Specialist dementia care in Geelong

30 October 2018

With the number of people with dementia dramatically increasing, specialist dementia care and support has never been more important.

In 2017 there were 4,700 people with dementia in the City of Greater Geelong – more than any other Victorian council area – and this number is expected to increase to 14,200 by 2050.

Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Community, Nangatta, is a dementia-specific aged care residence in Belmont providing tailored, high-level care.  With experienced and specially trained staff and a holistic approach to resident wellbeing, the home is known for its quality of care and the peace of mind that creates for families.

Senior Care Manager Glenda Harvey said all care staff undertook dementia training through Dementia Support Australia, Swinburne University and Uniting AgeWell’s own training programs.

“All our nurses and personal care workers have a greater understanding of the way dementia affects the person and how to deliver high-quality and tailored care whilst honouring the resident,” Glenda said.

That specialist knowledge enables Kalkee Nangatta’s team to develop detailed and unique lifestyle and care plans for each resident.

“We are constantly looking for signs of unmet needs,” Glenda said.  “Feeling unwell or overly tired, excessive noise and even the colour of décor can add to confusion in people with dementia.

“A common missed event is pain, which may not present the same way for people with dementia.  To address this, we continually look for changes in eating patterns, loss of appetite, a refusal to participate, or being unsettled.

“We then work with our care team and specialists to manage those unmet needs while actively supporting a person’s independence and choices.  We know how vital it is for residents to feel useful and to be able to enjoy routine daily tasks.”

Importantly, Kalkee Nangatta operates a versatile and extended lifestyle program seven days a week, enabling residents to engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities every day.  This includes intergenerational visits with the local day care group, five bus outings each week, social events with families, pet therapy, cooking classes and more.

Along with its homely feel, stunning sensory gardens and welcoming, qualified staff, residents also have access to physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy, dietetics, dedicated general practitioners and ready support from Dementia Support Australia.

For more information about Kalkee Community, Nangatta or to book a tour, call us on T: 5243 6688.