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Through RMBI Care Co, we care for older Freemasons, their families and many people from the wider community in 17 care Homes across England and Wales. We offer residential care, nursing care and dementia support. We can also provide sheltered accommodation for people who prefer to live independently as well as short respite breaks and day care services.

Our Marketing Executive went along to Prince Michael of Kent Court in Hertfordshire, to meet one of the residents and learn about the care provided for older people living with dementia.

“Mary, shall we pretend to cross the road?”

“Okay,” Mary laughs. “Beep! Beep!”

My visit to Prince Michael of Kent Court in Hertfordshire is full of fantastically funny moments like these. Mary, a resident at the Home, is a quick, warm and intriguing character. She also has dementia.

I have to admit, as a relatively new member of the MCF team, I’m not sure what to expect. At the start of the day, Hollie, a full-time carer at the Home, takes me on a tour of the newly renovated Dementia Support House which has been designed to recreate positive memories for residents and give them a sense of normality. The attention to detail is astounding.

“All of the residents’ doors are actual front doors with house numbers on them,” Hollie explains. “They’re all different colours and styles to make residents feel like they are returning to their own home.”

The corridor is decorated with brick-pattern wall paper that’s rough to the touch, creating a sense of being outside, walking down a real street.

The garden also recreates a street; there’s a zebra crossing with flashing traffic lights and a bus shelter. At the back of the garden is a row of shop fronts.

“I’ve found that a lot of people with dementia think that they need to go shopping,” Hollie tells me as we stand outside the convenience store. “They say ‘I need to go and get the kid’s clothes’ or ‘I need to go to the bakers’. The idea behind these shop fronts, and the Dementia Support House as a whole, is to recreate normal, everyday moments.”

“I think it’s lovely,” Mary says when I ask her how she feels about the new changes. “I feel at home which is important, and I’ve got to know the staff who are all nice.”

She flashes a mischievous grin in Hollie’s direction then adds: “And she didn’t tell me to say that!”

“My relatives all work in care,” Hollie tells me. “So, when I was 18 it was the first job I got, and I fell in love with it. Mary, you’ve been here for two years, haven’t you?”

I ask Mary what she likes to do for enjoyment in the Home and she holds up her hands.

“I like to get my nails done,” she says with a smile.

“We have ‘Nails and Natter’ on Monday afternoons,” Hollie explains. “The activity girls are amazing and arrange something for every day. A lady comes in to do exercises with the residents and a florist teaches flower arranging. We even have opera singers – the residents sit in the lounge with a cup of tea and sing along. It really is amazing to see and such a lovely atmosphere, especially when some of them get up to dance.”

If you’re thinking of an RMBI Home for yourself or a relative, the staff work hard to ensure the process is as seamless and comfortable as possible. First, you can come in and talk to the Home Manager, then have a look around and meet staff and other residents. You can visit as many times as you need before making your decision.

“Every time my family visit they always say how lucky I am to be here and how jealous they are of it!” Mary says.

Looking around the garden, with the smell of lunch coming from the dining room, I see what they mean.

“I’m quite jealous of it too, Mary,” I laugh. “Maybe I can move in and be your neighbour?”

“Hmm…” Mary chuckles. “I think you’re a bit young!”