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Services and resources for carers of people with dementia
If you’re looking after someone with dementia, it’s worth knowing that there are lots of services available that offer education and support as well as respite care.
- Legal help
- Help with caring
- Taking a break
- Support groups for carers
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (more information)
- Day Therapy Centres (more information)
- Centrelink (more information)
- Aged care homes
- Dementia resources and useful contacts
Legal help
As dementia is a degenerative condition it’s important for people with dementia and their carers to get their affairs in order and plan for the future as early as possible. Go to our section on financial and legal support for more help in this area.Read more: Legal issues for people with dementia
Help with caring
There are many government programs available that can help you if you’re looking after someone with dementia at home, offering everything from assistance with cooking and housekeeping to shopping, transport and home nursing, depending on the level of care required.Read more: About what programs are available
Taking a break
When you’re caring for someone with dementia it’s important that you also look after yourself by getting regular exercise, managing stress levels, eating well and maintaining your social contacts so that you can continue your caring responsibilities in the best possible health. It’s also important to remember that you have a right to follow your own interests and that there’s lots of help available to give you time off.Regular breaks are useful, not just for you, but for the person you care for. Often carers are hesitant to take time for themselves, and it’s not uncommon for people with dementia to find new people and environments unsettling. However, you can try reassuring the person with dementia that you’re positive about the break, even if you’re feeling a little anxious. Also, you may find that if you start using respite services early on it may be easier to make the adjustment.
There are a number of government programs that give you a break. Respite can take place in your home, an aged care home or respite centre. It can last a few hours or a few days, depending on your needs. In-home respite does not always require a formal assessment, however, if you wish to organise residential respite for the person you care for, they will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information). For more information about aged care call 1800 200 422.
Read more: Looking after yourself
Next step: Aged Care Assessment Team Finder
Support groups for carers
There are many support groups around the country for carers to share experiences, learn from others and discuss issues and emotions in a safe environment. Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for more information.Read more: Carer support groups
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can provide respite and support for carers. For information call 1800 200 422.Read more: Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Day Therapy Centres
These centres may provide your family member with a wide range of therapy services such as physiotherapy (more information), occupational (more information) and speech therapy (more information), podiatry (more information) and more.Read more: Day Therapy Centres
Centrelink
Centrelink can provide information on financial help for carers. You can contact them on 13 27 17 or 13 12 02 (for multilingual information).Aged care homes
Some carers simply cannot look after their family member once dementia sets in and seek help from others in a more appropriate environment, like an aged care home. This section of our website can help make the transition a little easier.Read more: Aged care homes for people with health conditions
Dementia resources and useful contacts
You’ll find a complete list of available helplines, organisations, programs and support groups by going to our section on useful resources and contacts for people with dementia.Read more: Dementia resources and useful contacts
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