To celebrate World Dementia Day and the first anniversary of their opening, Hill House Nursing & Dementia Home welcomed HRH Princess Alexandra to formally open the Dementia Day Care Centre at Hill House in Farnham on Friday 21st September.
Known for her keen interest in dementia care, The Princess learnt about how important the Day Centre is to the life of those families in the area who live with someone with dementia. It is not the traditional kind of Day Centre but is run in a new, more appropriate and meaningful way providing a more holistic level of support to both the person with dementia and their carer.
Alan Whatman, who regularly attends the Day Centre, gave a talk explaining what kind of things they do there, how they have all become friends and help one another and what it means to them and their families.
Regular visitors from Farnborough, Aldershot, Fleet and Farnham to the Centre were introduced to Her Royal Highness, as well as staff and residents representing the sister homes, Woodlands & Hill Brow residential homes. They were all impressed by her gracious conversation and the interest she showed in everyone she met. The Princess was invited to sign the Visitor’s Book and unveil a plaque to commemorate her visit.
James Arbuthnot MP, a keen supporter of the home, was amongst the guests. Alison Lee, the proprietor said “we were delighted to have the honour of a Royal Visit as a climax to the celebrations of our first anniversary.” Three generations of the family, representing the past, present and future, were introduced to The Princess and Anna, the grand-daughter of the founder, presented a posy.
