Southern Cross Care (Vic) has launched a home-based dementia advisory service which is delivered to clients in their own home.
The service supports people with dementia and their carers through information and practical day-to-day advice to help them better manage the changes that dementia brings, and enable them to continue living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
“A dementia diagnosis does not mean a person has to give up the things that they love or enjoy. It may simply mean making some small changes in their life to make daily living easier and help them maintain a sense of control,” Southern Cross Care (Vic) CEO, Andrew Newton, said.
“We know how important it is for older people to be able to retain their everyday roles and to continue to live independently in their own home. That’s why our Dementia Advisory Service is different.”
“Upon initial contact, one of our dementia healthcare specialists will make a home visit to meet with the consumer personally so that we can develop advice that is tailored to the person’s individual needs and circumstances.”
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, Southern Cross Care (Vic)’s Dementia Advisory Service is currently available in the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne covering the municipalities of Kingston, Bayside, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula.
People living with dementia are eligible for the service if they live in the region, and are aged 65 years or above.
The Dementia Advisory Service is part of Southern Cross Care’s three-year dementia strategic plan, which was launched in November last year.
The plan centres around ten key priorities of action over the next three years aligned with the principles of its award-winning ‘Valuing Every Person’ philosophy which advocates a person-centred approach.
Other initiatives that will be rolled out include increased training for staff, community education forums and reach out to local groups, schools and hospitals and the incorporation of virtual reality devices into dementia care across residential and community services.
