VMCH’s award-winning dementia care unit

PARTNERSHIP WITH INTERIOR DESIGN SPECIALIST REAPS REWARDS

Supporting people to do what they can for themselves is a key driver of VMCH’s services for people living with dementia. For those living with severe symptoms who are unable to live in mainstream residential aged care, this can be more of a challenge. With this in mind, VMCH was thrilled to partner with leading interior designer and dementia design specialist, de Fiddes Design, for the refurbishment of its specialist dementia care unit, Lady Lourdes House.

Located within VMCH’s St Bernadette’s Aged Care Residence in Melbourne’s Sunshine North, Lady Lourdes supports people with severe symptoms of dementia by helping to reduce and stabilise dementia behaviours, promote greater independence and improve their quality of life.

De Fiddes not only specialises in creating practical spaces to support this specialist dementia care, but beautiful ones too.

For its work at Lady Lourdes House, the company took out the ‘Best Dementia Care Design Project’ in the category ‘Leading Experts in Aged Care Interior Design – Australia’ at the 2022 Build Home and Garden Awards in March.

De Fiddes Managing Director Debbie de Fiddes said winning the design award was an “honour”, and though the project wasn’t without its challenges, it was successful because VMCH shared their passion to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The kitchen encourages independence.

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“We worked closely with the team at VMCH who all had different areas of expertise but were all working towards the same goal— improving the conditions for residents who live within aged care. Together, we produced an amazing environment that not only works for residents but also for staff.”

Debbie and her team based design features on the 10 Dementia Enabling Environment Principles, including using colours that are restful and don’t cause too much over stimulation, automatic doors to encourage residents to venture outdoors, a visible hills hoist to embody a familiar way of life, and an open and accessible domestic kitchen for residents to use freely.

These design elements match VMCH’s Monstessori approach to dementia care, which encourages people to be as independent as possible; to have a meaningful place in their aged care community; and to make choices and useful contributions in their home.

VMCH Chief Property Officer Jason Uzice said he was proud of the way the Lady Lourdes refurbishment had taken shape.

“We’re already seeing huge benefits for residents. Large private rooms with ensuites, access to beautiful, shared spaces and abundant natural light have inspired a sense of safety, security, independence and calm,” Jason said. “Staff are also thrilled with the environment. Simple design elements that encourage independence, such as open, clear and subtle site lines created by cabinetry and open sections on walls, allow staff to discreetly keep an eye on residents while maintaining their privacy, and helps decrease behaviours which may need intervention. This makes delivering such specialist dementia care so much easier and enjoyable for our dedicated staff.”

Jason said partnering with dementia design specialists such as de Fiddes was important to VMCH when creating care environments.

“It acts as a point of difference for us an organisation, setting us apart from other providers for people choosing care. But most importantly, it ensures people living with dementia and their families can be comfortable and confident in the care we provide. They can trust that the built environment is the absolute best it can be to help support them to live their best lives, matching the compassion and professionalism shown by our staff.”

This is the third project de Fiddes has completed with VMCH, and Jason said the organisation looked forward to more collaborations in the future.

Cassie Zlonzak is Communications Advisor, VMCH. For more information visit vmch.com.au

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