A Worcester care home has appointed a new manager who is set to introduce fresh ideas to help residents living with dementia.

Respected care specialist Jackie Houghton has taken over the helm at Northwick Grange Care Home – with a pledge to make the home a more dementia-friendly environment.

The senior care expert, who has over 17 years’ experience in caring for elderly people, is leading on plans to build a new dementia garden at the Old Northwick Lane home. It will feature a variety of colours, plants and herbs which are proven to trigger the senses and memories.

Jackie said: “I am really thrilled to be leading the team here at Northwick Grange and am already working with our fantastic team to introduce new ideas and, most of all, ensuring the quality of our care and our communications with families is second to none.

“Dementia is an issue very close to my heart. One of my key objectives is to make sure our residents who suffer from the disease can spend more time outside enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. They can stimulate powerful memories and so our planned dementia garden will be really vital – especially if we continue to have such sunny summers as we have this year.

“Northwick Grange is a much-loved care home which is renowned for taking care of elderly people’s needs. I want us to go further and take that care to a new level.”

Ms Houghton added that the she will also be working with her team to introduce a new programme of events and days out for residents and their families.

Before joining the team at the Old Northwick Lane home, Jackie was previously a deputy manager at a sister care home owned by the Clarendon Care Group. She has held a number of positions since joining the group in 2010.

Northwick Grange Care Home, which was refurbished two years ago following a six-figure investment, is registered with the Care Quality Commission for 30 residents.