CREATING SMARTER SPACES pg 10
More Than Just Aesthetics
his issue, we take a close look at a subject that is often underappreciated but absolutely crucial in aged care and retirement living: flooring. At first glance, it might seem like a practical box to tick, something chosen for durability or ease of cleaning, but as we found when pulling this feature together, flooring is far more influential in shaping how residents experience their environment.
In aged care facilities, the right flooring is about more than looks. It can reduce the risk of slips and falls, soften noise in busy corridors, and create a sense of warmth that feels closer to home than to a hospital. For staff, it must handle the constant movement of wheelchairs, medical trolleys, and heavy foot traffic, all while remaining easy to maintain. Striking that balance between function and aesthetics has always been important, but now it is becoming essential as the baby boomer generation begins to reshape expectations of what aged care and retirement living should look and feel like.
Our feature explores how flooring choices are evolving to meet these demands. Vinyl is still a staple, but today’s versions go far beyond the
clinical finishes of the past. Hybrid and luxury vinyl options now offer the texture of timber or stone without losing the safety and hygiene benefits that facilities rely on. Acoustic underlays are being used to quieten spaces, and slipresistant surfaces are available in softer, less institutional tones.
For retirement villages, the focus is shifting even further. The new generation of residents want their homes to feel modern and personal, and flooring is playing a big part in that transformation. Engineered timber, luxury planks, and sustainable materials are appearing in lounges, apartments, and communal spaces, turning practicality into lifestyle.
By dedicating this feature to flooring, we wanted to show that every design choice, even the one underfoot, plays a role in how these spaces feel, function, and ultimately support those who live there.
Tania Walters, Publisher tania@reviewmags.com
THE BUSINESS OF RETIREMENT VILLAGES & AGED CARE
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10 Creating Smarter Spaces
Suitable flooring is a crucial requirement for ensuring the health and safety of residents, particularly when mobility is a concern.
12 Suitable Yet Functional
Flooring plays a critical role in aged care environments, particularly in reducing the risk of falls and supporting the well-being of senior residents.
14 Eliminating Wage Theft in Aged Care
Damien Durston, ANZ Head of Workforce Management Solutions at OneAdvanced, has explored eliminating the ongoing wage theft issue in Aged Care.
16 Network Shutdown Concerns
While the closure of the 3G mobile networks across New Zealand will have an impact on mobile phones, its shutdown will have a broader effect on seniors using medical alarms.
18 Calling for Change
Alzheimer’s NZ has called on the government to take action and provide better andmore humane support for the rapidly growing number of New Zealanders with dementia requiring hospital-level care.
20 Tackling Dementia
Two studies have found that retired professional rugby players had changes in their brains and raised levels of proteins in their blood that could increase the risk of developing dementia in later life.
22 Not Just Old Age
A study by the University of Auckland, titled ‘Determinants of Time to Diagnosis in Young-Onset Dementia’, has closely examined the day-to-day experiences of 40 people living with young-onset dementia and their care partners.
24 A Village Inside a Village
Nestled on the outer eastern edge of Auckland, Clevedon is a quintessential New Zealand rural village community, with sheep and beef farms dotted across rolling countryside.
26 Improving the Level of Support
For Lisa Rogers-Owen, the typical day-to-day role of a dementia care specialist can be quite diverse, whether it involves working on a clinical review or collaborating on design work.
28 Going Green for Good
William Sanders Village residents are proving how much they care about the environment by learning more about waste and setting up enhanced recycling stations in the village.
30 Serving world Class Talent
Before working in Ryman Healthcare villages, many talented chefs around the country had extraordinary culinary achievements.
Transition to Practice Program
Fully funded nurse education for the aged care sector is now available through the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program.
Ageing Australia is helping to build a stronger, more confident nursing workforce equipped to meet the challenges ahead, through our Aged Care Transition to Practice Program (ACTTP).
The Aged Care Transition to Practice Program is a fully funded, nationwide program designed to support registered and enrolled nurses as they begin or transition into careers in aged care.
Delivered in partnership with aged and community care organisations across Australia, the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program addresses a critical workforce need, aiming to reduce turnover and build long-term capability within the sector. Read more online
Uber Introduces Simpler Rides For Older
Adults
Whether it’s a trip to the supermarket or a doctor’s appointment, older New Zealanders will now find it even easier to get where they need to go.
Uber has launched two new features, Senior Accounts and Simple mode, designed to help older Kiwis navigate the Uber app with greater ease, confidence and flexibility.
The new features marked another step in Uber’s efforts to improve mobility and provide accessible transport options for New Zealand’s ageing population.
Read more online
Increasing Costs Across UK
More than 98 percent of care homes are still witnessing a rapid increase in costs, according to new research carried out by Apetito.
Ninety-eight percent of care homes are still seeing their costs increasing month-on-month. That’s according to new research carried out by leading meals provider, apetito, in partnership with Care England which has highlighted that economic pressure has not changed since the partners’ previous “Nourishing Lives” research report published in 2023.
Whilst fast-rising food inflation was the key issue driving up costs in 2023, almost all care homes (98 percent) surveyed cited the changes in National Insurance and National Living Wage as now having the biggest impact on their homes giving additional cost pressures, with 71 percent forced to make operational or workforce changes as a result. Read more online
Monitoring Issues for Care Providers
Data privacy in aged care has become a major issue for operators, making monitoring a serious and sensitive issue among villages.
Healthcare technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. From smart beds to AIpowered monitoring tools, care homes and hospitals are rapidly embracing digital solutions to improve patient outcomes. However, as these technologies evolve, so too do the risks, particularly when it comes to data privacy and the fundamental dignity of those in our care.
Read more online
Future Influence of AI on Healthcare
A new report has indicated the influence that AI will have on healthcare delivery heading into the future, according to the AHHA.
AI has the potential to reshape healthcare delivery, but only if it is introduced in ways that are safe, transparent, and earn the trust of clinicians and patients alike, according to Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Chief Executive Officer, Tony Farley.
“To get this right, we need nationally consistent frameworks that support innovation while safeguarding patient care and clinical accountability,” he said. Read more online
Funding Cuts Threat Adult Social Care
Care England has repeated its call for the government to boost funding for adult social care, as budget cuts plague the sector's funding future.
In response to the ADASS Spring Survey, Care England has repeated its call for the government to urgently boost funding for adult social care as councils report cutting their prevention budgets by 10 percent to cover the GBP 774m overspends on the statutory social care services.
Care England’s Chief Executive, Professor Martin Green OBE said it’s deeply concerning to hear that councils are being forced to choose between supporting those who need care now and supporting the system in the future by investing in the prevention agenda that this Government have pushed as a priority.
Read more online
CREATING Smarter Spaces
Suitable flooring is a crucial requirement for ensuring the health and safety of residents, particularly when mobility is a concern.
very year, slips and falls caused by impractical flooring lead to a multitude of injuries across New Zealand. Exploring various options will ensure a better quality of care for residents in aged care and limit the likelihood of risks. Smooth surfaces without obstacles and comfortable to walk on will reduce the possibility of accidents, falls or slips while encouraging movement among seniors.
There are multiple ways that flooring contributes to the overall success of retirement facilities, from its practicality, which works for both residents and staff, to providing comfort and stability, as well as enhancing the aesthetic look and overall feel of the facility.
The demands of every space will require
tailored attention. Deciding on a design element, such as a relaxed, homely touch or a more clinical environment, is the first step. This process will also take colours and trends into consideration.
Designers need to consider the lifestyle, the overall feel required for the project, research products that are fit for purpose and provide sustainable slip resistance where necessary, the abrasion level of the flooring and wear layers, the ease of cleaning, and the ongoing cleaning and maintenance costs.
While ageing can impact everyone differently, there are many similarities in how it can change a resident’s relationship with their immediate environment and their safety. These changes are particularly vital in the key areas of sight, mobility and hearing.
As sight will often be impaired, senior eyes require two to three times more light to see properly. Globally, there have been calls for villages to be required to have a light reflectance value between 20 to 30 percent.
Contrast is essential for seniors, especially those with low vision. Low-contrast flooring of a single colour tone is also a way to make open spaces and hallways safer for residents. Strong contrasts in light reflectance value can make the flooring look uneven and cause hesitation and unsteadiness, which can also lead to falls.
Sudden or high contrast can be better suited for features like stairs or ramps.
Creating a space that is easy and safe to move around is vital to keeping residents mobile, especially as many villages promote walking as a way to stimulate cognitive performance and slow the age-related decline of residents.
Flooring varieties with consistent rolling resistance can make it easier for residents and staff to use with walkers, wheelchairs, or beds, and prevent issues where wheels dig into the flooring, making mobility difficult.
Acoustic insulation can limit background noise and higher frequencies that can increase the risk of falls. In open areas, this is essential in the interest of resident safety. Some flooring options, such as carpets or acoustic-backed vinyl, can absorb and reduce noise pollution.
While residents with cognitive impairments require specialist care, assisting their ability to navigate through flooring is a way to encourage mobility without causing additional challenges.
Colour and contrast can help seniors with dementia to identify key features and rooms, such as using a colour that contrasts with the background, which can draw attention to key features. This will make it easier to identify light switches, power outlets, or handrails, as well as door frames and windows.
Stark contrasts can pose a hazard, as complex patterns, lines, and shadows can appear as barriers. Consider incorporating key elements, such as consistent and smooth-coloured flooring, to signal that areas are flat or have high contrasts on inclined surfaces.
SUITABLE yet Functional
Flooring plays a critical role in aged care environments, particularly in reducing the risk of falls and supporting the well-being of senior residents.
s people age, changes in mobility, balance, and vision significantly increase their vulnerability to trips and slips. In retirement living settings, the right flooring can make a meaningful difference in both safety and comfort.
For providers, stable flooring is a key design element and essential requirement. Head of Design at Ryman Healthcare, James Simpson, said that there are specific flooring features that should be taken into consideration when designing for seniors.
“We prioritise materials that meet or exceed the New Zealand and Australian Building Codes. In wet areas, we use safety
vinyls that provide high slip resistance even when wet, while still being easy to clean and maintain. Transitions between floor types are minimised, and thresholds are kept level to reduce trip hazards,” said Simpson.
Simpson said that a mix of different flooring solutions tailored to specific areas and their functional needs was a common approach to creating the best possible environment for facilities.
He said safety vinyl was an obvious choice in wet areas like en-suites, kitchenettes and back-of-house zones for slip resistance and hygiene. Timber-look vinyl flooring has also been a common choice in areas such as servery areas, and it offers warmth, acoustic benefits and visual comfort.
Simpson said that carpet tiles in village centres, such as lounge areas and cinemas, and residential units, be it bedrooms or lounges, have been a popular choice for residents, largely for underfoot comfort, durability, and ease of replacement.
Ceramic tiles are more frequent in hightraffic zones like reception lobbies, largely because there is a requirement for a more robust, hard-wearing finish.
Aside from safety, appropriate flooring
will support the overall comfort and ease of movement for residents. As many residents will often require mobility aids, functionality has suggested that villages incorporate smooth, even surfaces that don’t require excessive effort for seniors. Seniors can also tire more frequently when mobilising on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. Flooring with shockabsorbing qualities can also reduce strains on joints and muscles, and encourage greater independence.
Simpson said that mobility is one of the most crucial factors when deciding what type of flooring to install.
“Wear and tear from wheelchairs, mobility aids, cleaning equipment, and scan boxes is a constant challenge. We specify materials with high commercial ratings and avoid finishes that are prone to scratching or staining. Robust detailing at
flooring transitions is also critical. In hightraffic zones like corridors or cafés, we opt for resilient surfaces that allow damaged sections to be easily replaced.”
Colour contrast is often used effectively to define flooring spaces and aid in orientation for seniors. Simpson added that comfort is often preferred by residents, rather than options that reflect a clinical environment.
“We aim for a warm, residential feel, aiming to avoid institutional finishes and colour palettes. Flooring must support operational requirements while contributing to a welcoming environment. Acoustic performance, cleanability, slip resistance, and durability are all considered alongside colour, texture, and how the finish supports wayfinding and zoning. It’s always a balance between aesthetics and long-term functionality.”
The Path to Seamless Procurement
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Quality delivery is something our team understands intimately, we see through the installation of every item from sign-off to handover. Thorough planning and project management are so important in our business as well as an eye for detail and an ability to forward plan for any limitations ahead of time. Statement iD strive to provide a seamless procurement service. Profiled above a recent procurement project - The Helier, Oceania.
Contact us to discuss how we can help you achieve your project goals. We are now based at new offices 8-10 Railway Street, Newmarket.
The Helier - Retirement Living a recent Procurement Project for Oceania.
ELIMINATING WAGE Theft in Aged Care
Damien Durston, ANZ Head of Workforce Management Solutions at OneAdvanced, has explored eliminating the ongoing wage theft issue in Aged Care.
Damien Durston
ANZ Head of Workforce Management Solutions, OneAdvanced
he underpayment of employees, commonly referred to as “wage theft,” is becoming a significant issue within New Zealand’s aged care sector. With increasing public scrutiny and legislative attention, aged care providers must ensure compliance to avoid severe consequences.
In New Zealand, wage compliance has come under greater focus following the implementation of recent reforms, such as the Pay Equity Settlement Amendment
Act 2022, aimed at ensuring fair wages, especially for care and support workers. These reforms highlight the importance of aged care organisations adhering strictly to employment legislation, including the Employment Relations Act 2000.
Wage compliance remains a critical area of vulnerability. Aged care providers must proactively demonstrate compliance with employment standards, ensuring employees receive accurate entitlements. This is vital not only for retaining skilled workers but also for maintaining public trust and providing quality care to ageing New Zealanders.
Recent cases in New Zealand, including high-profile investigations by Employment New Zealand, highlight that underpayments often stem from complex employment agreements and administrative errors rather than intentional misconduct. Nevertheless, consequences for breaches can include significant financial penalties, reputational harm and diminished employee morale.
Given the aged care sector’s dependence on a predominantly female workforce, providers must prioritise wage compliance strategically. Investing in a workforce management system is one practical measure to reduce administrative errors, simplify complex employment agreements, holiday entitlements and ensure accurate payments.
Understanding the wage compliance challenge in New Zealand
New Zealand’s employment landscape is governed by comprehensive legislation and compliance can be challenging due to factors including:
1 Multiple agreements and job classifications: Aged care facilities typically employ caregivers, registered nurses, kitchen staff, cleaners and administrative personnel, each potentially covered by different employment agreements or pay equity settlements, each with unique pay rates, allowances and conditions.
2 Complex leave and entitlement structures: The Holidays Act 2003 has nuanced requirements for calculating leave entitlements, often causing confusion and errors among employers.
3 Variable shift patterns: Employees frequently move between roles, shifts and locations, complicating the accurate calculation of pay and allowances.
4 Reliance on outdated systems: Many providers still use manual processes or legacy payroll systems, increasing the likelihood of human error.
This complexity creates a situation where even diligent aged care providers may inadvertently breach wage compliance.
The cost of non-compliance
Underpayment is more than a regulatory issue; it directly impacts workforce stability. New Zealand’s aged care sector is already facing severe staff shortages, exacerbated by a growing ageing population. Providers unable to guarantee accurate and timely payment risk damaging employee trust, increasing turnover and ultimately jeopardising the quality of care. Ensuring wage accuracy is essential for aged care organisations aiming to meet community expectations of transparency and fairness. Technology plays a crucial role in enabling compliance.
Leveraging technology to prevent wage theft
Digital workforce management platforms offer robust solutions to challenges leading
to wage theft, including payroll errors and misinterpretation of employment agreements. By automating tasks such as rostering, attendance tracking, entitlement calculations and payroll integration, providers significantly reduce compliance risks. Key technological benefits include:
1 Automated interpretation of employment agreements: Modern software platforms interpret complex agreements and New Zealand’s employment legislation, accurately applying pay rates, overtime, shift allowances and leave entitlements.
2 Intelligent rostering and compliance monitoring: Digital rostering tools facilitate compliance by considering contractual obligations, employee qualifications, fatigue management and availability. Automatic alerts can identify potential breaches of employment agreements, allowing managers to proactively address issues.
3 Accurate attendance tracking: Replacing manual timekeeping with digital tools such as biometric clocks or mobile applications ensures precise recording of employees’ working hours, directly linking to payroll systems and preventing disputes or underpayments.
4 Integrated payroll solutions: Seamless integration between workforce management and payroll systems reduces manual errors and ensures accurate, timely payments, aligned with legislative requirements.
Whether intentional or accidental, wage theft significantly harms New Zealand’s aged care sector. Fair compensation must remain foundational as the industry navigates ongoing reforms. Although technology alone cannot eliminate wage theft entirely, combined with committed leadership, robust governance and a culture of transparency, it can substantially mitigate compliance risks. By embracing modern workforce management technologies and embedding compliance into operational practices, aged care providers in New Zealand can safeguard their workforce, reduce risk and reinforce a trusted and effective aged care system.
NETWORK Shutdown Concerns
While the closure of the 3G mobile networks across New Zealand will have an impact on mobile phones, its shutdown will have a broader effect on seniors using medical alarms.
he 3G network shutdown is set to begin at the end of 2025, meaning devices that rely solely on the network for calling, texting, or data will stop working. Users have been advised by their providers to switch to 4G or 5G plans before the change in order to avoid being impacted badly.
Paul Walter, Hato Hone St John Telecare Operations Support Manager, said that any medical alarms that rely solely on the 3G network will stop working once the 3G network is shut down.
“This makes it essential for users
to ensure their medical alarm is 4G-compatible or has been upgraded in time to maintain uninterrupted service,” he said.
Hato Hone St John has managed the replacement plan for all its 3G medical alarms, and customers will be contacted in due course in order to organise a time to visit and replace the 3G equipment.
Walker said that Hato Hone St John currently supports over 60,000 customers across New Zealand who use Hato Hone St John medical alarms. Among these customers, there are more than 68,000
devices in use.
While medical alarms can benefit people of all ages, they are especially valuable for seniors as they support independent living by helping people remain safe in their own homes, especially those who live alone or in semi-assisted living.
Walker added that with access to emergency help at the push of a button, medical alarms provide a crucial safety net for Hato Hone St John customers in their time of need. They also offer peace of mind for families, knowing their loved ones can get help when it’s needed most.
Despite the perception that medical alarms are only a device used for those living alone, there are many retirement villages and care providers throughout the country who offer in-house emergency response systems, including medical alarms. In more cases than one, providers arrange for residents to have a personal medical alarm through Hato Hone St John in order to ensure they have a reliable way to call for help if needed.
Hato Hone St John’s suppliers have continued to develop new technology to improve safety and support for its customers using medical alarms.
“We now offer mobile medical alarms that work outside the home, which have been ideal for seniors while out on a walk or visiting friends and family,” said Walker.
He added that there are also devices available now provided through Hato Hone St John’s services, such as movement sensors, door sensors, and health monitoring tools like blood pressure and oxygen level monitors, that help create a more responsive and personalised system of care.
Walker said Hato Hone St John has actively explored ways to integrate emerging technologies into its medical alarm services.
“Our focus is on making the products we offer smarter, more flexible, and more supportive of our customers’ health and wellbeing.”
The Australian Government issued a public warning for medical devices ahead of its 3G network shutdown in October last year.
Devices that it urged seniors to be wary of included monitoring devices for cardiac resynchronisation therapy, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and continuous positive airway pressure therapy machines.
Care providers have been encouraged to assist seniors in transitioning to 4G or 5G services before the network switchoff at the end of the year. Many network providers have also implemented help services during this process.
CALLING for Change
Alzheimer’s NZ has called on the government to take action and provide better andmore humane support for the rapidly growing number of New Zealanders with dementia requiring hospital-level care.
hief executive, Catherine Hall, said the tragic situation described in recent media reporting is the direct result of years of government inaction and neglect.
She echoed comments from the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, which said these issues are symptoms of a health system poorly equipped to support a rapidly ageing population.
“No one wants to see hospital staff put at risk, but what we are seeing is hardly a surprise. It is the inevitable and entirely predictable consequence of successive governments kicking the ageing population can down the road,” Hall said.
“We’ve known for years that the
They should not be stigmatised, and they certainly shouldn’t be shut out of the very health system that is supposed to help them.
number of people living with dementia would increase rapidly, and successive governments have had ample time to prepare our health and aged care systems. But that preparation never happened. What we’re seeing now is a scandal and a tragedy that was entirely avoidable, but which is now affecting thousands of New Zealand families.”
Hall said it was critical to realise that behind every ‘incident’ in a hospital is a living, breathing person who’s living with a very difficult health condition. She added that they, and often their family, are in that situation because they haven’t been able to get the help they need.
“One of the heartbreaking realities of dementia is that people often lose their ability to communicate. They may not be
able to say if they’re in pain, hungry, thirsty, frightened, confused, or simply need to go to the toilet. If those needs are ignored or go unmet, distress can escalate, sometimes in ways that are confronting for staff.”
She added that these are very vulnerable people in need of care and support.
“They should not be stigmatised, and they certainly shouldn’t be shut out of the very health system that is supposed to help them.”
Alzheimer’s NZ wants urgent government action in three areas. Firstly, progressively implement and fund the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan, which was developed by health and dementia experts as a coordinated, nationwide response to the massive and growing dementia problem facing New Zealand.
“This Plan exists. It has widespread support. What’s missing is action and investment.”
Secondly, properly fund New Zealand’s 17 community-based dementia support services.
“That’s a small investment that would relieve significant and growing pressure on the much more expensive health system, and it would free up much-needed hospital and emergency department beds.”
Thirdly, create a bespoke health strategy to provide quality, integrated and accessible services with an integrated continuum of care, from community services to the aged residential care and end-of-life sectors.
“We’ve known this problem was coming, and it’s here, so we must invest in an integrated health and aged care strategy that is properly planned, managed and funded,” said Hall.
“The question is whether this government will finally step up and act.”
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TACKLING Dementia
Two studies have found that retired professional rugby players had changes in their brains and raised levels of proteins in their blood that could increase the risk of developing dementia in later life.
lthough it’s too early to determine whether these players will go on to develop dementia, the study will continue for a few more years.
Alzheimer’s Research UK hoped this will provide further insight into whether these markers continue to change, and how this could impact the rugby players’ memory and thinking abilities.
Around half (45 percent) of dementia cases are linked to established health and lifestyle risk factors, which we have some control over, including traumatic brain injury from contact sports like rugby. People who play contact sports like rugby are more prone to having head impact and injuries.
Traumatic brain injury happens when a head injury disrupts how the brain normally functions. It can range from a concussion
As this study is running for four more years, it will be interesting to see what else it reveals and if the physical changes seen here will predict memory and thinking problems later in their lives.
to more severe cases resulting in coma and in some cases, death.
Alzheimer’s Research UK said that if nobody experienced a severe head injury, there would be three fewer cases of dementia for every 100 people who develop it now, and that finding ways to prevent and lessen the impact of head injuries is crucial.
Scientists at Imperial College London studied 200 retired rugby players aged 30 to 61 years old. To estimate their history of traumatic brain injuries, players were asked about their career length, position and the number of concussions they recall experiencing. Information on the players was compared with that of 33 individuals with no experience in rugby or a history of head injuries.
All the participants underwent brain scans and blood tests for a protein called p-tau217, which indicates the presence
of dementia-related changes in the brain. They also had tests of their memory and thinking abilities to check for any signs of dementia.
Although none of the former rugby players developed young-onset dementia during the study, they did show changes known to be linked to dementia.
Many of the former players had less brain tissue in areas that play important roles in thinking and memory. They also had higher levels of p-tau217 in their blood, indicating a higher future risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.
Despite these biological changes, the retired players showed no difference in memory and thinking abilities compared with people with no experience of rugby or head injuries.
“Not much is known about how traumatic brain injury causes long-term changes to the brain, so the findings from this latest research raise some interesting areas for further study,” said Dr Jacqui Hanley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“As this study is running for four more years, it will be interesting to see what else it reveals and if the physical changes seen here will predict memory and thinking problems later in their lives.”
There are also key limitations to bear in mind, such as the reliance on self-reporting and interviews to determine traumatic brain injury history.
“Deepening our understanding around traumatic brain injury could ultimately help lower dementia risk for professional sportspeople, but more research will be required for this. In the meantime, reducing traumatic brain injury in contact sports is critical to help prevent brain damage and minimise dementia risk for the players,” said Dr Hanley.
This growing body of evidence underscores the need for strong guidelines from policymakers and sporting bodies, many of whom are aware of this issue and some have already begun implementing policies that are making protection from head injury a priority.
Experiencing traumatic brain injury, through sport or otherwise, does not guarantee that someone will develop dementia, but it does increase the risk.
NOT JUST Old Age
A study by the University of Auckland, titled ‘Determinants of Time to Diagnosis in Young-Onset Dementia’, has closely examined the day-to-day experiences of 40 people living with young-onset dementia and their care partners.
his is the first study to look at the diagnostic pathway of young-onset dementia in New Zealand. The average age of participants was 55, while the youngest to take part was only 42.
Young-onset, or early-onset dementia, refers to any form of dementia diagnosed in someone under the age of 65. There are approximately 140 people per 100,000 in New Zealand aged between 30 to 64 years diagnosed with this condition.
Diagnosis of dementia at any age can be complex, as there is no single definitive test. Doctors make their assessment based on a combination of reported symptoms, on a physical examination, laboratory tests, cognitive tests, and medical history.
The study found that it took an average of 3.6 years from when symptoms began
to when the formal diagnosis was made by a doctor. One participant said it would be a common feeling to find that particular experience “long and frustrating”.
This delay is burdensome for patients and families, who want an explanation for their symptoms, advice on managing, support, and to have time to plan for their future.
The study found two main factors behind the delayed diagnosis. The first factor was whether the GP suspected the symptoms were caused by depression or anxiety when they first saw the patient. It can be difficult to differentiate the early clinical presentation of young-onset dementia from psychiatric illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. They can manifest similar symptoms, such as subtle memory loss, changes in personality and social withdrawal.
The second factor that delayed the time to diagnosis was being diagnosed by a specialist who was not a neurologist, for example, a psychologist or a geriatrician.
“The results suggest that doctors working in primary care need to be better-resourced and supported to differentiate psychiatric illnesses from young-onset dementia, and aware that referral to a neurologist for specialist diagnosis may be the most appropriate pathway,” said Shruti Sharma, a Research Assistant at the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland.
Dementia is commonly misunderstood as a single illness, as outlined in the study, which instead said it could be better understood as an umbrella term used to describe a range of symptoms caused by different diseases. The most common of these diseases is Alzheimer’s disease, but there are many others, for example: frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia.
Half of the participants in this study were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and half had other diagnoses. All these diseases can cause symptoms that diverge from the classic memory loss and confusion typically associated with dementia. In the study, the first symptoms noticed were memory problems, changes in personality, problems with paying attention, and impaired language.
About half of the patients were not aware
We need to better recognise the reality of young-onset dementia, and understand the specific challenges faced by people with it, so that we can improve diagnosis and support for them.
of their own symptoms, but had been encouraged to see a doctor by a loved one. Even healthcare workers can associate dementia with ‘old age’, a misconception which isn’t helpful for younger people living with dementia. This has meant there is a disparity in the support and resources available for younger people, compared to those diagnosed at an older age.
“We need to better recognise the reality of young-onset dementia, and understand the specific challenges faced by people with it, so that we can improve diagnosis and support for them,” said Sharma.
“On a large scale level, this means mobilising healthcare resources, and on a smaller scale, it means raising awareness that dementia is not the preserve of the elderly.”
Dementia can be a devastating disease, impacting a person’s ability to do things that most take for granted. As for earlyonset dementia, the pain and impact can be a more emotional and conflicting time than the typical age of a dementia diagnosis. The loss of ability can be felt more acutely among younger people. In a short period of time, they can go from working in a full-time job, picking their kids up from school and playing tennis on the weekends to not being able to remember how to turn on a stove. The partner of a patient in the study described “feeling that your life is put on hold and there is no real future”.
A VILLAGE Inside a Village
Nestled on the outer eastern edge of Auckland, Clevedon is a quintessential New Zealand rural village community, with sheep and beef farms dotted across rolling countryside.
enowned for its boutique village lifestyle and artisan shops, this quaint community has embraced a new entrant.
Metlifecare’s Ōtau Ridge retirement village has slowly but surely risen out of the ground, to become a village, alongside the village.
We spoke to local business owners, Jenny Sinclair from Clevedon Gourmet bakery, and Gavin and Megan Gower from Thistle Park Beef, to hear their personal perspectives on how this new member of the Clevedon community has been embraced.
Remember the English nursery rhyme Rub-a-dub-dub? Well, shamelessly stealing a line from this historic ditty, let’s hear from the butcher, the baker, and in this case, the village caretaker.
Jenny, the owner of popular artisan café and food store Clevedon Gourmet, was inspired to establish her business in 2023, after regularly walking her dog up the
infamous ‘Clevedon Stairs’ and in the local Hunua Ranges.
“Clevedon reminds me of a close-knit community from the 1980s and ‘90s, with long-standing families who have lived in Clevedon for generations. There’s a lot of history here, and everyone is so friendly and supportive of one another,” Jenny shared.
With a diverse background in sales, from selling houses to fancy French cheeses, Jenny saw the potential in opening a gourmet café and bakery in Clevedon and hasn’t looked back. Since setting up shop, she has literally watched Clevedon’s first retirement village emerge out of the ground.
“Ōtau Ridge is just across the road. Seeing a crane rise above the Clevedon fog one winter’s morning was the talk of the town,” Jenny recalled.
As Ōtau Ridge developed, Jenny and her team got to know the staff who work at the village, and who frequently visit her shop to buy products and ready-made gourmet meals for their new residents.
Clevedon Gourmet is known for its artisan bread, pastries, sausage rolls, and pies, which attract customers from far and wide.
“People come from all over for our pies,
which are all ethically sourced wild meat pies, we’ve got goat, pork, venison and even wallaby,”she said.
Jenny chooses to support local, and New Zealand-made brands, which mostly started out at farmers’ markets and are slowly growing, rather than mass market products found in supermarkets.
“We have our sourdough bread delivered fresh before the store opens from Volare, an artisan bakery in Hamilton, and our precooked meals are sourced from The Red Kitchen, also located in the Waikato.”
While Ōtau Ridge is a significant-sized accommodation development, it is not the only one on the rise in Clevedon, with two new residential subdivisions and a retail complex on the horizon.
“Some of the older generation from Clevedon are naturally a little sceptical about the developments and the impact it will have on the rural community, whilst others are welcoming the growth in the area.”
Jenny noted that a planned new roading development will ease traffic volumes through the village, which often becomes congested on weekends, as beachgoers and fishing enthusiasts funnel through to reach the nearby Pōhutukawa Coast.
“We’re hoping the growing Ōtau Ridge retirement community might be a prompt to Council to install an eagerly awaited pedestrian crossing that locals have wanted for a very long time.”
Jenny Sinclair from Clevedon Gourmet Bakery
Gavin and Megan Gower from Thistle Park Beef
IMPROVING THE Level of Support
For Lisa Rogers-Owen, the typical day-to-day role of a dementia care specialist can be quite diverse, whether it involves working on a clinical review or collaborating on design work.
Lisa Rogers-Owen Dementia Care Specialist
he said it is a great role that spans across different parts of the organisation, not just clinical, allowing her to contribute at an organisational level to improve how Oceania supports people living with dementia.
Oceania created this new role and brought Rogers-Owen on in January, recognising the need for a dedicated person to lead how it continued to support people living with dementia. Oceania has begun developing a new model of care and working towards becoming a dementia-friendly organisation, with a strong focus on design. Ultimately, Rogers-Owen said it was about striving for clinical excellence while ensuring the person is seen, not the disease.
“The way we support people living with dementia is constantly evolving, so a big
part of our work is staying up to date and making sure that’s clearly communicated across all our teams,” she said.
One area Oceania is currently focusing on has been the language used when referring to people living with dementia. This shift is reflected in its recent communications, including those about Meadowbank.
The next step is building on Oceania’s dementia strategy. As a result, some of the initiatives coming out involve teams from across the organisation, which RogersOwen said was exciting not just for the clinical team, but for the entire company.
“With Meadowbank now open and our new model of care being implemented, it’s shaping up to be a big year for dementia care at Oceania.”
The opening of the Ōrākei Building has meant that Oceania can now offer a full continuum of care to the wider community. It
ensures that if families need different levels of support for their loved ones, they can access it all within Meadowbank Village and Care.
Rogers-Owen said many people exploring retirement villages are thinking ahead and want to know that dementia care will be available if they ever need it. She said the opening of the Ōrākei Building provided reassurance to both residents and their families that Oceania can support them throughout their journey at Oceania Meadowbank.
The Ōrākei Building will accommodate 40 residents across two floors. It has been designed to feel residential, with plenty of natural light and spacious communal areas. Each care suite includes an ensuite, TV, and mini fridge, with room for residents to add personal touches and make the space their own.
Construction took around two years and progressed relatively smoothly. The main challenges involved managing access to the visitors’ car park and coordinating deliveries while keeping disruption to a minimum.
LEFT-RIGHT: Ross Reddy, Shirley Ross, Desley Simpson, Andrew Buckingham.
GOING GREEN for Good
William Sanders Village residents are proving how much they care about the environment by learning more about waste and setting up enhanced recycling stations in the village.
of the 118 elements in the Periodic Table in their production.
He said companies like Apple were doing the right thing by using recycled cobalt and lithium to make the batteries in their newest model.
“We can add a bit of positive pressure to the system by asking the background of the recyclability of its components,” added Cooney.
“We tend to think it’s someone else’s problem. Wrong! People like us have helped to create these ocean waste islands.”
ozens of residents recently attended a village presentation about the circular economy and reducing waste spearheaded by fellow resident and University of Auckland
Professor Emeritus Ralph Cooney ONZM.
Cooney explained that landfill waste can often end up forming floating islands of garbage in the ocean and suggested ways that people can avoid disposing of things that can be used again.
“Plastic drink bottles can be recycled up to 10 times but only 17 percent are recycled in New Zealand,” Cooney said.
“We should aim for 100 percent, perhaps by using a return and earn system like they have in New South Wales, Australia.”
Items that required considerable resources in their manufacturing were an important focus, such as aluminium or steel cans, or more complex items such as mobile phones, which often include 46 out
Ryman Healthcare Sustainability Manager Sadie Keenan and two representatives from Waste Management, who currently collect waste from the village, also contributed.
Since joining Ryman at the beginning of the year, Keenan has worked out some interesting facts and figures about the amount of waste being produced in Ryman villages.
She calculated that William Sanders residents had produced less waste per resident than the Ryman average, with an estimated 5,540 cubic metres being recycled.
The next step, she said, was to set some reduction targets Ryman-wide.
“It’s a big challenge but it’s also a big opportunity if we all make some changes,” she said.
“You’re doing well, but you can do better!”
The team from Waste Management , Key Account Manager Iren Kohli and National Business Manager Sanchit Jain, shared insights into types of rubbish, where it goes and what they do with it.
University of Auckland Professor Emeritus Ralph Cooney
Ryman Sustainability Manager Sadie Keenan
“You guys are already doing a great job, but here’s what we can do to keep up the good work,” Kohli said.
“Try to rinse out the containers, put the right things in the right bins and try and avoid using plastics which can cause big problems in our facilities.”
He said at Waste Management they try to avoid using the word landfill.
“For us, we call them energy parks. We make electricity out of the waste that we collect at a landfill from the gases that come out, such as methane. This is enough to power nearly 24,000 homes.”
Maxilyn Tudman, who set up a recycling committee in the village, believes William Sanders residents are below the Ryman average because of their recycling efforts.
Along with the usual wheelie bins for cans, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard, the nine-strong recycling committee has created a system where even more items can be diverted from landfill.
In the rubbish room of her apartment building beside the big wheelie bins, Tudman has organised a shelving system with buckets and boxes to collect items ranging from prescription spectacles, paper bags, milk and wine bottle tops, to glass jars, coffee pods, batteries, ice cream containers and newspapers.
Local op shops receive the paper bags, the spectacles go to the Fred Hollows Foundation, the wine bottle tops go to KidsCan to be resold for their aluminium content while the glass jars and ice cream containers go to Ugly’s, a community pantry that ensures neighbourhood fruit doesn’t go to waste.
“I collect the newspapers, probably
about 25 wine cartons a week, and drop them off to three pet rescue organisations, Brave Paws, SPCA Kittens and Guinea Pig Rescue,” said Tudman, who dogsits French Bulldogs when their owners are away or at work.
“It’s amazing how quickly the boxes fill up.”
A former sales manager for Southern Cross, Tudman said the village maintenance and reception teams were great to have on board for sorting and labelling assistance.
“They sorted out the shelves for us which has been a help and we’ve sourced boxes and plastic buckets from the kitchen and bar to sort all the other items. We work with Phil, our maintenance chap, to help us keep the room tidy,” she added.
“From my perspective, I cannot think of throwing anything away that could help others who can reuse it, and I just don’t like the thought of the waste of it going into landfill.”
Recycling committee chair Jo Cliffe said the rubbish room is a very sociable place.
“New people like to talk, and regulars catch up. I think we like to try to think of something we can establish but only if it can be seen to have a future in recycling.”
Cliffe added that the constant challenge is making sure the right things go in the right boxes and educating others on what can and can’t be recycled.
“My thought is that we target a monthly item, for instance, July could be yoghurt pots and lids, and we perhaps use our Ryman app to reach out to our residents online.”
Maxilyn Tudman
Recycling committee chair Jo Cliffe
SERVING WORLD Class Talent
Before working in Ryman Healthcare villages, many talented chefs around the country had extraordinary culinary achievements, from cooking for some of the most recognisable world leaders in history to elite athletes and five-star hotels.
Bruce Dawkins
James Wattie Village
or James Wattie Village Chef Bruce Dawkins, a standout moment in his career was the opportunity to cook for Nelson Mandela. South African-born Dawkins has worked at the village since its opening in 2024, having previously worked at Princess Alexandra Village in Napier two years before.
He admitted that not everyone could boast cooking for a global icon such as Mandela on their CV.
“It was at the Presidential Guest House where they held special functions and events,” said Dawkins, who worked there for 10 years in the 1990s.
“I cooked for Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, but I never got to meet them like I did Mr Mandela. He came down every morning and said hello without fail. He liked his breakfast of eggs and two slices of bacon, no more, no less.”
Dawkins said the encounter with the great man has had a lasting effect on his life.
“He made you feel like he was just one of the guys. What I took away from that was that no matter who you are, always be humble.”
He has continued to apply this in his work
Andre Kassal
Keith Park Village
since, listening to feedback from residents and always looking to improve the offerings.
“I love the interaction with the residents, their sense of humour and hearing their stories. They often give me feedback. I’ve realised that you can’t please everybody, but luckily, it’s mostly positive feedback I get.”
Dawkins is not the only chef from Ryman who’s had an illustrious career. Keith Park Village chef André Kassal previously worked in five-star Kempinski Hotels and fine dining establishments in Switzerland.
Kassal joined the Ryman team four years ago, initially at the flagship Edmund Hillary Village and more recently shifting to the new Keith Park Village in Hobsonville to help the kitchen team get established.
He said it’s a great work-life balance that Ryman offered him, and he appreciated the difference of working in a residential setting.
“I get to have lovely interactions with the residents,” he said.
And the residents, in turn, love to sample the delicious fruits of Kassal’s labour.
“Cooking a steak, beef cheek or lamb shank. I like it to be tender but not falling apart. I really enjoy this type of cooking, and those European dishes are really where my
Govind Yelagani
Bruce McLaren Village
strength lies. I know it inside out and I can do it with confidence.”
For chef Govind Yelagani, his two decades of experience have taken him to the Italian seas with Costa Cruises, preparing meals from a wide range of cuisines for as many as 3,500 guests each day.
Yelagani began his journey with Ryman at the Bert Sutcliffe Village in Birkenhead in 2016 and now works for the Bruce McLaren Village in Botany.
Another of his career highlights was preparing meals for the French rugby team during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Auckland.
“We prepared high-protein, performancefocused meals that were both nutritious and refined, such as grilled lean meats like lamb racks, fresh seafood like pan-seared snapper, complex carbs, fresh salads with vinaigrettes and protein-rich snacks and sides.”
While a standout moment for sure, Yelagani said helping several new Ryman villages to establish was another major milestone in his career.
“Being entrusted to lead and support the opening and development of kitchens at several Ryman villages has been both a challenge and a privilege,” he said.
“I really value the strong sense of community and purpose at Ryman. The culture is supportive, collaborative and focused on excellence. I particularly enjoy the connection with residents and the chance to make a positive difference in their daily lives through food.”
For Bojan Sabo, Senior Lead Chef at William Saunders Village, it’s the family connection that has continued to spark his passion for cooking. He said his uncle and grandmother were key influences on him from an early
Bojan Sabo
William Saunders Village
I particularly enjoy the connection with residents and the chance to make a positive difference in their daily lives through food.
age, and taught him to cook dishes including fresh pasta, goulash and roast ham.
He said that he has never forgotten how his grandmother showed him to make creamy scrambled eggs.
Sabo’s background was largely based in Serbia, as well as summer breaks working in Italy, where he built a foundation for his 18year career in New Zealand. He has worked mainly as a Head Chef during his time on local shores and has produced a range of acclaimed Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
He said it didn’t take him very long to form a solid relationship with the team at the William Saunders Village, as well as with the residents.
“From the first day, I felt welcome and that you are doing a good job of making someone happy. It’s the highlight of my day when the residents come to me and give me compliments for making a nice lunch or a nice and tasty morning tea. Their smiles give me more energy and passion to continue working hard.”
