Nanyima Aged Care to build dementia support unit in Mirani with Apollo Care

A well-established north Qld aged care facility has announced urgent plans for a memory support unit after shock findings revealed up to 50 elderly are already in hospital awaiting placement.

A well-established aged care facility has announced plans to build a memory support unit, after 50 elderly were found in hospital awaiting placement.

A well-established aged care facility has announced plans to build a memory support unit, after 50 elderly were found in Mackay hospitals awaiting placement.

Nanyima Aged Care Inc partnered with national provider Apollo Care to build a dementia support unit at their Mirani facility.

Chair Rosemary Lyons said Apollo was “a good fit” for Nanyima as they offered the “governance expertise we need for the future”.

“Nanyima was built by the community almost 30 years ago to allow locals to remain living in the Pioneer Valley as their care needs change,” Ms Lyons said.

Residents from Nanyima Aged Care.

“We’re experiencing growing demand for specialist dementia care and I’m delighted that under the guidance of Apollo Care, we will soon be able to support even more locals in need.

“Our five-star rating in resident experience and compliance shows we’re delivering on our purpose, thanks to the dedication of our team of staff, volunteers, allied health professionals and the support of local businesses and the community.”

The 51-bed not-for-profit aged care community is located 37km west of Mackay.

Rosemary Lyons of Mirani SES Group receives the National Emergency medal and clasp for service during Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Saturday, October 9, 2021. Picture: Tara Miko

The news comes a month after Mackay Health and Hospital Service confirmed there were 32 patients awaiting residential placement in Mackay Base Hospital.

Eighteen others are spread across the region’s other hospitals.

Mackay Health and Hospital Service CEO Susan Gannon said the high number of patients waiting for a residential aged care facility or NDIS support “affects our ability to admit acutely unwell people to hospital” and resulted in “longer stays in emergency” for other patients.

50 people in Mackay hospitals are waiting for placement in a residential or aged care facility.

This year the region was also rocked by a damning report on resident conditions at Blue Care Mackay Homefield.

An Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission audit in May stated three residents at Blue Care Mackay Homefield “experienced humiliation and embarrassment relating to their continence care”.

“Staff confirmed there were delays in providing care due to lack of staff,” the report stated.