More dementia beds for the Wairarapa
Date: May 25, 2009
Presbyterian Support Central and the Wairarapa District Health Board have agreed to increase the number of dementia beds available at its Enliven Kandahar Court Home in Masterton.
Kandahar Court’s independent living area will be converted into a Safe Care Unit offering up to 12 beds as part of an effort to address the critical shortage of dementia facilities in the region. Rooms at the new unit are expected to be available within eight weeks.
Chief executive Chris Graham says Presbyterian Support Central is happy to have worked with Wairarapa DHB to address the needs of the local community.
“Too many Wairarapa families have had to settle their loved ones out of the region because there have been so few beds available,” he says.
“We are very proud of the dementia services we offer and we’re looking forward to offering these services to Wairarapa residents for many years to come.”
Wairarapa DHB chief executive Tracey Adamson also welcomes this development for people with dementia and their families.
“The opening of additional dementia beds will allow people to be cared for in a safe environment closer to their family. It will also allow some people with dementia to relocate from other areas back to the Wairarapa.”
Mr Graham and Ms Adamson say negotiations concerning the new unit have gone smoothly and that they will be working together over the next few weeks to prepare for the opening of the additional dementia care beds.
