National Dementia Support Program
Dementia Australia delivers a number of services and supports across Australia through the National Dementia Support Program, including education, information, counselling, and early-intervention support.
Dementia Australia provides support at every stage from pre-diagnosis onwards. This includes people with concerns about changes in memory and thinking. The first point of contact for most people seeking information, advice and support is the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500, via a helpline webchat or email).
The National Dementia Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by experienced professionals who provide support to people with dementia and their family and friends, carers of people with dementia, or anyone with concerns about changes to memory and cognitive function. The Helpline provides access to education, counselling, early-intervention support, and information about dementia and memory loss, risk reduction, government support services and emotional support to help manage the impact of dementia.
Dementia Australia provides a number of other services and supports across Australia through the National Dementia Support Program, including:
- Post-Diagnostic Support Program
- Living with Dementia Program
- Memory Lane Cafes for people with dementia and their carers
- Peer Support Program offering one to one peer support
- Carer Support Groups
- Digital information kits
- Family carer education offered both in-person and online
- Brain Hubs (regional and remote outreach)
- At Home with Dementia, a service to help make your home more dementia friendly
- CALD and First Nations outreach programs
- The Dementia Australia website, which provides a comprehensive range of information and resources, including a library service and expert webinars
In 2023–24, almost 50,000 individuals made enquiries to Dementia Australia, including over 41,600 people who contacted the National Dementia Helpline via phone, webchat and email. Other people made contact via direct referrals.
Dementia Australia delivered over 1,500 services through the National Dementia Support Program in 2023–24. Among clients surveyed:
- 96% of respondents reported an improvement in coping capacity among clients receiving counselling/support.
- 94% of respondents reported an improvement in coping capacity among clients receiving early intervention.
- 96% of respondents reported an improvement in coping capacity among clients receiving education.