The Enliven Iona Dementia Care Unit at Peacehaven Village in Invercargill already has two separate wings specifically for dementia patients: one with 20 beds for less severely affected patients, known as D3, and the other with 20 beds for patients requiring specialised hospital-level care, known as D6 psychogeriatric care.
According to Matt Russell, chief executive of Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS), the project would increase the number of D6 beds in Southland by 30%.
“As the population ages and average life expectancy continues to rise, the demand for care for people with dementia is increasing, both in terms of demand and complexity.
“It is critical that we as a region are prepared to meet this challenge and ensure Southland can provide for its residents now and into the future.”
He said the project, which is expected to cost about $386,000, will involve creating six additional beds by reconfiguring office and storage spaces within the existing building footprint.
It also included carrying out fire safety work, equipping and furnishing each new room, creating a new nurses' station and a new nurse call system, and refurbishing the lounge and kitchen.
Mr Russell said D6 provides the best dementia care in New Zealand and that a shortage of these types of beds in Southland meant residents sometimes had to leave the region while they waited for a space to become available.
“When these very vulnerable residents had to leave the region for D6-level care, it caused a lot of stress and anxiety among the residents and their families.”
The upgrade would begin this year and would be funded through a combination of private, community and external financiers and donors. Any funding gaps would be covered from PSS Enliven’s operating budgets, he said.