Funded by community donations, and the first of its kind in an Australian public hospital, a village-like community area in The Prince Charles Hospital’s specialist dementia care unit, dubbed ‘Charlie’s Village’, has made a remarkable impact in its first year.
Charlie’s Village in the outdoor area of the unit, known as the Cognitive Assessment and Management (CAM) Unit, opened in October 2023. It has realistic, built-in facades of a post office, café and bakery, hair salon, general store, a hotel (aptly named The Prince Charles Hotel) and a bus stop.
These are places that are familiar to each of us, and in this ward, their presence and this community layout offer a range of benefits for patients, their families, and staff alike.
Not only do these facades create destinations patients can visit and engage with, but they also encourage them to maintain some independence and mobility.
Plus, the familiarity may jog some people’s memories and elicit feelings of nostalgia. It also helps them feel like they’re in a homely and safe environment, which, in turn, assists in reducing anxiety, tension, and responsive behaviour.
“There are a lot of studies that show that environmental factors are one of the biggest triggers for someone with cognitive impairments or dementia having responsive or reactive behaviours. In those studies, they highlighted that modifying the environment reduces the rate of the escalation of changed behaviours and can help to speed up patient recovery and make them ready to return to their usual environment,” said Khera Kim, Nurse Practitioner Delirium and Dementia Service, The Prince Charles Hospital.
This revamp was thoughtfully designed in collaboration with frontline clinicians and geriatricians. It was also made possible due to the generous support of our community members, who donated as part of our 2022 Giving Day.
First year of Charlie’s Village
Since the space opened, staff have been able to utilise it to help patients de-escalate their changed behaviours.
“People with cognitive impairment, such as those living with dementia, can become confused and may be unable to settle into a new environment quickly. However, Charlie’s Village offers a sense of familiarity, which can help them settle and be more accepting of assistance from staff,” said Khera.
It’s also helped to develop customised care plans tailored to patients’ needs and preferences.
“The staff unanimously agree that the Charlie’s Village design effectively supports individualised patient care, promotes meaningful relationships among patients and their families/loved ones and encourages social interaction among patients,” said Khera.
The outdoor area within the ward is a place where families spend time with their loved ones who are being cared for here, birthdays are celebrated, and patients can enjoy the sunshine. It was already home to an incredible sensory garden that provides joy and purpose for patients, but with the addition of Charlie’s Village, the space offers even more meaningful experiences for everyone who visits.
“I think this layout and or environmental modifications should be a gold standard in any institution or any hospital setting looking after someone with dementia or cognitive impairment. We need to put a lot of effort into making it a dementia-friendly space because it doesn’t only have a positive impact on the patient, but it also impacts the well-being of their primary carer, their family as well as our staff who are looking after them,” said Khera.
“The new space has significantly made a difference to our patient’s well-being by fostering positive interaction between patients and their families, between individual patients, as well as between patients and staff,” she added.
One of Giving Day’s Incredible Impacts
Charlie’s Village is just one of the remarkable outcomes achieved through our annual Giving Days.
“This is a prime example of the significant and positive impacts that can be achieved when people come together to help others live healthier for longer. We are so excited that this space is now a reality for patients and their families and are proud to facilitate a project on behalf of the community that will help so many people for years to come,” said Steve Francia, CEO of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.
Our 2024 Giving Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 23 and is raising funds for The Prince Charles Hospital’s Paediatric Services and Children’s Emergency Department.
A big thank you to the partners who collaborated with us on this impactful project including Unita, Collectivus, Studio Spillane, Australia Post and Uppercut Delux.
