Chelsea Pensioners officially open sensory garden
Ceremonial opening of sensory environment at Kensington nursing home
Published on: 04 June 2014
A specially designed sensory garden and room for people with dementia was officially opened by the Chelsea Pensioners alongside residents at a ceremony at Princess Louise Kensington nursing home on Tuesday 3 June, 2014.
The garden has been 6 months in the making and provides a stimulating and relaxing environment for the residents of the nursing home that is a beacon of dementia care for Kensington and Chelsea. Our ageing population means that more people are developing dementia than ever before, and the money invested in these developments will help provide the best possible care for them.
The money for the sensory garden project came from a £180,000 Secretary of State for Health's initiative for Improving the Environment for People with Dementia.
Amor Gatinao, Central London Community Healthcare's nursing home manager at Princess Louise Kensington said:
"We were very excited to welcome the Chelsea Pensioners along to officially open our sensory environment. It has been a fantastic project to be involved in as the residents were able to help at the consultation stage of design and the garden is now there for everyone to enjoy.
"Residents, family members and visitors were all impressed with the beautiful silver orb water feature, the traditional red phone box, fragrant plants in raised beds and spongy surface paths for people to get around safely, as well as the 'magic carpet' in the sensory room on the dementia care unit."
"We deliver a very high standard of care here at Princess Louise that ensures we treat all patients with the utmost respect, dignity and compassion".
Click here to find out more about Princess Louise Kensington Nursing Home.
Click here to read the local news coverage of the event.
Picture above are Amor Gatinao (left), John Shuter (Chelsea Pensioner), Nora and Jack (nursing home residents) and Patrick Geraghty, CLCH senior manager (right).
About dementia:
The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes.