The reconversion of the Neurointervention Complex

It is with great pride that we share our latest reconversion project: the Portuguese Red Cross Neurointervention Complex. A pioneering unit on the Iberian peninsula that has state-of-the-art equipment.

Portuguese Red Cross Neurointervention Complex

Opened on July 31st, in Gaia, the Neurointervention Complex is the most recent social work of the Portuguese Red Cross dedicated to people with dementia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, the Secretary of State for Social Security, the Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, the President of the CVP and several representatives of local and regional entities.

This is the purpose of CVP, which we are so proud to be able to share:

"The Portuguese Red Cross strives to prevent and alleviate human suffering, in Portugal and around the world. We protect life and health, and preserve the dignity of people, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. (…)" – Portuguese Red Cross website

The reconversion project

Our intervention was profound and transversal. The challenge was to convert the entire building (originally designed to be a hotel), designed by Engineer Edgar Cardoso, into a complex to serve the Neurointervention Center, in the 4 axes of its activity: prevention, intervention, training and research.

And we can say: a reconversion work can be much more complex than a project designed and designed from scratch. To fulfill all the requirements, many hours of study and dedication were required. CVP technicians became true allies of MEDD, and only then did we create the CVP Neurointervention Complex – the best social project to support dementia on the Iberian peninsula.

We visited the institutions of the Queen Sofia Foundation, in Madrid, a partner of the Champalimaud Foundation, in Portugal, and a village in Amsterdam – theHogeweyk, we spoke with specialists from the most varied areas, experienced professionals in this very specific and sensitive area of ​​health and we managed to create a brand in the area.

Color at the service of dementia treatment

According to studies, exposure to certain colors has direct consequences on the emotions of those who observe them. Not only the color, but also the lighting, temperature, noise and furniture in the complex were designed to constitute appropriate parameters for the treatment of users with dementia.

Each cabinet took on a color:

• Psychomotor Rehabilitation Office (Gym): White
• Occupational Therapy Office (Autonomy Villa): Yellow
• Speech Therapy Cabinet: Blue
• Gerontology Cabinet: Orange
• Psychology Office: Green
• Nursing Cabinet: Lilac

Innovation

Inside the building, a homotype apartment was built where users with dementia, still in its initial stages, can simulate their daily activities, train them with specialized professionals, and take these lessons to their own homes.

Inside this apartment we set up a night emergency lighting system that works through a cell sensitive to the user's movement, whose lighting near the baseboard is activated as soon as the user gets out of bed and leads them to the exit.

Another intelligent emergency system is also planned, consisting of a movement cell connected to the mattress, which is sensitive to the user's movements and activates an alert system so that caregivers can act more quickly, without depending on their senses, or even their physical presence in the location.

Materials

All walls were painted in a cream tone to convey warmth and tranquility – emotions fundamental to the condition of people with dementia.

In the bedroom and office areas the flooring is vinyl and in common areas such as halls and corridors the existing granite was maintained. Wood is also very present, we kept the existing one and added other elements.

Project numbers

With an investment of around 1.5 million euros, the CNI currently has more than 1800m² of built area and around 5,000m² of outdoor garden areas.

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investment euros

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m² of built area

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It is divided into 5 floors, where each one fulfills its objective:

• Ground floor – meeting and training rooms (internal and external), with equipment for teleconferences and/or distance training; industrial kitchen for internal and external activities, to support CV's national activity; gym; day center; garden and dining area;
• 1st floor – treatment rooms and offices whose walls were painted in the color that, according to the technicians, would be the most favorable to the objective fulfillment of each space, due to the emotions it provokes.
• 2nd and 3rd floors – bedrooms and common rooms for users undergoing treatment and their families

All spaces were rethought and redesigned to meet each of the new objectives. The result is visible and we are very proud.