Shore Green ‘highly commended’ by Tenants Participation Advisory Service
Shore Green, Irwell Valley’s pioneering development for people living with Dementia, is ‘highly commended’ at this year’s TPAS northern region awards ceremony.
Shore Green residents
A development of six one-bedroom flats and four two-bedroom bungalows specifically for people with Dementia, Shore Green in Wythenshawe, is a partnership arrangement between Irwell Valley and Manchester City Council Adult Social Care.
The development, which was officially opened by the Duchess of Gloucester, uniquely enables partners and carers to stay together to avoid them being separated when one or both has to enter nursing care due to early onset Dementia.
Residents have assured shorthold tenancy agreements, pay rent (personally or funded by housing benefit), pay their own utility bills and are encouraged to live as independently as is possible.
Designed by Triangle Architects, in consultation with the Alzheimer’s Society, design features and assistive technologies – such as colour coding, gas monitors and door sensors - assist residents with memory loss.
A Department of Health report (February 2009) says “Shore Green gives people with dementia more choice and control over their lives, supports their independence, slows the rate that their needs escalate and helps tenants to be active in the community.’
Shore Green has also been the focus of a nationwide BBC radio series “Living Longer’ that explored a range of issues around old age and care for the elderly.
Andrew White, Irwell Valley’s Head of Supported Services said “We are delighted with this recognition from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service. The human and financial cost of Dementia is a growing issue. Shore Green is an exemplary model of how services and quality of life might be improved for people living with early onset Dementia”