Supporting people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and related disorders
Resthaven understands the needs of those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other related disorders.
Cognitive and mental health care encompass all aspects of life: intellectual, social, cultural, and spiritual.
As we age, the risk of developing cognitive disorders such as dementia increases. Resthaven works with the person living with dementia to deliver appropriate care. We also aim to provide support to families to assist them in understanding changes associated with dementia.
‘Dementia is a progressive condition that leads to reduced life expectancy. However, time from diagnosis to death is highly variable. Survival time is affected by age, sex, dementia type and severity at diagnosis, among other factors.’ (Brodaty et al. 2012).
All Resthaven residential aged care homes offer secure, welcoming, specifically designed accommodation and 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 to offer support to 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 providing specific training for staff.