Work begins on Aberdeenshire care village
THE Building of Aberdeenshire Council’s first care village in Stonehaven was officially opened last week.
Provost Bill Howaston officially opened the building site last Friday. Before cutting the ribbon he told residents of Eden Care home, who were visiting the site with the provost, that he was “proud” to be there on such a “historic” day.
He said: “This is a fantastic concept and will provide services for older people in the area for many years to come.”
“The new care home and accommodation will replace a facility that has served the community well and the council can build on this track record with tailored, modern facilities that will allow people to live a long, healthy, happy and independent life.”
The development will include a 60 bed care home and eight one bedroom cottages at the site on School Road in Stonehaven’s town centre.
The new care home will replace the existing Edenholme care home in Stonehaven which opened in 1952 with 15 residents, and currently has around 30 residents.
Facilities will include 24 hour nursing provision, 12 specialist dementia places, a skilled staff team delivering individualised care for older people in a living environment which offers them personal choice, control and a good quality of life.
Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Social Work and Housing Committee Councillor Gurudeo Saluja said: “This is part of the council’s plan to provide new homes and care facilities to our communities and respond to the changing needs of our towns.”
“The care village will bring together health, social care and housing to ensure that older people in Stonehaven can benefit from a first class facility that will form an important part of the community.”
To complement the care home and provide additional independent living solutions for older people, a care village concept was devised by the Housing and Social Work Service.
The properties will be built to accommodate a greater use of telecare devices to allow people to live at home for longer. In addition, tenants will be able to utilise the services and facilities of the care home as appropriate.
