Dementia Care
Introduction
Dementia is a significant health concern in Australia, affecting thousands of individuals and their families. There are three new cases of Dementia being diagnosed per second worldwide. As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase, necessitating specialised care and facilities that cater for them and support their carers and families.
Prevalence of Dementia in Australia
According to Dementia Australia, there are currently around 472,000 Australians living with dementia. This number is projected to increase to over 1.1 million by 2058. The rising prevalence underscores the need for dedicated dementia care services and facilities that cater specifically and especially to the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) group.
Structure and Services of Dementia Care Unit(DCU) @ Prime Garden Mont Albert North SRS
Prime Garden Mont Albert North SRS DCU is a privately run, non-government support unit led by a Dementia specialist and a passionate team of aged care professionals and caregivers.
- Specialised Staff Training: Staff receive regular training (online education & Medical specialist in services) in all aspects of dementia care,
- Environmental Design & Safety: The unique Sensory room (SR) is the centrepiece design to create the desired ambience for wandering and active clients. Our goal is to minimise the use of medications and maximise the quality of lives to put a smile on their faces.
Our DCU has a secured centre courtyard complemented by an old-day bus stop which we source from Asia and Melbourne Yarra tram stop so our CALD clients can identify and be serenaded by their most precious memories of when they were old. There are clear signage to aid navigation, and homely interiors to reduce confusion and anxiety. - Personalised Dementia Care Plan: Each resident receives a personalised care plan tailored to their specific needs, preferences, and stage of dementia. This approach ensures that care is consistent and aligned with the individual’s history, habits, previous occupation and personality. Regular communication with carers and families is key to our success in managing our clients.
- Therapeutic Activities: @Prime Garden Mont Albert North, our DCU offers various activities to maintain cognitive function, physical health, and emotional well-being. These activities can include music therapy, art classes, reminiscence therapy, and gentle exercise programs. This is known as Diversional therapy (DT). Our DT is led by Barbara, who is an experienced and compassionate therapist running the sessions three days a week.
- Support for Families & Carers: Residents’ families & carers are provided with education, counselling, and support to help them cope with their loved one’s condition and ongoing care needs. The option of joining a focus group or Prime Garden community group ( The Evergreen) will be our future initiative.
Government and Policy Support
Prime Garden Mont Albert North SRS is a non-government privately run small business. Our management recognised and subscribed to the same standards as the tax-payers-funded Commonwealth aged care facilities. In particular, the Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) ensure that all DCU services and clients’ care plans are the highest quality care that respects residents’ dignity and rights.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite the progress, several challenges in DCU need to be addressed:
- Workforce Shortages: There is a growing need for more trained dementia care professionals to meet the increasing demand for services.
- Funding and Resources: Adequate funding is essential to ensure that DCUs can provide high-quality care and maintain their facilities.
- Research and Innovation: Continued investment in research is vital to understand dementia better and develop new treatments and care strategies. In particular, there is growing clinical and credible evidence that Dementia is a preventable and potentially reversible chronic disease. Please stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter for future developments.
- Provision of professional diagnostic services: The average wait time to be seen at CDAMS (Cognitive Dementia and Memory Services) run by public health in Australia is often months, sometimes years. @ Prime Garden Mont Albert North, Dr Wong runs a bulk-billed Dementia diagnostic service with a GP referral and all future follow-ups. Finally, please also stay tuned for our upcoming initiative to introduce a Cognitive screening program partnering with Active Community Group (ACG) shortly.
Conclusion
At Prime Garden Mont Albert North, our DCU is integral to providing specialised care for individuals with dementia, supporting their quality of life, and assisting their families. With the expected increase in dementia prevalence, ongoing efforts to enhance these units’ capacity, training, and resources will be essential. Through your support, community involvement, and continuous innovation, we ensure that individuals with dementia receive the compassionate and effective care they deserve and their dignity.