Dementia Care

Carers or health care workers can play a crucial role in providing support to a person with dementia by not only contributing to their overall wellbeing, but enabling them to live at home for longer, and improving their sense of self-worth and independence. Whether they provide support a few times a week or more regularly, a carer can:

• Provide stability and predictability through a structured daily schedule with regular mealtimes, activities, and rest periods
• Give loved ones a break from managing their loved one’s dementia symptoms
• Help reduce confusion and anxiety often experienced by people with dementia
• Help with the housework so the home stays safe and tidy
• Help with communication and making interactions more meaningful for people with dementia and their families
• Provide safe transport and support in regular activities and events
• Enable people with vascular dementia engage in activities and a specialist dementia care program that brings them joy and stimulates cognitive activity
• Providing comfort, reassurance and companionship – especially when people with dementia face challenges in expressing themselves and behavioural symptoms

Home Caring provides personalised in home dementia care for people living with the condition. We are available in a wide range of suburbs in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, Canberra, and Tasmania. For more information, please get in touch with our customer service team.

To access government-funded aged care support at home, the first step is to contact My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s central access point for aged care services.

You can call 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website to begin the process.

During your initial contact, you’ll be asked some questions about your health, daily living needs and current support arrangements. This helps determine whether you may be eligible for an assessment.

If appropriate, My Aged Care will arrange for an in-home assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), depending on your state. A qualified assessor will visit you at home to understand your situation, discuss your goals and determine the level of support you may require under the Support at Home program. You’re welcome to have a family member or trusted person with you during this visit.

Following the assessment, you will receive confirmation of the outcome and information about your next steps. This may include approval for a Support at Home classification and guidance on choosing an approved provider.

You can begin researching providers at this stage to find one that best suits your needs, values and location.

If you would like support navigating this process, you’re welcome to contact HomeCaring. Our team can explain how the assessment pathway works and help you understand your options.

Government-funded in-home aged care support under the Support at Home program may include a range of services tailored to the individual’s needs, goals and assessment outcomes.

For people living with dementia, supports may include:

• Personal care assistance, including help with bathing, grooming and dressing
• Nursing services where clinically required and included in your care plan
• Support with medication prompts and management
• Assistance with maintaining physical activity and daily routines
• Allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, where appropriate
• Specialised dementia support, including cognitive stimulation activities, memory support and strategies to help manage behavioural changes
• Respite support to give family carers time to rest and recharge
• Transport assistance for appointments and community participation
• Meal preparation, grocery shopping and nutrition support
• Support with managing chronic health conditions in collaboration with healthcare providers
• Home modifications to enhance safety and reduce risks
• Assistive technology to promote independence and daily functioning
• Companionship and social engagement to reduce isolation and support emotional wellbeing

The types of services available will depend on the outcome of your aged care assessment and your individual care plan.

If you or your loved one is living with dementia, we understand that your needs may change as the condition progresses. We’re here for you throughout the journey, and will adapt our support to suit your care needs at any given time. To achieve this, we conduct regular assessments to evaluate your current needs and make necessary adjustments to the care plan. We also encourage open communication and feedback, so we can ensure our services are the best fit for you.

Our support is designed to be flexible. As dementia progresses, we can modify the types and levels of services we provide, to best suit your changing needs. Whether it’s making adjustments in personal care, cognitive stimulation, help with the housework or companionship, we are committed to adapting our services accordingly.

We also work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, including doctors and specialists, to make sure that our care aligns with any medical recommendations they may have, and depending on the type of dementia you have. If there are changes in your health status or medical advice, we can incorporate these updates into your unique care plan.

Caring for a loved one with dementia is a deeply rewarding yet demanding job for family members. Home Caring is here to help with respite services that gives loved ones a break. Our fully trained and experienced carers can step in and provide personalised support, whether you need a few hours to run errands, attend appointments, or simply take time for yourself. We create a safe and engaging environment for your loved one, allowing them to participate in stimulating activities and receive personalised care as you recharge, knowing that their loved one is in capable hands.

Our team can also provide expert dementia carer support to help families in their carer journey. We conduct regular check-ins and consultations with family members so we can adapt care plans as needed, and provide guidance on handling the changing challenges of dementia.

Caring for someone who has cognitive impairment can be an overwhelming task. If you support someone who has dementia, you might like to know about resources and support services that are available to you, along with the support your loved one receives through Support at Home. This includes:

• Counselling services – counsellors can provide a listening ear, guidance, and practical advice to family members and carers. You can access free counselling services through Carer Gateway and Dementia Australia.
• Education programs to learn more about dementia and how to best support your loved one. You can access programs, training courses and webinars through Dementia Australia.
• Carer support groups, where you have a safe place to share the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. To find out about groups that meet near you, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
• Respite care – this is when a professional carer supports your loved one so that you can take a break from your caring responsibilities. You can access Respite care services through your loved one’s Support at Home funding.

If you’d like to chat to someone about how to get more support as a carer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our customer service team would be happy to answer any questions that you have.