Residents on a quiet suburban street in Perth's north have overwhelmingly opposed plans for a dementia respite centre despite projections more than 10,000 people in the catchment will be living with the disease within 10 years.
Alzheimer's WA applied to the City of Joondalup to open a residential facility on a street in the suburb of Woodvale.
This would be the organisation's fourth such centre but only the second in a suburban area, requiring a four-by-two home to be rezoned.
The house is attractive to Alzheimer's WA precisely because it is so residential.
The organisation wants to offer clients living with dementia activities at the home but also outings to help them remain active in the community.
Of the 51 community members who responded to the local council's request for feedback, only two were in support.
Council vote goes down to the wire
The council voted last week to approve the facility but it went down to the wire, with seven supporting and six against.
Alzheimer's WA chair Warren Harding was disappointed by the pushback and is worried they could face similar opposition on future projects.
"For the councillors that support it, I think they have a vision of what a compassionate community looks like," he said.
"And for the other councillors, I think they'll see over time the great work we do, the impact we have, and the damage that isolation, stigma and discrimination can have."
Alzheimer's WA projects by 2031 there will be almost 12,000 people in Perth's north, in the cities of Joondalup, Stirling and Wanneroo, living with dementia.
Across Australia, more than 1 million people are expected to be living with the condition by 2058.
Maintaining connection to community a 'human right'
The organisation says the country needs more non-institutionalised, community-centred care to keep people in their homes and with their families for longer.
"Maintaining connection with the community that you lived in, where your children go to work and your grandchildren go to school, I think is a human right," Mr Harding said.
Alzheimer's WA chief executive Ella Dachs says the social engagement available in residential centres, which can include things like outings to local shops and parks, is important to reduce clients' feelings of isolation.
"It's like visiting a family member's home with carers," she said.
The ABC approached a number of Woodvale residents on the street in question about their opposition to the project but none wished to be interviewed.
Residents concerned about 'cover-all zoning'
However, a spokesman said in a statement they were supportive of the services offered by Alzheimer's WA but were primarily concerned about the impact rezoning to "unlisted use" may have on their street.
"This is a cover-all zoning that is applied to a wide variety of situations eg, upgrades to [telecommunication] infrastructure, abstraction bore, bicycle hire, helipad, sewer line and footpath, to highlight a few," he said.
"The residents are concerned there is no planning policy framework currently in place to support this application for a day respite facility."
Feedback included fears there would be an increase in traffic and rubbish in the quiet cul-de-sac.
At another residential facility run by Alzheimer's WA in Mandurah, satellite views show around a dozen cars parked both on the property and across the road, which prompted some Woodvale residents' concerns.
Centre will have 'minimal' traffic impact
But Alzheimer's WA says there will be minimal traffic impact at the Woodvale property, as they plan to pick up and drop off clients from their homes in two small minibuses.
The organisation argued because the Woodvale centre would only operate during the day, with a maximum of 12 clients at a time, there would be no extra waste compared with a family living there 24/7.
Prior to the council's vote, residents also flagged concerns that if Alzheimer's WA on-sold the property, another kind of service provider may move in.
"It opens the doors to care providers of any conditions such as drug dependency, antisocial behaviour, severe mental illness, the list goes on," one woman said.
She said it could change the "heart and soul" of the street and leave a lasting legacy.
Another described it as a "life sentence" for the residents and highlighted the current housing crisis, indicating this was a family home being taken off the market.
Council to develop policy
Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said the council was now moving to put in place a policy specifically for these types of residential centres.
"Seeing the growth of dementia and Alzheimer's into future years, we anticipate that we will see more such applications," Mr Jacob said.
Mr Harding said he hoped to expand the residential model and called for local governments to figure out how to best support these services going forward.
"I really call on all councils to be progressive and modernise some of the planning processes," he said.
Woodvale resident and nurse Kerri Desveaux provides part-time care for her 97-year-old mother-in-law.
Ms Desveaux is looking forward to the centre opening.
"I think it’s much better if it’s in the community because it's like a house," Ms Desveaux said.
"The people going to it will be more comfortable because … it’s small, it’s not going to be overwhelming for them.
"A house within a community will be much quieter and it will be much more friendly, much more homely, and the people that will be there will get to know the clients."
Alzheimer's WA's Mary Chester House in Shenton Park operates within a health services hub and does not border residential homes.
But the home is kitted out as much like a house as possible.
There is a garden with a couple of chickens, and people can take part in daily activities such as board games, gardening, table tennis or just relaxing with a book — all aimed at making people feel at home as much as possible.
'It brings out the best in us'
Jim Eayrs, 80, is an avid reader and appreciates the well-stocked library.
"I don’t get a chance to do much reading so I can catch up when I’m here," he said.
He doesn't have a green thumb but appreciates having a garden to walk and talk with people and says the social aspect of the house is key.
"It's just very nice meeting other people … I think everybody gets a bit of joy out of that," he said.
"I think it brings the best out in us, because instead of moaning and groaning about our own complaints, we can listen to someone else and perhaps give them a kind word and help them get through the day, because we understand."
Tony Crisafio, who at 61 was diagnosed with early onset dementia about three years ago, agrees.
He has seen countless people come out of their shell at the home once they got chatting.
"I'm very happy there is this place here that we can all come in and meet with others," he said.
