Between January and June 2020, there were 5,452 referrals to DSA. This had increased by 17% (from 4,670 referrals) from the number of referrals in the previous 6 months (July to December 2019). The January to June 2020 period covers the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, and during this time, DSA were able to continue to deliver services by adhering to social distancing and infection control requirements, as well as providing video conferencing services. DSA also released a resource for aged care services with tips for managing a person living with dementia whose behaviour may be impacting their care.
Specialist Dementia Care Program
The Specialist Dementia Care Program (SPDC) is an Australian Government initiative committed to establishing specialist dementia care units in purpose built facilities across Australia—providing individualised care to people who are experiencing severe behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia and who can no longer be managed by their carers or by mainstream residential aged care services. The benefit of specialised dementia care units is that the person experiencing severe behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia can receive personalised, specialist care in an environment uniquely designed for a person with dementia.
DSA assesses eligibility for the SDCP through their Needs Based Assessment program.
Once approved, a person will be required to enter the program within 3 months and their length of stay in a SDCP unit will vary (usually up to 12 months). When specialist care is no longer required, providers must support the person’s move into a less-intensive care setting.
The first prototype of the specialist dementia care unit under the SDCP began operating in Perth, Western Australia in 2019. Approved residential aged care providers can apply for program grants to set up units in their facility, and there have been a number of specialist dementia care units funded for operation to date. By 2022–23, the Australian Government aims to have at least 1 specialist dementia care unit in each of the 31 Primary Health Network regions.