Lisburn nurse launches new day care centre for older people with dementia
A Lisburn-based nurse with over 20 years of experience in health and social care has launched a new specialist day care centre aimed at supporting older people living with dementia and providing vital respite for families.
Wendy Miniss, owner of Old Friends Day Care, has opened the service alongside her husband, offering a warm, home-from-home environment where clients are welcomed, supported, and treated with dignity and respect.
Old Friends Day Care, located in Lisburn, is fully registered and inspected by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, ensuring the highest standards of care and safety.
The centre operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and has capacity for up to 20 clients per day.
Drawing on her extensive nursing background across both Health and Social Care Trust and private care home settings, Wendy identified a growing need for flexible, community-based dementia care services.
Wendy qualified as a nurse in 2005 and spent 10 years working on a busy general medical ward.
She then went on to manage two care homes, where she specialised in elderly and dementia care.
She explained: “Throughout my career, I’ve seen the challenges families face when caring for a loved one with dementia.
"Old Friends Day Care was created to provide a safe, supportive environment where people feel valued and cared for, while also giving families the opportunity to rest and recharge.”
The centre offers structured daily activities, social interaction, and personalised care tailored to individual needs.
Additional services such as transportation and assisted showering are available, helping to make the service accessible to a wider range of clients.
Old Friends Day Care is currently operating on a privately funded basis, with plans to work closely with local Health and Social Care Trusts to secure funded placements in the future and expand access to the service.
With demand for dementia care continuing to rise, the service aims to play a key role in supporting individuals to remain living at home for longer, while improving quality of life for both clients and their families.
Old Friends Day Care is now welcoming new clients and invites families to get in touch to arrange a visit or trial day.
For further information or to arrange a visit, contact Old Friends Day Care on 028 9252 8963 or email [email protected].