People with dementia don’t receive adequate care

New research released by care provider, Bupa Care Services, reveals more than four in five (83%) Australians over 50 are concerned that community services alone cannot meet the needs of people with dementia.

The survey of 1,200 Australians over 50 conducted last November, found that nearly nine in 10 Australians (88%) recognise that people with dementia can often be a real burden on their families, with eight in 10 (78%) believing that the impact of dementia is actually worse for the family than it is for the sufferer.

Carer, Sue Pieters-Hawke, has first-hand experience caring for someone with dementia. She knows the great work community services undertake on a daily basis but agrees that community services do not always meet the complex and diverse needs of people with dementia.

“As dementia progresses, a person’s care needs become much more intensive and it is beyond the capacity of most families and community service organisations to provide the level of care required.

“Like any other family, we dreaded putting mum into aged care, but we accepted it was a decision we had to make,” she said.

The survey also found nearly three-quarters (70%) of people over 50 believe someone with dementia should be cared for by specialist dementia care facilities.

Bupa Care Services director of quality, Leanne Morton, says there is no one size fits all approach to caring for people with dementia, and services need to be adapted to meet individual needs.

“Every person presents differently so we believe it is vital that we directly tailor and adapt our aged care services to what people affected by dementia are telling us.”

Now, Bupa has opened its 15th specialised garden for people with dementia at its Narwee facility in southern Sydney, with plans to open another three over the next few months.

Ms Morton says the gardens provide destinations for people with dementia to participate in activities from their past – tasks that they may have undertaken in their own backyards.

“The ‘Backyards’ concept includes destinations which are familiar and comfortable to people. Bupa Narwee’s ‘backyard’ includes a mailbox, raised garden beds, a clothesline, Dad’s Shed and a chicken coop. These elements are designed to engage people with dementia, involving them in familiar domestic activities.”

Ms Morton believes the ‘backyard’ will bring huge benefits to all residents, especially those with dementia.

“We know that spending time in a garden is very effective for improving levels of depression, physical health and mobility and is especially good for reducing anxiety in people with dementia.”

Ms Pieters-Hawke agrees, and is pleased by the efforts being made to improve the lives of Australians with dementia.

“It is encouraging to see aged care providers such as Bupa addressing the needs of people with dementia and seeking to provide quality care. Too often people with dementia are deprived of opportunities to be stimulated, engaged and involved in life. Places like this garden will enable people with dementia to engage in enjoyable and purposeful activities, which will not only help ease anxiety but enhance quality of life as well.

“It is important to remind ourselves that people with dementia are still fully alive. Too often I see people with dementia suffering from neglect. We need to view the world through their eyes and find new ways to enhance their enjoyment of living.”