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Christine Atkins
Nepean Dementia Advisory
Service
Alzheimer’s Australia 15th National Conference Hobart Tasmania
14th – 17th May 2013
• When did the idea first start
- Valentine’s night 2012
You are invited to join a special selection of couples for
dinner, good company and entertainment.
When:
Tuesday 14th February 2012
Time: 5.30pm for drinks 6.00pm for dinner
Where: Richmond Club
Richmond Dress: Elegant
• 24 couples attended the dinner
• Their feedback from the event
“thank you for planning one of the loveliest evenings that
...... & I have ever enjoyed”
“your attention to special details ensured that we were all
emotionally recharged”
“we felt so special and appreciated the opportunity to get
dressed up and enjoy a beautiful dinner with dancing”
Our evaluation of the event
• The opportunity to participate in “normal”
activities filled a void in the lives of the
people living with dementia
• The enjoyment evident on the faces of all
who attended was obvious
Did we dare to dream
beyond a dinner
• What other activities do we take for
granted, that may be beyond people living
with dementia
• What else had they previously done but
were no longer able to do without support
Could we take people on
a short holiday Would people be interested
How many people could
we take
How many staff would be
required
How many days/nights
How far could we travel
Motel options
Cost
What activities would we include
What level of mobility could
we support
• Following discussions with existing clients
the decision was made
• You organise and - WE WILL GO
• Contact was made with a local coach company
to determine:
– How many people
– Manageable distance
– Accommodation options
– Overall cost
Destination Floriade
- Canberra -
• We would cover most of the costs
• Dates to travel
• We could take 36 clients
• 5 staff + the Coach driver
• Travel to Canberra in 1 day including morning tea and
lunch stops (reverse on the return journey)
• Registrations taken on first come basis
• Reserve list to be held
Processes set in place
Check of all venues
Documentation required
Pick up locations
Mobility aids required
Special needs rooms required & allocated
Dietary requirements
The trip begins
Itinerary
• There would be 2 bus pick ups & drop off’s
• Morning tea & lunch stops on the road
• Sightseeing would include - Cockington green
- Floriade
- Canberra Zoo
- National War Memorial
- General touring
• Evening meal would be at the Motel both nights
Issues
• Last minute passenger changes
• Early morning phone call
• Overdoing activities
Passenger feedback • Expectations
– A break away with good supervision
– I felt that with people I knew were understanding, I would
be able to relax and “just go with the flow”
– Something new.
• What was most enjoyable − Good supportive company, everyone understanding each
others problems & needs
− Having company at mealtime
− Friendship, fellowship and some degree of freedom
Passenger feedback
• Accommodation − Excellent, difficult to secure hotel door from inside
− Separate meal area was great and staff very attentive
• Activities − Good choices, 2 activities on the same day too tiring
− War memorial was excellent could have more time
− I knew that the more we could walk, the better we would
sleep at night. ...... “Was out like a light”
−
Passenger feedback
• Cost – if the trip was not subsidised would you
go again
− I would have no hesitation in paying
− I would be happy to pay all the costs, with a bit of notice.
As long as some wonderful people do the organising
• Would you go again
− We received 17 completed evaluations and only 1 Carer
responded that they would not participate in another trip
Would we organise another trip
• An overwhelming YES but with minor changes
Client contribution towards cost
Only 1 planned activity per day for the person with
dementia (PWD)
The opportunity for the Carers to have time out without
the person with dementia
Review all accommodation options
More staff to support the PWD while the carer has time
out
Limit bus travel to 3½ maximum
Acknowledgements • This trip would not have been possible without the support
of:
Chesalon Services (Anglicare), my manager Julie
Husbands – Geoffrey & Wayne
Volunteer Anne
Coach driver & owner Jim
All the venues especially Cockington Green
All the Carers & PWD for trusting us to organise a trip
where they felt safe and supported to participate in
Dementia Advisory Service Assistant Lynore
