De Fiddes wins design award for outstanding dementia care
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VMCH congratulates leading interior designer, de Fiddes, for winning an international award for their work in the refurbishment of VMCH’s specialist dementia care unit, Lady Lourdes House.
The company took out the ‘Best Dementia Care Design Project’ in the category ‘Leading Experts in Aged Care Interior Design – Australia’ at the 2022 Build Home and Garden Awards in March.
Located within St Bernadette’s Aged Care Residence in Sunshine North, Lady Lourdes House provides specialist care, designed to support people with severe symptoms of dementia by helping to reduce and stabilise dementia behaviours, promote greater independence and improve their quality of life.
Managing Director Debbie De Fiddes said winning the award was an “honour”, and though the project wasn’t without its challenges, it was successful because VMCH shared its passion to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“We worked closely with the team at VMCH who all had different areas of expertise but all working towards the same goal – improving the conditions for residents who live within aged care. Together we produced an amazing environment that not only works for residents but also for staff.”
VMCH Chief Property Officer Jason Uzice agreed and said he was proud of the way the refurbishment had taken shape.
“We’re already seeing huge benefits for residents. Large private rooms with ensuites, access to beautiful, shared spaces and abundant natural light were designed to inspire a sense of safety, security, independence and calm. Staff are also thrilled with the environment, which makes delivering such specialist care so much easier and enjoyable.”
This is the third project de Fiddes has completed with VMCH, and Jason said the organisation looked forward to more collaborations in the future.
About De Fiddes:
De Fiddes has a unique, multidisciplinary practice, creating enabling environments for residential care, retirement living, dementia and disability.
De Fiddes has been operating throughout Australia for an excess of 28 years.
De Fiddes’ origins began as an interior design company and has grown over the past decade has extended into Knowledge Translation and Education; Specialised Interior Design and Decorating; Specialised Consultancy; and Professional Audits and Assessments.
Lourdes Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.
