Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) helps staff and carers to support people living with dementia experiencing changes to their behaviour by providing assessment, clinical support, care planning, mentoring, linking to current research and a 24-hour help line.

About DBMAS

DBMAS provides free support and advice to service providers and individuals caring for people living with dementia. It provides support when the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia start to impact a person's quality of care. 

DBMAS services include:

  • 24/7 phone support
  • phone or in-person assessment of the person living with dementia and their environment
  • involving the carer and support network to understand the person with dementia and their needs, including their background, culture, and life experiences
  • personalised advice, strategies and recommendations
  • on-going support and guidance to implement these recommendations
  • increasing staff knowledge through modelling strategies and recommendations
  • access to current research and guidelines
  • referrals to other Dementia Support Australia services, such as Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT)

Why it is important

Each person experiences dementia differently. DBMAS individually recognises and responds to changed behaviours by working closely with the person living with dementia, their carers, GPs, and clinicians to design and implement non-medicinal supports.

DBMAS aims to understand the causes or triggers that led to changes in behaviour, such as:

  • changes in the person’s health
  • their social or physical environment
  • medications.

Goals

DBMAS seeks to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers. DBMAS does this by supporting people living with dementia, staff and carers no matter where they are – in community, residential, acute and primary care settings.

Who we work with

Dementia Support Australia is the national provider of DBMAS, Severe Behaviour Response Teams and Needs Based Assessment. DBMAS is funded under the Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund.

Status

Dementia Support Australia is funded to provide DBMAS until 30 June 2025.

Related information

Dementia Support Australia has resources to help health care professionals and family members supporting a person living with dementia.

Contact

If you have questions, or would like more information on DBMAS, contact Dementia Support Australia.

Date last updated:

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