A BARNSLEY care home which cares for people living with dementia has introduced a ‘bus stop’ to provide residents with a sense of familiarity if they become confused.

Hoyland Hall Care Home, based on Market Street, said the new bus stop has been a huge success since its introduction.

For residents suffering from dementia and other memory-related conditions, an unfamiliar environment can be quite unsettling - leading to wandering and patients seeking out people and places they recognise.

The bus stop has been placed outside the home manager’s office, so that she would also be able to join residents when they are sitting at the bus stop.

The inspiration for the bus stop came from Hayley Jameel, a member of staff who previously worked as the activity co-ordinator at the home, who heard about the initiative being successfully introduced at other healthcare organisations and read about the positive impact it had on residents and staff.

She said: “Installing this bus stop in our home provides a place of respite for residents living with dementia.

“The unfamiliarity of a care home setting can be especially unsettling for dementia patients and can leave them feeling disorientated at times.

“I am so proud to have worked with Becky and Carl from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, to create this wonderful recognisable place within our home.

“This sense of familiarity will no doubt provide a huge amount of comfort to many of our residents, now and for many years ahead.

“I would like to thank Becky and Carl for their willingness to support this project from the outset, for nothing but a nice cup of tea and a bun.”