Anglicare Southern Queensland has officially opened its third Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) unit, expanding access to intensive, tailored support for older Australians living with complex dementia.
The new eight-bed unit, located at E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care Home, has been established with the support of the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It is the first SDCP service of its kind in Brisbane’s south.
The opening builds on Anglicare’s existing SDCP footprint at Abri Residential Aged Care Home and St Martin’s Residential Aged Care Home, with the latter widely recognised by external stakeholders as a benchmark for best-practice delivery.
Anglicare SQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Sue Cooke, said the new unit would provide much-needed specialist accommodation for residents with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia who cannot be effectively supported in mainstream aged care.
“It’s fantastic that our E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care Home is now equipped to offer this vital program, which is a first for the South Brisbane region and provides a supportive, safe environment where residents are treated with dignity and respect,” Ms Cooke said.
She pointed to growing demand for specialist dementia services, noting that in 2025 an estimated 85,200 Queenslanders were living with all forms of dementia, a figure projected to rise to 168,300 by 2054.
“We recognise the increasing need for this type of specialised care and these units will be an asset to the local community.”
Ms Cooke said Anglicare’s experience operating two established SDCP units had shaped the development of the new service.
“Having two established SDCPs under our belt has given us critical insight into what works, and our learnings have informed every aspect of the new unit,” she added.
The SDCP model provides intensive, short-term support, with an average expected length of stay of six to 12 months. Individualised behaviour support and care plans aim to reduce or stabilise symptoms, enabling residents to transition to less intensive settings where possible.
The program is also designed to relieve pressure on the broader health system by freeing up acute hospital beds.
Residents will be supported by specialist nurses, geriatricians and allied health practitioners in a purpose-designed environment. The unit features a small, cottage-style layout with open-plan living spaces, homely furnishings, secure outdoor areas and calming colour schemes intended to promote comfort, safety and independence.
