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Volume 8 Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
ISSN: 2161-0460 Vascular Dementia 2018
February 22-23, 2018
Page 37
Notes:
conferenceseries.com
10th International Conference on
February 22-23, 2018 | Paris, France
Vascular Dementia
Sandra Gilbert, J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0460-C1-035
Family carers are the experts, we are not the experts
In the past, a person living with dementia was handed over to the expert staff when they entered residential aged care. The
family carer was told to go home and the expert staff would now handle everything. Transition into care has effects on both
the person living with dementia and their family. This presentation will share the journey of Noosa Care, when designing
their Memory Support Unit and how as part of that design process, the decision was made to make the family carer the
focus of the unit. The resident’s family carer is considered the expert and has since the introduction of this new model, has
taught and mentored staff on how to care for their loved one living with dementia. The physical design of the unit was also
an important aspect of the model. The design of the unit promotes self-esteem and autonomy for the person living with
dementia. This environment allows resident to walk from one room to another, through the gardens and living areas 24 hours
per day. The University of The Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia conducted research on the new model, “To understand
the perspectives of older people, their families or carers and staff of the effect of a purpose-built Memory Support Unit on
the transition into care”. In the findings, family, staff and most importantly the residents living with dementia, expressed an
overwhelming positive impact of the built environment and the new model of care.
Biography
Sandra Gilbert has over 25 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and is the Group Care Manager of Noosa Care Australia where she manages over 300 care
staff. She is also a Dementia Coach and provides education and consultation to businesses and communities on becoming dementia friendly. She is a Dementia
Blogger, Podcaster, and Keynote Speaker and has led many projects designed to provide enabling environments for people living with dementia. She has won
numerous awards for her work in the dementia care space.
Sandra Gilbert
Noosa Care Inc., Australia