Older Aucklanders in Panmure, Glen Innes and Point England who are living with dementia now have a wonderful new mate wareware (dementia) day care centre closer to home, thanks to Auckland Council’s involvement in finding accessible new premises for the service.
The Anchorage – the bright blue building at 20-22 Lagoon Drive in Panmure – opened in January and offers a day programme for people 65+ years living in the community who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia. The centre is provided by The Selwyn Foundation (find out more) under contract to Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.
Staffed by a diversional therapist and activities coordinators, it’s open Monday–Friday from 9am–3pm and provides a programme of cognitive stimulation (memory and thinking activities) and fitness and balance exercises, as well as morning tea and lunch. Clients may attend one or more days per week, with the days of attendance based on the available spaces, the cost to the family/whānau, the individual’s health status and dementia symptoms.
Until November 2022, Anchorage was located at St Mary’s Church in Glen Innes. When St Mary’s expanded its services, Anchorage moved to temporary premises out of the area. However, with the assistance of Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and Eke Panuku Development Auckland in finding a suitable new venue in the heart of Panmure town centre, The Selwyn Foundation is now delighted to bring the service back to Tāmaki Basin, serving the seniors of Panmure, Glen Innes and Point England.
Deputy Mayor Simpson comments: “In Iine with council’s ‘Tāmaki Makaurau Tauawhi Kaumātua – Age-friendly Auckland Action Plan’ and similar initiatives at a national and global level, we were pleased to partner with The Selwyn Foundation to provide an accessible, community-based service that can improve the lives of older people and their families/whānau, as well as benefit the communities in which they live.
“This new day programme offers a safe haven – a supportive, positive environment for the kuia and kaumātua who attend, that meets the unique needs of those navigating the challenges of dementia. Ultimately, we want all Aucklanders to feel safe, included and to be able to participate in their communities. The opening of the Anchorage represents another opportunity for that, and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is stronger as a result.”
