Dementia Care
There are more than 470,000 older Australians living with dementia, and another 1.6 million people participating in dementia care, according to Dementia Australia.
Whether you’re caring for a person living with dementia, or you’ve become aware of your own dementia symptoms, the uncertainty of what happens next can be overwhelming at times.
But you don’t have to do it all alone.
As experts in dementia care, Mayflower can support you and your loved ones with specialised care in our safe and comfortable residences offering meaningful programs with a focus on engaging each person in what they enjoy most.
When Is It Time To Consider Dementia Care?
Dementia is a general or umbrella term used to describe a group of disorders that effect the brain and the way it functions.
When these symptoms start affecting your memory, thinking, mobility, communication and behaviour, specialised dementia care can help keep you or your loved one, safe and well.
Someone living with dementia will generally have changing care needs. For instance, they might have communication difficulties that make it harder to socialise, or changes in memory that make it more difficult for them to remember when it is time to eat, or to take their medication.
Behavioural changes, too, such as increased agitation or depression, can make it feel more challenging for family and friends to deliver day-to-day personal care that they are used to being able to provide.
If you notice these changes, it may be time to consult a doctor about a possible diagnosis. A diagnosis can be reached by seeing a specialist such as a geriatrician or neurologist.
From there, you can start considering suitable dementia care options.
A Person-Centred Approach to Dementia Care
There are several forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease, Lewy body disease and many others. No matter the root cause, dementia will manifest itself differently in different people.
At Mayflower, our person-centred care approach means that our dementia care services are developed with each individual person in mind.
We do this by placing residents and their loved ones at the centre of their care, helping deliver lifestyle choices that suit their personal preferences, taking into account their lifetime of experiences and the things they love most.
We take the time to understand what makes each resident feel happy and valued, so they can live safely, take part in meaningful programs and enjoy each new day. In every care decision, we put resident needs and preferences first.
To help care recipients feel respected and safe every care worker at Mayflower has been trained to use a gentle tone of voice, calm body language and appropriate touch.
Whether you know dementia care is something you or your loved one needs now, or evolving needs suggest you may need some additional support in the future, we can work with you to make a plan that works for you.
Dementia Support in a Safe, Comfortable Environment
Mayflower’s qualified health professionals provide specialised dementia care as a part of our aged care services, at our state-of-the-art residences in Reservoir and Brighton.
Both aged care homes offer safe and secure dementia-friendly rooms. These are thoughtfully designed for residents experiencing various stages of memory loss, from mild to severe cognitive impairment.
Beyond individual rooms, our residential aged care facilities feature a comforting array of spaces and amenities, including hair and beauty salons, cinemas, bowling greens, lush gardens, libraries, wellness centres, lounges, cafes and spacious events rooms.
Tapping Into the Past To Enrich the Present
Our friendly and experienced carers facilitate a variety of activities, therapies and other forms of support and engagement for people living with dementia.
We involve residents from our Memory Support Unit in gentle social activities that seek to provide the warmth and comfort of past experiences while creating positive moments in the present.
Residents can exercise mind and body in our sensory gardens, or enjoy the creative stimulation and other health benefits of listening to and making music.
Some people living with dementia also respond well to doll therapy, which can help provide the comfort and socialisation that comes with caring for another.
At Mayflower, all of these activities are carried out safely and responsibility, with dignity and respect.
Learn More About Mayflower’s Dementia Care Services
Caring for someone living with dementia can be a challenge for family members and other loved ones. At Mayflower, we take our role in this process seriously.
With kind, experienced personal care workers and care services underpinned by proven medical research, we are passionate about providing specialised support for those who need it.
Our hope is that we can make the transition into aged care and dementia support as stress-free as possible, for care recipients and the people closest to them.
A meeting with an Aged Care Assessment Team will determine if you or your loved one qualify for a government subsidy for dementia care and other related aged care services.
Alternatively, you may choose to privately fund in-home support.
Contact Mayflower and a member of our friendly staff can help you learn more about our dementia care services and how we can support you during this time.