A Werribee aged care home is taking a unique approach to help residents with early to middle stage dementia stay involved in life.
Baptcare’s Wyndham Community Lodge has just opened its redeveloped Bill Featherstone House memory support unit, which has been specifically designed for people who can no longer live independently, but who still retain sufficient memory to function, with a helping hand.
Unit leader Tracia McGaw said traditional “clinical” elements of an aged care facility had been hidden from view, with the 30-bed unit made as homely as possible to ensure residents feel comfortable.
In particular, staff working in the unit don’t wear uniforms, and residents are encouraged to take part in everyday activities, such as meal preparation and tidying rooms, to give them a sense of ownership and independence.
Baptcare divisional operations manager Lindon Le Griffon said generic residential care is not always the most appropriate setting for residents with dementia.
“People who move into residential aged care are often happy to hand over cooking, cleaning, and other household activities to the provider because of age or frailty,” Ms Ke Griffon said.
“But, for some people with Alzheimer’s, the inability to be involved in all the activities of daily living can be demoralising and often not understood by the person.”
Research conducted by Alzheimer’s Australia has forecast that Wyndham residents will have the second highest prevalence of dementia in Victoria by 2050, owing to the rapid population growth of the municipality, and the corresponding rise in numbers of senior residents.
Joyce Hoyle, 87, moved in three weeks ago, and said she had settled in very quickly.
“I’ve grown roots on my feet,” she laughed.
“It’s the people that count, and a nice cozy chair to sit in occasionally … and a nice bed.”
