A NEW state-of-the-art unit for people with dementia has been opened at Lynhales Hall Nursing Home at Lyonshall.

It has been named the John Sperry Memorial Unit, built at a cost of £1.5 million and in memory of former joint owner John Sperry, who died in 2004.

The new wing will provide accommodation for 20 people with Alzheimers and dementia- related illness and has been designed to give them as much freedom as possible.

Lynhales is a large country home, licensed to provide nursing care for 67 elderly residents and with 70 full and part-time staff.

Because of its situation, Lynhales has been able to use the Sterling model, based on research from Bradford University, to design a unit which allows residents to wander inside or outside wherever they wish, in complete safety.

Emphasis is placed on activities, with a specially designed sensory-room, interests in cats and dogs and the possibility of setting up a donkey sanctuary for the benefit of residents.

John Sperry had always wanted to set up a specifically designed unit for those suffering dementia-type illnesses and his partner Richard Claridge has fulfilled his wishes.