Inspirational guests visit Glenside Manor to open new facility

(L-R) is Denis Barry, owner, Clare Barry, owner, Ian West, Councillor for Wilton and Wylye, Elizabeth Bartlett of the Alzheimer’s society, Glynise Hidalgo, deputy house manager for Limetree and Becky Redman, one of the team of on-site Occupational Therapists.

Date: 25 January 2008

Glenside Manor were delighted to welcome back on site two special guests, Elizabeth Bartlett and Ian West to officially open a new multi-sensory room which was built with a recently awarded council grant of £10,400. The ribbon was cut on 23 January by Elizabeth, who runs Salisbury and District Branch of the Alzheimer's Society and Ian, a County Councillor for Wilton and Wylye.

The room is located in the Limetree Building of the ever-growing Glenside Manor, owned by Denis and Clare Barry. This spacious and homely building has many carers and nurses who are specialists in dementia care for older adults and the room is used as part of on-going therapy sessions.

The room is designed to provide a feeling of well-being and to stimulate the senses with special light lanterns, a multi-colour water bubble column, and other brightly coloured light curtains and projections. With space for several armchairs, the room has musical equipment such as drum machines for the more lively or the sounds of birdsong & relaxing music for a more relaxed visit. It also has vibrating foot rests and cushions which are designed to aid relaxation and there are even different scents in the air.

After the opening Denis said “It is wonderful to be able to offer this new facility and we are honoured that Ian and Elizabeth could come and share this moment with us. Elizabeth’s important work in the community and her lifetime’s commitment to dementia and Alzheimer’s care made her the perfect person for the job.”