‘First class’ dementia care

June Drew will be one of 12 residents to move into Queensland’s RSL Care’s expanded secure dementia unit at Cazna Gardens in Sunnybank Hills, which opened its doors this week.

Ms Drew, who is the mother of RSL Care head of clinical services Liz Drew, will begin to move into the unit next Monday.

Mother and daughter, June and Liz, are pictured.

“People living in secure units, like my mum, have complex support needs. They are more inclined to wander and will generally experience difficulty with managing daily living skills, navigating their environment and relating to others,” Liz says.

RSL Care’s Canza Gardens dementia unit is a collaborative effort between experts in dementia care, architects who specialise in aged care and builders, with input from clinicians and clients.

There are reportedly no corridors with ‘dead ends’, with all walkways circular so residents can move about safely without obstruction. There is also a sensory garden to encourage residents to spend time outdoors, and there are also plans to create beautifully painted murals to stimulate memories.

“A lot of research, thought and planning has gone into the use of space and colour, as well as the placement of furnishings to help minimise the difficulty that can be experienced when living with dementia,” Liz says.

Liz’s mum has been a resident at Cazna Gardens for two years and she says the care and support provided by staff during this time has been “excellent”.

“They know her idiosyncrasies, humour, likes and dislikes… it is comforting to know my mum will continue to receive firstclass care in a firstclass facility.

“The whole unit has been designed to ‘enter’ the world of dementia, rather than fight it.”