January 2012 – the latest update is that work is progressing well. The inside and outside are beginning to really take shape. The painters have started on the internal walls and all the plumping, basins, showers, toilets are well in hand. The landscaping on the outside is also coming along well and will provide a really special area for our residents. Have a look at the most recent pictures.

Hazel said, “It was a lovely sports car and I really enjoyed being pampered at the studio, it was very relaxing. I had an Indian head massage and a cut and shape. It was a really good day!”

Sara Piper, one of the partners at Kensington said, “It was really fun having Hazel with us. I think she would happily have gone for a very long journey in the car. She is a great character and a worthy winner.”

Matthew Bennett, who runs Springfield said, “It’s a great prize to win. Hazel is a very spritely and active person. I think she really enjoyed her day out, and who wouldn’t!”

One of the areas of care that we will be focussing on is that of dementia care. Dementia affects over 750,000 people living in the UK and the figure is expected to rise above 1 million within the next 10 years. It’s a condition that most commonly affects the elderly but with proper support and care it shouldn’t stop people from living a fulfilling day-to-day life. Our General Manager, Gill Coombs has worked in dementia care for over 25 years. Gill said, “Dementia sufferers need more than kindness. It can be a frightening experience and understanding what people are going through is essential to being able to help them. Understanding behavioural difficulties and helping people to live a full and rewarding life requires specialist training.”

Prinsted will provide 22 ensuite rooms for residents and will include specialist care and support for dementia sufferers. Our Prinsted Matron, Jan Wildman, is very excited about the new project. “It’s lovely to be working with a family business that is investing in such wonderful facilities and continues to champion the needs of elderly people. Prinsted will be a great asset to local people and a wonderful example of how a care home should be run in the 21st century.”

Children enjoyed live entertainment, balloon modelling, magic tricks, face painting, competitions and a photographer was at hand to catch some special family moments. The day was a great success.

Grandparents Day was first introduced in America in 1978, when Jimmy Carter passed legislation proclaiming it as a national day. As well as recognising the older generation, the idea of the day is to encourage the younger generation to listen to the wisdom of their elders and benefit from their considerable experience.

As part of the entertainment a prize draw was held for one of the residents to win a trip to a Kensington Studio in Portsmouth for a pampering morning. We will keep you posted on how the day goes!