Oamaru Presbyterian Support Otago has announced plans to open a secure dementia unit at its Iona care home in August, in response to an increasing demand in North Otago.
PSO board chairman David Richardson said 14 rooms would be converted from ''hospital level care to rest home level dementia care''.
''The number of people in New Zealand requiring dementia care is expected to be around 75,000 within the next 10 years and we are experiencing pressure to provide dementia care rooms, not only here in Oamaru but throughout Otago,'' Mr Richardson said.
He said Oamaru's need to meet demand was more urgent and the proposed changes were a ''positive move that would better meet the needs of the local community''.
''The increasing number of Oamaru residents needing such support will no longer have to leave the district,'' Mr Richardson said.
PSO chief executive officer Gillian Bremner said Iona's internal courtyard already lent itself well to the planned dementia unit and would give residents a safe outdoor environment.
