NEW CARE HOME PLANNED FOR STONEHAVEN
COUNCILLORS have given their full support to a proposed innovative project that hopes to modernise accommodation and support for older people in the Mearns.
A report before the Kincardine and Mearns area committee this week stated that the proportion of people over 85 years old is expected to rise by 109% by 2024, and that Aberdeenshire Council's Social Work and Housing committee were "fully committed to supporting more older people to live at home for as long as possible", but added that "there will be a continuing need for high quality residential care."
The new development will replace the existing Edenholme care home in Stonehaven. The favoured site for the care home is the council-owned plot of land on School Road, opposite the Kincardine Community Hospital. Several other sites were discussed but the School Road site was preferred as it is central to Stonehaven, poses no significant flood risk and has the potential for expansion. It also offered an opportunity to develop a unique combination of housing and residential care for those who need it.
The care home is currently being designed by the council's Property Services department and they are in collaboration with residents and families.
The care home will be comprised of five households that will accommodate 12 people, with dedicated dining and lounge areas. The five households are expected to provide a wide range of care with at least one housing people with complex needs such as dementia, and give them with the specialist care they need. The report also stated that: "people who need support to manage their housing and independence will have access to eight modern, barrier free, single storey council houses with capacity to be linked electronically to the care home".
Head of Community Care Patricia Maclachlan said: "The innovative part of this project is the capacity that School Road offers us to create the concept of a care village. Although people may not require a level of support a care home would offer, they are in a campus which offers that supportive environment. We can openly offer people some protection, in case they need it, to give them peace of mind or gradually, as their needs increase, give them access to facilities care homes might offer in the future."
Stonehaven and Lower Deeside Councillor Peter Bellarby said he welcomed the proposal.
"We need a new care home in Stonehaven, as the original is not fit for the 21st century. This site is the only one that fits the bill as it has good accessibility. We need a care home in the community not the outskirts," he said.
Councillor Graeme Clark said: "This is an excellent thing for Stonehaven. There will be a need for it."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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