Latest news with #SDCP
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Alfredo spent 120 days in hospital because no nursing home would take him
Alfredo de Andrade spent 120 days in Maitland Hospital as a severe dementia patient because no nursing home would take him. He'd shown high levels of agitation and aggression, so he was put on psychotropic medication to calm him. The Metford man, who died this month, had initially gone to Maitland Hospital for surgery after he fell and broke his hip. He was transferred to Kurri Kurri Hospital for recovery. "While he was there, he caught COVID," son Paulo de Andrade said. While at Kurri, Alfredo's aggressive behaviour meant he was transferred back to Maitland. "It was a concern that Dad was taking up an acute bed in a major hospital," Paulo said. "But he simply couldn't return home, and we couldn't find a place in a nursing home that could take care of him. "The hospital tried very hard to find a place for Dad. Eventually he did find a place at HammondCare's dementia village at Cardiff." He went into care at the village's eight-bed Quintral Cottage. It is part of the federal government's Special Dementia Care Program (SDCP) for patients with severe symptoms. There are 22 federally-funded SDCP units in Australia and 35 planned in total by 2026. Paulo said the family wanted Alfredo to "have the best quality of life possible in his remaining time". "The plan was to get him off the psychiatric medication, as he was in a safe environment," Paulo said. "As this was done, his aggression came down considerably." After about 12 months at Quintral, he was able to move into a regular cottage at Cardiff. "He became stable, could take instructions from the carers and was happy," Paulo said. Over-medicating elderly patients with dementia - so-called "chemical restraints" - is a controversial topic. Two recent royal commissions found psychotropic medicines were being "misused and overused", particularly among older people and those with a disability. Nonetheless, Paulo accepts that his dad was medicated at hospital for "his own safety". "I'm not saying it's wrong, it's the way it is," he said. "It's difficult for medical staff to get the medication mix right because every individual is different. They have to get a balance and see how they react." Paulo said the staff treating his dad at hospital were "magnificent". However, there were not enough publicly funded dementia places. "The public needs to be more aware of this because dementia cases are rising," he said. "There needs to be more public pressure on politicians for funding and resources for this." Alfredo migrated to Newcastle from Portugal in 1981, along with his wife Maria and their three children. He worked as a boilermaker at Allco Steel at Tomago. As a metal worker, he fabricated steel for projects such as the Australian Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Chifley Tower and the Sydney Monorail. "Dad was hard-working, kind and caring, who loved his family and friends," Paulo said. "He was brave to bring his family halfway around the world to start a new life." Paulo said it was hard seeing his dad go through severe dementia. "I'm thankful there are places that can take these patients and care for them safely. We need more of them." Federal aged care Minister Sam Rae more than 400,000 people were living with dementia in Australia. This was expected to "double by 2058". "We're working to deliver support that gives people with dementia the dignified care and quality of life they deserve," Mr Rae said. The government had allocated $57 million "to support older patients with dementia to transition out of hospital into aged care". Alfredo de Andrade spent 120 days in Maitland Hospital as a severe dementia patient because no nursing home would take him. He'd shown high levels of agitation and aggression, so he was put on psychotropic medication to calm him. The Metford man, who died this month, had initially gone to Maitland Hospital for surgery after he fell and broke his hip. He was transferred to Kurri Kurri Hospital for recovery. "While he was there, he caught COVID," son Paulo de Andrade said. While at Kurri, Alfredo's aggressive behaviour meant he was transferred back to Maitland. "It was a concern that Dad was taking up an acute bed in a major hospital," Paulo said. "But he simply couldn't return home, and we couldn't find a place in a nursing home that could take care of him. "The hospital tried very hard to find a place for Dad. Eventually he did find a place at HammondCare's dementia village at Cardiff." He went into care at the village's eight-bed Quintral Cottage. It is part of the federal government's Special Dementia Care Program (SDCP) for patients with severe symptoms. There are 22 federally-funded SDCP units in Australia and 35 planned in total by 2026. Paulo said the family wanted Alfredo to "have the best quality of life possible in his remaining time". "The plan was to get him off the psychiatric medication, as he was in a safe environment," Paulo said. "As this was done, his aggression came down considerably." After about 12 months at Quintral, he was able to move into a regular cottage at Cardiff. "He became stable, could take instructions from the carers and was happy," Paulo said. Over-medicating elderly patients with dementia - so-called "chemical restraints" - is a controversial topic. Two recent royal commissions found psychotropic medicines were being "misused and overused", particularly among older people and those with a disability. Nonetheless, Paulo accepts that his dad was medicated at hospital for "his own safety". "I'm not saying it's wrong, it's the way it is," he said. "It's difficult for medical staff to get the medication mix right because every individual is different. They have to get a balance and see how they react." Paulo said the staff treating his dad at hospital were "magnificent". However, there were not enough publicly funded dementia places. "The public needs to be more aware of this because dementia cases are rising," he said. "There needs to be more public pressure on politicians for funding and resources for this." Alfredo migrated to Newcastle from Portugal in 1981, along with his wife Maria and their three children. He worked as a boilermaker at Allco Steel at Tomago. As a metal worker, he fabricated steel for projects such as the Australian Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Chifley Tower and the Sydney Monorail. "Dad was hard-working, kind and caring, who loved his family and friends," Paulo said. "He was brave to bring his family halfway around the world to start a new life." Paulo said it was hard seeing his dad go through severe dementia. "I'm thankful there are places that can take these patients and care for them safely. We need more of them." Federal aged care Minister Sam Rae more than 400,000 people were living with dementia in Australia. This was expected to "double by 2058". "We're working to deliver support that gives people with dementia the dignified care and quality of life they deserve," Mr Rae said. The government had allocated $57 million "to support older patients with dementia to transition out of hospital into aged care". Alfredo de Andrade spent 120 days in Maitland Hospital as a severe dementia patient because no nursing home would take him. He'd shown high levels of agitation and aggression, so he was put on psychotropic medication to calm him. The Metford man, who died this month, had initially gone to Maitland Hospital for surgery after he fell and broke his hip. He was transferred to Kurri Kurri Hospital for recovery. "While he was there, he caught COVID," son Paulo de Andrade said. While at Kurri, Alfredo's aggressive behaviour meant he was transferred back to Maitland. "It was a concern that Dad was taking up an acute bed in a major hospital," Paulo said. "But he simply couldn't return home, and we couldn't find a place in a nursing home that could take care of him. "The hospital tried very hard to find a place for Dad. Eventually he did find a place at HammondCare's dementia village at Cardiff." He went into care at the village's eight-bed Quintral Cottage. It is part of the federal government's Special Dementia Care Program (SDCP) for patients with severe symptoms. There are 22 federally-funded SDCP units in Australia and 35 planned in total by 2026. Paulo said the family wanted Alfredo to "have the best quality of life possible in his remaining time". "The plan was to get him off the psychiatric medication, as he was in a safe environment," Paulo said. "As this was done, his aggression came down considerably." After about 12 months at Quintral, he was able to move into a regular cottage at Cardiff. "He became stable, could take instructions from the carers and was happy," Paulo said. Over-medicating elderly patients with dementia - so-called "chemical restraints" - is a controversial topic. Two recent royal commissions found psychotropic medicines were being "misused and overused", particularly among older people and those with a disability. Nonetheless, Paulo accepts that his dad was medicated at hospital for "his own safety". "I'm not saying it's wrong, it's the way it is," he said. "It's difficult for medical staff to get the medication mix right because every individual is different. They have to get a balance and see how they react." Paulo said the staff treating his dad at hospital were "magnificent". However, there were not enough publicly funded dementia places. "The public needs to be more aware of this because dementia cases are rising," he said. "There needs to be more public pressure on politicians for funding and resources for this." Alfredo migrated to Newcastle from Portugal in 1981, along with his wife Maria and their three children. He worked as a boilermaker at Allco Steel at Tomago. As a metal worker, he fabricated steel for projects such as the Australian Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Chifley Tower and the Sydney Monorail. "Dad was hard-working, kind and caring, who loved his family and friends," Paulo said. "He was brave to bring his family halfway around the world to start a new life." Paulo said it was hard seeing his dad go through severe dementia. "I'm thankful there are places that can take these patients and care for them safely. We need more of them." Federal aged care Minister Sam Rae more than 400,000 people were living with dementia in Australia. This was expected to "double by 2058". "We're working to deliver support that gives people with dementia the dignified care and quality of life they deserve," Mr Rae said. The government had allocated $57 million "to support older patients with dementia to transition out of hospital into aged care". Alfredo de Andrade spent 120 days in Maitland Hospital as a severe dementia patient because no nursing home would take him. He'd shown high levels of agitation and aggression, so he was put on psychotropic medication to calm him. The Metford man, who died this month, had initially gone to Maitland Hospital for surgery after he fell and broke his hip. He was transferred to Kurri Kurri Hospital for recovery. "While he was there, he caught COVID," son Paulo de Andrade said. While at Kurri, Alfredo's aggressive behaviour meant he was transferred back to Maitland. "It was a concern that Dad was taking up an acute bed in a major hospital," Paulo said. "But he simply couldn't return home, and we couldn't find a place in a nursing home that could take care of him. "The hospital tried very hard to find a place for Dad. Eventually he did find a place at HammondCare's dementia village at Cardiff." He went into care at the village's eight-bed Quintral Cottage. It is part of the federal government's Special Dementia Care Program (SDCP) for patients with severe symptoms. There are 22 federally-funded SDCP units in Australia and 35 planned in total by 2026. Paulo said the family wanted Alfredo to "have the best quality of life possible in his remaining time". "The plan was to get him off the psychiatric medication, as he was in a safe environment," Paulo said. "As this was done, his aggression came down considerably." After about 12 months at Quintral, he was able to move into a regular cottage at Cardiff. "He became stable, could take instructions from the carers and was happy," Paulo said. Over-medicating elderly patients with dementia - so-called "chemical restraints" - is a controversial topic. Two recent royal commissions found psychotropic medicines were being "misused and overused", particularly among older people and those with a disability. Nonetheless, Paulo accepts that his dad was medicated at hospital for "his own safety". "I'm not saying it's wrong, it's the way it is," he said. "It's difficult for medical staff to get the medication mix right because every individual is different. They have to get a balance and see how they react." Paulo said the staff treating his dad at hospital were "magnificent". However, there were not enough publicly funded dementia places. "The public needs to be more aware of this because dementia cases are rising," he said. "There needs to be more public pressure on politicians for funding and resources for this." Alfredo migrated to Newcastle from Portugal in 1981, along with his wife Maria and their three children. He worked as a boilermaker at Allco Steel at Tomago. As a metal worker, he fabricated steel for projects such as the Australian Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Chifley Tower and the Sydney Monorail. "Dad was hard-working, kind and caring, who loved his family and friends," Paulo said. "He was brave to bring his family halfway around the world to start a new life." Paulo said it was hard seeing his dad go through severe dementia. "I'm thankful there are places that can take these patients and care for them safely. We need more of them." Federal aged care Minister Sam Rae more than 400,000 people were living with dementia in Australia. This was expected to "double by 2058". "We're working to deliver support that gives people with dementia the dignified care and quality of life they deserve," Mr Rae said. The government had allocated $57 million "to support older patients with dementia to transition out of hospital into aged care".
Business News Wales
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Dee Valley Social Enterprise Expands After Securing £500,000 Grant
A growing social enterprise that provides a lifeline for people in Corwen and Llangollen is expanding after securing £500,000 in funding. The grant from the National Lottery – People and Places fund will enable South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) to create two new jobs and extend services into the evenings and weekends as well as weekdays. The injection of cash also secures the future of the not-for-profit company for the next four years, according to Sally Lloyd Davies, who has been appointed as the new chief officer of the organisation. She takes over from Margaret Sutherland, who is retiring. The organisation was founded in 2011, with the 'double act' starting to work there on the same day five years later. As well as managing two community centres, Canolfan Ni in Corwen and Pengwern Community Hub in Llangollen, SDCP provides a raft of services designed to 'improve the health and wellbeing' of mainly older and vulnerable people in the Dee Valley. They include meals on wheels with 1,500 deliveries every year in Edeyrnion, lunch clubs serving 2,000 meals annually, social activities and a range of community transport services amounting to nearly 7,000 passenger journeys over the past 12 months. Last year funding from the Motability Foundation enabled SDCP to increase its fleet from three to five vehicles. The fleet consists of two minibuses, two wheelchair-adapted cars and a van fitted with ovens and fridges to deliver meals. According to Sally, none of what they do would be possible without the 'brilliant team' of 43 dedicated volunteers. She said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to secure this vital funding from the National Lottery Community Fund because it gives the organisation and the team security to know that we can carry on with the good work that we are doing. It's also going to enable us to develop some new initiatives and expand some services into evenings and weekends. 'Everything we do is driven by the community and that was one of the things that was highlighted when we consulted local people in Llangollen and Corwen about what they felt was needed in their communities. 'We will also be looking to work with partners to develop new projects that are going to look at education and upskilling people to get re-engaged with learning. In the meantime, the new tranche of funding will enable us to expand our existing services which are a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable people in the area. 'The food deliveries not only provides people with a nice hot, nutritious meal but the volunteers visit them daily when they deliver Monday to Friday and they are our eyes and ears. There have been occasions sadly we have found somebody that's fallen and we have been able to ring emergency service or get help for them from the GP or family. 'It's crucial for people who might otherwise be isolated and can literally be a life-saver. With our dial-a-ride service, people sign up for an annual membership fee and journey charge and then they book their journey with a minimum of 48 hours' notice subject the availability of our volunteer drivers. 'We always give priority to medical appointments – trips for hospital or GP appointments – and we also provide transport for people who want to go shopping or to see a friend. Making use of the two minibuses, we have been able to increase our social trips which are really well received because they really help in reducing isolation and loneliness. 'We have two wheelchair accessible vehicles and we are really lucky that the volunteers give us their time to provide the service in Corwen and Llangollen. They are the lifeblood of the organisation. Sally also paid tribute to Margaret Sutherland's 'inspirational leadership' since 2016. She added: 'I have learned so much from Margaret over the past eight years. I am determined to continue this work, and make both Margaret and our community proud.' Margaret Sutherland said: 'Knowing that Sally is going to take over makes my retirement a lot easier because it gives me peace of mind about the future of SDCP. I know it's in very good hands with Sally at the helm. I am confident that the organisation is going to thrive and continue to serve our community. 'For every £1 of funding we received, we have created £13 of social value and that's based on feedback from the community. A cornerstone of our success has been developing good relationships with Denbighshire County Council and the health board, enabling us to access more funding to provide more services. 'The reason we have been able to do so much is that we have worked in partnership with other organisations and we have become a go-to organisation to get things done in South Denbighshire.'
