An Australia-first trial to help residents in a retirement village experiencing cognitive decline to stay independent has been launched at South Australia’s Woodbridge Retirement Village at West Lakes in partnership with dementia specialists HammondCare.

The Living Well program provides an on-site dementia consultant and a suite of practical supports to help residents experiencing cognitive decline remain independent, connected and healthy without interrupting other village activities. The trial also offers dedicated assistance to carers.

Woodbridge Chief Executive Officer Paul Thorne said the retirement village wanted to be a leader responding to the growing prevalence of dementia in retirement living, which he acknowledges can be a “challenging and confronting” topic for some residents who might prefer residents with a diagnosis to be elsewhere.

The genesis of the Living Well trial was the village’s lifestyle coordinator becoming “overwhelmed” by the number of residents living with dementia and the need to support them.

“Dementia is becoming increasingly common, particularly as our population ages, including within retirement villages” Mr Thorne said.

“Our goal is to create a village environment where everyone feels valued, supported and safe – regardless of their health status,” he said.

Marie Alford, HammondCare GM Growth & Innovation National Programs, said retirement village residents living with dementia have often slipped through the net of care and support in the past.

“This is about putting positive initiatives to help residents living with dementia stay independent as long as possible, avoid unnecessary hospital admission and delay admission into aged care,” Ms Alford said. “We believe Living Well addresses an Australia-wide challenge and has huge benefits for retirement villages nationally.”

Woodbridge Retirement Village is home to about 285 residents with an average age of 82. About 70 – nearly a quarter – are believed to live with dementia or a cognitive impairment.

Nationally, 10 per cent of the 260,000 residents in retirement villages are thought to be living with diagnosed or undiagnosed dementia. Care services are often not available, leaving those with cognitive decline – especially those living alone – with limited access to care and support services.

 Long-term Woodbridge residents Ken Bartel 94, and wife Bessie, 92, who is experiencing some early dementia symptoms, welcomed the initiative. The couple, who will celebrate 70 years of marriage this year, have already attended several Living Well sessions. Ken said: “What we are looking to most of all is some practical help on how to slow down Bessie’s symptoms.”

The couple were impressed by the strong turnout – around 70 residents at the first Brain Health and Wellbeing session. Ken also attends the Carer’s Group.

The Woodbridge trial includes regular information and activity sessions such as a Healthy Brain Hub with tips for sleeping well and good nutrition, the Living Well Lounge for information on brain health, a carers group and a dog walking group. Sessions of Arts on Prescription, a program that offers art as therapy, are underway this month. Dementia consultant Liz Johnston is the Woodbridge Living Well Co-ordinator.

Other activities include a monthly medical clinic where experts like aged care psychiatrist Dr Duncan McKellar are available to offer advice and answer questions on brain health. Where necessary, assistance can be given accessing service providers and health care teams.