The Lodge dementia care facility at Buckshaw Retirement Village, near Chorley, has become the first care establishment in Britain to gain a gold standard under a new scheme to promote dementia friendly design in buildings.

The accreditation scheme has been launched by the University of Stirling’s internationally-renowned Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) following pilot audits in Britain, the Republic of Ireland and Australia.

Colm Cunningham, Director of Operations for the Dementia Services Development Centre, said: “Not only has The Lodge gained a gold standard but it has also scored very highly within the gold category. The Lodge is an example of best practice and will help to drive the sector towards further improvements.”

The DSDC’s report on The Lodge said: “This is a beautiful facility in a beautiful setting. The overall atmosphere is both supportive and purposeful, striking a good balance between stimulating and calm. Overall this facility meets high standards of provision in design for dementia care. Of particular note is the commitment to the provision of meaningful activities as a key aspect of delivering person centred dementia care and is integral to the overall culture of the organisation and to practice. Great effort is emphasised to support the maintenance of family bonds and important relations, and staff are pro-active in supporting this to happen.”

Oakbridge Retirement Villages, who have developed The Lodge, approached the University of Stirling for advice about its design from a very early stage.

Mr Cunningham said: “Oakbridge are the model for others to follow. Developers often approach us when they are too far down the line to take on board any fundamental changes, but Oakbridge came to us a number of years ago and we were able to work with them on the concept of the development.”  

Professor June Andrews, Director of the DSDC, added: “I’m delighted that we have completed our first accreditation, and am particularly pleased that the first care establishment to be audited has gained our highest standard.”

“The accreditation scheme has been launched at a time when the English Government has been consulting widely in advance of the forthcoming launch of its national dementia strategy, and the consultation has made it clear that there are many areas where improvements can be made in dementia care and that care can be very expensive. However, good design in dementia care will play a significant role in reducing costs because it will provide a better and healthier environment for residents,” she added.

Oakbridge Retirement Villages Chief Executive Andrew Stow said: “I’m delighted that the University of Stirling’s DSDC as an external authority with a worldwide reputation has judged us to be of gold standard. It highlights that we are at the forefront of dementia care in the UK and, indeed, have raised the bar for standards of care.

“The gold standard is an acknowledgement of five years of work in planning and developing The Lodge, and it is testimony to the efforts of the Oakbridge team who have worked so hard on this project.”

With four distinct areas each comprising 15 apartments, some of which are two bedroom, The Lodge features an innovative Market Square, a safe and secure garden/courtyard area, and wide corridors to provide a real sense of space.

The Market Square is at the heart of The Lodge and has been created to stimulate the senses and give residents a sense of independence. There’s a tea shop, village pub, potting shed, corner shop, bakery, hair and beauty salon, cinema and pet store.


Other design features at The Lodge include:

• The use of colour to support residents with orientation and to reinforce their own identity and independence.

• Using the latest assistive technology features. For example, en suite lights automatically and gradually illuminate when residents get out of bed and return to bed. If the resident is not in bed after a predetermined time, a discreet alarm can be raised to enable the staff to check on the safety and welfare of the resident.

• Assistive technology can also be used to record how much time care staff are spending with residents so that they can work out the best care plan required.

• Each of the four distinct areas of The Lodge has its own communal area which is very spacious but is compartmentalised by open plan wall dividers to allow residents to view other spaces. Each area is recognisable as a dining area, lounge etc, and the open plan design allows residents to view what is happening in other areas and encourages activity and social interaction.

The Lodge is one of three communities within the innovative £45 million Buckshaw Retirement Village. The others are The Court, which is for residents who are active and independent but like the idea of home ownership in a village community, and The Grange, for residents who need some support but don’t want to give up their independence and move into a care home.

With two images: Pictured at the presentation of the Gold Standard are (l–r) Maria McManus, Associate Director of the University of Stirling Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC); Lorraine Haining, Head of Dementia Services at The Lodge; Penni Brown, The Lodge Operations Director; Professor June Andrews, Director of the DSDC; Colm Cunningham, Director of Operations of the DSDC.

The Lodge at Buckshaw Retirement Village.