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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
It has been almost two years since the first resident moved into the Aven Cottages Territorial Dementia facility.

Designed to support and care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in a residential home-like environment, the facility, which has 24 full-time beds and four respite beds, opened in March 2010.

The staff use a holistic approach to meet the needs of their residents, embracing such values as independence and privacy; respect, dignity and self-worth; safety and security; and social interaction.

"Certainly, we have become the model for dementia care in the Northwest Territories, and that's really the goal," said John Doyle, chief executive officer of Avens Community Centre. "The fact that we have a facility like this, that addresses dementia, which as the population ages becomes a growing problem, (and) the fact that we are learning and developing expertise is a good thing."

Michele Ray-Jones, director of care for Avens Community Centre, said the centre is at the forefront of dementia care, right down to the design of the building, which addresses the need individuals with Alzheimer's disease have for open spaces.

"They need room for privacy and room to roam and be alone," Ray-Jones said.

The two cottages where residents board, Redwood and Cedar Wood, connect through a sun room. "Residents can wander between the centre and sun room into the other cottage to socialize," she said.

All of the staff who work with residents in the dementia centre are trained in the Supportive Pathways philosophy of care. This involves following the rhythm of each individual resident's path of least resistance.

For example, Ray-Jones said, "If someone puts their coat on inside out, we have to think, is this a problem or something we can say 'so what' to? As long as they are safely dressed, they keep the sense of independence."

The staff of the dementia centre are flexible with the residents, she said. The residents decide things such as when they would like to eat breakfast, when they want to go to sleep and if they wish to wash and dress themselves before meals or after.

"The individualized schedules helps them maintain their independence, and a feeling of management," she said. "I don't know if this necessarily slows the progression of the disease but it helps them feel like they are at home."

Residents are also able to socialize in many different types of activities, such as sing-a-longs, crafts, shuffleboard and exercises like yoga and tai chi.

"Those are really wonderful for them," Ray-Jones said. "(Residents) can be busy if they choose to be."

The Aven dementia centre is the only one of its kind in the territory to specialize in the care of dementia patients.

Sharon Phippen understands the important service the centre provides the community. After her mother, Evelyn Dodman, was diagnosed in 2004 with Alzheimer's, Phippen witnessed the stress and struggle that often accompany the disease.

"She went from the normal forgetfulness of an 80-year-old woman to crying constantly. She missed her mother. She missed us and she didn't understand why she couldn't go home," Phippen said.

Dodman, who was blind and lived at the Aven Manor until she died in 2006, did not recognize anyone toward the end of her life.

"It is totally devastating," said Phippen.

Phippen and her seven siblings, along with her nieces and nephews, raise money as a family and participate in the Memory Walk every summer since Dodman's death.

"The first year after mum died, my father came with us, in his wheelchair," she said. "We just wheeled him right along with us."

Currently, the centre's 24 full-time beds are full, and two of the four short-term, respite care beds are occupied.

Doyle said there is a wait list, however it is not very long.

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