Why Dementia Support & Education Matters

It has been well documented and reported that Australia has an ageing population and the government, community groups, volunteers and aged care providers are moving quickly to provide sufficient support to the growing number of patients requiring care.  Of this group, over 400,000 are living with dementia in Australia and in the next 20 years, the number of people with dementia is projected to increase by 90% to over 760,000. 

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012, Dementia in Australia), dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians (aged 65 years or older).

BlueCross community and residential services has a dedicated STARLife Dementia Specialist to lead and continually improve the services offered to people living with dementia and to work closely with residences to respond to the needs of residents and their families.  STARLife promotes Living, Independence, Fulfilment and Engagement.  It is a strength based approach and focuses on what the person can do rather than what they’re unable to do.  All care, lifestyle and hospitality staff at BlueCross undertake education programs developed in partnership with Alzheimer’s Australia Vic.  This education promotes staff understanding of the nature and types of dementia.  Staff learn to communicate with people living with dementia and to understand how to improve wellbeing.

Over coming months, BlueCross will be hosting a range of free educational sessions across their 23 residences for carers, families and friends of a person living with dementia.  The sessions will be presented by Alzheimer’s Australia Vic and the aim is to help improve knowledge through information and facts about dementia, communication strategies and understanding the services currently offered by Alzheimer’s Australia Vic.  For further information about session dates and times and to register your attendance, please email clientrelations@bluecross.com.au.

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