Dementia is not a disease but a general term to describe a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Currently, an estimated 487,500 people are living with all forms of dementia in Australia. With the right support and care, a person can live with dementia without giving up the lifestyle and activities they enjoy.
A dementia diagnosis does not mean a person has to give up the things they love or enjoy, but it may mean making some small changes so everyday living is easier. We can help you to identify and implement these changes.
How our specialist dementia support can help you
Mercy Health is proud of our reputation as one of Victoria’s most experienced providers of dementia care and support. Our large team of experienced home care workers are trained in industry-leading dementia management techniques to better understand:
- the symptoms and stages of dementia
- how to support a person living with dementia so they can continue to lead an active and meaningful life
- how to support changes in behaviour that may be associated with dementia.
We can provide the person living with dementia and their family with the appropriate care and support to make everyday living easier.
For more information on dementia support, call us on 1300 478 776 or make an enquiry.
Extra support to manage a dementia diagnosis
As well as caring for people living with dementia, we also provide extra support through our Dementia Advisory Service. This service provides:
- a dementia coordinator who visits the person living with dementia and their family or carer, to develop an individualised support plan, or a telehealth consultation can be conducted
- up to 18 hours of respite care to bridge the gap until more permanent or ongoing respite is arranged. Respite care offers the opportunity to participate in activities tailored to support and enhance the psychological, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of the person living with dementia
- help navigating aged care services and finding the right dementia-specific support for the person’s situation
- opportunities to learn from leading specialists who have the latest training in dementia support and management.
Through the Dementia Advisory Service, Mercy Health can provide people living with dementia and their families with compassionate but clear information, education and practical support.
Eligibility for the Dementia Advisory Service
Our Dementia Advisory Service is available for people over 65 years of age, or over 50 years of age for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples, living with dementia.
We accept referrals to our Dementia Advisory Service through the government portal, My Aged Care and charge a one-off fee of $15 to access the service.
The service can be accessed through a Home Care Package or on a private fee-paying basis.
For more information, please call 1300 478 776. We will keep your information strictly confidential.
Last reviewed March 26, 2019.