Introducing the all-women dementia wing at Radius Hawthorne
A Sanctuary of Comfort and Respect
Radius Care is proud to announce the creation of a dedicated, advanced dementia care (D6) wing for women at our Hawthorne care home. We understand that every individual’s journey through aged care is unique and that’s why we’ve built a specialised environment. It is designed to provide our women residents with an enhanced sense of security, comfort, and respect, offering families a valuable alternative in care for their loved ones.
We understand the needs and preferences within New Zealand’s diverse communities. Research and experience show the benefits of gender-specific care for people with dementia. Radius Care has now established the development of Christchurch’s first advanced female only dementia care home to deliver tailored, quality care for our residents.
Due to the positive responses from families and residents, the women-only wing at Hawthorne has seen strong uptake since its launch. This reflects the growing demand for gender-specific dementia care in Christchurch and the importance of offering more tailored environments across aged care.
The lives of many women now entering care were defined by long-term partnerships or independent living. Transitioning to a mixed-gender care environment can present unexpected challenges and anxieties. Our women-only wing addresses these concerns, creating a space where residents can feel more at ease and connected with friends and family
“Since Radius Care opened the new advance dementia wing, wow, can I tell you the ladies are smiling. The ladies are up and about and walking more, they’re eating more, and they’re happier and more present. Advanced dementia is heartbreaking, it’s very hard on those with the condition and their families. To see such rapid improvement and how quickly our women took to the new women only arrangements brought me joy. It brought a lot of joy to our resident’s families too,” says Sarah Skinner, Care Home Manager for Radius Hawthorne.
Radius Care recognises the importance of creating safe spaces and delivering quality healthcare to people from different cultural backgrounds. For some families, the prospect of their loved one residing in a mixed-gender setting is uncomfortable. Our dedicated women-only wing provides a respectful alternative, ensuring peace of mind for residents and families.
A significant consideration in dementia care is behavioural change. Dementia is a challenging condition, unfortunately research indicates that men with dementia are more likely to exhibit unwanted behaviours. Creating a women-only environment minimises the risk of distressing situations involving female residents, the wing fosters a more tranquil and secure atmosphere.
Both our Victoria Wing (mixed-gender) and Brunner Wing (women-only) are undergoing thoughtful sensory enhancements designed to elevate comfort and independence. We’ve introduced softer, warmer lighting and strategic colour coding that marks different zones, aiding wayfinding and seamlessly integrating staff-only areas into the walls. Contrasting door colours empower residents to locate their individual rooms with ease, while research-backed colour schemes help manage moods.
To reduce overstimulation, Radius Hawthorne used contrasting wall colours below eye level with softer tones above, all complemented by luxurious, embossed wallpaper that offers a gentle tactile stimulus.
While dementia causes cognitive decline, it doesn’t stop the need for human connection. Radius Care’s women-only wing reduces the likelihood of challenging, newly formed, and transient companionship occurring. While forming new relationships and friendships is important, a lack of understanding, memory and consent can create difficult situations for residents and families. The advanced dementia wing provides a more stable and predictable environment and reduces the occurrence of unwanted behaviours and relationships – all while safeguarding the dignity and well-being of our female residents.
Radius Care is committed to giving families more choices when making the hard decision to put a loved one in advanced dementia care. We will also continue to offer mixed-gender care within our other dementia units, ensuring that families have the flexibility to select the environment that best suits their loved one’s needs.
The advanced dementia care women-only wing at Radius Hawthorne is more than just a secure space – it is a demonstration of our commitment to providing personalised, respectful, and compassionate care. It is an environment where women will maintain their sense of dignity and feel safe, secure, and comfortable.