Designing homes for dementia patients

Dementia is the second-leading cause of death in Australia – with predictions there’ll be more than one-million people living with dementia by 2058.

Physiotherapist Kate Watkins assists Shirley in Kiama dementia-friendly exercise class. Source: SBS

The Aged Care Royal Commission – focusing this month on dementia –  has been looking at issues such as the over-use of physical restraints.

But one witness has echoed calls for an end to the widespread “locking up” of dementia patients within special units.

Their  freedom and good quality of life is in stark contrast to many aged care residents with dementia.

Stories of the over-use of physical restraints have dominated hearings at the Aged Care Royal Commission in the past fortnight.