HRH the Princess Royal opened a new wing at a care home in Banstead last week, dedicated to dementia care for former seafarers.

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is the only dedicated dementia facility to provide specialist care for the condition for former seafarers in the UK.

Princess Anne unveiled the Princess Royal Annexe at the Weston Acres centre which provides dedicated accommodation, nursing, and care.

It will cater for up to 36 residents and has been specifically designed to care for individuals needs.

An 89-year-old couple, Maurice Parkin and his wife Vera, who suffers with dementia, live in rooms with an adjoining door so they can continue to live together whilst accessing care specific to Vera’s needs.

Other facilities include a sensory garden, hand massage and reflexology, which is proven to aid relaxation in dementia patients.

Memory boxes are also in place in each resident’s room featuring photographs, medals and trinkets to aid recognition and independence.

HRH, the Princess Royal said: "It’s a pleasure to return to see the new annexe.

"What you have achieved is extraordinary and it has been really well done.

"It says a lot for the long term planning and care that you give and I hope I have the opportunity to come back to see you all enjoying it.

"It shows real atmosphere and long term vision and you can have confidence that it will be here for as long as you need it"

Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt OBE, chief executive of Royal Alfred Seafarers Society, added: "We are proud to be welcoming HRH, the Princess Royal to our new dementia facility.

"By combining specialist care for our residents with peer support from fellow mariners we can make the lives of those suffering from dementia as comfortable and fulfilling as possible."

For more information call 01737 360106 or visit royalalfredseafarers.com