Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community and Alzheimer’s Australia NSW have partnered to launched a pilot program that aims to further enrich residential dementia care.
Titled ‘Story of Our Lives’, the program focuses on relationship-centred care.
At the program launch on June 28, Calvary’s national director of retirement communities Bryan McLoughlin said the program reinforces that people with dementia can thrive in a relationship-centred environment, one that encompasses the needs of resident with dementia, their family and care staff
Mr McLoughlin said the program pilot will initially benefit residents at Calvary Cessnock, with the intention of rolling out to Calvary’s 11 other retirement communities.
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW CEO John Watkins, who also chairs the Calvary Care Board, spoke at the launch about the importance of this partnership in helping to provide training and support to staff and families caring for residents living with dementia.
He emphasised that this program will provide Calvary Cessnock with Alzheimer’s Australia’s expert knowledge to provide insights into how to build stronger relationships between staff, families and those living with dementia.
Calvary volunteer Jan Delaney was among those who shared her experience at the Story of Our Lives launch.
’I used to feel apprehensive going to see my mother, but the welcoming environment and support of the Cessnock Retirement Community allowed me to see that I wasn’t the only one going through this experience, and sharing with others became very helpful for me and my relationship with my mother,” she said.
“I then became a volunteer to help others who may be experiencing the same situation.
“This program will make a very positive difference for dementia residents and their families.”
