Moving Forward
The Royal Star & Garter Charity understands the importance of constantly evaluating the needs of residents, both now and in the future, in order to ensure that we provide the best possible care. Research estimates that by 2020 there will be 115,000 veterans requiring residential care, of whom around 40,000 will have dementia. There are currently just over 1,050 beds provided in ex-Service care homes in England, with just over 220 caring for those with dementia.
As the need for our services is increasing, the Charity's Board of Governors has concluded that the most appropriate way to meet the future needs of our residents is to create new, purpose-built homes with state-of-the-art facilities in pleasant and accessible surroundings around the country while maintaining our history and strong links to the military. Each new home will include a specialist wing to provide dementia care.
The first of these new homes is the award-winning Solihull, West Midlands, Home opened in August 2008. A second new home, which will replace the current Richmond Home, is being sought in the London area, and a third home will be in the Buckinghamshire area. Buckinghamshire was chosen after careful consideration as there is a marked gap in the provision of good quality care, as well as a shortage of dementia facilities and almost no designated ex-Service beds. The new homes will emulate the great success of our Solihull Home, providing the best nursing and dementia care to ex-Service people in superb surroundings.
At the same time, like many ex-Service charities, we are forever conscious of the sacrifices being made in action by our young Serving men and women, and will remain alert to the call of providing help where we can to all who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The move to the new care homes will enable the Charity to operate with improved facilities at significantly reduced costs, and thus ensure our ability to continue to provide a high level of support and care to disabled ex-Service people who may need us in the future.
New Homes
As with our Solihull Home, the new Royal Star & Garter Homes will be developed sympathetically so that they are in keeping with the surroundings and environment of the area where a suitable site is identified.
The new homes will also incorporate a specially designed and staffed unit to accommodate people with dementia, an area of urgent need.
In summary, each new home will comprise of the following facilities.
- 60 en suite rooms - 45 for those requiring nursing care and a specialist dementia facility for 15 residents.
- An attractive garden area.
- A separate sensory garden for residents with dementia.
- A large bed sitting room with en suite shower room for each resident. Each room will have:
- Large windows with low sills to enable residents to enjoy the view.
- Telephone/computer point for private telephone/internet access.
- Overhead tracking to facilitate smooth transfer from bed to shower room.
- Electrically operated bed to maximise comfort and safety, and facilitate personal care and one-to-one therapy.
- A number of activity and therapy rooms
- A large dining room and adjoining function/activity room
- A cafe and bar area
- A library and archive room
- A hairdressing/beauty salon
- There will also be kitchen areas, sitting areas, and assisted bathrooms on each unit.
