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Help for people living with dementia
There are many organisations that support people with dementia, their carers and family. This part of our website tells you about the helplines, networks, support groups and other services available, as well as introducing you to a wide range of community care programs that you may be able to access.
- The National Dementia Helpline (more information)
- Commonwealth Carelink Program (more information)
- Dementia and Memory Community Centres (DMCC) (more information)
- Early intervention and support programs
- Non-clinical advice, counselling and professional support
- Education and training programs
- Awareness raising and information activities
- Support for special needs groups
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS) (more information)
- The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (more information)
- Alzheimer’s Australia (more information)
- Community care programs for people with dementia
- Home and Community Care (HACC) program (more information)
- Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) (more information)
- Day Therapy Centres (more information)
The National Dementia Helpline
Everyone has a bad day now and then, but if you’re worried that you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, or you know someone who is, ring the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. This service offers information, advice, counselling and referral to a range of support services that can assist.
The Commonwealth Carelink Program is a national network of centres that provide up-to-date information on aged care and dementia services in your area, including local support groups, meal and nursing services, day care centres, household support services and a range of other allied health services. There are over 60 walk-in shopfronts throughout Australia. Call Carelink on 1800 052 222 for more information.
Read more: About Commonwealth Carelink Centres
Dementia and Memory Community Centres (DMCC)
These community drop-in centres provide a range of information, support activities and social services to people with dementia as well as their carers and family. If you go along to one of these centres you should have access to experts on dementia, support groups, web-based information, chat rooms, library services, training sessions and workshops on memory, as well as activities such as art therapy, exercise and one-to-one counselling.
Early intervention and support programs
There is a range of programs for people with dementia, such as the Living with Memory Loss Program, which offers support to people with early-stage dementia as well as their carers and family via structured training and support groups. This program can provide advice on getting your affairs in order and coping with the changes that dementia brings, as well putting you in touch with a range of other services. You can call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for more information on programs run by Alzheimer’s Australia, or call the Commonwealth Carelink Program on 1800 052 222 for more information on a wide range of local support groups.
Non-clinical advice, counselling and professional support
People with dementia, their carers and family can access one-on-one counselling through the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. This service is also available to people who are concerned about the risk of developing dementia.
Education and training programs
Carers of people with dementia as well as professional respite workers can access specialised, accredited training in dementia care that meets workplace needs. Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for more information.
Awareness raising and information activities
There’s a lot of government information available for people with dementia and their carers, which you can download for free:
- Dementia – The Caring Experience
- Living with Dementia
- Dementia Resource Guide
You can also call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 if you’re interested in more information about National Dementia Awareness Week held around September/October each year, or in any other conferences that are held on the subject of dementia.
Support for special needs groups
The government caters for the needs and activities of special populations such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people in rural and remote areas, younger people with dementia, and socially disadvantaged people. Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres on 1800 052 222 to find out more about the National Dementia Cross Cultural Network, or if you have special needs related to these groups and would like to know what support is available.
The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)
This service offers people with dementia and their carers support in managing behavioural and psychological symtoms of dementia, such as wondering and aggression. DBMAS also provides clinical supervision and mentoring for carers and care staff, support with care planning, short-term case management, crisis management and referrals to other relevant services. DBMAS services can be accessed by staff of government subsidised aged care services, including aged care homes, Community Aged Care Packages, Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH and EACH Dementia programs), respite services, Day Therapy Centres, other dementia specific services, and Aged Care Assessment Teams/Services.
For more information contact 1800 699 791 (24 hours a day).
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs
A useful booklet, Living with Dementia has been produced by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide information and support for people with dementia. The booklet includes advice on the following topics:
what to do if you’ve been diagnosed with dementia
- looking after your health
- looking after how you feel
- managing with memory loss, and
- driving.
You can download your free copy the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
Alzheimer's Australia receives government funding and delivers a wide range of services and activities to people living with dementia, their carers and family. They provide lots of information you may find helpful, including help sheets and updates on topics related to dementia as well as reading and video lists, information on support groups and the latest news on research and treatments.
For more information contact the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.
Community care programs for people with dementia
You can also receive care such as home help, personal care or therapy through a range of government funded programs such as the Home and Community Care program (HACC), Community Aged Care Packages (CACP), Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH and EACHDementia) packages, Day Therapy Centres and aged care homes. More information on all of these programs is provided below.
Home and Community Care (HACC) program
When you need some basic help at home, the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program can meet your needs, providing you with maintenance and support services that promote your independence at home and in the community. You don’t need a government assessment to benefit from this service.
Read more: About the Home and Community Care program
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
This program provides a planned and managed package of community care for you if you have complex low-level care needs but can still live in your own home. To be eligible to receive a package you must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) (more information).
Read more: About Community Aged Care Packages
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) is a program that provides high-level care at home if you need more assistance than a Community Aged Care Package can provide. EACH packages are also individually planned and coordinated.
Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD)
If you or someone you care for needs assistance because of behavioural problems associated with dementia, including periods of changes in behaviour or other disturbances, the Extended Aged Care at Home – Dementia (EACHD) program can provide high-level care through an individually tailored package that includes qualified nursing.
Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia
Day Therapy Centres
There are over 150 Day Therapy Centres operating nationally, with most located in or near aged care homes. These centres provide you with therapy services such as physiotherapy (more information), occupational (more information) and speech therapy (more information), podiatry (more information) and other therapies. You need to be referred by your doctor, health or community care practitioner or by an aged care home.
Read more: About Day Therapy Centres
