With nearly a quarter of Suffolk’s residents aged 65 or older and healthy life expectancy (the number of years living free of illness) diminishing, an increasing number of older people need a level of care in one form or another. For those living at home, day centres and dementia cafes in Suffolk offer an attractive option – warm, welcoming places to spend some quality time and make new friends, with experienced and understanding staff in attendance to help and support them.
As the number of families accommodating elderly loved ones with live-in care arrangements increases, day care centres also offer short term respite for all concerned – not only a refreshing change of scene for the elderly individual, but time off for their carers as well. As part of a modern care home purpose-built in 2012, Magdalen House day care centre in the historic Suffolk market town of Hadleigh offers a flexible, short-term day care option.
For more than an adjunct to the main building, as it was designed into the original architectural plan, Hadleigh’s Magdalen House day care centre feels reassuringly self-contained and independent – a distinct venue in its own right. The dementia café is also open for longer hours than much of the other day care provision available locally, so it's convenient for family, loved ones and home carers to incorporate journeys to and fro into the schedule of their working days.
Modern, warm and welcoming, Magdalen House day care centre is equipped with orthopaedic chairs and comfortable furniture designed for those with limited mobility. As a venue, it enjoys a relaxed, informal café ambience, removed from the somewhat institutional atmosphere of many of Suffolk’s older, more traditional adult day care centres. Parking is available right next to the entrance and the centre is conveniently located minutes from Hadleigh’s attractive High Street.
In keeping with operator Allegra Care’s person-centred care model, staff at Magdalen House dementia café in Hadleigh have been hand-picked not only for their professional credentials but also their personal attributes. All care and support staff are qualified to at least Level 2 Diploma NVQ in Care, and all are highly experienced in the specialist area of dementia care. Compassion, patience and a ready smile are considered essential qualities for those working in these challenging but uniquely fulfilling roles.
Magdalen House’s holistic approach to care informs the rich and varied activity programme on offer at this day care centre in historic Hadleigh, providing enriching days out that nurture mind, body and soul. From arts and crafts to board games and gentle exercise classes, there’s always plenty going on. Many visitors attend purely for the social side, enjoying catching up with friends and nattering over a lovely cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or three!
Magdalen House day centre offers great care and company in a convivial setting that’s quite unlike anywhere else. The café is contemporary and comfortable and the ideal destination for a “proper” day out in the Suffolk town of Hadleigh. It’s also open from 10am to 3pm, so it fits in better with today’s often irregular work schedules. The biggest difference, though, is the people - highly experienced care professionals, who are on hand with kind words, a warm heart and a welcoming smile.
Care at Magdalen House dementia café is fully aligned with operator Allegra Care’s philosophy of person-centred care. This means that visitors are always respected and treated as individuals. By striking up a friendly but genuine rapport, staff really get to know their guests properly and, through informal and relaxed conversation, visitors are quickly made to feel at ease and at home. For family, trusting that your loved one is in safe hands throughout their visit offers invaluable peace of mind, making Magdalen House one of Suffolk’s favourite day care destinations.