VIP guest officially opens Sutton Coldfield care home’s new Dementia Café

A care home in Sutton Coldfield has launched its new Dementia Café with an appearance from the Mayor. 

Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, officially unveiled its brand-new Dementia Café in the home’s Residential Suite with the help of Councillor John Perks, The Mayor of Sutton Coldfield, who cut the ribbon to officially mark it ‘open’.  

The new Dementia Café is a space that will host a new monthly event for carers and their loved ones from the local community. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet likeminded individuals and share their experiences in a warm and welcoming environment, while their loved one enjoys a reminiscence activity with the Mercia Grange team.

On the launch day, guests were given the opportunity to tour the Residential Suite and visit the new Dementia Café for refreshments and activities such as [insert details]. 

The opening follows the launch of The Big Dementia Conversation, a nationwide initiative from Care UK designed to show people how to better understand common symptoms and live well with the condition.

While general awareness of dementia has improved, data from Care UK shows two thirds of people who have a relative living with dementia (62%) initially put their symptoms down to old age. Many Brits remain unaware of the ways older people can lead meaningful lives with the condition, prompting Care UK to relaunch its Big Dementia Conversation for the second year running. 

Mercia Grange will be hosting an ‘Understanding Dementia’ talk on Wednesday 7^th May from 2pm-4pm in the home’s new Dementia Café, where dementia expert Dr Nori Graham will share her knowledge of the condition, as well as insights into how it can affect people as they age and what can be done to support a loved one living with dementia. Attendees will also have the opportunuity to seek support and guidance from the team at Mercia Grange. 

Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “The opening of our Dementia Café was a huge success! It was fantastic to see so many members of the community come together and to welcome Councillor John Perks, the Mayor of Sutton Coldfield, for the grand unveiling. 

“We are passionate about raising awareness of the condition and promoting understanding through dementia-related events like this one, and we hope to help more people in our local community feel supported and confident in navigating dementia care. 

“We’re proud to provide a space where residents can live well and feel valued, and we look forward to welcoming local carers and their loved ones through our doors for our ‘Understanding Dementia’ talk and our monthly Dementia Café gatherings.”

As part of The Big Dementia Conversation, the Sutton Coldfield community can also visit a newly launched online advice hub. The hub includes in-depth conversations with families of people living with dementia, as well as expert advice from Care UK’s dementia specialists to learn how to reduce the risks and symptoms of the condition.

Mercia Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.