About the program
The Improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers program aims to support carers and families caring for a person living with dementia. This is through access to dementia–specific respite support services.
The program will deliver:
- carer education and wellbeing
- innovative approaches to improving the quality and experience of respite care for people with dementia
- improved respite care planning for people with dementia
- increased capability of aged care providers to deliver quality respite care
Why it is important
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that there are between 137,600 and 354,200 unpaid primary carers who support people living with dementia. Unpaid carers are family, friends, or community members who support people living with dementia.
Goals
The program aims to:
- improve the quality and experience of respite care for the person living with dementia and their carer
- reduce levels of carer burden and improve carer wellbeing
- improve the respite care experience for the person with dementia and their carer
- improve care planning for people with dementia and their carer and improve transitions between their home and place of respite
Who we work with
We are working with a range of organisations to deliver dementia-specific respite programs across all state and territories. Contact a provider in your jurisdiction to find out more about the program they offer.
National (all states and territories)
- HammondCare/Dementia Support Australia
Australian Capital Territory
- BaptistCare NSW & ACT
- Carers ACT
New South Wales
- BaptistCare NSW & ACT
- Group Homes Australia
- HammondCare at Home
- 3Bridges Community Limited
- Belong Blue Mountains Inc.
- CASS Care Ltd
Queensland
- CatholicCare Central Queensland
- Clifton Community Health Service
South Australia
- Barunga Village Inc.
- Resthaven Incorporated
- Uniting Communities
- Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic)
Victoria
- Australian Multicultural Community Service
- Caladenia Dementia Care
- Central Highlands Rural Health
- Australian-Filipino Community Services
- National Ageing Research Institute
- Princes Court
- Australian Greek Welfare Society
Western Australia
- Amana Living
Northern Territory
- Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corp.
Tasmania
- Australian Greek Welfare Society
Dementia respite care training
The University of Tasmania will train the dementia care workforce to improve their understanding of the specific care needs of a person living with dementia accessing respite care.
Status
HammondCare/Dementia Support Australia is delivering programs in all states and territories. Other providers will start delivering programs in their jurisdictions in the second half of 2023.
Contact
Contact one of the providers above for more information or to express interest in a program in your area.