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Dementia Carer Support Near Me: How to Locate Quality Care in Your Area

One misconception about dementia: it is an ailment. The truth is that it is not an ailment. It is the trace end result of several ailments that affect the brain.

You see, most ailments your body suffers from leave a trace. When older people who have dealt with Alzheimer’s, CTE or any mental health issues in the past aren’t taken care of properly, dementia sets in.

What this implies is that dementia is more of a syndrome than an ailment. And what this tells us clearly is that it’s not a normal part of ageing. Your grandpa or grandma’s memory loss isn’t because they got old. They’ve been sick, and it’s showing in their dementia.

In Australia today, Dementia is the second leading cause of death. Some medical scientists are even predicting that it could become the first in a few years! This is why we have to be deliberate about educating people about this syndrome and caring for people living with dementia.

In Australia today, the data shows that around 433,300 people live with dementia. Caring for them are about 1.7 million Dementia Carer Support workers, showing how delicate this issue is. This number will keep rising as the population ages, which means there is a need for quality support for people living with this condition.

In this blog, we will be looking at ways to find quality care and support for people living with dementia. Commit this to memory, because it can save your life!

Understanding Dementia and the Role of a Carer

You now understand that dementia is a syndrome; the trace end result of several brain ailments that a person has suffered in their life. It is also a progressive syndrome, which means that it gets worse as the years go by.

When an elder starts to forget little things, gets confused about things they used to do as second nature, or even forgets names, the alarm bells should go off in your head. If you don’t have it checked out, it could get worse. Then, you can see symptoms like a change in personality (usually drastic), poor judgment skills, and even slurred speech.

All types of dementia have memory decline or loss as a common factor. Having to deal with this every day is why families put their elders living with dementia in homes – in fact, data states that in Australia, around two-thirds of people with dementia are in homes.

The Role of Dementia Carer Support

Dementia support is a tough job. Yet, the work is crucial, which is why the ratio of carers to people living with the syndrome is overwhelming. The chief reason behind the numbers is to help support workers find balance with the other activities in their lives.

Carers help with personal care. Without them, everyday activities become overwhelming. Carer support also has an emotional and medical angle to it. They coordinate with doctors to treat their patients while helping families cope with the loss of the person they once knew. Dementia symptoms also change like the mood of a toddler, which means carers have to be able to spot these changes quickly, diagnose them, and provide accurate enough information to a doctor for treatment.

Carers also have to learn new skills, making them some of the most emotionally intelligent and emotionally stressed people in the world. In the rest of this guide, you will learn, in clear and simple language, how to choose the right dementia carer support near you. You will also learn how to search for local services, and learn what to look out for before choosing a carer.

Types of Dementia Carer Support

Before you go online to type in “Dementia Carer Support Near Me” into your search engines, you need to know that there are types.

You see, dementia is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are several types, sometimes requiring specialised care. But generally, care support options are grouped into the following: 

1. In-Home Care

Families can get trained support workers to either live with them or visit regularly. These carers help the people living with dementia to play, have meals, take medicines, shower and function as best as they can. Funding opportunities exist for families who want this option.

2. Day Programmes and Respite

Respite carers are visiting caregivers with stricter appointment schedules. They exist to give families a break. For example, they can come during the weekend to give the rest of the family a chance to go out and relax. They’re not like the in-home visiting caregivers who must show up every day. Respite carers also run “adult day care centres”. Families drop off their elders and pick them up when they’re done with their activities. Some homes also offer respite services.

3. Specialised Care

These carers exist to take care of cases that have advanced. Usually, advanced cases go to homes, and at these homes, there are memory centres with nursing and 24/7 personal care. These facilities are secure and meet national quality standards, or they wouldn’t even be operating in the first place.

4. Community Care

Sometimes, all it takes is just a group of people who get it. Volunteer organisations, church groups and various organisations that provide support exist to help families with the tough task of caring for a person with dementia. The government also provides support in the form of counselling to families who are dealing with the tough task of caring for people with dementia.

Important Tip: Never pass on community care. You get better results for yourself, your family and your loved one with dementia if you combine community care and any other type of care in the list above. If you’re looking for community support near you, you can call the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500).

How to Find Dementia Carer Support in Your Area

There are four major ways to find the right support for your loved one. These four ways sometimes intertwine, but with this guide, you can go directly to the source.

1. Online and Local Directories

“Dementia Carer Support Near Me” is a high-volume search string because, like almost every other inquiry a person has, the internet is the first point of call. Typing in that search string with your town can help you locate carer support that you can check out. Check out local directories too. The Support Network is a platform where you can find care workers near you with only your city or town’s postcode.

2. Government Portals

The government of Australia has a provision for elder care services. My Aged Care and the NDIS are two such platforms which the government provides for its citizens. Contact any of them by visiting their websites. You may even qualify for funding, which means the government will subsidise the cost of taking care of your loved one for you.

3. Professional Referrals

Dementia is diagnosed in a hospital, of course, and doctors are required to refer you to care homes if their hospitals do not have them. First, they refer you to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT/ACAS), which helps you plan for extra support, then they refer you to a carer or a care home. You can always contact them anytime for new referrals in case you want to change homes or support workers for whatever reason, like moving to a new location.

4. Word of Mouth

If you pass up on community care, you’re not just passing up on a great support system. You’ll be passing up on information, too. Talking to volunteer groups or support groups can help you find affordable options to care for your loved one with dementia. Your friends, your church or even your neighbours may just know someone or somewhere who will do a good job for you.

Evaluating and Choosing the Right Dementia Carer Support

This is probably the most important part of this guide. Pay even closer attention.

You see, finding dementia carer support is not something you “just do”. You have to do as deep a dive as possible on the recommendations you get. This could be personal interviews, a trip to the care home to speak with the staff, or even asking other families about their overall conduct.

It’s just like finding a home. You don’t make a down payment for the first house that meets your standards. You will question everything, then go around to see if you can find others that meet or even exceed your standards. And then, once you have options, you vet them carefully and make your decision.

Before you choose your loved one’s carer, here are six things you have to clarify with them:

1. Interviews and Qualification Enquiries

Nobody who says they’re a dementia support worker, or any institution that claims to be a dementia carer support provider, will operate without certain licences and qualifications. First, check that they meet Australia’s Aged Care Quality Standards. Confirm if they have a current police check. Ask about carer qualifications using questions like, “What dementia-specific training have your carers had?” and “Do you have first aid training or nursing qualifications?”. Also, find out the kind of carer they are by asking questions like “How will you adjust care as my loved one’s condition changes?”. Find out about insurance, and even if they’re bilingual. This last question could help you greatly.

2. Backup Services

Emergencies happen. Your loved one’s carer may be unavailable. Is there a backup somewhere they can help you call? If your loved one is in a home, does the home have enough carers to fill in the gaps? Good dementia carer support institutions or workers always have a backup. If your chosen one doesn’t have a backup, they’re not a good choice.

3. The Right Fit

When we say that selecting a carer is a very sensitive decision to make, this is one of the reasons why. If your home is religious and you bring in a carer who is agnostic or even atheist, you’ll have a problem down the line. If your family has strict routines and the carer you pick is naturally carefree, you’ll also have a problem down the line. During your interviews, always make sure to ask questions to find that the carer you chose is the right fit.

4. Communication

Will you require daily reports? Let your chosen carer know. Will you require reports only if there are emergencies? Let your carer know. If your chosen carer already has their style – which they most likely would – see if it suits you. If not, come to a compromise. Make sure they’re not one to make you uncomfortable with asking questions.

5. Trial Services

When you go to a car lot to buy a new car, you typically would drive the car around or sit in it. You want to have an experience with the car. It’s the same thing with buying a home. The interior may or may not speak to you, but you wouldn’t know unless you visit it. Treat your chosen carer the same way. Set up dates with them where they take care of your loved one. After a few sessions, find out what you need to know, and then commit.

6. Fees and Agreements

When they send their contracts, read the fine print. Seek legal advice if you have to after receiving the contracts. Find out everything about the fees, hidden charges, cancellation fees, supply and transportation fees. If you’re getting subsidies from the government, find out how much you will pay. Also, find out what their terms of service are, so that you know exactly what you’re getting when they start caring for your loved one.

Top 10 Questions to Ask When Sourcing Dementia Carer Support

Talking about questions to ask carers before choosing one for your loved one, we have compiled a list for you in this guide. These questions have been recommended by support groups, the government, medical practitioners and even carers themselves. Getting satisfactory answers to them is but one step to finding quality care in your area. 

1. Do you/your carers have any dementia-specific training?

2. What happens to your care plans if my loved one’s condition changes?

3. How do you deal with challenging behaviours like aggression or wandering?

4. Can I see your qualifications?

5. [For an institution] How do you select carers for the elders in your home? How do you ensure they’re the right fit for our family?

6. Is there a trial period?

7. Can I speak to current or past clients about your service?

8. Please explain your fees and service agreement in detail to me.

9. Do you have backups available for my loved one in case you have a personal/care home emergency?

10. [For an institution] Do your carers get any extra training to keep them up-to-date with the changes in dementia cases?

A good support provider will have no qualms answering these questions. It is always a red flag when any carer refuses to answer them with as much detail as possible.

Supporting Yourself as a Family Carer

You’re almost at the end of this guide, but there’s one more thing you need to know.

Before you choose a care support worker for your loved one, the responsibility is yours. You’re the family carer. The decision to get a professional is usually because you don’t have all the tools and skills. Personal time and other factors come into play, of course, but only a professional will be able to care for your loved one in the best way possible.

During your stint as the family carer, you need to take care of yourself. Always look out for your well-being. Professional carers, with all their skills and qualifications, deal with worrying amounts of stress and fatigue. Imagine what you, a rookie who’s operating on love alone, will be dealing with. Take frequent walks, find new hobbies, meditate, eat well and sleep as much as you can. Try to build an exercise routine too.

Join a support group. Connect with people like you who take care of their loved ones with dementia. This can help you deal with the isolation. Go to their meetups, picnics, and any activities they line up to help ease stress. Social media groups work for this, too, in case there are no support groups in your area.

Make plans for legal matters, too. Discuss Advance Care Directives with your loved one while they’re still there. This way, you can be sure that you’re taking care of them the way they want to be taken care of. Also, set up an Enduring Power of Attorney, which transfers the burden of making legal decisions for you and your loved one to a trusted family member whenever you’re unable to make them. Handling these will help you stave off crises down the line.

Finally, get counselling. This thing takes a great toll on a person. Support groups lighten the load, but you feel the emotional tension, regardless. You can call the National Dementia Helpline or find a good counselling service. If money will do the trick, look into getting payment from the government for your work. Some family carers are eligible for carer payments.

Please, take care of yourself. A sick doctor is useless to a sick patient.

Conclusion & Next Steps

You have finally reached the end of the guide: “Dementia Carer Support Near Me: How to Locate Quality Care in Your Area”. Well done! Make sure you commit everything to memory and bookmark this blog so that you can refer to it in the future.

In this guide, we discussed dementia’s impact on families and care workers, covered how to find quality support, and also looked at the various support options. The most important step, however, is to act on what you’ve learned.

Reach out to the Support Network to find a support worker or approved provider you can trust. Use the questions listed above to talk to carers who interest you. And don’t forget: every dementia care journey is unique. Choose your loved one’s carer carefully!

We’re always cheering you on!