A woman who has set up an aged care facility within a small town of 17 homes, shops and cafes to slow dementia was on Thursday night named Telstra’s 2019 Queensland Business Woman of the Year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Natasha Chadwick, the founder and chief executive of New Direction Care in Bellmere near Caboolture, pioneered the idea in Australia seven years ago.
Ms Chadwick said the idea – similar to some European aged-care models – is to try to slow early onset dementia.
She believes her residents feel more like housemates than patients receiving aged care.
She has created a new micro-town for the elderly and those living with younger onset dementia and complex care needs.
“I want to see task-focused traditional aged care models replaced by inclusive dementia-friendly communities that concentrate on relationship-based care and services, where residents can feel at home,” Ms Chadwick said.
The aged-care model at Bellmere includes17 homes, plenty of outdoor space, barbeque areas, a retail precinct with shops, a cafe, cinema, a wellness centre, a barber shop and a beauty salon.
Ms Chadwick now wants to see her aged-care model replicated worldwide.
Telstra’s Group Carmel Mulhern said Natasha Chadwick was re-writing aged care models in Australia.
“Natasha Chadwick is disrupting her industry and re-writing the books on what aged care can look like in this country,” Ms Mulhern said.
“She is purpose driven and is completely transforming the traditional aged-care model,” she said.
Telstra has recognised the work of women in leading business roles for 24 years.
