The fact sheets are available via our BPSD resource page and we are currently working with Dementia training Australia (DTA) toward the launch of the eLearning resource. When available, this eLearning resource will complement the existing eLearning resource Caring for LGBTI People with Dementia developed by DTA.

The additional considerations for LGBTI people who present with BPSD are based on the evidence and practice-based principles outlined in the document Behaviour Management, A Guide to Good Practice, Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and associated resources previously developed by the BPSD team at DCRC.

The target audience for the proposed LGBTI resource is care staff and health professionals working in all care settings. The eLearning resource will be actively disseminated via a targeted media launch and widespread email notifications. Email Kim Burns if you would like to know more.

Resources to support the management of behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD):

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Other resources in this series:

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The Carer Ready Guide can help you think about these issues. You should read the Carer Ready Guide when completing your Red Cross RediPlan.

There are two components to the Guide: an eBook and a Flipbook. Access these resources by clicking on the download buttons below.

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While residential respite care has been identified as an essential support for carers of people with dementia, there has been carer reluctance to use such services. Reported factors include perceptions that the respite experience will be detrimental to the health and behavioural stability of the person with dementia, and that carers experience feelings of increased anxiety and guilt when care is relinquished.

The Person-Centred Model of Residential Respite Care Transition (Transition Support: Person-Centred Care TS-PCC) Program was developed with the aim of improving the experience of Residential Respite Care for people with dementia and their carers.

This manual has been designed to assist you, as primary carer, to prepare resources to enable clear communication about your family member’s unique care needs, to care staff of any facility where care is required for your family member. This may include a brief stay at a respite care facility; or a short hospital admission.

‘Getting to know you’ booklet

This booklet is designed for you to obtain as much information as possible relating to your family member’s care needs, so that the care provided by you at home can be continued as closely as possible by others.

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Other resources in this series:

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Other resources in this series:

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If your relative or friend with dementia needs to go to hospital, it can be challenging for them to communicate with health professionals and others who do not know them.

This form helps a carer keep an up-to-date source of information that can help the hospital staff tailor care for your loved one. It is designed on the principles of person-centred care, which values each person as an individual. The Focus on the Person Tool helps a carer collect information about typical daily routines, needs, and preferences that are important for providing person-centred care.

The tool can be completed as a  pen-and-paper form, or used as an electronic tool (and also printed): this helps carers keep the tool up-to-date as needs and preferences might change for the person with dementia.

The items have been developed with a hospital visit in mind. The tool also may be useful when interacting with other health professionals – such as collecting information from a GP about medications.

The Focus on the Person Tool is free to use – download or print the tool using your computer (the format is an interactive pdf. ) If you are a family carer having trouble with the download, please contact us and we will post a paper copy to you.

The Focus on the Person Tool is part of series of resources created especially for home carers of people with dementia,  in consultation with consumers (including carers and people living with dementia).

Other resources in this series:

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This resource is for any driver who has received a diagnosis of dementia.

Most older adults have driven safely and remained accident-free for many years. Unfortunately, dementia can silently disrupt driving skills. At times, family members notice unsafe driving behaviour first. For a variety of reasons, the issue of driving safety is often not raised by doctors, nurses, family or friends.

The aim of this booklet is to assist a person with dementia in deciding when to stop driving after receiving a diagnosis of dementia. It is hoped that early planning for retirement from driving will avoid the need to stop suddenly in the future.

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This guide is for carers of people living with dementia.

Deciding whether to use respite care is one of the hardest decisions a carer has to make. There are many resources giving you information about the care system. This is a guidebook with a difference: information for carers by carers.

Getting the most out of respite care provides insights from carers who have benefited from respite care, including:

• stories—highlighting the benefits of day centres and residential services
• case studies—helping you prepare and manage challenges that you may face
• tips—including when to use it, how to book it in and how to make the most of respite care.

Key messages from the guide are that good respite care is available, that it helps ‘recharge your batteries’ and that it allows you to do other essential activities, such as shopping and working. It is also important not to feel guilty about using respite; you need to maintain your own health and the ability to attend to life’s necessary tasks in order to keep caring for your loved one.

You can download an electronic copy of the guide below.

Other resources in this series:

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This Guide is for family carers supporting a person with dementia. It includes practical information about how to deal with behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD)*. An electronic version is accessible via the DCRC website: www.dementiaresearch.org.au.

This resource is free. Hard copies of the Guide for Family Carers are available from the BPSD team pending availability. Email: Kim Burns via  or download as a pdf on the links below.

*The abbreviation ‘BPSD’ is used respectfully as a short hand label for communication between professionals supporting persons with dementia. For more information about consumer preferences on terminology, please consult the Dementia Language Guidelines produced by Dementia Australia.

Resources to support the management of behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD):

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