Support Villa Maria’s sensory garden

Before dementia entered their life, Judy Kelso remembers her husband Ted as an active man; a ‘jack of all trades’.

Now, Mr Kelso, 81, struggles with simple daily tasks and rarely leaves his wife’s side.

“The person I have been married to and loved for more than 55 years has lost so many of his living, communication, memory and social skills. The grief from these losses, at times, can be overwhelming,” Mrs Kelso says.

And while nothing can ease the sadness of what dementia has robbed from them as a couple (pictured), there is some respite for Mrs Kelso from the challenges of caring for her husband.

Mr Kelso has been visiting Carinya Respite Service, run by not-for-profit aged and disability services organisation Villa Maria, in Lysterfield for overnight stays since 2009.

The dementia-specific, planned recreational and overnight respite service for people living with dementia in the Eastern region is also an important service for their carers.

“The Carinya team has been most helpful in that when Ted is there I can relax without the challenges of caring 24 hours a day,” Mrs Kelso says.

“When I had a particularly bad time caring for Ted earlier this year a friend offered me a two week holiday and Carinya provided much needed and welcome respite during that time.  I came home refreshed and was able to continue to care for Ted at home,” she adds.

Villa Maria is now attempting to raise $50,000 through its June Appeal to cover landscaping and equipment costs to create a sensory garden to help residents like Mr Kelso get in touch with his senses and the environment around him.

Sensory gardens are designed to stimulate the five senses and improve people’s emotional and physical wellbeing, particularly for those with dementia who may experience anxiety and stress.

“Ted has always enjoyed being outdoors in our garden,” Mrs Kelso says.  “I have recently redone some of our garden with new plants and he enthusiastically takes people who come to visit out to see the flowers and the changes.  I am sure the sensory garden will help him to feel more at home and be a relaxing and calming place while he is at Carinya,” she adds.

The gardens have encouraged more people to spend time outdoors, whether alone or with family and friends, and the opportunity for residents to take part in gardening has seen them rewarded with a sense of ownership and teamwork.

Carinya program coordinator, Melanie Allsop, says staff members and residents’ loved ones, including Mrs Kelso, were passionate about ensuring the garden came to fruition.

Since May last year, the group has been volunteering their time to hold weekly sausage sizzles at Bunnings Warehouse in Scoresby to raise funds for the sensory garden.  While their efforts have been fantastic, with about $4,000 raised so far, it falls well short of the $50,000 needed to complete the project.

“Carinya relies heavily on the participation of the community and volunteers to help us achieve our goals; providing a supportive and enjoyable environment for people with dementia, and importantly, giving carers a break from their caring roles,” Ms Allsop says.

If you would like to donate to the sensory garden project, please call Villa Maria on 9855 7600 or visit www.villamaria.com.au.