MIDDLESBROUGH is to benefit from 14 extra beds for elderly dementia sufferers to help address a growing need in the area.

Local care provider Orchard Care Homes has established a specialist Elderly Mentally Infirm (EMI) unit at its Middlesbrough Grange residential home in Netherfields.

The new EMI wing at the home on Fosdyke Green has undergone an extensive transformation prior to welcoming its first new residents.

Using the latest research into dementia care, designers have gone to great lengths to create a secure, comfortable and calming environment for the people who will live there.

"Getting the surroundings right is very important for dementia sufferers," explained home manager Maureen McLean.

"It's vital for people with the condition that they have plenty to keep their minds active and occupied because they can become easily frustrated otherwise.

"The new unit just looks fabulous, the residents will be happy and comfortable, which will massively reduce the stress and worry for their families."

Specialist features in the new Middlesbrough Grange EMI wing include a vibrant indoor garden complete with trellises full of brightly coloured silk flowers and a garden bench for residents to sit on and relax.

Corridors have been decorated with a reminiscence theme in mind, including various historical photographs of the local area to help residents with their memories.

There is also a cinema room, adorned with pictures of stars from the golden era of film such as Humphrey Bogart and Grace Kelly, where residents can step back in time to watch their favourite old movies.

Also, in a nod to its own history, Middlesbrough Grange, which stands on the site of the old Netherfields Pub, is converting one of its lounges into an old style pub.

The company decided to act after seeing a sharp rise in demand for care of people with dementia related conditions such as Alzheimer's.

"Since we opened we've found that the need for dementia care has increased rapidly," Maureen added.

"So we decided to convert part of our home to address the need and help look after those people who most need it."

The Middlesbrough Grange EMI wing, like the residential side, offers a choice of long-term, intermediate or short term respite care for both self-funded and local authority funded residents, without a top up fee.

The new unit recently secured registration from the Care Quality Commission and has been cleared to begin accepting residents.