More space means more programmes at Alzheimer's unit

Kevin Salmon outside the Northland Alzheimer's Society's new facility in Tikipunga, which is just over a month away from opening. Photo/John Stone

Northland Alzheimer's Society is set to open the doors of its new million-dollar facility in September. The building opens on September 12, but the moving has already begun with offices being relocated from their old 130sq m building on Western Hills Dr, to the new 568sq m facility on Corks Rd, Tikipunga.

Lack of space was the main reason for the new build with constant overcrowding at the old facility.

"We were tripping over each other at the old building," said general manager Kevin Salmon. "With more space we will have more room and, hopefully, it will increase the number of day programmes we can offer."

The cost of the building is "on track" sitting at $1.3 million, with most of the money being bequeathed to the society by former clients.

"We ploughed all of the money into the building," said Mr Salmon. "Without their donations, we couldn't have expanded.

"And it's going to do a lot more good for people invested in this new space than it would just sitting in the bank."

The society works with about 60 clients a week at the facility, hosting day programmes as well as support groups for those recently diagnosed.

"We want to start from the beginning of the process," said Mr Salmon. "Those with a new diagnosis can come in and sit down as a group and ask questions about what is happening or what will happen.

"We talk to them about the legal stuff as well, such as power of attorney and setting up their wills while still they can."

Not only does the facility help those suffering from dementia but it is a vital link to those who are caring for Alzheimer's patients, he says.

"It's a long process, some of our clients are with us for more than 20 years," said Mr Salmon.

"And our clients are not just dementia patients, their caregivers are also our clients.

"We are here to help answer questions, give support and allow for carers to have a bit of a break each week."

The opening means new staff are being recruited for the bigger facility. The extra space and more staff are required due to a rise in dementia patients, with Alzheimer's New Zealand predicting that the percentage of people with dementia will increase from 1.1 per cent of the population (48,182 people) to 2.3 per cent (147,359 - almost the equivalent of Northland's present population of 151,692) by 2050.

For more information on the Northland Alzheimer's Society you can contact them on (09) 438 7771.