Home from Home for people with dementia

A holiday home in Topsham called The Mede that supports people living with dementia and offers a specialist activity club next door, was recently selected as a finalist in the business category for The Alzheimer's Society "Dementia Friendly Awards" .

With recent news that the number of people with dementia could triple by 2050, there is an ever more pressing need for facilities that offer support.

Sallie Rutledge, mother of three, opened The Mede five years’ ago to enable carers and their loved ones to have holidays, after her own father in law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This year she has also acquired the next door bungalow, Seaward House, to run day time activities for people with dementia in the local area but also available for those staying on holiday at The Mede.

Sallie, a qualified nurse who works part time as a practice nurse in a local health centre, said: “The Mede seemed an ideal place also for an activity day club. All too often, people living with dementia don’t leave their own homes but of course this can lead to them feeling isolated and lonely. It also gives the carer a much needed day off"

“The Mede is set up as holiday accommodation, it has a home from home feel which immediately makes visitors less anxious about being out of their comfort zone. It’s extremely practical and very welcoming. It has three bedrooms and sleeps 5 people, has a wet room and is all on one level. Carers can be organised for helping with personal care and a sit in service. Although it is self catering accommodation, meals can be organised and help with shopping or trips out can be arranged."

Although there is no cure for memory loss, deterioration can be slowed down through the use of trusted methods, and in the activity club next door sessions include activities that stimulate memory, such as word and number games, current affairs and creative sessions. In addition, visitors to the Mede activity club will be encouraged to get out and about.

The activity club at The Mede, which is not far from Exeter, explained the thinking behind the new centre: “There’s a lack for facilities for people when they first learn they have dementia, which is exactly the time that activity and stimulation is required. Activity days like this allow them to meet with others in the same position, which gives reassurance and mutual support.”

“It looks increasingly possible that numbers of council-run day centres may face closure for one reason or another, so there is a real need for independently run centres to fill the gap,”

The activity day club is now open on Mondays and Tuesdays 10am to 4pm (not bank holidays)

For more information about having a holiday or using the day club please contact Sallie on 07718976072 or sallie.rutledge@yahoo.co.uk