Meet Lyndsey McKenzie, Respite Coordinator at MercyCare’s Davis House, a respite centre that provides specialised care for people living with dementia.
Since joining MercyCare in July 2021, Lyndsey’s passion for dementia care has been further realised through the clients and families she supports.
“Davis House is a beautiful respite day centre, where people living with dementia can come for the day or night,” Lyndsey said.
“Our team of support workers plan activities based on clients’ interests and abilities and provide meaningful engagement and social interaction while providing essential respite for their families.”
Since joining MercyCare, Lyndsey’s passion for dementia care has continued to grow, so much so that she recently completed a Certificate IV in Dementia Care and is now studying a Diploma of Dementia Care.
“The diploma is a great introduction into the neuroscience behind dementia as well as learning about inter-professional practice and the global challenge of understanding dementia,” she said.
“But the Cert IV is really exciting – it is called the ‘Dementia Change Champions Program‘ and it teaches innovation and best practice in dementia care as well as how to effectively lead a team of dementia support workers and change culture.”
Working at Davis House has opened Lyndsey’s eyes to the challenges faced by both people living with dementia and their families.
It was also a reminder of how little actions can make a big difference.
“The people who come to Davis House are still living at home, often with their spouse or child as their primary carer, and sometimes their carer is still working.
“I have seen first-hand how important small gestures are to family members. What may seem small or easy to us can have a huge positive impact on the rest of someone’s evening or week.
“For example, we get a gentleman ready in his pyjamas just before he is picked up by his working wife at the end of the day so that is one less thing she has to do by herself.
“For another family, we have built a good, trusting relationship with mum where she is happy to get a shower here because at home her daughter is finding shower time a huge battle.
“To us, it’s ‘just our job’, but to families, it’s everything.”
For Lyndsey, events such as Dementia Action Week provide the opportunity to raise awareness of the impacts of dementia, not just on the person who is living through it, but also their loved ones.
“I think what some people don’t realise is that dementia isn’t a normal part of ageing, but people living with dementia can still lead a good, fulfilling life, as long as there are good supports in place for them, as well as valuable respite opportunities for their carers.”
