A Dundee care home which developed a pioneering ‘village’ to enable those living with dementia to reconnect with old memories has won a well respected UK-wide award for the quality of its care.

Balcarres care home, in Broughty Ferry, was in the running for the Person-Centred and Compassionate Care plaudits at the annual Bupa Clinical Excellence Awards. Thanks to its innovative and attentive approach to dementia care, it lifted the coveted Compassionate Care honour.

Ninety per cent of the residents at Balcarres care home are living with dementia, and the home has already introduced a putting green and bus stop cafe to its garden space and continues to break new ground. Staff are currently constructing a working post office, grocer’s and thrift shop, all of which are specifically designed to enable residents to reconnect with recognisable social surroundings in a safe and familiar environment.

Lynn McLean, Home Manager at Balcarres care home, said: “Ultimately, the driving force behind our work is to improve the quality of life of the people in our care and we are all absolutely thrilled all our efforts are being recognised.

“The creation of the bus stop cafe and putting green is so important for our residents as it allows them to reconnect with previous memories in a secure and familiar environment.

“We are very excited to continue to expand this project and add the post office, grocer’s and thrift shop, as these kinds of features have been proven to provide residents living with dementia cognitive stimulation which relieves feelings of anxiety and confusion.

“We always aim to provide the highest level of care to all our residents and we believe the ‘village life’ setting is a fresh and innovative way in which to do this.”

In addition to the ‘village’, other creative features at Balcarres care home include a Wi-Fi cafe to ensure residents are able to keep in touch with friends and family across the world, a children’s play area for visiting youngsters, a gardening club and a ‘1940s room’ to enable residents to reminisce about times gone by.

Staff also recently dedicated their time to take four residents on a short break to Butlins, in order to enable them to revisit a favourite holiday destination of their youth. The Dundee care home is planning to provide more short trips for residents in the near future