Fitzwarren House sits alongside MHA’s innovative Stanton Lodge apartments on the outskirts of Swindon. It was purpose-built in 2005 at a cost of 4.5 million pounds and officially opened by Glastonbury Festival Founder Michael Eavis. The building is spacious, has innovative use of colour and its design was featured at the 2006 Dementia Care Conference.
Half of its 60 spaces are reserved for general nursing needs but 30 spaces offer personal care to older people living with dementia.
A model of the holistic approach to which all MHA Homes aspire, Fitzwarren House works to support spiritual and emotional needs as well as physical ones. Both the Home’s own Methodist Chaplain and a Roman Catholic priest pay regular visits, each of them offering friendship, fellowship and formal services. By way of contrast, Pet Therapy is also popular in the Home. Fitzwarren has its own pet rabbit, guinea pig and kittens.
Other forms of therapy also support the Home’s focus on well-being, both stimulating and also comforting residents. Music and movement encourages physical activity and can help some residents recall thought processes as well as stimulating speech. Doll therapy is popular, too. A number of female residents enjoy acting out the care of little ones, promoting a sense of happiness as their dementia transports them to the carefree times of childhood. There is awareness and gratitude here, also, for the surrounding environment of a Home that backs on to Stanton Park, filled with a plethora of wild birds and animals.
For more information please contact the Home Manager:
Fitzwarren House
Kingsdown Road
Swindon
SN3 4TD
Tel: 01793 836920
Email: home.swn@mha.org.uk
We would be delighted to hear from you.
MHA’s quality ratings are amongst the highest in the care sector. To view our latest quality ratings, as independently assessed by the Care Quality Commission, go to: www.cqc.org.uk/registeredservicesdirectory/rsquicksearch.asp