As Dementia Action Week (16–22 September) approaches, the family of a man living with dementia is calling for more specialised dementia care units to help improve individuals’ wellbeing and to slow the progression of the disease.
The 2024 theme of Dementia Action Week is ‘Act now for a dementia-friendly future’, emphasising the importance of building awareness and acceptance of dementia in the community.
Bernie Desmormeaux, aged 74, was diagnosed with dementia 10 years ago. From the beginning, his loving family—wife Amelia, daughters Lilly and Olivia, and mother-in-law Mary—struggled to find the support he and the family needed.
‘It was a difficult journey—not just the financial constraints and administrative burdens of navigating a very complicated system, but also the emotional toll,’ says his daughter Lilly. ‘Our hearts go out to anyone struggling with the complexity of the system and those without the resources that we luckily accessed.’
The relationships staff build with the families, the gentleness and empathy that they show to the residents and to us is just extraordinary.
After numerous stays in aged care homes that didn’t suit Bernie’s needs, his health suffered.
Things turned around when the family received support from Dementia Australia, who referred them to Lady Lourdes House, a specialised residential unit that is part of St Bernadette’s Aged Care Residence in Sunshine North, run by Catholic aged and disability services organisation VMCH.
Funded by the Australian Government’s Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP), the home is specially designed for up to nine residents who experience very severe symptoms of dementia. Residents are offered up to 12 months’ intensive, supportive care to help them manage their symptoms so they can transition into mainstream aged care.
Lady Lourdes is one of only three SDCP residences in Victoria, and only 10 in the country.
The relief you see on families’ faces when they come to Lady Lourdes House is palpable.
Since the home opened in 2020, the team has cared for 21 residents and successfully transitioned 11 to its mainstream residence, including Bernie.
‘There was a quietening of demeanour, less anxiety; we felt he relaxed,’ says Amelia. ‘Physically he improved, putting on weight. The relationships staff build with the families, the gentleness and empathy that they show to the residents and to us is just extraordinary.
‘The relief you see on families’ faces when they come to Lady Lourdes House is palpable,’ she says.
VMCH Lady Lourdes Unit Coordinator Sue Adhikari says staff members are highly trained and undergo ongoing education with Dementia Training Australia.
‘We utilise non-pharmacological interventions as a first line of action and work on minimising people’s triggers to help manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Ultimately, our success lies in giving residents time and maintaining a consistent approach with a familiar face. We provide them with person-centred care and treat everybody as unique individuals.’
Amelia agrees: ‘Respect and understanding is at the core of what Lady Lourdes has given our family and Bernie.’
We couldn’t recommend it highly enough, for the dignity engendered and the sense of wellbeing created for those living with dementia, and for their families, knowing their loved one is safe, comfortable and seen.
Bernie, a former environmental scientist, was a passionate reader with a keen interest in people and music before dementia took hold. Lady Lourdes harnessed this love of music with music therapy, and this, coupled with regular visits from old friends and grandchildren (in comfortable, separate lounge areas), has helped to improve Bernie’s sense of wellbeing.
When the time recently came for Bernie to transition to the mainstream residence, the family had mixed emotions.
‘We didn’t want Dad to leave because we wanted him to have the best care, but we were also conscious that Lady Lourdes has a waiting list, and we didn’t want anyone else to miss out,’ Lilly says.
Amelia hopes more families in the future can access specialised units like Lady Lourdes.
‘We couldn’t recommend it highly enough, for the dignity engendered and the sense of wellbeing created for those living with dementia, and for their families, knowing their loved one is safe, comfortable and seen.’
Banner image: Bernie with Amelia and Mary. All photos courtesy of VMCH.
