Jupiter Ward Transformation

Thanks to a £98,000 grant from Brighter Futures, an elderly care ward at the Great Western Hospital has been transformed into a ‘dementia friendly’ environment.

Jupiter Ward was completely redesigned to support the needs of patients with dementia and help them feel more at home. For example, a new matt floor has been fitted to reduce the chance of falls, as dementia patients can often mistake a shiny surface for water.

All the adaptations made were based on research carried out by the Kings Fund, an independent charity working to improve healthcare in England. The ward was re-opened in November 2014 with endorsements from patients, visitors and staff.