A FAMILY-owned care home business is aiming to roll out its new concept of building private retirement apartments next to its homes, so owners can buy in services as and when they need them.
Helen McArdle Care will open its flagship new home next month on the former site of the Springfield Hotel in Gateshead. In addition to the home, the business has built 21 retirement apartments connected to the home, which has a restaurant, cinema room and wellbeing centre.
Managing director Mark McArdle said: “You can live in an apartment, completely independently or wander into the care home and benefit from its services, or buy in services.
“There might come a time when it makes sense for you to move into the care home.
“The benefit is that it has a Helen McArdle care home on site. As your needs develop or your health deteriorates, we are catering for every eventuality.
“If it’s successful, we’ll roll this out – we’ve got lots of bits of land around the North East.”
The development, which cost around £7m, has already sold three apartments and received more than 80 enquiries.
“I think it’s unique in the North East. It’s seemed to be a logical process to our At Home domiciliary care and Life Begins day centres,” said McArdle, whose mother Helen started the Gateshead business 20 years ago and is still a “driving force” in the company.
