Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Heathcote Dementia Alliance

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (16:15): I rise to congratulate the Heathcote Dementia Alliance on the recent opening of their dementia-friendly villa Costerfield House. This prototype is an inspiring look at the future and how to care for relatives and friends living with dementia. In Victoria, over 104,000 people live with dementia – 400,000 Australia-wide. Costerfield House is a transportable, purpose-built facility that provides a safe environment for people to live independently and with dignity. The building uses the latest technology: a swipe of a card opens the door, turns on the lights and TV, and the blinds go up. Sensors pick up on a person’s normal routine – if they have not opened a fridge within a set time, an alert is sent to their carer to check on them. The idea has great potential for rural and regional communities, as care villas are transportable and allow for in-home care in a familiar environment. I congratulate Heathcote Dementia Alliance founder and president Sandra Slatter and her team. They have been working hard for four years to create this extraordinary home and have received strong support from the community, including builders and tradies, businesses and their major sponsor Mandalay Resources. Costerfield House will be used as a showcase for 12 months and then gifted to the Heathcote hospital. They are also working with a team in Mildura to create a cluster of several villas with a central hub. The design could also be used for people dealing with disability, stroke or homelessness. I am excited to see this concept continue to grow, as it represents a big step forward, using the latest technology to create a safe home environment for people who need it.