In response to the pandemic, Dementia Australia has today released four Help Sheets that are available in 38-languages.
The Help Sheets outline tips for people living with dementia and their friends, family and carers – including residential and home care providers.
With an estimated one in eight Australians living with dementia not speaking English at home and around 18% of people in residential aged care from non-English speaking countries, Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said these translations are much needed to reach culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“At this time, people living with dementia are some of the most vulnerable groups in society. The needs of all people living with dementia must be a priority in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak”, she said.
“Since releasing these Help Sheets in March, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are delighted to be releasing these translated Help Sheets, which will help people navigate complex conversations about dementia and COVID-19 in their own languages.”
The Help Sheet include:
- Tips for people living with dementia – outlines the coronavirus COVID-19 symptoms, hygiene tips, the importance of having a good support network, ideas to remain active and engaged while in self-isolation, and where to go for help.
- Tips for carers, families and friends of people living with dementia – outlines the coronavirus COVID-19 symptoms, hygiene tips, helpful tips for primary carers, as well as for family, friends or neighbours, ideas for remaining active and engaged while in self-isolation, and where to go for help.
- Tips for residential care providers – outlines the impacts coronavirus COVID-19 may have on residents, tips on alternative activities and how to support continued engagement with families and carers.
- Tips for home care providers – outlines the impacts coronavirus COVID-19 may have on a person living with dementia, tips to reduce heightened anxiety and where to go for help.
For more information and resources in 38 languages, please visit www.dementia.org.au/languages
You can find the COVID-19 Help Sheets under the relevant language sub-heading.
Please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 for information and support.
If you need an interpreter you can contact the National Dementia Helpline through the Telephone Interpreting Service on 131 450.
