New trial aims to help people with dementia stay in their homes longer

A new program in South Australia is trying to solve a problem many families know too well. What happens when someone in a retirement village starts showing signs of dementia, but isn’t ready to leave?

HammondCare has partnered with Woodbridge Retirement Village to trial a program called Living Well, designed to support residents experiencing memory loss while helping them stay independent for longer.

A growing issue many families are already facing

More people are living longer, which means more people are also living with dementia.

At Woodbridge Retirement Village:

• Around 285 people live there
• The average age is 82
• About 70 residents are believed to have dementia or memory problems

That’s a significant number, and it’s not unique to one village.

Across Australia, it’s estimated that about 1 in 10 retirement village residents are living with dementia, and many may not yet have a formal diagnosis.

For families, this often becomes stressful quickly. You start to notice small changes. Then bigger ones. But there’s often no clear support in place unless things get serious.

What this program offers

The Living Well program brings practical support into the village, instead of waiting until someone needs hospital care or to move into aged care.

At Woodbridge, residents and families can access:

• A dedicated dementia consultant on-site
• Information sessions on brain health, sleep and nutrition
• A carers group for family members and partners
• Social activities like walking groups and art sessions
• Access to specialists, including medical advice when needed

There is also help connecting with services if more support is required.

It’s designed to be easy to access and part of everyday life, not something you only turn to in a crisis.

Why this matters for people living it

For Ken and Bessie Bartel, this support has come at the right time.

Ken is 94. Bessie is 92 and beginning to experience early dementia symptoms. After nearly 70 years together, their focus is simple. They want to stay in their home and manage things as best they can.

Ken said what they’re hoping for most is practical advice on how to slow down the changes they’re seeing.

They’ve already taken part in the sessions, along with dozens of other residents. Around 70 people attended the first brain health session, which shows just how many people are looking for this kind of support.

Filling a gap that’s been there for years

Many retirement villages are built around independent living, but don’t always have the right support in place when residents’ needs change.

That can leave people feeling isolated, or unsure where to turn.

Marie Alford from HammondCare said people in this situation have often “slipped through the net” in the past.

Programs like Living Well aim to change that by offering support earlier, before things become overwhelming.

What it could mean going forward

This is a trial, but it reflects a bigger shift in how support could be offered in retirement living.

For older people and their families, the benefits are clear:

• More support while staying at home
• Less pressure to make rushed decisions
• Better guidance as needs change
• More confidence navigating what comes next

It won’t remove the challenges of dementia. Nothing does.

But it may make the path a little more manageable, and a little less isolating.