Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s Maddocks Gardens residential aged care facility last night won a prestigious state-wide award for an innovative new approach to helping people with dementia.
Maddocks Gardens won the award for Excellence in Public Sector Aged Care at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards for its work with residents who have dementia, using an interactive program they developed to improve residents’ sensory engagement known as Building Sensory Bridges in Dementia Care.
BRHS Chief Executive Officer Robyn Hayles said the Maddocks Gardens team’s work to improve the care and connection of the residents of Sutherland lodge has been outstanding. The residents in Sutherland Lodge live with dementia.
She said the interactive software-based platform supports residents’ sensory abilities.
“The team uses the platform to work alongside residents with memory loss in a positive and supportive way,” she said.
“The platform is building stronger relationships between residents and staff and has become a central part of the dementia care leisure and lifestyle program in our Sutherland Lodge wing.”
The platform, which engages residents in a series of interactive games and activities that are protected onto a flat surface such as a table, can be tailored to suit individual needs and interests,
Aged Care Manager Paul Rosenquist explains: “One of our residents has a keen interest in fish. The program allows them to ‘touch’ a virtual pool of water via the ‘screen’. That touch causes the water to ripple and the fish to swim away.
“The resident loves it and can share that experience with family and friends when they visit. It’s such a joyful thing to see. The program can work with other imaged such as flowers. Touch an unopened bud and it will bloom before your eyes.”
Maddocks Gardens is a 95-bed public residential aged care facility that offers permanent, respite and dementia-specific aged care.
“We’re thrilled that Maddocks Gardens has won this award against competition from around Victoria. BRHS staff care for the residents with pride and a commitment to think outside the square to ensure great care and an engaged lifestyle,” Robyn said.
