PEOPLE with dementia will receive person-centred care at a new £250,000 facility in Blaenau Gwent.

Ty'r Brenin, at the Plasgeller Care Home in Brynmawr, is intended to transform the lives of eight residents with dementia, by drawing on leading research into the field of dementia care.

It provides a host of interactive equipment to engage residents, including a computerised table, reminiscence tools, books, headphones, games, instruments and a huge range of sensory equipment, alongside a team of highly-trained dementia care workers.

The development is also creating up to 10 jobs, and has been praised by Care Forum Wales. It is the latest investment by Care Inn Limited, which manages 13 homes across south Wales.

The new unit includes eight new bedrooms and three communal areas.

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith opened the unit, and said: “It is interesting and encouraging to hear about the pioneering methods that are going to be used to improve the lives of those being looked after at Tŷ’r Brenin.

“These new approaches, combined with the unit’s new specialist staff and the experience of existing staff, come together to create a home at the forefront of dementia care.”

Mario Kreft MBE, who chairs Care Forum Wales, said: “Research has shown by focusing on the individual rather than the illness we can effectively prevent and manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and improve the quality of life of people with dementia and Tŷ’r Brenin is wholeheartedly committed to this goal.

“I would like to congratulate the team for the care, thought and experience they have invested into this new unit and for ensuring their residents remain at the heart of everything they do.

“Tŷ’r Brenin really is at the forefront of dementia care and will be an example of all to follow.”

Care Inn operations director Alex Kelleher, said: “We are really excited about this project and what it will mean for local people who desperately need the time, experience and expertise of care workers specially trained to care for them.

“We have worked very closely with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to get this unit off the ground and we are grateful to them for their support.

“This unit has been created to improve outcomes for residents with complex forms of dementia who do not respond well in larger units and settings, and the emphasis really is on interaction, which is why we’re also investing in new technology to support our work.

“The focus here is to provide person-centred, meaningful interaction, encouraging our staff to actively engage with the residents so there is less reliance on medication.

“With fewer residents to support, there are more opportunities for interaction, positive stimulation and communication in smaller settings and less risk of residents being misunderstood.

"This especially impacts on those with complex forms of dementia which need a higher level of one-to-one support.

Plasgeller Care Home has been split into two sections to house the specialist dementia unit, and managers are identifying potential residents with the health board, and will be overseeing their switch to Tŷ’r Brenin in the coming weeks.