Meet Lifestyle Therapy and Spirituality Coordinator Annemarie Kluvers, who runs a dementia-specific lifestyle and therapy program at our MercyCare Maddington Residential Aged Care Home.
When Annemarie Kluvers started working in aged care at the age of 19, she never fathomed it would become one of her greatest passions in life.
“When I was 19 years old, I had to do six months of my prac for my leisure and lifestyle course and ended up in a closed dementia wing,” she said.
“After finishing, I didn’t think I’d work people living with dementia again because it was a difficult and often challenging line of work.
“But after working in disability sector, I ended up going back to aged care a few years later.”
Annemarie’s passion for dementia care continued to grow and has seen her build a fulfilling career that spans more than three decades.
“What changed for me is that I realised how special it is to build relationships with people that live with varying stages of dementia. They may forget my name, however, if I can gain their trust and have a laugh – and sometimes a cry – it’s a good day,” she said.
“Often it is finding what I call ‘the magic button’, which sparks a memory or a positive feeling.”
Joining MercyCare in May, 2021, as Lifestyle, Therapy and Spirituality Coordinator at Maddington Residential Aged Care Home, Annemarie plays a pivotal role in helping improve the lives of residents living with dementia.
“In this role I am also supporting the residents, their families and staff members with my knowledge and experience with people living with dementia,” she said.
“I try to think outside the box and come up with ideas to improve challenging situations.”
In addition to leading a therapy team and running a dementia-specific lifestyle and therapy program, Annemarie also brings in her dog, Venco, to visit residents twice a week.
“I am amazed how important Venco has become to the residents and that people living with advanced dementia will ask me where my dog is and when he is coming again,” she said.
“Venco is very helpful when residents become agitated. Seeing Venco and patting him is a great distraction.”
Much like this year’s Dementia Action Week theme, ‘A little support makes a big difference’, Annemarie said engaging with residents in a variety of small, personalised activities gives them a sense of purpose while also bringing up positive memories.
“It is well known fact that engaging people living with dementia for a few minutes with an activity that is meaningful to them, will make the person feel like they have been engaged for much longer and can make them feel useful and having a purpose,” Annemarie said.
“So having a little support from people – whether it’s our staff, their families and friends or volunteers – who engage with them in meaningful ways makes a huge difference.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach and every person living with dementia deserves respect and compassion.”
Read more about MercyCare’s personalised and meaningful Dementia Care support program here.
