Supporting dementia care in Central West NSW

Clinicians, carers and health professionals from Dubbo and the Central West of NSW came together to learn more about dementia at an Opal HealthCare Dementia Care Connections workshop in May.

The free event followed a sold-out concert by Dubbo’s Sing Out Choir – an all-inclusive choir which uses the power of music to support and enable people living with dementia.

Led by Simon Pedzisi, Opal HealthCare’s Head of Dementia Care, the workshop focused on

• Psychosocial impacts of dementia
• Nursing and clinical factors
• Impact on wellbeing
• A person-centred approach to dementia care

Five takeaways from the workshop: 

1. The average length of stay for a person living in residential aged care is 1,000 days, and even though there is no cure, we can reduce the impact of dementia through a Person-Centred Care approach.
2. Disorientation is a common symptom of dementia. By understanding more about a person’s life history we can make adaptations to their environment, routine, their care plan and the way we engage with them, to improve their wellbeing and alleviate distress caused by disorientation. Our case studies have some practical examples.
3. Changed behaviours are a way that individuals living with dementia communicate their needs. Learn more about changing behaviours. 
4. Adapting the environment can improve the individual’s ability to cope with dementia. Our Memory Care Neighbourhoods have some practical examples.
5. Changing our approach and communication can improve the way we can connect with an individual living with dementia. When we use compassionate language rather than using labels like ‘aggression’ or ‘being difficult’, it enables us to think about what’s causing the distress. Read our story about connection here. 

Workshop attendee, Jillian, said, “the workshop was excellent. Just amazing. I learnt so much about dementia, about what I had thought were ‘aggressive behaviours’ but now I know how to deal with it.”

“Brilliant!” said participant Jane. “I’ve come from the palliative care sector and I’ve had my father at home. As a family this session’s really made me rethink my approach when it comes to dementia care.”

Rusan, who has been studying dementia, said “To be honest, I came to today thinking I wouldn’t learn anything but it was brilliant! This has reignited my passion and drive to innovate and improve things for people living with dementia.”

Dementia Care Connections is a community outreach program Opal HealthCare provides free of charge to people living, or caring for someone, with dementia. We run regular webinars and in-person sessions facilitated by experts in dementia from Opal HealthCare.

For more information or for upcoming session dates, please contact us here