Quiet opening for dementia unit

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04 Oct, 2021

WORDS/JULIA WADE

PHOTOS/MEL TITO

Four years after the idea to create a special place for some of societies most vulnerable began to gain momentum, the end vision has become a reality and Maunguturoto is now home to a unique establishment.

On September 25, Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust (MCCT) welcomed the community to view their brand-new secure dementia care facility, located in the middle of town and adjoined to Maungaturoto Riverview Rest Home.

Complete with 14 bedrooms, each with a personal touch of a handmade quilt donated by local quilters, library, a shared kitchen to allow families to prepare meals together and whanau room, which looks out to a stunning mural by local artist Joseph Paikea junior, the unit is set to receive residents in the next few weeks.

Following a 6.30am blessing, approximately 300 visitors visited the open day from 10am to 3pm, touring through the facility guided by MCCT members.

Long-time supporter and dedicated fundraiser for the facility, Albie Paton, who co-officiated the blessing with John McClane, says it feels ‘really good to complete phase one’.

“Although Sunday, the day after the open day, felt like a vacuum, didn’t know what to do with myself… its been a big job. We would have liked to have a big flash opening but with Covid we couldn’t as the health board wants us to get people in there as soon as we can.”

MCCTs next two planned phases include extensions to the rest home, with the current building eventually being converted into hospital and hospice facilities, ‘though I think the Trust will take a small breather first’.

Paton says the dementia unit is unique as it is purpose-built, making it one of the few in the country, as ‘the bulk are converted rest homes or hospitals’.

“The floor-plan is in a semi-circle, and a lot of the design was by the unit’s manager Tracey Chapman, who has worked in the industry for quite some time so she knows what she wanted,” he says. “People with dementia often get into a corner of a room and don’t know how to get out, so that’s why they have made it reasonably round.”

With a multi-million dollar price tag, the facility was made possible thanks to MCCTs fundraising committee who raised $600,000, with $200,000 in proceeds from ‘The Den’, a group who refurbishes and resells donated goods as well as generous private cash gifts and donations from clubs, including a combined $24,500 from Luxinn Wellsford Combined Buffalo Lodges and Tinopai’s Jubilee Lodge 65, presented at the open day, and top-up cash from the Provincial Growth Fund.

“It’s a great sense of achievement for the funding committee,” Paton says. “Not too bad for a little place.”

 

1 The team behind the dream unit; Members of Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust funding committee with chair Graham Slatter (second from right).

2 Around 300 visitors viewed the units spacious rooms on the open day.

3 Every bedroom had a touch of the personal with gifted handmade quilts.

4 Due to corners being a confusing hazard for people living with dementia, the design focused on rounded walls.

 

“It’s a great sense of achievement for the funding committee.”

- Albie Paton

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