Hallmark Care Homes has opened its new £12m care home, Hutton View, in Essex using technology in what is believed to be the first virtual opening of a social care facility due to the current COVID-19 restrictions.
This live stream was made possible with support from an external specialist broadcast company and was hosted by Hallmark Care Homes chairman and chief executive of the company’s development arm, Savista Developments, Avnish Goyal.
During the special event, guests were told about the vision of how the home was created, participated in a panel discussion with Hallmark’s dementia and relationship-centred care experts, and took a virtual tour of the 77-bed home’s state-of-the-art facilities.
These include a hair salon, therapy room, café complete with its own aquarium connected to a distinctive bar, large-screen cinema and surround-sound complete with a starlight ceiling, and a music room with a baby grand piano, vinyl record player, and LPs and a selection of musical instruments.
Other design innovations include an indoor COVID-safe visiting area with a glass partition, library and games room, and a top-floor activities room with a second bar and large outdoor terrace.
The home also boasts a farmhouse kitchen and further activity area with prompts which use the Montessori approach to support people living with dementia.
Outside there are numerous areas which encourage residents to get fresh air all year round and support the company’s Together Dementia Strategy. This includes five outdoor terraces on all the upper floors.
The design of the facility aims to support those living with dementia
Goyal said: “We are delighted to have completed our second Savista project to the highest standards, incorporating the latest technology and ideas, not only from the sector, but from our teams and our recent innovation challenge.
“We are continuing to innovate with our pipeline of projects and we will continue to raise the bar by creating beautiful environments that enhance the quality of life for older people."