A CARE home has officially opened a new dementia suite – with a little help from a special visitor.

Mayor of Darlington, Tom Nutt, cut the ribbon at the new residential dementia suite at Ventress Hall care home, in Trinity Road, Darlington.

He was joined by Evelyn Chidgey, a 102-year-old resident at the home, and mayoress, Gill, who were both presented with bouquets of flowers.

Home manager Judy Wray said: “Today there are some 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and 80 per cent of people living in care homes have a form of dementia or severe memory problems. The needs of these residents are very specific.

“We have a great team, able to provide superb dementia care, and with the opening of the new suite, we now we have an enviable setting where residents living with dementia can receive that great care in the best, and most comfortable surroundings for them.”

The new 15-bedroom suite has two spacious lounges overlooking the home’s courtyard, as well as a dining room.

Care UK’s dementia team provided guidance and support with the design and decoration of the suite, as did team members from the home and its Care UK sister homes around the area – Hadrian Park care home in Billingham, Woodside in Middlesbrough, the Terrace care home in Richmond and Elwick Grange in Hartlepool.