Dementia Care Central Coast

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes cognitive impairments that affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. There are various types of dementia, but the most prevalent are:

Alzheimer's Disease – this form of dementia, characterised by the build-up of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, causes cognitive abilities to deteriorate, leading to memory loss and personality changes.

Vascular Dementia – this condition arises from compromised blood flow to the brain. Cognitive decline in vascular dementia can happen suddenly or progress more gradually, depending on the cause.

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) – LBD is the presence of abnormal protein deposits known as Lewy bodies in the brain. Its symptoms include visual hallucinations, fluctuations in cognitive function, movement difficulties, and alterations in alertness.

Frontotemporal Dementia – primarily impacting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, frontotemporal dementia induces changes in personality, behaviour, and language.

In some instances, someone may have symptoms of more than one type of dementia. For example, a person could simultaneously experience Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Dementia symptoms can vary, but many people struggle with loss of memory, finding it difficult to recall recent conversations, appointments, or the location of everyday items. They might become disoriented or confused in familiar surroundings, have trouble following or joining in on conversations, and experience changes in judgment or decision-making. Additionally, mood swings, personality shifts, and increased irritability can occur, along with a decline in organisational skills and the ability to complete once-familiar tasks.

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms that you suspect may be early signs of dementia, it is important to take action promptly. Schedule an appointment with your GP, who can assess your symptoms and if needed, refer you to a neurologist or geriatric specialist for a diagnosis. Early detection can lead to early interventions and treatments that manage symptoms and potentially slow the progression of the condition.

You may also consider reaching out to support groups and organisations specialising in dementia care and research, as they can provide valuable information, resources, and emotional support. Building a strong support network and proactively seeking medical guidance is key in navigating dementia and ensuring the best possible quality of life for those affected.

Do you need dementia support on the Central Coast? Home Caring’s teams of local carers provide quality dementia services to help people enjoy quality of life in their own homes. To find out more about our dementia home care services, please get in touch with our customer service team. We’re happy to help.

The Home Care Packages program, funded by the Australian federal government, offers a range of services that assist people living with dementia, while also providing essential support to their families and primary carers. This coordinated package of services enhances the quality of life for those with dementia by promoting their independence and comfort, allowing them to continue living in their familiar home environment for as long as possible, rather than having to transition to an aged care facility before they are ready.

A Home Care Package provides access to plenty of services that are personalised to each person’s unique needs. This can include specialised dementia care, respite care to give family carers a much-needed break, assistance with meal planning and preparation, household help, personal care services, allied health therapies, companionship and social support, in-home nursing services, medication management, transportation, counselling services, assistive technology, minor home modifications, mobility equipment, clinical care for complex needs, 24/7 support, and day programs for people with dementia.

These services are delivered by approved Home Care Package providers. A case manager helps you or your loved one create a personalised care plan that is suited to your circumstances, and best meets your needs. Professional support workers and registered nurses then implement this plan to support individuals within the comfort of their own home. While the Australian government subsidises the cost of these services, individuals may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost, based on your financial situation.

Are you looking for home dementia care on the Central Coast? Home Caring provides high quality dementia support through the Home Care Packages program, helping people live as independently as possible, and enjoy quality of life. To talk to someone about your needs, please get in touch with our customer service team.

The cost of a Home Care Package in Australia can vary depending on several factors, including your financial situation and the level of care and services you require. The Australian Government provides a subsidy to cover a portion of the cost of the Home Care Package. Then depending on your financial circumstances, you may be asked to pay some fees towards the cost of your care. These fees include:

Basic daily fee – this is a fee that everyone receiving a Home Care Package must pay. It is a fixed amount and is set by the government. The exact amount may change annually, and is subject to indexation. You can find the current amount on the My Aged Care website.

Income-tested care fee – in addition to the government subsidy, you may be required to pay an income-tested care fee if your income and assets are above a certain threshold. The amount you need to pay will be based on your financial circumstances.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you may want to consider helping them apply for a government funded Home Care Package, so they can get the support they need to live at home. This enables them to access subsidised support through a coordinated package of services, such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport, medication management, meal preparation, assistive technology, allied health therapies, social support, and more.

To be allocated a Home Care Package, your loved one needs to undergo an assessment, to determine their needs and the level of care they require. If they are unable to apply on their own, you can help them through the application process, or apply with My Aged Care on their behalf. Here are the steps to follow.

Get in touch with My Aged Care. If your loved one is not able to make an application for themselves, you can contact My Aged Care on their behalf, and apply for a local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to visit them for an assessment. You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website to complete the application form online by following the prompts. To be eligible for government-funded home care, your loved one must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident, and over 65 years old (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians).

Undergo an ACAT assessment. Once your loved one has submitted an application for an assessment with My Aged Care, an ACAT assessor will be in touch with you shortly to arrange a one-on-one meeting with your loved one, usually in their home. The purpose of the meeting is to determine how they’re going with everyday life, and what their care needs are. This could include support with housework and daily activities, transport to appointments or events, personal care, nursing care from a trained professional, allied health therapies, and other services that help them thrive at home. You can be present for the assessment as support. Your loved one might also need to undergo an income assessment, depending on their financial situation.

Await the outcome of the assessment. If your loved one is eligible for a Home Care Package, they will be notified by mail. They will then be placed on a national priority waiting list, until a Home Care Package becomes available to them. Priority may be given to individuals with more complex care needs and those facing particular challenges. If you need support and can’t wait, you can apply for an interim package, or for support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Are you looking for a dementia carer on the Central Coast for your loved one? Home Caring’s dedicated team of specialist staff provide compassionate care to meet people’s needs and support families of people with dementia. To find out more, please get in touch with our care staff team.

If your loved one is in the queue for a Home Care Package to become available but needs support now, you can apply for a lesser amount of support services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or an interim package. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is a government-subsidised service that provides a range of entry-level supports to help older people stay healthy and safe in their own home. The services offered are not as intensive as what you would receive under a Home Care Package, but they might be a helpful temporary solution while your loved one wait for a package to become available.

An interim package is a similar offering to the CHSP, and is available to those who have been approved for a Level 2, 3, or 4 Home Care Package. If you choose to access an interim package, it won’t affect your position in the Home Care Package queue.

Another solution is to pay for care services on your own while waiting for your Home Care Package to become available. This means you hire and pay service providers directly to help your loved one. It can be more expensive, but some families do it temporarily to make sure their loved one gets the care they need until their government-funded Home Care Package is ready.

Home Caring provides quality Home Care Packages to help older people enjoy quality of life and good health in their own home. We offer an experienced team, quality care, and responsive customer service. To find out about dementia care at home on the Central Coast, please get in touch with our friendly customer service team. We’re happy to help.

The Home Care Packages program is designed for seniors aged 65 or older (or aged 50 and older for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people). If you have been diagnosed with younger onset dementia, you may be able to access support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This is a program in Australia that provides a wide range of services to people with disability. Tailored to a participant’s unique needs and goals, it helps them access the necessary care, therapy, and support they need to lead a more independent and fulfilling life. If you have younger onset dementia, you can apply for NDIS at ndis.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 110. A family member can also apply on your behalf.

Are you searching for dementia care on the Central Coast? Home Caring offers individualised support plans for people with younger onset dementia in the Central Coast community, so they can continue an independent life. To speak to someone about your needs, please get in touch with our care team.