Mar 08, 2019

Leading the way in dementia care for seniors

Around 440,000 Australians live with dementia and almost 1.5 million Australians are involved in their care.

However, dementia training is currently not mandatory for aged care and home care workers.

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe last week told the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality that about 70 per cent of the aged care workforce did not receive any training about dementia as part of their training.

Carinity Home Care is passionate about providing specialised quality service to older residents experiencing dementia, including conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

All Carinity Home Care Bribie Island lifestyle carers are completing dementia-specific training through Dementia Australia and the University of Tasmania.

Carinity Home Care Bribie Island Lifestyle Coordinator Julie Harrison says it is important that her team members be skilled in understanding the complexities of dementia.

“Dementia is one of the most prevalent conditions to affect the older members of the community. Therefore, it is important that our care staff are supported in accessing knowledge in understanding dementia and learning skills how to best communicate and encourage persons affected by this disease,” Julie says.

“This Carinity team has taken advantage of every opportunity to complete courses in dementia care, whether online, at workshops or at university.

“Knowing how to communicate effectively with persons affected by dementia means Carinity carers can support our clients in not just the activities of daily living but also participating in activities that bring enjoyment to their lives.”

Julie says Carinity Home Care also supports local Dementia Support Group and the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative.

Carinity Home Care offer a full range of service to support seniors to remain living independently at home including household support, nursing care, personal grooming, and getting you out and about to the shops and with friends in your local community.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Are you concerned a loved with dementia also has depression?

Researchers have long known there is a link between depression and dementia. Depression often accompanies depression, with experts saying that as many as 30 percent of those with dementia also suffer from depression. The rates in nursing homes are likely to be even higher. According to Dementia Australia, dementia can actually contribute to depression, through... Read More

Shining New Light on Sundowning

Sundown syndrome, or sundowning, is the common term used to describe the challenging situation in which symptoms such as agitation, disorientation, pacing and irritability often occur in people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, around the time of day associated with sundown, when natural light begins to fade. Episodes of this condition make it... Read More

Lewy body dementia: why is it so hard to diagnose?

Lewy body disease, a form of degenerative dementia, has proven extremely difficult to accurately diagnose. This is due to its similarities to other diseases and the impossibility of finding Lewy bodies through brain scans and other diagnosis methods. Despite these challenges, it is vital that this disease is diagnosed as early as possible, as inappropriate treatment has been seen to worsen the condition. Read More
Advertisement