The Model Home for the Elderly in Kato Gouves has announced the opening of a second facility for the care of seniors at the location of the former Calypso Hotel, also in Kato Gouves.

The new unit, named Irida, can accommodate 70 seniors on two floors with double occupancy rooms, plus the ground floor for the kitchen, dinning room, lounging area, doctor's and administrative offices. In addition, it features spacious grounds with gardens and patio.

"On the first floor we have the mobile seniors, with the chronic and/or bedridden residents on the second floor," said Ms. Eleni Priniotaki, the home's social worker. We opened this new facility after a study showed that our seniors with cognitive problems should not be in the same facility as those with only physical problems, and all those specializing in senior care, advise just that."

Ms. Priniotaki said seniors suffering with Alzheimer or any other age-related cognitive problems need special programs and are only housed now at the home's original facility, Iliaktida.  

We have already seen some positive results with both groups," she said. "There are no more arguments on either side and the care professionals can concentrate on each group's unique problems without interference from the other."

Ms. Priniotaki went on to explain that with cognitive challenged seniors together with seniors with only physical challenges, without realizing it you extend more services to those who can ask for help, and the mentally challenged ones are somehow left behind.

"But if the mentally challenged are by themselves, the health carers will help everyone in the group equally," she said. "The atmosphere in our Alzheimer unit is very cheerful now and we have a psychiatrist at that unit several times each month, in addition to our resident doctor who is here daily."

She explained that the home began physical education programs twice a week with a trained professional, and has organized a cooking team which gives a purpose to many of the guests.