Guiding carers to provide ‘best’ care

Home Instead Senior Care and Alzheimer’s Australia Queensland have joined forces to produce a free resource booklet for carers of people with dementia.

The new 20 page booklet entitled  Dementia – A Resource Guide for Carers outlines:

• What dementia is and how it affects people

• Suggests ways a carer can provide practical support

• Provides insights and communication tips for carers

• Includes information about where carers can obtain further advice and support.

Home Instead Senior Care is a provider of non medical companionship and in home care services supporting adults to live independently at home. Services include companionship, personal care, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping and transportation for appointments, errands and shopping.

Home Instead Senior Care director, Martin Warner, said: “With an estimated 1.2 million Australians caring for someone with dementia, we believe this booklet is a timely addition to our suite of free public education materials.

“We want to continue to lead the way in providing help to family carers and assistance to our own professional caregivers so that they understand how they can provide the best care for people with dementia.”

To write the booklet, Jason de Bakker, corporate services manager, for Alzheimer’s Australia Queensland, collaborated closely with Rebecca Waite, who is the national training manager for Home Instead Senior Care. Both know the real need for quality carer support.

“Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians (aged 65 years or older) and the third leading cause of disability overall,” Mr de Bakker said.

There are many myths about dementia and many people do not fully understand what dementia is and how differently it can affect people.

It is mistakenly believed that dementia is a normal part of growing older and even though one in four people over the age of 85 years have some form of dementia, it can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles.

The symptoms of dementia are typically noticed by families around three years before a formal diagnosis is made.

The booklet is available from Home Instead Senior Care Offices, or call the National Dementia Help Line 1800 100 500. For more information visit www.homeinstead.com.au