Supporting people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and related disorders
We care about the lives of those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other related disorders.
Older people are more at risk of developing cognitive disorders such as dementia. These disorders do not define a person, but we need to be aware of them as we interact with people and work together with them to deliver care. We also seek to provide support to families as they face the changes associated with these disorders.
Cognitive and mental health care are everyone’s business. They’re not just the domain of people who work in health and care services, and it’s more than just a simple process of doing the things that are no longer possible for the person in care. It involves assisting and supporting the person to undertake tasks that they were once able to complete independently.
Cognitive and mental health care
Cognitive and mental health care encompass all aspects of life: intellectual, social, cultural and spiritual.
Resthaven staff and volunteers have much to contribute to this, whether it be in direct care, support for family members, or co-ordination of services and resources. Resthaven provides training and support to help them develop the skills and knowledge to ensure they are competent and confident in what is sometimes challenging but also rewarding work.
Most Resthaven sites offer secure, welcoming, specifically designed accommodation for people living with dementia. We also offer respite and support programs for people living with dementia. Our staff are trained in how best to support people living with memory loss and confusion and their family members.
Not everyone with a cognitive or a mental disorder requires specialist mental health services. For many, their care needs can be met by community and personal resources, and the support of primary health care services. However, Resthaven is one of only a very few aged care providers in Australia to employ an advanced practice nurse, as well as a dementia educator, to provide specialist support to assist care staff when there are complex clinical and psychosocial needs.
We demonstrate our commitment to best practice in dementia care by employing a Dementia Services Advisor to provide specific training to our highly trained staff.
