About this webinar:

There are two short informational videos shown in this webinar. Unfortunately due to some technical issues in Zoom the sound is a little out of sync during those but all of the speaker content is perfect. Both informational videos can be viewed separately via these links:

Dementia can affect us all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDGtZ_EROg

Staying at Home Program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvQZDgqnmz8

or on the Dementia Support Australia website https://www.dementia.com.au/

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety emphasised how important it was to create pathways and supports for people with dementia, to live at home for as long as possible. Within that carers needed access to navigate systems and access appropriate respite. For many carers, respite was seen as a negative support rather than a necessary option that actually enabled wellbeing and ongoing care at home. And the unfortunate consequence of supporting complex care needs means for residential care providers they now use residential respite as a ‘try before you buy’ approach rather than being used to facilitate much-needed breaks in caring arrangements. A perfect storm in the care continuum.

This webinar will unpack the numbers and impact of people living with dementia in home and community environments, what that means across the broad and diverse Australian populations. From regional and rural to metro settings what is the optimal support that can be provided and when more care is needed what are the options. Exploring the innovative Staying at Home program which was developed in recognition of the multiple barriers to accessing respite services will showcase the ability to instil a sense of confidence in family carers to use respite, increase their capacity to understand changes to behaviour, and support carer wellbeing, whilst providing support and learning for the person living with dementia. Transitions in care and optimal clinical and community supports will be explored and participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the role of dementia behaviour programs in supporting people to stay at home, whilst recognising that dementia impacts us all.

*Understand the impact of dementia at home
*Explore the barriers to accessing home care supports including respite and the impact
*Consider the evolution of carer needs in the current demographics
*Develop an understanding of behaviour changes related to dementia in the community setting and service to support