Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. It is not one specific disease.
Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with the person’s normal social or working life.
The most common dementias are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
A diagnosis of dementia is profoundly life-changing and fear and anxiety can lead to people avoiding diagnosis. If you or someone you know is concerned about memory loss speak with your GP about getting an assessment and diagnosis.
Getting a diagnosis is very important to exclude other conditions with similar symptoms but also to access available treatments that are beneficial early in the disease and to ensure that a person can fully participate in healthcare decisions and future planning.
The Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) is a publicly funded specialist multidisciplinary diagnostic, referral and education service that helps people with memory loss, or changes to their thinking, and those who support them. Private geriatrician and clinics also available.
The National Dementia Helpline is an Australia-wide, confidential telephone information and support service that helps people with dementia, and their partners, carers and friends.
Other services can support people with dementia to remain living at home, such as the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) or Commonwealth funded community aged care services.
If you are caring for someone with dementia, you can get free counselling, support and advice from Dementia Australia and Carers Victoria.
Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. If you need or want to take a break from your care role, there are respite and support services and programs you can use.
Dementia is the word used to describe the symptoms of illnesses that affect the brain. It is not one specific disease. Common dementias are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Dementia causes a progressive decline in a person’s functioning and affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks. It also affects their senses of sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing.
The risk of getting dementia increases with age, but it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common as people age affecting 30% of people over the age of 85.
Services are available in Victoria for people with dementia, and their families, carers and friends.
National Dementia Helpline
The National Dementia Helpline is an Australia-wide, confidential telephone information and support service.
The helpline is staffed by trained and experienced professionals and can help:
people with dementia and their family and friends
staff caring for someone with dementia
anyone concerned about memory loss.
The helpline offers practical information and advice, and staff can tell you about the services provided by Dementia Australia.
If you need an interpreter or advocate, the helpline can provide access and referral to an appropriate service. People who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can phone the National Relay Service on Tel. 13 36 77.
Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS)
CDAMS is a specialist service that helps people with memory loss, or changes to their thinking, and partners, carers and friends who support them.
CDAMS provides:
expert clinical diagnosis
information on appropriate treatments
education, support and information
direction in planning for the future
information on dealing with day-to-day issues
links for people with dementia and their carers to other services and community supports.
A CDAMS assessment includes medical and allied health consultations and may include a visit to your home. Other specialist assessments may be conducted (for example, neuropsychology). CDAMS will discuss the outcome of these consultations and recommendations with you and, if you agree, with your carer and doctor.
If you or someone you are caring for are experiencing changes to your memory and thinking you can contact CDAMS for information and advice. You can ask your local doctor or community health centre for a referral to CDAMS or refer yourself directly.
Clinics are located across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. To find a public or private clinic near you go to Australian Dementia Network.
Dementia Support Australia
Dementia Support Australia helps people support someone with dementia in situations when their behaviour is impacting on their care.
Dementia Support Australia can:
assess the person with dementia
provide clinical support, information and advice (face to face, over the telephone or via email)
help with care planning and short-term case management.
Assessments are free of charge for people demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and DBMAS can make referrals to other support services.
Call the Dementia Support Australia 24-hour telephone helpline on Tel: 1800 699 799
Services for people caring for someone with dementia
The physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with dementia can be high. If you are caring for a person with dementia, you may also need support so you can look after yourself. It is easier to continue your care role if you take time out to recharge.
Organisations and groups can help and support you if you are caring for someone with dementia.
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia offers counselling, information, education, training and referral services.
Information about dementia is available in community languages.
Carers Victoria provides advice, counselling services, practical information and support to partners, carers and friends. They can help you arrange respite care and have information in many community languages.
There are formal and informal support groups and networks for people with dementia and for their partners, carers and friends. You might find you feel reassured by catching up with others and getting help from people who share similar experiences.
Carer support groups bring together partners, carers and friends of people with dementia, sometimes with a group facilitator. To find the location of your nearest support group, contact the National Dementia Helpline on Tel: 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day.
Respite care and short-term stays
Taking a break for a day, a weekend or even a week or more is one way to recharge for your care role. You might want to go away for a holiday, or attend an event interstate. Or you might need to go to hospital for a short stay.
You can arrange respite services to take over your care duties while you are away from home. Services and programs can help you take time out so you can take care of yourself.
For an older person to access Commonwealth-funded residential respite care, they must be assessed as eligible by an ACAS. ACAS is called Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in other states.
