Dementia Specific Placement

Dementia Specific Facilities

Increasing Need

There is an increasing need within our community for dementia specific services and support.

Dementia is not, as is often wrongly assumed, a natural part of ageing. However from age 65 onwards, the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia doubles every 5 years.

Fortunately there are a number of specialist residential and community care day programs specifically designed to assist older people and their families and carers to more positively manage dementia.

Features of dementia specific units and day programs include:

Appropriate and secure physical environment

Consistent and familiar team of specially trained staff

Lifestyle and leisure programs designed to meet individual needs (may include music therapy, reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, physiotherapy)

Interaction focused on positive social routines

Appropriate & planned activities

Small group interactions

Dementia Specific facilities have staff who are specially trained, and physical environments that have been specifically designed to meet the care needs of people with dementia. They may provide nursing home and/or hostel level care.

As there is a limited number of dementia specific facilities, particularly in rural areas, you may need to concentrate on finding a general facility that is suitable.

Some facilities describe themselves as "dementia friendly". This may mean that they are willing to take people with dementia or that they have special dementia programs or areas set aside for people with dementia. It sometimes means that the layout of the building and interior design is less confusing and there is access to secure outdoor areas. Sometimes it just means they have a secure door. You will need to check what level of service the facility provides when they say they are "dementia friendly". For example, have all staff been given dementia specific training?

As dementia progresses, caring usually becomes more intensive and the demands on families and carers increase.The health of the person with dementia and the wellbeing of the carer often mean that full-time aged care needs to be considered. Many families and carers find this a difficult decision to make. Understanding what needs to be done and where to go for help can make the transition easier.

Application for Dementia Specific Accommodation

An assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) is mandatory for entry to Low Level dementia specific care in a secure facility. You can arrange this by a simple call to the Aged Care Assessment Team or by discussing with your GP.

Dementia Facts

The dementia epidemic has arrived with over 162,000 people with dementia in 2002, and more than 6,600 Australians aged less than 65 experiencing 'young onset' dementia.

Dementia is the 2nd largest cause of disability burden in Australia after depression. It will become the largest by 2016, continuing to outpace other chronic illnesses.

Dementia is the 4th biggest killer of adults after heart disease, cancer and diseases of the respiratory system.

Approximately 50 per cent of people in their 90s suffer dementia.

Dementia is more common than skin cancer, yet with significantly less investment in public health initiatives.

Research into dementia is currently underfunded.

Australia would benefit from a national strategy to address the dementia epidemic.

Contact Us to discuss your family requirements