Information and services for family, friends and carers of people living with dementia

A list of phone numbers and web links, including Departmental and external resources, for further information about dementia.

In this section:

Caring for a family member or friend with dementia can be both a very rewarding and challenging experience. It can also be very physically, emotionally and financially demanding and affect your lifestyle and life choices.

As the dementia progresses, the need for care and support increases. It is important that carers take the time to look after themselves and to respond to their own needs and emotions.

There are a number of services and supports provided by the Australian Government to support Carers. These include providing assistance in the areas of:

respite care – including emergency, in-home and residential respite
counselling – to assist you in coping with the caring role and the emotions associated with it, including grief, loss and stress
information, education and training
service referral and support
financial support (through Centrelink)

It is important that carers are supported to remain socially connected, informed and supported.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are funded by the Australian Government under the National Respite for Carers Program. There are 54 Centres across Australia. Centres provide carers and other members of the community with information about community, aged care, disability and other support services available locally or across Australia for older people, people with a disability, and those who provide care and services.

Centres also assist carers with options to take a break, and have funding that can be used to purchase short-term and emergency respite for carers based on assessed need. Centres can be contacted on 1800 052 222*, or for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, on 1800 059 059* (*calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates). The website www.commcarelink.health.gov.au also contains a range of information relevant to carers, including a directory of services to help people find services in their local region.

For more information follow the link http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-carers-respcent.htm

The Carer Information and Support Service (CISS)

The Carer Associations offer two programs to carers that are supported by Australian Government funding:

The Carer Information and Support Service (CISS) offers specialist information and advice, emotional support as well as a pathway to counselling, support groups, education and training, advocacy, referrals and assistance in planning for the caring role. The CISS is also available to community service providers and the general public seeking specialist information on carers.

The National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) provides short term counselling, emotional and psychological support services for carers in need of such support, in order to reduce carer stress and improve carer coping skills.

The CISS and the NCCP are delivered through the Network of Carer Associations in each state and territory who can be contacted on 1800 242 636 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

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National Dementia Helpline and Referral Services

The National Dementia Helpline provides a first point of contact to:

support people with dementia, their families and carers
provide specialist advice to people living with dementia, their families and carers, health care professionals and the general public
facilitate referral to other services
distribute information products

The Helpline is funded by the Australian Government and managed by Alzheimer’s Australia. It is available on 1800 100 500 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges). You may contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (131 450) if you would like to contact the Helpline in a language other than English.

Dementia and Memory Community Centres

Dementia and Memory Community Centres are funded by the Australian Government and managed by Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia and Memory Community Centres are located in all capital cities and in some other cities in each State and Territory in Australia. Outreach programs provide access to people who live outside these cities.

Dementia and Memory Community Centres cater for people who are worried about their memory, people who have been diagnosed with dementia and the family and carers of these people as well as members of the broader community. Services include counselling, recreation activities, education courses, library and information services.

You may locate a Dementia and Memory Community Centre nearest to you by calling the National Dementia Helpline managed by Alzheimer’s Australia on 1800 100 500 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

Early Intervention and Counselling

The Australian Government funds Alzheimer’s Australia to provide and promote early intervention and counselling programs, services and resources to support people living with memory loss, their families and carers. These include:

one to one and small group counselling
access to support groups
early intervention support for people with early stage dementia and their carers through programs such as the Living with Memory Loss Program

You may access these programs and services by contacting the National Dementia Helpline managed by Alzheimer’s Australia on 1800 100 500 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

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Information, Awareness, Education and Training

The Australian Government funds Alzheimer’s Australia to provide and promote education programs, services and resources that aim to:

improve awareness and understanding about dementia and the services available, to people living with dementia, their carers, families, service providers and health professionals; and
increase the skills and confidence of people living with dementia, their carers, families, health professionals, volunteers and community contacts.

Information and awareness raising activities include:

Help Sheets including in languages other than English;
national and international conferences to provide awareness raising and information sharing forums as well as opportunities for consumer input;
accredited training in Certificate III competency units for aged care workers such as Dementia Competency CHCAC15A, that is also available for families and carers;
non- accredited six week courses for family carers and participants;
short courses for aged care workers;
community education sessions; and
a range of other activities such as one day family carer courses.

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)

A DMBAS has been established in each state and territory to provide appropriate clinical interventions to help aged care staff and carers improve their care of people with dementia where the behaviour of the person with dementia impacts on their care. The DBMAS program provides targeted services for people with dementia who are seeking or receiving care through Australian Government funded aged care services, as well as their carers and families. The program also supports other clinicians, staff of mental health services for older people and allied health services. DBMAS core functions include:

Provision of information and advice;
Undertaking assessments and short-term case management including; mentoring and modelling management techniques; and
Delivery of tailored information and education workshops.

DBMAS offers 24 hour a day telephone support call 1800 699 799 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

Dementia Education and Training for Carers

The Dementia Education and Training for Carers (DETC) program provides skill enhancement activities for carers of people living with dementia, such as driving lessons, education about dealing with challenging behaviours and personal care skills. The program is delivered by the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres with funding provided through the Australian Government’s Dementia Initiative.

Dementia Community Support Grants - Round Four

On 9 December 2010, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP announced the Dementia Community Support Grants – Round Four.

The Program provides funding for local community projects to improve dementia literacy, encourage innovation in the dementia care sector, bridge social gaps and encourage the social participation of people with dementia, their families and carers across Australia. The first three grant rounds have provided funds for over 150 projects at a cost of $6.3 million.

These Grants are for up to 12 months in duration with funding of up to $50,000 per Grant.

Applications for Round Four of the Grants opened on 9 December 2010. Applications close at 2pm Thursday 10 February 2011. However, the Department encourages organisations affected by the recent floods and environmental events to request an extension from the current deadline to 2pm Thursday 3 March 2011. For information on how to apply for an extension veiw Addendum 3. For more information on the Grants program including eligibility criteria and how to apply view Tenders and Grants.

The Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia Program

The Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) program provides packages of high level care and support to older Australians who experience behaviours of concern and psychological symptoms associated with dementia to assist them to remain living in their own homes.

More information about the EACHD program and other community care options can be found under Home Based Care on the department’s website.

Dementia Booklets

Living with Dementia - a booklet especially for people that have been diagnosed with dementia

Dementia - The Caring Experience - a guide for families and carers of people with dementia

Delirium in older people - this booklet is about Delirium, a term used to describe changes to thinking and behaviour that occur over a very short time
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For more information and assistance

Ring…

National Dementia Helpline – 1800 100 500*
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres – 1800 052 222* during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059*
Aged Care Information Line - 1800 500 853
Centrelink - 13 27 17
*Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges.

Visit…

Aged Care Australia
Centrelink
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre