and respite, and; service models to facilitate quality of life, community living and minimisation of risk of premature entry to residential aged care. support services for people with younger onset dementia and their families was developed by the research team. It outlines a vision for best practice in service provision for younger onset dementia, underpinned by principles to guide best practice. The framework also identifies key areas of concern and proposes a range of strategies to support policy makers and service providers in developing appropriate services for people with younger onset dementia and their families. the research findings, highlight the implications for policy makers and service providers, and encourage the promotion and creation of flexible and innovative services to best support people with younger onset dementia and their families. Recreation Officer Jenny Nel Occupational Therapist aged care facility and converted it to Carrara Health Centre. It is a 63 bed sub-acute facility formed in response to the Gold Coast's Interim Demand Strategy. 31 Beds are designated to the Geriatric and Evaluation Management service. Typically clients on this ward have and experience wandering, restlessness, agitation and anxiety. Outdoor areas were not safe or therapeutic for them to access. The aim was to provide access to an outdoor area to help decrease these behaviours; and therefore reducing the use of physical and/or chemical restraints, optimising occupational performance and quality of life. causes: Previous experience, literature reviews and reviewing the Dementia Design Guidelines formed the foundation of a project to redesign an existing courtyard into a Sensory Garden. landscape architect was utilised to design a garden featuring sensory stimulation and functional design. In a very short time the Sensory Garden proved to be successful as evidenced by client's participation in purposeful activities in the garden. Specific case studies will demonstrate this during the presentation. Garden was completed in April 2011 in managing the behaviours of these clients, by allowing access to a safe and appropriately stimulating environment the garden is operational and patients actively engage in therapeutic activities. Project was completed in September 2011 Funding for the project was a challenge and stakeholders had to be creative towards raising money. |