Dementia Action Week. September 2024

It’s Dementia Action Week (16-22 September), and there’s no better time to talk about dementia care.

According to Dementia Australia, more than 421,000 people across the nation live with dementia. It is the leading cause of death for women, and the second leading cause of death overall. Contrary to common belief, dementia is not a normal part of getting older, and it isn’t just one specific disease but rather refers to a number of different medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.

However, while dementia can happen to anybody, it is much more common after the age of 65. Generally, it affects mood, memory, thinking and behaviour but the effects can vary widely from person to person.

At The Forrest Centre, we assist people living with dementia and have dedicated units in our residences. Consistent with our care philosophy, we make sure to stay on top of the latest knowledge and best practice, and we provide every resident in our care with the individualised support they need and deserve.

As Michelle Kosorok, Facility Manager at Loreto Home of Compassion explains, our team stays on top of the latest knowledge and best practice, so they understand the complex and changing needs of people living with dementia.

“Our team takes pride in providing specialised, evidence-based support underpinned by compassion and respect. The Forrest Centre’s approach is to provide every resident in our care with the individualised support they need and deserve.

“Here at Loreto, we have 10 residents in our dedicated dementia unit, each with different needs. What I like about units like Loreto’s is they have fewer residents, so it’s a very personalised environment and it becomes a little community

“Care is provided by Assistants in Nursing with oversight of a Registered Nurse, and Recreational Activity Officers support those residents emotionally and socially during the day with a program of activities designed to cater for their individual needs.

“Our philosophy is person-centred care. With input from the resident and their family, we get to know our resident, looking at their life history, their preferences and interests, and shape that into an experience tailored for them. Based on our conversations and consultations with residents and their families, we will formulate a person centred care plan.”

Having a loved one with dementia can be difficult, with many rewarding, challenging and confronting experiences along the way. Michelle has both professional and personal experiences to draw on when it comes to working alongside families navigating these issues.

“As a nurse, I was very frightened when my mother received her Alzheimer’s diagnosis because I knew the pathway our family was going to go down. Looking back now, there had been signs that all was not well for some time. I encourage families to seek help any time they are worried about their loved one.

“It was a bit like having a child because you had to adjust to the different stages that she went through. With a child you think, ‘okay, I've got my strategies for coping with my two-year-old’. But in a few months’ time they're expressing a different developmental milestone, so you’ve got to think of other strategies to cope.  And occasionally, depending on what sort of dementia a person presents with, there can be moments of physical aggression, verbal aggression, suspiciousness. It can make for very tense households.

“It can be very distressing for families, knowing who that person was and comparing it to who that person is now. It’s very difficult as your loved one starts to forget who you are, but it is not the person themselves that is forgetting you. It's a disease process.

“At The Forrest Centre, we have people that families can speak with, including our Pastoral Care team who provide great support. Talking to people who understand is important for coming to terms with the diagnosis and in developing resilience and developing coping strategies.”

For more information on Dementia Action Week, including actions to create a dementia-friendly future, visit Dementia Australia:  www.dementia.org.au/get-involved/dementia-action-week

You can read about The Forrest Centre’s approach to dementia care here.