Dementia Alliance outlines future goals

ALTHOUGH plans for Gilbruk Place, the planned Heathcote dementia village, have now been shelved, the Heathcote Dementia Alliance will continue seeking to develop several cutting-edge projects.

The future plans stem from recommendations in the 2019 dementia village feasibility study and include independent living, carer support, and green care options.

HDA president Sandra Slatter said construction of Costerfield House, a prototype display care villa, had begun and it would arrive on site at Heathcote Health in May.

“Our answer to independent living accommodation was to provide those living with dementia with housing solutions comprising fit for purpose, equitable and affordable accommodation,” she said.

“The first stage was to design an affordable, transportable 1.5 bedroom care villa.”

The villas have been designed for thermal comfort, feature large windows that provide outdoor views and aim for good indoor air quality.

They are also fitted with the latest in artificial intelligence technology including wearables and other network connected devices that allows for sensors and controls to be added to inert objects such as a light.

The technology can measure environmental factors and generate and transmit data readings via a wireless network.

“The second stage of this initiative has also begun, our Cluster Community concept,” she said.

“Clusters will replicate a small community consisting of care villas, private and shared gardens and a community space for resident’s socialisation and telehealth consults.”

Ms Slatter said the amount of interest shown in the concept of the villas had led to the formation of Care Villas Australia Limited, with the intent to create a social enterprise.

“CVA continues to work on the design and planning, forming collaborations and partnerships with key stakeholders,” she said.

“Work has commenced on our two cluster community pilot sites.

“Two sites have been identified, Heathcote at the southern end of the Loddon Mallee region and Merbein near Mildura located at the northern end.

“We will concentrate our efforts on Merbein whilst looking for alternative land options for the Heathcote pilot.

HDA has also teamed with the Human Services Skills Organisation, an employer-led body focused on strengthening the human services workforce.

That partnership aims to help carers obtain flexible volunteer, work and employment opportunities by facilitating innovative approaches to accessing the workforce and is underpinned by online technologies.

“La Trobe University has provided exclusive licence to HDA to translate and implement their $1.8 million online peer-support program, Verily Connect,” Ms Slatter said. “This work is underway.”

In addition, HDA has applied for a $1.6 million grant over four years in collaboration with Heathcote Health, several aged-care and in-home-care providers, and La Trobe University.

The money would be used to undertake a pilot study into respite options for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers based on the idea of immersion into nature and green environments.

Ms Slatter described this scheme, known as green care, as an “Australian first” in innovation.

The Futures Hub, located on the Heathcote Health campus, is HDA’s beating heart.

“This is where innovation starts and ideas and concepts are created,” Ms Slatter said.

“Our aim is to reduce energy-wasting competition and increase cooperation and collaboration across disciplines and institutions involved in dementia innovation, education, and research.

“At HDA we continually seek to bring new ways of solving old problems by demonstrating inclusion, community connectedness and care.”