Shortage of secure dementia units

A lack of space in secure dementia units is pushing some families to look for care more than an hour from home.

The situation is so bad one region has only a single space left, with some at more than 95 per cent occupancy, effectively meaning they are full.

The most recent figures show there was one bed available in South Canterbury DHB and six in Hutt Valley DHB. Those two DHBs have the highest occupancy rates, among 11 areas where more than 90 per cent of dementia beds are full.

It was frustrating for families and care providers in the pressure points, NZ Aged Care Association CEO Simon Wallace said. ‘‘I hear cases from my members from Timaru, where [people] have to look at Christchurch for a dementia bed.’’

Some facilities have waitlists, he said, but availability depends where in the country you are looking. Occupancy rates from September last year range from 74 per cent in Wairarapa DHB to

NZ Aged Care Association chief executive Simon Wallace says there have been cases where people in Timaru had to look in Christchurch for a dementia bed.

98 per cent in South Canterbury, according to Technical Advisory Services figures. This covers care in a specialised dementia unit, not people with dementia who get rest home care, respite care, or who live in the community.

A unit would be considered full at 95 per cent, Wallace said.

And the association forecasts that New Zealand will need about

3000 more care beds by the end of the decade.

Smaller populations struggle to keep specialist facilities, and not just in aged care, Eldernet director Esther Perriam said.

The system responds as best it can with current resources, she said, but it’s a good time to look at aged care funding models, given increasing demand, a recent EY review and the Ombudsman’s power to monitor secure dementia units.

South Canterbury DHB had one secure dementia bed available at the end of September 2019 and the country’s highest occupancy rate – 98 per cent. Alzheimer’s South Canterbury said people needing permanent care had to take places in areas including Ashburton and Oamaru over the past six months.

Dementia care was a big, growing issue, Alzheimers NZ chief executive Catherine Hall said. Admission into dementia units was a clinical decision but services for those in the community were ‘‘woefully inadequate’’, she said, and support organisations must fundraise to supplement DHB contracts.

The Ministry of Health said DHBs must ensure there are contracted care beds for people assessed as needing them. While privately owned providers make the decisions on whether to invest in new facilities, DHBs can encourage them by presenting ‘‘demand and supply opportunities’’.