Work progressing on £24million new care schemes

Work is progressing well on two social care schemes in the county, together worth around £24million.

Carmarthenshire County Council and the Family Housing Association are building two state-of-the-art Extra Care Schemes in Carmarthen and Ammanford, signalling a huge investment in care facilities for older people, and those with dementia.

The council’s executive board member for health and social care, Cllr Jane Tremlett, was joined by council leader Cllr Kevin Madge and local member Cllr Alun Lenny, on a site inspection at the new scheme in Johnstown, Carmarthen, which is on course for completion in Spring 2015.

They will also visit the site of Gwynfryn, off Dyffryn Road, Ammanford, to view plans for a second Extra Care Scheme, the funding for which was approved at last week’s Executive Board.

“We are committed to providing new, modern, care facilities for older people in Carmarthenshire, which will benefit residents and care staff,” said Cllr Tremlett.

“It is pleasing to see the progress at the former Argel site in Johnstown which looks set to be completed on target, and I look forward to visiting the Gwynfryn site in Ammanford shortly.”

The Extra Care Schemes will provide self-contained apartments for people with various needs, with 24-hour care and support on site providing a range flexible care services.

Schemes also include additional facilities for the wellbeing and enjoyment of residents, including craft and hobby rooms, guest suites, meeting rooms, sleep-over rooms and communal areas.

Carmarthenshire County Council has delivered two Extra Care Schemes previously, at Plas Y Mor in Burry Port and Cwm Aur in Llanybydder.

An additional £7million has been set aside in the council’s Capital Budget to deliver a new care facility in the Llanelli area, plans for which are currently being drawn up.

What is an Extra Care Scheme?

*Extra Care Schemes are different from Residential Care Homes. Extra Care provides a more flexible and independent approach to care, where people are able to live in their own self-contained apartments as opposed to living in a more communal setting. This provides them more privacy and independence, whilst allowing them to call on the support of care staff who are based on the premises.

People living in Extra Care Schemes live as they would in their homes – couples can live together, and they can have visitors to stay in their apartments if they wish.

Extra Care Schemes have communal dining and relaxation areas, as well as having on-site facilities including a launderette, hairdressers and libraries.