Respite care in Australia

According to Health Direct, there are currently around 350,000 Australians experiencing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. According to experts, roughly 5.2 million of these individuals are 65 or older. It is estimated that it costs around $2,750 per week to provide respite to one individual with Alzheimer’s disease.

Due to the nature of dementia as a medical condition which often; but not exclusively affects the elderly, a large amount of respite care needs to be provided. According to www.alz.org/facts Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for around 18 billion hours of unpaid respite care, provided by the family and friends of those living with the condition.

A concerted effort is needed by a number of different parties to provide the best possible respite care to those living with dementia. Respite provides those living with the condition to be able to remain safely active within the community. This helps them to maintain a quality of life that would be diminished without such care.

It often falls upon those closest to the individual living with dementia, to plan and implement care packages; especially in Australia. Whilst this act of love and kindness is tremendous and should be commended, it can also be stressful and challenging.

Support is needed from a variety of health disciplines, such as occupational therapists, social workers, and speech and language pathologists. Alzheimer’s Australia has implemented a system of support which should be replicated across Australia. This system involves funding for health professionals to provide support to caregivers of those living with dementia.

Programmes like those offered by Alzheimer’s Australia, help to support those living with dementia; and their caregivers, in a number of different ways. They offer in-home consultations, care partner respite, and public education.

Occupational therapists head into the community to consult with clients in their homes. They are usually accompanied by a social worker, who will visit to provide a personal service. Part of the service involves training, education, connection services and transitional support methods that people may use in the care of their loved ones.

The program also offers five hours of supervised respite care once per week. Individuals living with dementia can attend a day centre where they will be looked after and involved in social activities. It also presents the opportunity for the care team to learn about the person living with dementia. One particular activity is the memory café – this includes monthly outings designed for people who experience dementia of varying degrees.

Part of the programme is to educate the public on dementia. By increasing the number of people aware of the condition and the associated respite care need, the cost to caregivers in terms of time may be brought down considerably.

Currently the level of respite care for those experiencing dementia in Australia is quite minimal. With uncertain economic times ahead it is important that now more than ever, we pull together to support those living in the dementia community.