OUR VISION

To be a leader in the provision of services for people in our community who are living with dementia and those who care for them.

OUR MISSION

Caladenia - providing superior services to enhance the quality of life for people living with dementia.

OUR VALUES

• Respect and value all those who use the services
• Excellence of care
• Value staff and carers

Welcome to the Caladenia Web Site!

Caladenia Dementia Care is a non-profit care centre for people living with dementia, founded in 1983. It is located in a purpose-designed building at Mooroolbark, in Melbourne's outer east.

Our Day Centre runs five days per week of dementia-specific programs, overseen by 14 qualified staff and 42 trained volunteers. Currently we care for a total of 54 clients.

Our programs aim to promote self-esteem for the person living with dementia and to give friends and family members a break, knowing that their loved one is happy, occupied and safe.

Our services are available to anyone with dementia - from very early stage, or first diagnosis - to separate programs for people with more advanced dementia.

Caladenia Dementia Care is funded by private donations, by the Victoria Department of Health, and by the Shire of Yarra Ranges. It is administered by a full-time Manager and a volunteer Board of Directors.

Proposed Overnight Respite Centre

In 2006 Caladenia began planning for an Overnight Respite Centre for people with dementia. No other facility of this kind exists in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

The proposal was supported by the Shire but was referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to resolve other objections.

VCAT approved the proposal in June 2009 and we proceeded with detailed plans for the Centre. At the same time we commenced a campaign to raise the estimated $1.7 million needed to build the Centre.

The Respite Centre will be known as Caladenia's "Bed and Breakfast" facility. It will be next door to the current Day Centre (known to members as "The Club"). With eight beds for emergency and overnight accomodation, it will offer a comfortable home-like atmosphere for our guests.

Fund raising has now begun in earnest. Funding is not available from the State Government, which currently funds our recurrent programs, nor is it available at this stage from the Commonwealth Government. The Shire of Yarra Ranges has supported the project in many ways, but cannot contribute towards the building fund at this time.

It is hoped for a significant amount of support from various philanthropic trusts, but the campaign will also depend heavily on private and corporate donations.

Donations can be made via this site (see next column).

Help us raise $1.7 million to build a dementia specific overnight respite facility. Your donation is being sought now to start the appeal to achieve this challenge.