August 3rd, 2024Memory Lane Unit providing personal care

Chloe Dridan is loving working at Hepburn House’s new Memory Lane Unit.

The personal care assistant has been at Hepburn House since she left school at 18 and “likes caring for all people but I love the elderly”.

“I love working in the dementia unit because we are very people-oriented, rather than task-oriented. Every day is different and the clients all make their own choices.

“If they want a sleep in, they sleep in, if they want breakfast at lunchtime, they have breakfast at lunchtime, it is exactly as it should be, they are in control of their choices. They can have lunch outside in the sunroom.”

“And they are all wonderful. I don’t have favourites but we do have one man who thinks I am like his granddaughter and he gets really excited when I am on and enjoys my company.”

Chloe said it was also great to be working in a purpose-built unit. “For example, we have a woman here who loves the outdoors and we have a secure garden so our clients can go outside anytime they like. Or they might like to do a little cooking in the kitchenette.

“And they are also free to walk around the unit which means they are not getting lost – which sometimes happened in the Homestead area. Hepburn House is all a great place, but this unit is just seeing our clients thrive.”

Chloe said with the staff offering breakfast and lunch, with plenty of choices from the bain marie, some clients were “putting on a little weight, which is a good thing”.

“I think they are all eating a lot better, and we offer food all the time, and they are just enjoying their lives here. It’s also a bit quieter which is nice.”

Chloe said there were also puzzles and lots of different activities available during the day which clients could join in, or not.

“We are all enjoying the personal care we can offer here. And the unit is also fabulous with great views over the back paddocks. We count the kangaroos in the morning.”

Chloe said her own path to Hepburn House came after “hating school” and watching her mother, who also works at Hepburn House, involved in elderly care “forever”.

“Mum said I could leave school if I had a job so I did the training and started work. I had a break for two years but I came back because I missed it!”