Dementia-friendly corridor nears completion at The Gables

Residents at The Gables in Gorleston will soon be benefiting from a sensory corridor with interactive activities, bright colours and some music.

And thanks to one of the team member’s step-dad a special interactive table will soon be in place at the Norfolk home too.

Deputy Manager Chrissy Thompson explained, “The idea is for the interactive table to be mounted on the wall in the corridor and that people will stop and try out the items on it. Some of the things are from everyday life – things which people can fiddle with like keys, a glasses case and a door chain. Other items are interesting textures, shapes and colours.”

Chrissy has worked at The Gables for the past 20 years so her step-dad Graham has heard lots of stories about the residents, their likes and dislikes and was only too happy to help with the sensory project.

Currently about 50% of the residents at The Gables are living with dementia and during the covid pandemic the team at the home have been making the home more dementia friendly.

“We have been doing things gradually but things which make a difference to our residents, “ said Chrissy.

“We have decorated in dementia friendly colours, used door stickers to help with finding destinations and are creating a garden room which combines outdoor and indoor spaces. We have lots of ideas and are really pleased to see things taking shape.”

The Gables, part of the Healthcare Homes’ family of 48 care homes and 11 homecare branches,  offers residential and dementia care in a beautiful Victorian mansion with large rooms and a wealth of fine architectural detail.

The Gables and its gardens overlook the promenade at Gorleston, near to the towns of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. It is rated Good overall by the CQC after the latest inspection  which took place last year.

wishagency