World Alzheimer’s Day at Lakewood

Unlike many care facilities nationwide, our location at Lakewood is one of the few specialising in dementia-only care. The nursing staff are trained in New Zealand’s Level 4 Dementia qualifications. With a smaller, home-like environment, Lakewood staff can focus on Dementia in its many forms and spend time creating an individual plan for each resident.

Lakewood’s Facility Manager, Julie Thomas, says that the word ‘Dementia’ is an umbrella term for many related illnesses and is not a normal part of the ageing process. “Neither is it a mental illness,” says Julie. “It’s a neurological disorder that affects the cortex of the brain, and that is why it is often called the ‘invisible’ illness.” The person looks normal as cognitive decline progresses.

For families, the journey can be overwhelming. By the time a loved one enters care, a range of emotions can kick in – guilt, relief, memories, and a sense of loss. However, the burden lessens when families experience the environment, and level of compassion and fun at Lakewood.

Many have commented how comforting it is to know you’re not alone; the staff share your concerns, give advice, and take time to get to know personalities and quirky nuances. Its those genuine laugh-out-loud moments that make you smile, long after your visit! Lakewood took the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the disease by having a lot of purple-themed fun on 21 September, World Alzheimer’s Day!