A BARRY Island care home has officially declared itself suitably able to care for dementia sufferers.

Following investment, Island View Residential Home EMI now caters for around 40 people with specialist needs.

The EMI (elderly mentally impaired) home specialises in catering for people with dementia and it hopes to forge greater links with the community.

Residents, who currently range from 60 to 80 years of age, can experience specialist surroundings as well as continual expert care.

Welsh Government minister for health and social services, Mark Drakeford officially declared the new wing open on Friday, September 4.

He was accompanied, in his visit, by Vale AM Jane Hutt, Vale mayor, Cllr Fred Johnson and Vale and town councillors as well as families and home stakeholders.

Chairman of Crystal Care, Kevin Holmes said: “This is a very proud day for us. This is the accumulation of three year’s work; hard work by the staff and directors. It is largely due to the dedication of our staff here and I can’t praise them hard enough. The three years has been a journey. It’s not been easy at times.

“We really do look forward to working with the Welsh Government and the local authority into expanding the services we have here.

“It’s just the start of what we hope is the future of Crystal Care in the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Registered manager of Island View Residential Home EMI, Paul Davies praised the local authority for its help and said: “We’ve got wonderful care home in Barry that’s been invested in.

“It has been a journey, but it that has been due to support - family support. We have put a lot of effort in to make sure it that does become dementia friendly. We look forward to taking the house forward into new territories.

“You see a first class EMI unit now within the Vale of Glamorgan, within Barry as well and there’s not many beds within the Vale of Glamorgan that offer EMI beds at all. It’s now about working together to develop services.”

Following a tour of the home and before officially unveiling the plaque, Mark Drakeford AM said: “People come to retire in Wales. You certainly see that in places like Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan. We are very lucky to live in part of the world where people are living longer and living healthier for longer too or more independent lives for longer and what that means is by the time people need the level of care that is provided by people in this home you have people whose needs are significant.

“Good physical standards of care are really important, but they are only the start of care for people who have dementia. Buildings don’t provide that; people do.”

Baruc Plaid Vale and Town councillor, Steffan Wiliam added: “This is an invaluable facility in a wonderful location, much needed and much welcomed. Island View offers a fantastic place for most vulnerable and needy people in society with expert care for the elderly and mentally infirm.”