Major investment in dementia care

Kaitaia's Claud Switzer Memorial Trust has put plans to build a new 20-bed hospital wing at Switzer Residential Care on hold, so it can focus on the more pressing need to provide a 15-bed dementia unit. The plan is to convert existing rooms in two adjacent areas to create a pleasant, secure facility that will enable those in need of care to remain in their community.

Trust chairman Peter Dryburgh said dementia was becoming an increasingly significant health issue as people continued to live longer, and the trust was aware of the great burden placed on spouses and families when a relative had to be placed in a secure unit outside the Far North.

The new unit would cost up to $2 million, and the trust was hopeful that the community would help raise that money.

"We have the support of the Northland District Health Board, and the fundraising campaign will begin when the resource consent is received," Mr Dryburgh said.

"We are financially sound, with no debt, but our savings will be insufficient to fund this development without a considerable loan from our bankers," he added.

General manager Jackie Simkins said the trust was committed to providing a full continuum of care.

"We know that moving into residential care is a significant event in the lives of older people, especially if they have to be parted from their life-long partner," she said.

"Our plans have changed because, unfortunately, we were unable to care for a number of older people who had dementia and had to move to be cared for in a dementia-specific facility in Whangarei, leaving their families, friends and the community.

"Therefore we are bringing forward our plans to build a dementia unit."

Mrs Simkins said information she had gained at a recent dementia design school in Auckland ("One of the most informative and interesting conferences I have ever attended") would be used to ensure that the design and building of the new Switzer unit would incorporate as many of the essential and recommended features that could be afforded to ensure it provided the optimum environment for those needing care.

"We would welcome input from members of the community, residents, relatives and staff," she added.

"If you have an opinion about the future of the trust and can offer assistance, support or ideas for fundraising, I would welcome a call on 408-1480."

Switzer Residential Care in South Road Kaitaia will host a dementia information gathering this afternoon (4.30pm). Anyone who would like to be there will be welcome, but is asked to phone 408-1480 in advance. Light refreshments will be provided.