Ageing population and govt reform drive demand for dementia respite care

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed this week that dementia is projected to become the nation's leading cause of death. In 2023 dementia was the second highest cause of death behind ischaemic heart disease, however, less than 250 death separated the two.

Lauren Moran, ABS head of mortality statistics, attributed the changing mortality rates to improvements in the medical treatment of heart disease, and the nation's ageing population. 

With the implementation of the new Aged Care Act imminent, dementia cases expected to double in the next 30 years, and more older Australians wanting to age at home, the demand for dementia-specific respite care is set to hit unprecedented levels in the coming years.

The Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring Project (DREAM), a collaboration between The University of Tasmania's Wicking Dementia Centre and Dementia Support Australia, was launched earlier this year, off the back of $8 million in government funding received in 2023.

DREAM is fully funded by the Australian government, which allows the Wicking Dementia Centre to deliver free online professional development and support designed to improve the nation's delivery of dementia respite care.

The academic lead, Dr Azam Bazooband, said that the program was developed in collaboration with the aged care sector, consumers and researchers, to make sure that it's suitable for everyone from specialists to family and friends.

"What we considered were the needs of the aged care workforce," she said.

"We understand they are very busy providing care and hands-on practises, so we made the modules short – compromising of a short video and easy-to-follow infographic and curated resources designed to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge they need to deliver best practise dementia care."

"What DREAM is actually looking at doing is building and enhancing the [capability] and skills of staff working in dementia respite care, to be able to provide person-centred care and improve the respite care experience for those accessing it or those who are looking to access it in future."

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The DREAM program closely aligns with recent aged care reforms that are aimed at enabling all adults to live independently at home, for longer.

"With [aged care] reform, we will see people with dementia living in the community for longer. We need to also consider the needs of those who are providing care for them. By this I mean their families, friends, volunteers – they are going to need a break, they are going to need some time out, and [respite care] provides much needed rest for them," Dr Bazooband said.

"Respite care is going to play an important role in re-energising carers and making them even more ready for their role in continuing to support the person they care for as long as possible, in their homes or their community.

"The more we enable the workforce to provide better care, respite usage is going to increase and people will be happier with the results, not only carers, but also the person receiving care as well. Hopefully, they will get the opportunity to build their social circles and their range of experiences a meaningful way."

DREAM's approach to professional development is threefold:

• Education A suite of dementia education, including learning support materials and opportunities for extended learning
• Community An online Community of Practice for respite workers, moderated by dementia experts
• Coaching Customised coaching for individuals and groups to address specific dementia respite needs.

Dr Bazooband believes this diverse approach is key to empowering a workforce, delivering person-centred care and driving change.

"Person-centred care to DREAM, and particularly to me, is a holistic care that is shaped around an individual's needs and preferences and a consideration of their unique situation and needs," she said.

"A person is more than whoever we are providing care for, we need to consider that they have a background, they have stories with them; they have unique preferences on what they might or might not be interested in.

"It's very important to take into account all of those factors and place the person at the heart of the care we're providing and ensuring that it is tailored to their individual unique needs and preferences."

For more information visit the DREAM website here.

Read more: Both paid and unpaid carers sacrifice their own wellbeing, data shows | Both paid and unpaid carers sacrifice their own wellbeing, data shows

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