The Chelsea Club in Wellington's Lyall Bay is a daycare centre for people who have Alzheimer's or other types of dementia.
The idea is to give them a stimulating, enjoyable day out while at the same time giving their family carer a day of respite. Staff and volunteers receive special training to provide this type of care.
Community vision
The Chelsea Club began as a pilot scheme in Mirimar and later relocated to Lyall Bay. It grew from the concept of the Marsden Club, which was started by Hilary Peterson and Judith Robinson. Hilary's Mum and mother-in-law both had dementia. A young Mum herself at the time, Hilary thought it was a shame that her mother-in-law was living in residential care. With regular breaks, Hilary thought she might be able to care for her mother-in-law at home.
Getting the Marsden Club going was quite a battle. First there was the challenge of raising funds to buy the house in Karori where the Club is based, with lots of help from Wellington Rotary. There were also difficulties with neighbours who didn't want people with dementia in proximity to their own homes.
Later, more money was raised with help from the Little Sisters of Mary to buy the house where the Chelsea Club is based.The Chelsea Club began in 1989 as a pilot scheme in Mirimar, organised by the Wellington committee of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Society (ADARDS).
In 1991 the Marsden Club assumed responsibility for the Chelsea Club, and the same year saw the establishment of the Chelsea Day Care Trust. The next year the Chelsea Club relocated to Lyall Bay.
Legacy
People like Hilary and Judith are amazing! Where would our society be without leaders like them, who see how something might be done better and tackle all of the hassles to make it happen? Hilary received a Queen's Service Medal for her work. Sadly, she died three years ago, but her legacy lives on with both Clubs thriving.
Unique service
At the Chelsea Club, activities such as reading the newspaper and nutting out a crossword together help with mental stimulation, while musical sessions and outings initiate group conversations and reminiscing. The centre takes 14 members in one session, with four staff members on duty. Weekly sessions are fully funded by the Capital & Coast District Health Board as long as the person has been assessed as needing this type of care.
Why the Club is special
As part of my work for Family Care Radio, I visited the Chelsea Club in April, and was impressed with the warm atmosphere and the high standard of care. I thought the Club would be perfect for my Dad who, at 85, had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. After supporting him brilliantly well for years, such a Club would be wonderful for my Mother, who could look forward to a day off once a week. I also felt my Dad would enjoy the new friendships and especially designed activities.
The only problem is that the Chelsea Club is in Wellington, and my parents live in Auckland. I was determined to spend some time there, and find something similar.
After visiting six North Shore rest homes, which all offer ‘day care', I soon realised how special the Chelsea Club is.
Caring support
I think the key differences are that both the Chelsea and Marsden Clubs are based in family houses, and are social clubs rather than the conventional daycare facilities attached to rest homes.
While all the places I visited were warm and inviting, they lacked the focus that the concept of a social club provides. As well as a high standard of specialised care, the Chelsea Club and others like it provide a meeting place for people with Alzheimer's and dementia to get together, while at the same time providing help and support for their carers.
Hope for Auckland
Finally, I was lucky enough to find Anne Marie Court in Northcote, where a social club is being trialled along the same lines as the Chelsea Club. Fingers crossed, Dad has now enjoyed several sessions!