What The...?!

Image: © Ian Dodds Taken: 15 Sep 2021

This was certainly the most unexpected sight of the day - a 1950s car, an old style petrol pump, and two pelican crossing lights in what turned out to be a care home garden. After doing a bit of online investigating (obviously absolutely necessary after encountering such a scene!) it transpired that this is an interesting new (well, new to me anyway) approach to caring for old people with dementia. As most people are aware, older memories remain quite lucid for those with dementia, whereas more recent events don't really register any more. Northcare Manor opened a couple of years ago and is basically described as a luxury care home for elderly dementia patients. On top of the car stuff there is one of those old jolly butcher mannequins at the back door which can be made out beyond the car. And judging by other pictures I have seen, there are three mock-up old shop fronts to the right of the pelican crossing signs. On top of this, there is also a 60-seat cinema and a cocktail bar. There are no reports on the impact of all of this on the residents, but it is certainly a laudable plan, though you have to wonder what the prices are like...

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