If you’ve ever been touched by dementia, you’ll know what a cruel and heartbreaking disease it can be.
It can also be an isolating experience. Individuals and their families reportedly feel “lost” after receiving a diagnosis. This is exacerbated by a lack of guidance for the community care workforce into where and how to find dementia support (Guidelines Adaptation Committee 2016, Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety – Final Report, 2021).
With this in mind, VMCH is proud to have partnered with Caladenia Dementia Care and My Dementia Companion to begin the development of Australia’s first dementia practice guide to help Case Managers and Care Coordinators who support people living with dementia and their carers in their homes. ‘Your Guide to Implementing Person-Driven Care’ will provide workers with information to help refer clients to appropriate and individualised support as their needs change.
If the trial is successful, the guide could also be used within allied health, residential aged care and disability settings (where the client/resident has a diagnosis of Younger Onset Dementia) and by families and carers, as well as care workers.