.” This is a common interest she shares with her grandson, who grows his own beef tomatoes and chillies at home! Plus, Barbara will soon be able to take advantage of a brand-new Summer House that is being built at Shore Green in the coming months.
When I asked Barbara how she feels about living at Shore Green, she told me “I like it very much here.”
Her words are a testament to the sense of belonging and support that Shore Green offers.
Shore Green key facts
6 apartments; 4 bungalows – allowing couples to remain together even if only one person needs support.
Accessible, dementia-friendly design.
24/7 care provision and emergency call buttons.
Housing related support - support with benefits, rent payments, liaising with power of attorneys or deputyships, reporting repairs, assessing adaptations.
Support with establishing and maintaining social activities and family contact.
Safe and secure setting, with door sensors and enclosed gardens.
Eligibility criteria:
Shore Green provides semi-independent living for people with:
· An organic memory loss diagnosis such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
· A housing support need.
· A care assessment.
Jurby Avenue
We have been working with commissioners at Manchester City Council to develop a new specialist scheme for those living with dementia. This will feature 16 private self-contained apartments, with a dementia-friendly design, including wet rooms and assistive technology.
We hope to have more information to share about this proposed development soon, so watch this space!