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.

In Australia, dementia care at home is usually funded through the Home Care Packages program, a government scheme that helps people with dementia access quality support in their own homes. The program offers four levels of packages, ranging from basic to high care, with funding allocated based on each person’s assessed care needs. Packages can be used for a wide range of services, such as personal care, nursing support, assistance with daily tasks, transport, day programs, independent living aids, and respite care.

People who receive a Home Care Package can choose their own provider, and work with them to create a care plan that is based on their needs. This provides flexibility, as each person can access services that is the most helpful to them when it comes to ageing at home.

To apply for a Home Care Package, the first step is to contact My Aged Care, the central hub for aged care services in Australia. You can reach them by calling 1800 200 422 or by visiting the website. During the call, they will ask you some basic questions about your needs to determine your eligibility for a Home Care Package.

If you are eligible, My Aged Care will arrange for an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) member. They will visit you at home, discuss your situation, and assess your care needs. This helps determine the appropriate level of support you require. You can have a loved one with you throughout the visit, as support.

After the assessment, if you are eligible for a Home Care Package, you will receive an approval letter from My Aged Care, indicating the level that you’ve been allocated, and the next steps. You will then be placed in a queue to wait until a package becomes available to you. In the meantime, you can start researching different providers in your local area, to choose the one who best meets your needs.

If you need guidance throughout this process, you can get in touch with My Aged Care or give us a call. Our customer service team would be happy to answer any questions that you have.

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 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 their Home Care Package. 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 Home Care Package.