Dementia and Alzheimers Dementia is a term used to describe the symptoms for a large group of illnesses. There are, in fact, over 100 conditions that can cause it. Dementia is used to describe loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions. The most common symptoms include confusion, personality change, apathy, withdrawal and loss of ability to do everyday tasks. This article explains Dementia, explains why it is critical to consult a doctor at an early stage when symptoms are noticed, gives 10 warning signs to look for (Alzheimers Australia edited list), details the first step in the diagnostic process, and explains Alzheimers Disease. There are many services to assist you in caring for an older person with dementia: In the Northern Sydney region you can speak to a Dementia Advisor for the Upper North Shore, Lower North Shore and Ryde Hunters Hill by contacting Catholic Healthcare Community Services on 1800 225 474. Other Catholic Healthcare contact numbers. The Northern Beaches Dementia Advisory Service is provided by Community Care (Northern Beaches) Inc. Phone (02) 9979 7677 or email ccnb@ccnb.com.au Alzheimers Australia The peak body providing support and advocacy for people living with dementia www.alzheimers.org.au/ For practical information and support for family members and Carers of people living with dementia, such as coping with behaviour changes, preparing your home, personal care, residential care and taking care of yourself visit the Family & Carers section of their website. Help Sheets are available containing practical advice about issues facing families, Carers, friends and are also useful for health professionals of people with dementia. Alzheimer's News ... keeping you informed ... http://alznews.blogspot.com/ by providing selected news about various topics relating to dementia including; care practices, drugs and drug therapy, research, risk reduction, therapeutic interventions, personal stories, and much more ...
Living with Dementia Baptist Community Services - NSW & ACT has developed a suite of training resources which provides valuable information for Carers of people living with dementia, service providers and dementia care workers. Visit www.dementiatechnology.org.au Baptist Community Services - NSW & ACT has developed an Age Friendly Home at Marsfield, NSW, to demonstrate changes to the environment and the use of assistive technology. You can see the home by booking a tour on 1300 275 227 (1300 ASK BCS) or visit the virtual tour and online information by clicking this link Virtual Tour BCS CareCall is an Emergency Response Service that provides immediate care and emergency assistance to people in need: Aged couples or singles, people with a disability, frail or vulnerable people, post-operative and early discharge patients, people who live alone, people with chronic health conditions. Download the Care Call Brochure here.
Australia's Aged Care - Vacancies Register This website www.agedcareonline.com.au provides a comprehensive listing of aged care facilities and their current vacancy status. For further information you can call 1300 302 433 or email info@agedcareonline.com.au
Services to Assist You to Care Please see the section on Respite for information on taking a break from your Caring role.
Falls Prevention Fall injury is a major cause of injury-related preventable hospitalisation and loss of independence among people aged 65 years and over in NSW. One in three people over 65 years have a fall each year. This rate increases with age and is higher in hospitals and residential care settings. Falls are one of the major factors in precipitating admission to residential aged care.
Stay On Your Feet (SOYF) is an exciting initiative that promotes healthy, active and positive ageing. It aims to increase awareness, knowledge and skills relating to factors that increase the risk of falling and the steps that can be taken to reduce that risk, enabling people to stay mobile and independently living in the community for longer.
Make a Move is a falls prevention resource relating to the environment and lists several risk scenarios and what to do about them. It is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Delirium Delirium is a common medical problem. It is characterised by changes in mental function and occurs more often among older people. When delirium occurs people are confused and may be either very agitated or quiet and drowsy. The onset of delirium is always sudden. It usually only lasts for a few days but may persist for longer periods. It can be a serious condition. Click here to download the brochure, which provides information for people who have experienced delirium and for their family/carers - Delirium Brochure
Planning Ahead Kit The Planning Ahead Kit is a resource developed by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) for managing financial, health and lifestyle decisions into the future. It can help you choose someone to make these decisions for you if you lose the capacity to make them for yourself. The kit provides information about: An enduring power of attorney, which allows you to give authority to someone you nominate to make decisions regarding financial issues on your behalf Enduring guardianship, which allows you to give authority to someone you nominate to make decisions regarding personal, health and lifestyle matters on your behalf; and An advance health care directive, which allows you to provide clear guidance to your doctors about your intentions for medical treatment in the future.
Capacity Toolkit The Capacity Toolkit is a guide to assessing a person's capacity to make legal, medical, financial and personal decisions. The Capacity Toolkit was created in response to requests from lawyers, medical professionals, health workers, carers and advocates who required more information about capacity, some general capacity principles and guidelines on assessing a person's capacity to make decisions.
Advance Care Directive An Advance Care Directive is a written statement regarding your wishes for your own future health care and is only used if at some point in the future you become incapable of making health care decisions for yourself. An Enduring Guardian is someone you choose to make personal, health or lifestyle decisions on your behalf if and when you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself. Advance Care Directives should be reviewed regularly to ensure your wishes are current.
Other Resources Caring For and Supporting Your Parent or Partner as They Age is a Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre resource designed to help you plan ahead to care for your parent or partner as they age.