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An elegant High Tea was enjoyed by more than 130 people in Orewa recently, but a serious purpose underlined the fun and frivolity of pretty china teacups, frills and fascinators and home baked delicacies served on cake stands.
The Sapphire High Tea was a charitable event held at St John’s Church Hall on November 22. It was organised by Platinum Community Care, which provides rehab and in home respite care for clients with dementia.
Platinum Community Care is run by the Respite NZ Trust. Trustee Monica Grimshaw says a Trust was formed because providing day care for adult and elderly clients is not a viable business. This is despite the value that such a service provides for people with dementia and their caregivers. She said figures provided at the recent NZ Dementia Summit in Wellington show that 46 million people worldwide are living with dementia now and it is estimated that this number will double every 20 years.
Monica says that the Respite NZ Trust wants to provide its services throughout NZ – including overnight care – a vision that will require political will and sponsorship support.
“Providing that time out for carers means that people with dementia can stay at home for as long as possible,” Monica said.
It’s a goal that resonates on many levels with one of the guest speakers at the event, geriatrician and GP Dr Kirsten Holst, Dame Alison’s daughter. Kirsten gave a moving account of the impact of Dame Alison’s condition on her family.
She said while as a geriatrician, dementia is a big part of her day job, she never expected to have the experience come so close to home.
“I’m lucky because it’s not my first experience of dementia,” Kirsten said. “A lot of people have shared wonderful stories with me and the nurses I work with have amazing skills. Having said that, it’s a bitch of a disease.”
Dame Alison values being at home in Orewa, and her husband Peter is caring for her so that she can remain there, with support from the rest of the family and Platinum Community Care.
Although it is a difficult and stressful time, Kirsten said the family still have plenty of laughs.
“What I’ve learned is to value the time that we can laugh together and enjoy each other’s company. It’s doing the simple things and remembering that we love each other and are there for each other.”
The event raised $5600, which the Respite Trust will put towards its pick up and drop off service.
