Care homes across Sefton are, once again, benefitting from funding provided by Sefton Council to make significant changes to help their residents with their care and independence.

This year, 26 care homes will receive a share of over £400,000 from the Council’s Shared Care Settings Capital Improvement Grants Programme. The Grants of up to £25,000 will be used to make the shared settings more dementia friendly and improve the quality of their residents’ lives.

Important changes

Since the Programme was introduced in 2020, Sefton Council has awarded £1.58 million in grants to 66 of the Borough’s 122 care homes. This funding has been spent on vital improvements and dementia-friendly designs and schemes.

Additionally, many homes have match funded the grants they have received, with over £540,000 of extra funding going towards the projects.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “I am delighted that we’re able to offer another round of grants to care home providers across Sefton.

“Over the past three years we have seen some incredible projects take place at care homes in the Borough, which have positively impacted residents and staff.

“Many of these projects have directly addressed the needs and difficulties faced by people living with dementia.

“The number of people with dementia is increasing, not only in Sefton, but across the UK. There are many causes of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease being the principal one. Making an environment dementia friendly is about understanding these causes and providing stimulation to keep people’s minds as active as possible. The projects so far have each helped to make people’s lives that little bit easier.

“I’m thankful for everyone involved in making this grant and the projects it has supported a reality, and to the care homes for matching funding where possible to make a real difference for our residents.”

Many projects have focused on the use of Technology Enabled Care Solutions and sensory spaces to support residents. This has included the introduction of interactive tables, robotic pets and dementia-friendly lighting.

Improved environments

One staff member of a Sefton care home said: “Having an interactive table has provided alternative and additional means of keeping in touch with loved ones. Residents can take part in new activities together when using the interactive table and has improved mental health and increased communication and interaction with residents, staff, and visitors to the home.”

Other improvements include high-backed furniture which provide additional support for people sitting down, wallpaper and flooring that is proven to help people with dementia to navigate the home, and wet rooms to support staff and residents when bathing.

Furthermore, many care homes have renovated their outdoor space, offering covered visiting areas following the Covid pandemic as well as ramps, summer houses, and raised flower beds so that all residents can access and take control over their outdoor environment.

Speaking about their garden improvements, one staff member said: “The residents can now grow herbs and vegetables and pot flowers. For people with dementia, time spent in gardens can help them relax and feel calm, they will generally become less agitated and distressed if they can have regular access to fresh air.”

This year’s round of funding will mark the fourth year of continued support for care homes in Sefton. Details of the grant programme and reports from previous years are available on the Sefton Council website.