Specialist dementia nurses service launched in SA

“Our Nightingale Nurses will take a holistic approach from the point of diagnosis continuing till after the person with dementia has died, by providing care, counselling and support ensuring the family feels supported and cared for throughout the Dementia Journey,” says Kathryn Quintel, Alzheimer’s Australia SA Chief Executive Officer.

Using skills in palliative nursing care to identify and assess any symptoms, physical, social, psychological or spiritual, the nurses will make appropriate suggestions or referrals to specialist services for these symptoms to be managed.

Nightingale nurse, Carolyn Hastie says helping with advanced care planning, building relationships for the family and helping when decisions need to be made are also part of the service.

She feels people need educating as to what exactly palliative care is. “People think ‘this person isn’t palliative care – that’s end of life care’, but palliative care isn’t just end of life,” she says. “Good palliative care focuses on quality of life and the care integrates early into all types of life.”

“We want to have a holistic quality of life for family; people can benefit from a palliative approach which supports the family as well.”

Other ways in which the service can help includes facilitating communications. “If someone is progressing, they may need different meds so we will speak to GPs and call for case conferencing if they are in an aged care facility,” she says. Ms Hastie believes communication within aged care facilities is an important aspect, citing instances of care homes not informing families of changes to a person’s medications.

“Families need to be educated to speak up – people often say they hate asking questions or feel like I’m being a nuisance,” she says. “You’re not. You’re the advocate and have a right to speak. We want to give people confidence and for them to ask questions.”

Nightingale Nurses are currently only available to visit with clients in the Adelaide metropolitan region. Telephone and video conferencing support can be provided to families in Adelaide or other areas of South Australia, and one-on-one visits to regional South Australia can be arranged if required.

Other service providers are encouraged to contact them regarding a palliative approach for people with dementia, and the organisation will look at educating aged care staff and upskilling them with end of life care in the future.

While the service is currently only available in South Australia, it is hoped it will eventually be rolled out nationally. 

For more information visit nightingalenurses.com.au