Terrey Hills: Dementia respite care cottage opened by HammondCare
Exhausted carers of loved ones with dementia can now use a new, first of its kind, respite cottage on the northern beaches.
Manly
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A first of its kind cottage has opened on the northern beaches that gives family members who care for loved ones with dementia, or who are old and frail, a rest.
Carers can book in their loved ones for up to 10 nights of respite care at Bugari Cottage at Terrey Hills while they take a much-needed break.
HammondCare, an independent Christian charity that provides dementia, palliative and aged care services offers, set up the “bed and breakfast” style overnight accommodation in a former family home.
The four-bedroom house, on a quiet backstreet, is designed to be a home-away-from-home for guests living with dementia or who are tackling the problems associated with getting old and frail.
Their carer relatives can book them into Bugari (a local Aboriginal word for ring-tailed possum) for between one and 10 nights.
HammondCare chief executive Mike Baird said a maximum of four guests were looked after by two highly-trained staff, to help take the pressure off home carers.
“There is difficulty enough in seeing someone you love in need of care and support, and then, personally, trying to live your life, to do things you need to do, do things you love to do.
“That’s what (Bugari Cottage) is. It’s really about providing that opportunity for carers in a place that is deinstitutionalised.
“We strongly believe that we are providing care that you will find at home. That’s what this is, a home away from home.”
Mr Baird said HammondCare has five similar cottages — at Miranda, Wahroonga, Narara, Goulburn and Dubbo — and is looking at adding more to the list.
Kazu Murai, who cares for her husband Seiji who has dementia, uses HammondCare’s respite Lucinda Cottage at Wahroonga.
Ms Murai said having Seiji visit respite care one week a month helped ease the stresses and tension that sometimes come while looking after him.
“I can sit down, and not have to think anything, just relax,” she said. “I can visit friends, go to the hair salon, do hobbies.
“The respite is a big support for my mental and physical health.
“And Seiji has a lovely time there too.”
The staff tailor daily activities to the individual guests and can include a wide range of
social activities such as helping in the garden or preparing meals.
It even has a large saltwater pool in the backyard.
HammondCare will try to schedule stays to coincide with other guests who have similar interests.
Bugari’ manager Elaine Collins said if a guest wanted to watch sport, the cottage has a large TV, or they can make a cake in the kitchen.
“We can even engage the guests in a sausage sizzle if that’s what they want to do,” Ms Collins said.
People can stay at Bugari Cottage who are eligible under the existing federal government-funded home care package, or to those who are self-funded. They don’t have to be a current HammondCare client.
Click here for more information about the respite cottages.
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