DSA celebrates success of free dementia handbook
Dementia Support Australia’s free carer handbook has proven useful – with more than 5,000 requests for copies since March.
Since its soft launch in March, the Dementia Support Australia free carer handbook on how to respond to changed behaviours has been downloaded or requested in hard copy nearly 5,000 times, which general manager Marie Alford said indicated a strong need for information.
The Carer Handbook for Understanding Changed Behaviours includes information on potentially distressing symptoms of dementia, including anxiety, hallucinations, apathy, agitation and aggression, their potential causes and possible ways to respond as a carer.
“There are many reasons why behaviour can change for a person living with dementia, understanding why is key to supporting how we respond,” Ms Alford said.
“This handbook enables carers to support their own learning at home – so that they can be better equipped to know why something might have changed.”
Free copies can be accessed here.
Collaborator Steve Wright, 76, cares for his 75-year-old wife Dianne – who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 15 years ago. He helped review the handbook and encourages every carer, whether formally employed or in a family context, to read the handbook and keep a copy nearby.
Mr Wright said his wife’s behaviours had changed noticeably in the past year and the handbook “certainly improved” his knowledge and understanding and helped him to outline what might be triggering for his wife – and tips on how to best respond.
Follow Community Care Review on Facebook and LinkedIn and sign up to our newsletter.
