A MULTI-MILLION pound care home in Barrow is nearing being ready to open.

The Evening Mail got a glimpse behind the doors of Parkview Gardens on the corner of Greengate Street and Risedale Road in Barrow for the first time on Wednesday.

Major project

The £7m facility will accommodate 60 people, many of whom will be living with dementia.

The site will offer residents a fully inclusive experience and will include:

- Five mini-houses with 12 bedrooms each;

- A total of 60 beds with en suite shower rooms;

- 24-hour care provided by around 110 members of staff;

- Several dining areas;

- A large industrial kitchen, plus smaller ones in each house;

- Assisted bathrooms;

- Motion sensored lighting;

- Laser alarm technology to detect trips and falls in bedrooms at night;

- Access to outdoor space and balconies;

- A salon for visiting hairdressers;

- A laundrette.

Rachel Martin, who will be residential manager of Parkview Gardens, said the facility will provide specialist care to older people, with extensive lighting, motion sensors

She said: "Everything's been designed with the residents in mind.

"It's in five units of 12 bedrooms and each unit has its own kitchen, dinning room, lounge, quiet room and end of corridor seating.

"Every area has lots of places for people to sit and enjoy themselves."

Nearly ready

The Parkview Gardens development was designed to replace four care homes in the area: Point House, Rock Lea, George Basterfield House and Bevan House, and residents will be transferred over.

A date hasn't been set for the opening of the site yet and the home will need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The completion of Parkview Gardens was delayed when construction contractor GB Building Solutions went into administration .

'Flagship' care home

David Tyson, operations manager with Cumbria Care, said: "We are so proud of it. The difference it's going to make to the residents that come and live here is huge.

"It's going to enrich people's lives. The technology we have got means the restrictions are going to be so limited."

Councillor Kevin Hamilton, chair of Cumbria County Council's Local Committee for Barrow, said the care home will invite community groups to put on events and shows and host activities like the Alzheimer's Society's Singing for the Brain.

He said: "It's going to be a community hub. It's going to be a great asset to the town. It's a flagship care home for Cumbria."