If conventional strategies prove ineffective and behaviours hinder a return home, transition into aged care from an acute ward or continuing in a mainstream aged care home, Dementia Support Australia (DSA) assesses eligibility for entry into a Specialist Dementia Care Unit. 

Referrals for assessment can originate from any hospital care team member, GP’s, specialists, care home providers, and care providers, requiring supporting documentation and consent. DSA serves as a gateway to the SDCP. If the client meets the key criteria, DSA proceeds with a comprehensive onsite Needs-Based Assessment. There are three key principles for eligibility: 

• The behaviours and psychological symptoms of the person are primarily as a result of dementia 
• are assessed as severe or very severe 
• have not (or will not) respond to adequate trials of other specialist services (like DSA). 

The role of DSA is to provide a thorough evaluation to ensure that individuals with the most complex care needs receive the support they require to enhance their quality of life.  

Here's a glimpse of what the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) entails: 

Tailored and personalised Care: SDCP takes a personalised approach, recognizing each individual's unique needs. Care plans are meticulously crafted to address specific behaviours and challenges, ensuring comprehensive support. 

Specialised environment: Within a Specialist Dementia Care Unit, the environment is purposefully designed to promote well-being and reduce distress among individuals living with dementia. 

Expert staff: SDCP staff members undergo specialised training to understand the complexities of dementia-related behaviours and learn effective management strategies. 

Behaviour stabilisation: The ultimate goal of personalised care plans is to stabilize client behaviours, facilitating a supported transition out of the SDCP and back into mainstream care settings. 

In essence, the journey to the specialised dementia care program is paved with collaboration, compassion, and a commitment to person-cantered support. With limited SDCP resources around Australia the role of DSA to is to determine eligibility against validated criteria – whilst suitability for placement is made by the SDCP provider. This may mean that despite being eligible, people may not be placed at their preferred SDCP. Alternative supports are made available and regular reassessments to ensure ongoing eligibility are undertaken every three months. 

You can request a review for eligibility assessment in the same way as referring into any DSA program: either call us 24/7 on 1800 699 799 or online at dementia.com.au/contact-us. 

For information on SDCP locations or to learn more about the SDCP program, click here.