Transitioning
into Care
Establishing a new home
A new resident* who presented with complex behaviours has moved into Altona Gardens Care Community. Our team are working with the resident and her family to provide her dementia support and ensure she settles in well and feels comfortable as she is transitioning into our dementia care.
Upon arrival the female resident displayed behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). For example, she would frequently try to leave our Care Community and at times demonstrated feelings of anger and frustration as well as insomnia. The resident also experiences chronic osteoporosis and osteoarthritis pain.
Our team spoke at length with the resident, her family and partner to understand her social and emotional needs. By mapping out her life history and finding out where her memory takes her, our team were able to put an appropriate dementia care plan in place to ensure we meet her needs and preferences.
After in depth discussions with the resident we recognised that she perceived herself to be living in her 40s and 50s, rather than in the present day as an older person. Involving the residents’ daughter and partner in the discussions was vital, as they were able to share that the resident was grieving the loss of her son (which occurred many years earlier) and had been visiting his grave weekly.
Helping our resident connect with others
Our team asked the resident’s family to bring in personal photos in that could be displayed around her bedroom to support reminiscence and further memory mapping.
They spent time getting to know the resident and understanding her interests, so they could create an environment where she can participate socially with others and do things that she enjoys.
Our team are helping her connect with other residents. She has started bonding with our Customer Support Coordinator who is regularly spending quality time with her.
Our team continue to review the resident’s dementia care plan as we get to know her more deeply. We build this knowledge through team huddles, updates in handovers, and through practical education sessions with the team.
Finding safety and security in our care
The resident has started engaging in meaningful tasks around our Care Community, such as setting and clearing activity spaces, gardening, helping our catering team to clear the lunch and dinner trollies. Our team has observed that socialising with other residents enables her to feel safe and secure.
One thing we learnt early on is that our resident is Welsh and still speaks in her native tongue. Now that she feels safe and secure in her surroundings, she has offered to teach our team how to speak Welsh.
Our Altona Gardens Care Community team continue to encourage our resident to live with meaning and purpose in our care. The complex behaviours that were evident when she first moved in have settled. She has structure and purpose in her day and, importantly, enjoyable things to look forward to – socialising and participating in Care Community life.
*Our resident has asked to remain anonymous.
Dementia Care
Every individual living with dementia will have different needs and preferences. Our carers endeavour to build connected relationships with each resident so that we can deliver the right care for your clinical, social and spiritual needs.
Return to Dementia Care
What is dementia?
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. In other words, dementia isn't one specific disease.
Learn more about dementia
Types of dementia
There are many types of dementia but the most common causes include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Learn more
Person-centred care
Person-centred care is at the heart of our approach to care. It means supporting our residents to live a meaningful life every day in a personalised and considered way.
Learn more
Memory care neighbourhoods
In some of our Care Communities we have areas known as Memory care neighbourhoods (MCN). They are a safe designated area or cluster of rooms where residents living with dementia reside.
Learn more5 Steps into Residential Aged Care
Assess
Make sure the person requiring care has had an ACAT assessment.
Find
Search for a residential aged care home suitability located.
Costs
Understand the costs associated with aged care.
Apply
Ensure you have all the relevant paperwork.
Move
Check out our moving checklist to ensure the smoothest move possible.
Start exploring our Care Communities
Find a Care Community
Commonly asked questions about Dementia
-
Dementia isn’t a single disease, but a term used to describe the symptoms of a range of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in the ability to think and perform everyday tasks. It can also lead to changes in personality and behaviour. While there is no cure for dementia, it’s important to keep in mind that it is possible to continue to maintain a good quality of life for many people. For more information, click here.
-
There are many types of dementia but the most common causes include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Understanding the symptoms associated with each type of dementia can help in ensuring each person’s care needs are met.
-
Thinking about the move into residential care is never easy and can bring up all sorts of emotions. It’s time to start the conversation about moving into care when you have concerns that your loved one isn’t coping well with day-to-day activities or if you feel safety is a concern. The earlier you start the conversation, the more time everyone will have to consider options and make informed decisions.
-
Dementia has a huge impact not only on the person who has been diagnosed, but also on those closest to them. Some of the feelings commonly experienced by carers include guilt, grief, loss and even anger. Even if your loved one isn’t ready to move into long-term care, feel free to arrange for a chat with our knowledgeable team who’ll be happy to offer advice or put you in touch with other carers who are going through the same thing and can offer support and understanding.
-
Think about a short stay in respite care to start with. Perhaps arrange to go and have lunch or participate in an activity that your loved one enjoys. This will give you both a chance to find out if the Care Community feels like a good fit and it will give you both confidence in your decision.
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about making such a big decision. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Our team understands that it can feel overwhelming and they can provide direct support and suggest strategies to make things easier.
-
Moving house is among the most stressful life events. When moving house is combined with a big life change like moving into residential care, it can have a significant impact. Often the move into care comes about as a result of a traumatic event such as a fall rather than a considered decision process, so the circumstances around the move can feel overwhelming and out of the person’s control. Sometimes the person moving into care can take out their frustrations on their family if they don’t feel in control. It’s important to ensure that your loved one feels a part of the decision making process. If this happens, try not to take it personally. Our team are here to help and support both you and your loved one through this time.
-
Everyone’s different but on average you can expect most people to start feeling more comfortable and at home in around two to six weeks. It’s a big adjustment so try not to get disheartened if it seems to take a while. The most important thing is to just take each day at a time and speak with our leadership team if you have any concerns.