A western Sydney nursing home that burnt to the ground more than two years ago, killing 11 elderly residents has risen from the ashes.
The new Quakers Hill Nursing Home, located on the existing site, was opened on Friday with New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell and federal Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews taken on a tour.
WHEN people living with dementia give up driving it can be a distressing time and a confronting prospect for families and carers.
For most Victorians, driving a car is a fundamental way of getting around. Driving a car provides many people with a strong sense of independence, identity and control and keeps us connected with the people and places that we care about.
A support kit was launched in Melbourne on Tuesday that will see people living with dementia, their families and carers supported when it comes to the challenges associated with driving
The program is a partnership between Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria and RACV.
Well-known Australian actor Terence Donovan, who plays dementia sufferer Doug on Channel Nine’s House Husbands, helped launch the program.
“Like most Australians, I have encountered dementia amongst my loved ones,” Mr Donovan said. “I know from experience that a diagnosis can not only impact on the individual but also their families and carers.
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic says people living with dementia can remain safe and competent drivers, particularly in the early stages of the condition. As the condition progresses, however, it can have serious effects on memory, reactions, perception and the ability to perform tasks. At some point, a driver with dementia will need to stop driving.
The Changed Conditions Ahead kit, aims to help drivers with dementia to know when and how to step out of the driver’s seat and find ways to stay active, mobile and connected.
RACV director Suzanna Sheed said the kit will also help families and carers to support a person with dementia through the process of giving up driving, taking into consideration their dignity and wellbeing and protecting the safety of other road users.
“This partnership between RACV and Alzheimer’s Australia Vic builds upon RACV’s commitment to our 2.1 million members to make a valuable contribution to the Victorian community,” Ms Sheed said.
“Conditions such as dementia or other forms of cognitive impairment can occur at any age, and are not always a part of the ageing process. However, their progression can mean that the decision to stop driving needs to be planned for and made much earlier than expected and this kit supports Victorians through this process.”
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. general manager strategic initiatives Jack Sach said people with dementia may not be able to make a judgment about their driving capacity on their own.
“Family and carers play an important role. They are often the first to observe changes in the person’s driving skills and are likely to be closest to the driver during the often challenging transition to non-driving,” Mr Sach said.
The Changed Conditions Ahead kit includes a guide for families and carers, a dedicated webpage and a series of video interviews with carers and people with dementia.
“It is important for carers and families to support a person living with dementia through the process of giving up driving in a way that involves the person and supports their sense of independence, dignity and wellbeing,” said family carer Anne Fairhall, whose husband Geoff is living with dementia.
The best approach to ensuring that drivers do not continue to drive beyond the point where they are safe and legal to do so is to support them in notifying VicRoads of their diagnosis immediately. If a driver is interested in continuing to drive, he or she can then go through the process of a VicRoads medical review.
The Changed Conditions Ahead Kit is available by phoning the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or at www.fightdementia.org.au/dementiaanddriving
The project will also include free community information sessions on dementia and driving delivered in nine locations across metro and regional Victoria from March 2014 to March 2015.
In Victoria around 78,000 people are living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is the charity representing people with dementia in Victoria. As the peak body, they provide specialised dementia information, education and support services.
MELBOURNE-BASED artist Adnate has transformed Australia’s most iconic laneway, Hosier Lane, painting a significant wall that has never before been available to any artist.
This is the first installment in a series of major artworks to be commissioned by local community association Hosier Inc.
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