Canberra is a step closer to getting its first dementia care village
- Replies 0
It has been eight years since Dilys and Colin Brown's lives were dramatically altered.
Mr Brown had just made his wife a cup of coffee when, without warning, he went into cardiac arrest.
They later learned he had had a stroke at the same time, which led to vascular dementia.
"I can remember things that happened years ago like it was yesterday. But something that happened last week, I am likely to forget," Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown is one of the more than 6,000 people in the ACT who are currently living with dementia — that figure is projected to double by 2054.
In the years since his diagnosis, Mrs Brown said her husband of 65 years had become her "shadow".
"We look after each other the best we can after all these years we have been together," Mrs Brown said.
"It's a struggle. It's hard but we get by."
But that is not the experience for everyone, particularly those with advanced dementia.
In the ACT, there is no dedicated dementia care village — but that is about to change.
The site of a former primary school in Curtin in Canberra's south will soon be home to the territory's first specialist dementia care village.
Following a tender process, the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) has sold the site to HammondCare for $18 million.
SLA's chief executive Adam Davey said it was a "landmark project" that would provide a "much-needed" facility for Canberra and the wider region.
"It will be an inclusive addition to Canberra for family members to support and care for their loved ones, and for the broader community to have that wrap-around care for our aging population," he said.
The site has been vacant for several years and the community was consulted on its future use.
"It's probably safe to say that there is broad support for the provision of dementia services and care at this site," Mr Davey said.
"Particularly within this community, I think there is a sense of excitement that there will be an innovative approach."
Geriatrician professor Susan Kurrle said it was becoming more common because of the country's aging population.
She said an 80-year-old had a one in four chance of having dementia, while a 90-year-old has a one in two chance.
"The older you get, the more likely you are to have dementia or be living with someone who has dementia," she said.
"Dementia is now the most common cause of death for both of men and women in Australia."
She said a dedicated dementia care village in the ACT was "definitely overdue".
"Once you don't recognise the home as your own, or you don't recognise your wife or your husband … that is when it becomes very difficult and more specialised accommodation is really necessary," she said.
"We know the idea of the 'small home model of care' is the best way to manage people with dementia.
"Their quality of life is better, their quality of care is better, and interestingly, the cost is exactly the same."
HammondCare's chief executive Andrew Thorburn said the village will be integrated with the local community making it "feel like just another street in Curtin".
"The home-like cottages, combined with a relationship-based philosophy of care, will improve quality of life, reduce confusion and promote independence for people living with dementia," he said.
The site will include a cafe, shop, hairdressing salon and 48 supported living seniors apartments.
Mr Thorburn said there will also be shared spaces, including gardens, walking paths, and a wellness and community hub.
He said up to 300 ongoing jobs will be created when the village is up-and-running.
HammondCare will now progress a development application for the site, with the aim to start construction in 2027, which includes knocking down the existing school buildings.
Written by Monte Bovill, ABC News.
Mr Brown had just made his wife a cup of coffee when, without warning, he went into cardiac arrest.
They later learned he had had a stroke at the same time, which led to vascular dementia.
"I can remember things that happened years ago like it was yesterday. But something that happened last week, I am likely to forget," Mr Brown said.
Dilys Brown helps her husband Colin manage his dementia at home with the support of family and carers. (ABC News: Simon Beardsell)
Mr Brown is one of the more than 6,000 people in the ACT who are currently living with dementia — that figure is projected to double by 2054.
In the years since his diagnosis, Mrs Brown said her husband of 65 years had become her "shadow".
"We look after each other the best we can after all these years we have been together," Mrs Brown said.
"It's a struggle. It's hard but we get by."
Site identified in Canberra's south
With support from family and carers, Mr Brown, 90, is still able to live at home.But that is not the experience for everyone, particularly those with advanced dementia.
In the ACT, there is no dedicated dementia care village — but that is about to change.
The site of a former primary school in Curtin in Canberra's south will soon be home to the territory's first specialist dementia care village.
The Curtin school site has been vacant for several years. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
Following a tender process, the Suburban Land Agency (SLA) has sold the site to HammondCare for $18 million.
SLA's chief executive Adam Davey said it was a "landmark project" that would provide a "much-needed" facility for Canberra and the wider region.
An aerial impression of the proposed Curtin dementia village shows a number of buildings. (Supplied)
"It will be an inclusive addition to Canberra for family members to support and care for their loved ones, and for the broader community to have that wrap-around care for our aging population," he said.
The site has been vacant for several years and the community was consulted on its future use.
"It's probably safe to say that there is broad support for the provision of dementia services and care at this site," Mr Davey said.
"Particularly within this community, I think there is a sense of excitement that there will be an innovative approach."
Dementia most common cause of death
An estimated 440,000 people are living with dementia in Australia.Geriatrician professor Susan Kurrle said it was becoming more common because of the country's aging population.
Susan Kurrle says many dementia patients require specialised living environments. (Supplied)
She said an 80-year-old had a one in four chance of having dementia, while a 90-year-old has a one in two chance.
"The older you get, the more likely you are to have dementia or be living with someone who has dementia," she said.
"Dementia is now the most common cause of death for both of men and women in Australia."
She said a dedicated dementia care village in the ACT was "definitely overdue".
"Once you don't recognise the home as your own, or you don't recognise your wife or your husband … that is when it becomes very difficult and more specialised accommodation is really necessary," she said.
"We know the idea of the 'small home model of care' is the best way to manage people with dementia.
"Their quality of life is better, their quality of care is better, and interestingly, the cost is exactly the same."
'Just another street in Curtin'
The village in Curtin will feature 11 cottages offering 90 beds in single rooms with ensuites.HammondCare's chief executive Andrew Thorburn said the village will be integrated with the local community making it "feel like just another street in Curtin".
"The home-like cottages, combined with a relationship-based philosophy of care, will improve quality of life, reduce confusion and promote independence for people living with dementia," he said.
Andrew Thorburn (left) and Adam Davey after the sale of the site. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
The site will include a cafe, shop, hairdressing salon and 48 supported living seniors apartments.
Mr Thorburn said there will also be shared spaces, including gardens, walking paths, and a wellness and community hub.
He said up to 300 ongoing jobs will be created when the village is up-and-running.
HammondCare will now progress a development application for the site, with the aim to start construction in 2027, which includes knocking down the existing school buildings.
Written by Monte Bovill, ABC News.
