2010 Media Releases
Facility to Help Care for People Living with Dementia
25 January 2010
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Artist's Impression of Willoughby House |
People living with dementia and their carers will receive more support when Willoughby City Council’s Willoughby House facility opens next month. The $3.65 million day care for sufferers of dementia is the first of its kind to operate in Northern Sydney.
An official opening will be held to celebrate this significant occasion 10am, Thursday 4 February at Willoughby House, 114 Sydney Street, Willoughby.
The facility, spilt into two discrete dementia day care centres, one leased to HACC service provider, Catholic Community Services and the other to Baptist Community Services, a not-for-profit respite and dementia day care provider, will offer specialist care for part day or full day periods when regular carers are unavailable.
Tailored to the needs of dementia sufferers, Willoughby House will provide a safe and comfortable environment and be equipped with special lighting, large rooms for group activities and solitary quiet rooms as well as specially designed sensory and relaxation gardens.
“There are approximately 1 035 residents living with dementia in Willoughby. By 2012 there are expected to be 100 more,” said Willoughby Mayor, Pat Reilly. “Willoughby City Council is helping to provide for our ageing population and the increasing incidence of dementia with this well planned facility.
“Thorough attention to detail has been taken in the design and furnishing with additions such as a workshop where attendees can fiddle safely with tools and a continual path winding through the garden to help patients feel safe and comfortable at the centre,” he said.
The facility was developed by Willoughby City Council and was supported by a $1.65 million grant from the federal and NSW Governments under the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
Media Contact
Media and Marketing Group Manager
Phone: 9777 7703
Mobile: 0421 492 757
Email: rebecca.hill@willoughby.nsw.gov.au