The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q.) trading as Blue Care
Australia
Dementia Specialist
Perpetual
67,114
01/01/2015
1
Research indicates Dementia is becoming the greatest health need of our generation, with 1,700 new cases reported each week. The nature of the illness presents challenges for treatment that traditionally follows a medical model, that only addresses the symptoms of decline and promotes sedation or in extreme cases physical restraint. This approach contributes to aggressive behaviour being the norm while caring for a person with dementia in the community or residential home memory support units, which significantly reduces quality of life, contributes to carers not continuing in their roles and puts safety of other residents and staff at risk. Blue Care has implemented a proactive engagement model run by a Dementia Specialist which recognises people with dementia as individuals with a history, feelings and identity. The program addresses the emotional needs of clients to reduce behavioural incidents and improve the quality of life for the residents, clients and their families.