Manx Care opens 'dementia friendly' lounge

The space in Ward 6 of Noble's hopes to improve the mood of patients 

Manx Care has officially opened a new ‘dementia friendly’ lounge within Noble’s Hospital.

Fundraising group Friends of Noble’s Hospital donated money for chairs, recliners, curtains and activities, including large piece jigsaw puzzles along with recordation of the room.

The lounge opens onto a garden area, enabling service users and their families to sit outside.

The facility hopes to allow those with dementia to feel safe and reduce stress and anxiety, boosting confidence and self-esteem.

A timetable of activities is due to be introduced in the future including ‘singing and reminiscence’.

Senior Ward Sister Rachel Taylor said: “It’s been a fantastic project from start to finish and we’ve enjoyed developing the room for our service users and their families to enjoy.

"The team have really scrutinised every detail to make sure there are many “homely touches” and that the colour scheme is calming.

"This lounge offers respite and gets people away from the hustle and bustle of the wards – we can’t thank Friends of Noble’s Hospital enough for helping us generate such a positive and relaxing space for our long-term and short-term patients.”