THIS is the vision that will transform Sobell House into a striking centre in response to the growing timebomb of dementia.

The modern extension will make use of the natural light and help frailer patients deal with their deterioration in a safe space.

It will include a dementia-friendly garden annex for people who may be frail and confused, while a new clinic will provide space for people to pop in and receive medical and information services while staying in their own home.

The clinic will use bold colours to help dementia patients recognise their surroundings if they lose their way.

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Monika Rybacka, a nurse who specialises in improving dementia and end of life care services, has been working with Sobell to make sure the designs will benefit patients.

She said: "It will be a free and stimulating space where people will be able to wander and express themselves safely in open spaces. It reduces anxiety about their environment.

"A main aspect of the plans is orientation, whether its through pictures or colours so that patients are able to navigate themselves around the room.

"It is part of a national strategy, which is all about the increasing prevalence of dementia, not only for older people but younger people as well."

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Though Sobell House does not offer care for people solely with dementia, many terminal illnesses come hand-in-hand with old age and thus the condition.

A public health report published this month by Oxfordshire County Council said the number of people with dementia in Oxfordshire has doubled in the last decade.

It said there was a need for the NHS to plan for the rising numbers of people with the disease, due to the ageing population.

The health service is now planning a major shake-up of its services, with the report also recommending that future public spaces and housing estates were made "dementia friendly".

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Head of fundraising at Sobell Dominique Cadiou (pictured) said: "We are expanding because more people will have access to good end of life care. We are pushing the importance of growing the services in Oxfordshire and that means raising more money."

The design of the centre could also help younger patients with delirium, which has similar symptoms to dementia.

A new garden annex overlooking Southfield Golf Club will have six beds, with space freed up on the existing ward turned into a family suite for younger patients and their loved ones.

An outreach team, paid for by Sobell's fundraising branch Sobell House Hospice Charity, will support staff in hospitals when patients are unable to be accommodated at Sobell itself.

Medical staff will also take on a specialist pharmacist, two occupational therapists and three new nurses to provide more weekend care, to ensure that patients can benefit from 24/7 attention.

Sobell staff nurse Christina Lovell said the plans were "brilliant", adding: "The extension will mean we can offer more care in our community."

Her colleague Louise Musgrove, Sobell's head of retail who manages its charity shops, said: "The extension plans are very much needed. I am proud to be helping by raising funds in the shops to support them."

Key features of the project: 

  • Dementia-friendly garden annex providing eight new beds for palliative care
  • Clinic for outpatients who need specialist services but are able to live at home
  • Sensory garden