Memory loss

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 14

Memory loss

Sir, —In response to the misleading statements made in your newspaper by Anglican Social Services (April 12), may I point out that my husband, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, has been in the very best of nursing care in Sylvan Villa, Sunnyside,

for the past two years. He is in a secure, loving environment, with staff trained to give the best of care. This service has been available to dementia sufferers for many years. I think the Anglican Social Services should apologise for the way it disregarded the work which has been done over many years by Sunnyside and the numerous other secure rest homes in Christchurch.—Yours, etc., (Mrs) JOYCE McMILLAN. April 22, 1989. [Two other correspondents write in similar vein.] Sir,—We are grateful for the support many correspondents have given to our planned psy-cho-geriatric unit at Churchill Courts. Misunderstanding has arisen, however, from failure to realise that the new facility will be a hospital and not a rest home. From our own long involvement in caring for the elderly we appreciate the sterling work done in many rest homes for Alzheimer’s sufferers. Recently we converted a wing in one of our homes to provide similar specialised care. There comes a time, however, when some will require hospital care because of disturbing psychiatric problems, and there is a shortage of such care. Our 20-bed, pur-pose-built hospital, costing an estimated SI.6M will be a first for the South Island and will offer short-stay and day care to support caring families. Replacement and extension of kitchen and laundry at an estimated SI.4M will enable us to extend that support into the community. A $300,000 trust fund will ensure support to families, irrespective of ability to pay. Pledges to date total $2.25M. We now seek community gifts to enable this important project to proceed. — Yours, etc., (Rev.) EDWARD A. JOHNSTON, Director, Anglican Social Services. April 26, 1989.