Care home builds shops for residents with dementia

MINI SHOPS are to be built inside a Bolton care home following the success of a new sweet stall.

Lever Edge Care Home, in Great Lever, is now aiming to build their own newsagents, haberdashery and book stand.

The care home residents enjoy popping to the sweet stall for a treat and staff are hoping a full street of shops will prove equally popular.

Familiar sights and tasks, such as a shopping trip, also provides added benefits for those living with dementia, according to home manager Karen McMahon.

She said: “Our residents love a sweet treat, just like everyone. So the sweet stall has been a huge hit.

“For our residents living with dementia, a trip to the shops can be a very enjoyable experience, as it’s something they remember and are familiar with.

“It’s not always possible to take everyone into town, so a street of shops at the home will be a great additional feature that everyone can enjoy.”

The home is now appealing for materials to help create the shops, which will be installed in the home’s dementia suite.

The sweet stall was constructed by Alfred Barnes, Lever Edge Care Home maintenance man, and Dave Edgerton, North West regional decorator for Hill Care, which owns and operates the home.

They used recycled MDF, 2×2 and 3×2 wood panels, wood beading and steel casters.

“We’re appealing to any businesses out there for donations of similar spare or scrap materials,” added Karen.

Anyone interested in donating can contact the home manager by calling 01204 660011 or emailing leveredgemanager@hillcare.net.