Magnolia Cottage at Aldersgate Residential Aged Care, is the first of its kind in South Australia offering a dementia-friendly environment that provides specialised care for those with advanced dementia. Among the admissions are people who have displayed complex behaviours which have been difficult to support in residential care facilities, often leading to hospitalisation.

Magnolia Cottage provides a transitional service, using sensory activities and customised daily routines, such as cooking, gardening and music therapy, to promote independence and active engagement. In the past 14 months, the program has supported 18 clients with advanced dementia, with eight of them successfully transitioning back into aged care.

One resident had spent three years in the Acute Hospital System, when he was admitted into the SDCP in 2020. Eight months later, he was discharged and settled into his new aged care home with no significant issues.

A representative from the home says, “I would like to convey our thanks and gratitude for the wonderful service you provided during and prior to the transfer of our very settled resident. As you can imagine some staff were a little hesitant at first, however once they read the resources your team provided and observed that strategies were working they have come to enjoy the resident and his quirky little ways.”

There are currently more than 472,000 people in Australia living with dementia. By 2028 it is predicted this number will rise to around 590,000, and to more than a million by 2058. Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in Australians over 65 years and the second leading cause of death in women and men.

This disease will likely touch all of us in some way – whether we are affected ourselves, caring for a loved one or simply know someone who is affected.

Uniting Communities are thrilled to be involved in this service, which is an exciting step forward in specialist dementia care.

The SA SDCP is a partnership between Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health and Uniting Communities, and is funded by the Commonwealth.