Despite only moving into their new home at VMCH’s Cluny House Memory Support House two months ago, our 12 residents are already making great progress, with several positive outcomes already attributed to the new innovative care model.

Helen Haynes, VMCH Montessori Change Lead says all the residents and staff have settled in nicely in the new space, which has been refurbished to suit a Montessori-style dementia care practice.

“The team has embraced the new care method and we now find residents setting tables, cleaning up the kitchen and folding the laundry. The residents love feeling useful and it gives them a sense of purpose and pride when they help you.

“The new environment coupled with the care practice has produced noticeable changes in residents in a short amount of time, which is lovely to see.”

Helen says Cluny House is a wonderful place to be, with an atmosphere full of love and warmth.

“No one goes without hugs and smiles as they go about their day.”

“The residents are able to wake up and choose to eat breakfast, which they serve themselves, at a time which suits them. They can even come to the dining room in their dressing gown if they feel like it.

“The self- service dining has proved very successful; residents select their meal and put it on their own plate. Having the choice also means they tend to eat more, so there’s also less need for supplement drinks.”

Helen says whilst the Cluny Memory Support House has only been operational for two months, the lives of residents have already improved.

“We’ve already seen a reduction in some of the challenging behaviours, and residents are taking more of an interest in activities and tasks.

“Simone, who normally speaks Arabic, has been speaking some English to staff and residents. She has been saying ‘good morning’, ‘thank you’ and ‘goodnight’, she is also smiling a lot, and loves to clap during our singalongs.

“Tom is one of our big helpers here at Cluny. From washing the dishes to folding the clothes, Tom will help, usually while singing with a smile on his face.

“We can’t wait to see even more improvements in the residents and finding activities to help them reconnect with their lives before dementia.”