Services to support people with dementia and their carers
Services to support people with dementia and their carers
Dementia
is the word used to describe the symptoms of illnesses that affect the brain. It is not one specific disease. Common dementias are
Alzheimer’s disease
and vascular dementia.
Dementia causes a progressive decline in a person’s functioning and affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks. It also affects their senses of sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing.
The risk of getting dementia increases with age, but it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common as people age affecting 30% of people over the age of 85.
Services are available in Victoria for people with dementia, and their families, carers and friends.
National Dementia Helpline
The
National Dementia
Helpline
External Link
is an Australia-wide, confidential telephone information and support service.
The helpline is staffed by trained and experienced professionals and can help:
people with dementia and their family and friends
staff caring for someone with dementia
anyone concerned about memory loss.
The helpline offers practical information and advice, and staff can tell you about the services provided by
Dementia
Australia
External Link
.
You can call the
National Dementia
Helpline
External Link
on Tel.
1800 100 500
(24 hours).
If you need an interpreter or advocate, the helpline can provide access and referral to an appropriate service. People who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can phone the National Relay Service on Tel.
13 36 77
.
Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS)
CDAMS
External Link
is a specialist service that helps people with memory loss, or changes to their thinking, and partners, carers and friends who support them.
CDAMS provides:
expert clinical diagnosis
information on appropriate treatments
education, support and information
direction in planning for the future
information on dealing with day-to-day issues
links for people with dementia and their carers to other services and community supports.
A CDAMS assessment includes medical and allied health consultations and may include a visit to your home. Other specialist assessments may be conducted (for example, neuropsychology). CDAMS will discuss the outcome of these consultations and recommendations with you and, if you agree, with your carer and doctor.
If you or someone you are caring for are experiencing changes to your memory and thinking you can contact CDAMS for information and advice. You can ask your local doctor or community health centre for a referral to CDAMS or refer yourself directly.
Clinics are located across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. To find a public or private clinic near you go to
Australian Dementia
Network
External Link
.
Dementia Support Australia
Dementia Support
Australia
External Link
helps people support someone with dementia in situations when their behaviour is impacting on their care.
Dementia Support Australia can:
assess the person with dementia
provide clinical support, information and advice (face to face, over the telephone or via email)
help with care planning and short-term case management.
Assessments are free of charge for people demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and DBMAS can make referrals to other support services.
Call the Dementia Support Australia 24-hour telephone helpline on Tel:
1800 699 799
Services for people caring for someone with dementia
The physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with dementia can be high. If you are caring for a person with dementia, you may also need support so you can look after yourself. It is easier to continue your care role if you take time out to recharge.
Organisations and groups can help and support you if you are caring for someone with dementia.
Dementia Australia
Dementia
Australia
External Link
offers counselling, information, education, training and referral services.
Information about dementia is available in community languages.
To find out more about Dementia Australia call Tel.
1800 100 500
or visit the
Dementia
Australia
External Link
’s website
Carers Victoria
Carers
Victoria
External Link
provides advice, counselling services, practical information and support to partners, carers and friends. They can help you arrange respite care and have information in many community languages.
Call Tel.
1800 514 845
or visit the
Carers Victoria
website
External Link
.
Support groups for carers of people with dementia
There are formal and informal support groups and networks for people with dementia and for their partners, carers and friends. You might find you feel reassured by catching up with others and getting help from people who share similar experiences.
Carer support groups bring together partners, carers and friends of people with dementia, sometimes with a group facilitator. To find the location of your nearest support group, contact the
National Dementia
Helpline
External Link
on Tel:
1800 100 500
, 24 hours a day.
Respite care and short-term stays
Taking a break for a day, a weekend or even a week or more is one way to recharge for your care role. You might want to go away for a holiday, or attend an event interstate. Or you might need to go to hospital for a short stay.
You can arrange respite services to take over your care duties while you are away from home. Services and programs can help you take time out so you can take care of yourself.
The
Commonwealth Home Support
Program
External Link
provides access to respite services. You can contact them through My Aged Care on tel:
1800 200 422
.
Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS)
For an older person to access Commonwealth-funded residential respite care, they must be assessed as eligible by an ACAS. ACAS is called Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in other states.
To arrange an assessment, call Tel.
1800 200 422
or visit the
My Aged
Care
External Link
website.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Your
local
council
External Link
Your local community health centre
National Dementia Helpline (Dementia
Australia)
External Link
, call Tel.
1800 100 500
Aged Care Assessment
Services
External Link
My Aged
Care
External Link
, call Tel.
1800 200 422
Help for Victorians with dementia and their
carers
External Link
Carers
Victoria
External Link
, call Tel.
1800 514 845
Council on the Ageing
Victoria
External Link
.
Personal Alert
Victoria
External Link
Palliative Care Advice
Service
External Link