Switzer secure unit nearing completion

WORK IN PROGRESS: The new build component of Switzer Residential Care's secure unit for victims of dementia is making good progress.

It's been a long and not always enjoyable haul, but the secure unit at Kaitaia rest home Switzer Residential Care is nearing completion.

It had been a year-long project, general manager Jackie Simkins said, which at times had been disruptive, very noisy, and inconvenient for some residents who had had to move to rooms elsewhere in the complex, but it would all be worth it.

"This is an essential change, a service that is required because of the escalating numbers of people who are presenting with dementia," Ms Simkins said.

"Unfortunately, over the last few years a number of older people in our community have had to leave their families to be cared for elsewhere, because we were not able to provide the safe care they required. I do hope that a number of those who have had to leave the area will return, to be close to their loved ones."

The demand for a secure facility was certainly not expected to wane, she added. It was estimated that Northland was home to more than 1560 people with dementia, and an estimated 459 new cases were diagnosed every year.

According to a 2008 report from Alzheimer's New Zealand on the economic impact of dementia, only 15 per cent of patients would need care in a dementia unit, but the number of severe dementia cases in the Far North was expected to rise from 91 in 2011 to more than 200 in 2031. (Ms Simkins described the expected increase as a tsunami of older people, whose care needs would greatly exceed what the home could currently provide).

But while the unit was nearing completion, the disruption was not yet over. Because much of the development involved the conversion of existing rooms and was not a completely new build there were likely to be some additional changes for residents currently living in that part of the home.

"In time we will have to ask them to relocate to another room in the home," Ms Simkins said.

"We will, however, endeavour to keep friends close together, and will communicate with residents and families at the time. We apologise in advance for the inconvenience that may be ahead."

Meanwhile she was grateful to the residents, their families and her staff for their patience and tolerance during what had been a difficult time.

"Your understanding has been appreciated," she said. "Our builders, KPH, have been wonderful. They have been most considerate, and have worked around our needs."