New Gymea Bay respite cottage brings hope for people with dementia

From the street, the new house in Gymea Bay looks like any other in its quiet suburban surroundings. But inside, it’s a lifeline for people living with dementia and their carers.

The $4.6 million Gymea Bay Respite Cottage, run by HammondCare, offers a warm, home-like setting where people with dementia who live in the community can stay for up to ten nights.

While they enjoy expert care, their loved ones get something priceless—a chance to rest and recharge. It means the carer can go on keeping their loved one at home.

Among the first guests will be John Berne, a former rugby league attacking centre who thrilled crowds in the 1970s and 80s with 101 First Grade appearances with the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Sharks

  Also handy with rugby union, John played a Test against Scotland as part of a 1975 Wallabies tour. Scotland won that game 10-3, and John copped a nasty kick in the ribs that led to him leaving the field.

After a successful business career, John was diagnosed with vascular dementia at 64 following a stroke, and later Alzheimer’s disease. Now 71, he faces a health struggle greater than anything he faced on the field.

John and wife and carer Anne joined HammondCare CEO Andrew Thorburn and Sutherland Councillor Melanie Gibbons at opening of the cottage on December 10.

Anne said cottage respite has been game changer for them. “John loves it there, and I know he’ll be cared for,” Anne said.

For the past 18 months, while the Gymea Bay cottage was being built, John has been using a temporary service at Hammondville. John said: “Everyone’s just so nice to me”.

The cottage has five ensuite bedrooms, a family-style kitchen, and safe outdoor spaces. The kitchen is the hub of the home and there is ample access to secure outdoor space. It’s designed to feel like home, not an institution.

 
HammondCare Executive General Manager Home Care Marcela Carrasco said the goal of the Gymea Bay Respite Cottage is simple: “To give families peace of mind and the support they need.”

“Carers can be reassured that their loved one will be in the best possible trained hands and be provided with fresh nutritious meals and lifestyle activities that meet their needs,” she said.

Anne says John is doing OK and still has his charm and humour. The Family of League organisation has been a wonderful support, and former League greats from John’s era including Russell Fairfax, Terry Murphy, Gary Warneke and Ken Wright, catch up with John fortnightly.

Anne wonders whether John’s on-field head knocks contributed to his condition, but she’s also frank that he never did his health any favours. “John drank for Australia and ate for Australia too,” she said.

 Respite care is available at the cottage for periods of up to ten consecutive nights for older  
people eligible under existing Government subsidised home care or are self-funded. To  
 
learn more about HammondCare’s Overnight Respite Cottages, click here.

HammondCare has respite cottages at Wahroonga and Terry Hills as well as Narara on the Central Coast. In regional areas, there are respite cottages at Dubbo and Goulburn. There are about 50 respite cottages around Australia managed by a variety of aged care operators.