Dementia Care Sunshine Coast

Dementia is a broad term describing cognitive impairments that interfere with a person's ability to function in daily life. There are several different types of dementia, each with its own set of symptoms. Some of the most common types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia, characterised by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain. This leads to the gradual loss of cognitive functions, memory, and personality changes.
• Vascular Dementia results from impaired blood flow to the brain, often due to strokes or other vascular problems. Cognitive decline in vascular dementia can occur suddenly or progress more gradually, depending on the cause.
• Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is characterised by the presence of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. Symptoms include visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, movement problems, and variations in alertness.
• Frontotemporal Dementia primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behaviour, and language.
• In some cases, a person may exhibit symptoms of more than one type of dementia. This is referred to as mixed dementia. For example, a person may have both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Do you require dementia home care on the Sunshine Coast? Home Caring provides quality dementia care services for people diagnosed with dementia, and support for family members. To learn more about our dementia support services on the Sunshine Coast, please get in touch.

Dementia symptoms can vary from person to person, but here are some of the early signs:

• Memory loss – this is often the most noticeable early symptom. Individuals may forget recent events, appointments, or important dates. They might repeatedly ask the same questions to their friends or family.
• Difficulty with planning – the person with early dementia may find it challenging to plan and organise tasks they used to do easily, whether it's cooking a meal or managing finances. They may struggle with following instructions or recipes.
• Confusion or disorientation – the person may become disoriented in familiar places, get lost easily, or have trouble recognising the time, date, or season.
• Language problems – the person with dementia may have difficulty finding the right words to express themselves, follow or join in on conversations, or write coherently. They may use vague terms or invent words to get their meaning across.
• Impaired judgement – early dementia can lead individuals to make poor decisions which are out of character, especially related to finances, personal hygiene, and their own safety.
• Changes in personality – emotional and personality changes can occur, such as increased irritability, anxiety, depression, or apathy. Individuals may withdraw from social activities or hobbies they once enjoyed.
• Difficulty with complex tasks – Completing tasks that involve multiple steps, like managing medications, can become challenging for those with dementia.
• Misplacing items – people may frequently misplace items and have trouble retracing their steps to find them. They might accuse others of stealing or hiding their belongings.
• Changes in spatial awareness – difficulty with spatial relationships can result in problems with balance, coordination, and a higher risk of falls for people with dementia.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs, it's essential to seek medical evaluation to determine the cause and receive an accurate diagnosis. Many conditions can appear as early dementia symptoms, and an early diagnosis can help with proper management and planning for the future.

Need dementia support on the Sunshine Coast? Home Caring provides personalised aged care and dementia services to help people live independently. To find out more, please get in touch with our customer service team.

A dementia diagnosis usually begins with a visit to your GP, who conducts an initial assessment by taking a medical history, performing a physical examination, and assessing cognitive function. If dementia is suspected, you or your loved one may be referred to a specialist, such as a neurologist or geriatrician, for a more comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation typically includes cognitive assessments, neuroimaging scans, and blood tests to rule out other potential causes of cognitive impairment. A formal diagnosis of dementia is made based on the results of these assessments.

If you suspect you or your loved one might have dementia, it’s important to see your GP and rule out any other possible causes for symptoms. An early diagnosis can also help in managing the condition, and addressing any treatable causes of cognitive impairment.

The Australian government's Home Care Packages program provides different services to assist individuals with dementia, and support their families and primary carers. It helps people with dementia enjoy greater independence and comfort, enabling them to remain in their familiar home environment for as long as possible rather than transitioning prematurely to an aged care facility.

Some of the services you can access through a Home Care Package include specialist dementia support, respite care to give family carers a break, meal planning and preparation, house help, personal care services, allied health therapies, companionship and social support, nursing services at home, medication management, transportation, counselling services, and assistive technology.

Services are delivered by approved aged care providers who create a personalised care plan based on your specific needs. Professional carers and nurses then provide you with services according to that plan, to help you thrive in your own home. The cost is subsidised by the Australian government, although you may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of your care, depending on your financial situation.

Do you need home dementia care on the Sunshine Coast? Home Caring provides specialist dementia support through the Home Care Packages program, to provide support throughout the different stages of dementia. To chat about your needs, please get in touch with our customer service team.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and is unable to apply for government-funding, you can help them apply for a Home Care Package by completing the process with them. This means they can receive a government-subsidised program of services, personalised to meet their care needs at home.

Eligibility for a Home Care Package is determined through an assessment of your loved one’s needs. Here are the steps to follow.

• Contact My Aged Care. If your loved one is unable to apply themselves, you can contact your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) through My Aged Care and apply for an assessment on their behalf. You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or complete the application form online by following the prompts on the My Aged Care website. To be eligible, 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 you and your loved one have applied for an assessment with My Aged Care, an ACAT assessor will get in touch to arrange a one-on-one meeting with your loved one, usually in their home, to determine how they’re coping and what their care needs are. These needs can include assistance with daily activities, transport, personal care, nursing care, therapies, and other services that support their ability to live 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.
• Home Care Package approval – if your loved one is approved for a Home Care Package, they will be notified by mail. Your loved one is then 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.

Are you looking for a dementia carer on the Sunshine Coast for your loved one? Home Caring’s local team of professional carers provide personalised support 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 local staff, quality support, and a responsive customer service team. To find out about dementia care at home on the Sunshine 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 Sunshine Coast? Home Caring offers individualised support plans for people with younger onset dementia in the Sunshine Coast community, so they can continue living as independently as possible. To speak to someone about your needs, please get in touch with our care team.