Care expands for dementia sufferers

07 Dec 2012

By The Record

Tony and Pamela Quinlan at the launch of the respite centre in Hilton for dementia sufferers. Mr Quinlan has just retired after 12 years of service on the board of Southern Cross Care, which operates the facility. PHOTO: Sarah Motherwell

AMID growing concerns over Australia’s aging population, Southern Cross Care (SCC), one of the largest providers of aged care in Western Australia, has opened another respite centre to meet its increasing number of clients.

Last week, SCC officially opened the Tony Quinlan Respite Centre in Hilton, the only centre in the area that offers five days of activities as well as overnight and emergency beds for people with dementia.

The centre is the third SCC day centre in Perth and was named after SCC board member Tony Quinlan, who retired last month after 12 years of service.

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and personality change, caused by disorders affecting the brain and interfering with the ability to perform everyday tasks.

There is currently no prevention or cure for the condition, which is more common in people after the age of 65 years.

According to Fight Alzheimer’s Save Australia, the most rapid growth in dementia in WA will be in the next eight years, with numbers predicted to increase by 375 per cent during the next 40 years.

SCC chairman John Bryant said the dementia-specific centre and its staff would care for people with dementia and provide support to their families.

“We want to provide a warm and friendly environment where those who stay can feel relaxed and welcome, whether they visit regularly or just on a one-off basis,” he said.

Tony Quinlan said SCC had achieved its reputation for high quality care through the passionate work of all those involved in the organisation.

“Those who tirelessly strive for excellence in the care and accommodation of the aged in our community – theirs is truly a labour of love,” he said.

Fr Paul Raj blessed the centre and a plaque to mark the occasion was unveiled by City of Fremantle councillor Bill Massie.

The scale of the nation’s dementia problem is significant: a report released in November by Alzheimer’s Australia estimated that as many as three million Australians will develop dementia between 2012 and 2050.