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A long journey together ...
Sister Anne Rodgers remembers carefully driving a brand new black Vauxhall from the local car dealership back to Nazareth House in 1963. The Vauxhall was bought with the help of the Lotteries Commission to transport the frail aged and those living with dementia to and from appointments around Geraldton.
Forty-five years later, Lotterywest and Nazareth House are still working towards improving the quality of care for the frail aged. Today Nazareth House is a 111-bed aged care facility, the only such facility able to provide secure dementia care for aged residents north of Perth.
Recently, Lotterywest helped Nazareth House update their commuter bus to one with advanced lifting and safety equipment to transport residents with medium to high care needs, including those with dementia. Outings were previously restricted by the older vehicle not having a wheelchair hoist, which limited the number of residents able to access the bus for outings.
Lotterywest grants are focused on providing support for projects that benefit the WA community, including those which improve the quality of life for seniors. As such, Lotterywest also provided a grant to help establish two ‘Activity and Horticultural Therapy Gardens’ at Nazareth House to accommodate the needs of the residents who have dementia.
The raised beds of the therapy garden are specifically designed for the frail aged, and are filled with plants that simulate the senses and enhance the physical, intellectual and emotional well-being of the residents.
“Especially for people with dementia, it’s so important that they have access to avenues that continue to stimulate their minds, to try and slow down the further deterioration of their faculties,” said Ann-Marie “Often, it’s the simple, fondly remembered things from people’s past that seem to draw the best response.”
“One of the residents’ favourite activities is ‘Men’s Shed’ on Mondays and Fridays when the men go out to the big shed in the therapy garden and work with wood. They make simple toys which are eagerly bought by staff and also sold at the annual Nazareth House fete,” added Ann-Marie.
“Many residents also get pleasure from potting up cuttings and small plants in the therapy garden.”
“We needed to upgrade our facilities, but without Lotterywest’s support, we would only have been able to undertake very basic landscaping,’ said Ann-Marie Phegley, Facilities Manager. “We had no idea if Lotterywest could help us with this project, but in view of our ongoing relationship, we felt comfortable in discussing the possibilities with the grants team.”