Day Care Changed My Dad's Life

A new dementia-friendly day care centre is transforming the lives of older people and their relatives in Glasgow.

Arvinder Kainth, believes Woodside Day Care Centre has improved her 88-year-old, blind and partially deaf, father's life and brought her family peace of mind.

Speaking at the official opening of Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership's new centre, she said her dad, Gurnam Singh Bedi, lost interest in life after his wife died, becoming very withdrawn and quiet.

Arvinder said: "My family were all very worried about my dad after mum died, until a friend introduced us to day care services for the elderly and disabled.

"Coming to Woodside has changed my father's life. His quality of life has improved greatly and he wouldn't miss a day here - even for a family occasion! He talks about the centre with fondness, and we, as a family, have peace of mind.

"Our father is happy, he is in a place where he is safe and is treated with respect and dignity. We also get respite and are able to take some time for ourselves."

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, officially opened the purpose built centre, and met service users who enjoy activities such as armchair bowls, dominos, bingo, yoga, quizzes, arts and crafts and outings. People usually attend for one, two or three days a week. They are collected from home each morning and driven to the centre in Hinshaw Street where they enjoy lunch and activities before heading home.

Eighty-three-year-old service user, Pavittar Majhu, praised the "polite and respectful" staff and the food at the centre which caters for any special dietary requirements. Pavittar told visitors she loves to sing Bollywood songs with friends at the centre as well as being pampered at the in-house hair salon.

She said: "The facilities in Woodside are amazing, including the beautiful gardens which are so therapeutic. I enjoy gardening at the centre and having a hairdresser here is wonderful.

"All the staff are polite and respectful and ensure all our needs are met. We enjoy all the cultural celebrations including Christmas and Halloween etc, Asian festivals like Diwali, Vaisakhi and Eid are also celebrated here.

"My family have visited Woodside and are very happy with the facilities. My son who is in a band, came and entertained us all."

Cllr Aitken unveiled a plaque and cut a cake to mark the occasion after touring the facility and chatting to staff and service users.

She said: "This is really such an impressive place. There is a great atmosphere and everyone is very welcoming, positive and cheerful. The overwhelming feeling I'm getting from talking to everyone, is that you are all delighted with the facilities.

"There is so much life about the place, and the dedication and professionalism of the staff is obvious to see. From talking to them and seeing them in action, you can tell how much they care about service users and how they take pride and pleasure in ensuring everyone is looked after and happy.

"I'm delighted to declare this lovely day care centre officially open!"

Woodside can accommodate 30 older people a day Monday to Friday. Facilities include several activity rooms, a hair salon, a dining room, two sitting rooms, a quiet / prayer room, a hair salon and a treatment room as well as the dementia friendly garden with raised beds. It provides a registered service for people with complex needs and service users are all assigned their own key worker.

Susanne Millar, Interim Chief Officer of Glasgow's Health & Social Care Partnership, said it was committed to providing services which help people live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

She said: "This is a fabulous building with all the facilities that go with it. There is a lot of buzz and activity and it feels really happy, homely and safe. I'd like to recognise the hard work of staff. Thank you for your dedication."

The day care centre is located alongside the HSCP's new Woodside Health Centre.