New PresCare respite centre at historic home

The Fulton Respite Centre will provide respite care for dementia clients.

Cairns’ Fulton family has welcomed the development.

According to Mr Fulton’s granddaughter Toni the new respite centre is something her grandparents would have encouraged and been proud of.

“Bill’s wife Thelma was diagnosed with dementia late in her life, so our family has an understanding of the challenges faced by clients and their carers,” Ms Fulton says.

“Bill and Thelma built Fulton Place in 1933 before their wedding and it was always a happy home filled with laughter and family.

“The family spent many Christmases there, starting early in the morning and ending late that night.

“I think they would be proud to see it get such a fitting new legacy,” according to Ms Fulton.

PresCare chief executive officer Greg Skelton says the organisation is pleased to recognise the service Bill Fulton provided Cairns by continuing with his name above the door.

Renovation of the home into the new centre is due to be completed early in the year.

It will provide day respite care for 12 dementia clients a day, and be able to provide overnight care of between three to 14 days to five clients at any given time.

The facility will allow carers to undertake normal work or life activity, and also enable in-home carers who need to travel the ability to do so with the confidence that their loved one will be well cared for and safe.

There is a growing need for dementia care in the far north, with Alzheimer’s Australia forecasting the incidence of dementia in Cairns will almost double in the next five years.

William J. Fulton was Mayor of Cairns from 1952-60. He was the proud owner of Fulton Place, the house now being restored to care for the local community as Fulton Respite Centre by Prescare.