New $1.6m centre serves Wollongong's elderly
Today Chesalon Services will celebrate the “re-opening” of its Illawarra centre following a $1.6m facelift.
“We now have the scope to grow and provide more services as Wollongong’s population ages,” says ANGLICARE CEO, Peter Kell.
The knock-down and re-build was funded by a capital works grant from Home and Community Care and ANGLICARE’s contribution of land.
The new building is now purpose-built for providing in-centre activities three days a week for local residents with dementia, as well as offices for Chesalon’s other, home-based support services.
“We know that living at home in a familiar place and close to family is important to people affected by dementia,” said Mr Kell. “But not at the expense of primary carers who carry so much of the responsibility,” he says.
Life changed for Wollongong carer, Tony Hardy in October 2007, when his mother June suffered a serious fall and fractured vertebrae.
She had already been diagnosed with dementia many years earlier but the symptoms seemed to get worse after the fall.
By the time June returned home from hospital, Tony had relocated from Sydney to move in with his parents and care for his mother full-time.
“I call it five-star aged-care,” he says.
Tony knew it meant putting his social life on hold as well as the chance to pursue his own interests, until a support worker recommended Chesalon Service’s day centre at Mt Ousley in the Illawarra.
“Initially June was reluctant to go but we dropped in one day and she loved it immediately.
“Now she attends two days a week and enjoys everything about it – the ride in the bus, the troupe of other ladies and they are all treated like royalty.”
“She comes home as bright as a button with no sign of the agitation she normally suffers.”
“What makes Chesalon Services special,” says Peter Kell, “is the team’s commitment to Christian care – sharing the burdens of care and doing it in a way that brings hope and pleasure into people’s lives.”
For more information about community support available for people living with dementia contact Chesalon Services’ Mt Ousley centre on 4226 3872.
