Carers of people with dementia can often feel guilty when asking for support, but it is vital for them to have a break to ensure they remain physically and mentally healthy.
(To find out more about dementia from an insider’s perspective, click here. And, for the top 10 early signs of dementia, click here.)
In-home respite can offer care with minimal disruption to the home all the while providing amazing benefits for all concerned.
A new online education program developed by the University of Wollongong has been developed to boost uptake of respite services.
The free program includes online goal setting and motivation building activities to help carers overcome common barriers to using respite care.
The 10-week program supports carers to work towards personal goals, learn more about respite care and navigate the system.
Dr Liz Cridland from the university’s Australian Health Services Research Institute told Australian Ageing Agenda that caring for a person living with dementia can be a positive experience, however the challenges can cause feelings of frustration and exhaustion and many carers feel guilty about asking for support.
“There have been a lot of changes over the past two years in the way that respite services are delivered in Australia. This program will help carers navigate the system with more confidence and re-think how respite can support them and the person with dementia for whom they care,” Dr Liz Cridland said.
One carer who has participated in the online program said: “[It] gave me encouragement, direction and confidence to face our future life’s journey.’ [It provided] confidence to organise respite services.”
To access further information on Rethink Respite, click here. To enrol in the project, contact Dr. Liz Cridland directly on (02) 4221 4226 or email liz_cridland@uow.edu.au – enrolments are taken between February to April 2017.
To learn more about dementia from an insider’s perspective, click here.
About Oxley Home Care:
Oxley Home Care, established in 2006, is a family-owned Sydney company and is an Approved Government Provider for aged care services, specialising in Dementia Care.
Oxley Home Care provides Dementia Care, Private Care, Nursing and Veterans Home Care to enable people to live a quality life independently in their own home and stay connected to their local community.
Oxley Home Care is an Approved Provider of Home Care Packages funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and holds an allocation of Home Care Packages. These packages are designed to provide assistance to the elderly, to remain living independently at home.
To gain access to a Home Care Package, the government requires that you undergo a comprehensive assessment by your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). To arrange the assessment, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care web site.