Charlottetown's Mount Continuing Care opens dementia wing

A Charlottetown nursing home opened a new dementia wing this week.

The wing at the Mount Continuing Care facility is the final of those promised by the province in 2013. It's part of an effort to cut wait times.

Lindsay Dickieson, the administrator at the Mount, said good care is important for the entire family.

"Someone with dementia can be difficult for families if they are wandering, or if they're at risk, forgetting to turn the stove off. They often can't be left by themselves," she said.

The Alzheimer SocietyofP.E.I.says the demand for dementia care is great now, but in five to ten years the aging baby boomer population could make the situation desperate.

Quality of life

Lorraine Wheatley moved into the new wing Tuesday. She said it was a tough day, but she was glad to have her family with her.

"I have five children. They're all good to me; I couldn't wish for better," she said.

But she needs more care than they can provide.

Her daughter, Jessie, said it's a good move.

"We really needed this spot. It will give Mom a quality of life. She's been travelling with her suitcase, God love her, for about 15 months," she said.

Residents will move in over the next few weeks. Between this facility and another, thirty new dementia care beds have recently opened.

Lynn Loftus of the Alzheimer Society said they're greatly needed.

"Caregivers will burn out and they need hospitalization themselves, so it would be better to have care facilities where people can get proper care," Loftus said.

The society said P.E.I. needs even more home care for dementia patients to prevent elderly patients from being put into holding patterns in hospital beds as they await proper care.