Dementia advocacy in aged care
Living with dementia is a reality for an estimated half a million Australians. While the exact number of people with dementia is unknown, what we do know is that the impact is far-reaching for those who have it and their families.
According to Dementia Australia, around 250 people are being diagnosed with dementia each day — a figure that is expected to reach 318 by 2025. With dementia affecting three in 10 Australians aged 85 and over, dementia advocacy in aged care settings is vital.
The impact of dementia in Australia
To understand the impact of dementia in Australia, we need to first gain insight into the impact dementia has on those living with it.
While commonly thought to centre around memory loss, dementia is more complex than that. Dementia causes a progressive decline in the functioning of the brain and on top of memory loss it can even result in an inability to move or swallow and is the second leading cause of death in Australia. Symptoms of dementia include:
- Increasing confusion
- Memory problems
- Personality changes
- Behaviour changes
- Inability to concentrate
- Withdrawal or depression
- Loss of ability to complete everyday tasks
Rather than describing a single disease, the term dementia refers to a group of conditions. Types of dementia that progress are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. While dementia is more common in ageing individuals, dementia should not be regarded as a normal page of getting older.
Royal Commission strives to improve dementia care
The recent Royal Commission into Aged Care recognised the urgency in supporting the aged care sector to better advocate for dementia and its impact on the lives of the elderly. The Royal Commission recommendations included a range of points to better equip workers and develop aged care services that can improve the care available to people living with dementia. Let’s look at a few of these recommendations, which were welcomed by leading dementia advocacy organisation, Dementia Australia:
Support pathways:
Knowing where to go for support when you or someone in your care is experiencing symptoms of dementia needs to be clear and accessible. Improved support pathways and better integration of support services will ensure timely and appropriate support and care is available.
Improving aged care accommodation:
In some instances, those living with dementia in aged care settings have limited ability to access the outdoors or to maintain as much independence as possible. A focus on dementia-friendly design will mean that carers are supported by physical environments that meet the needs of those with dementia.
Dementia care training for workers:
A workforce that is well-trained in the impact of dementia and best practice for caring for people with dementia is a must. A well-trained workforce is a confident and capable workforce who can deliver compassionate care and advocate for those around them.
To support these recommendations, the recent Federal Budget includes a commitment of $229 million allocated toward key measures to enhance dementia care across the country, including:
- More dementia training sector-wide
- More support at diagnosis for people to access the services they need
- Aged care regulation changes to create dementia-friendly building and care practices
Care, training and dementia advocacy
Aged care facilities and workers need to be well-equipped to provide the best care possible for residents with dementia. For aged care workers, having the knowledge and skills that come with additional training means they can approach their work with confidence. Dementia-specific aged care training that takes a holistic approach to the associated conditions and symptoms will ensure a higher standard of care is provided.
The benefits of additional training and more options for care extend to the elderly Australians living with dementia and to their families. Maintaining quality of life is a human right that we should all strive to uphold. With an in-depth understanding of what contributes to quality of life for those with dementia, such as living situation, physical health and social engagement, carers are better able to create a care plan to support them. This may be through changes to care plans and the inclusion of complementary therapies that have shown impressive results with dementia, such as music therapy.
Supporting aged care workers in dementia advocacy
At Royal College we see the difference that quality training makes every day. Dementia is an area that we cover throughout our courses. The Certificate III in Individual Support and the Certificate IV in Ageing Support features units specifically dedicated to providing support to people living with dementia and taking an individualised approach to care. This course presents a valuable opportunity for aged care professionals to upskill and enhance the way they approach care for people with dementia.
We look forward to continuing to support the aged care sector in raising the standard of care for people with dementia to ensure everyone has the chance to get the most from life at every stage.
Contact the team at Royal College for more information on how to start your aged care career.
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