Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1275 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

are designated as dementia specific. As we know, Mr Speaker, the Commonwealth government is responsible for funding these beds, and it has really failed the ACT community-and, in fact, the Australian people in general-by not providing adequate numbers of beds for aged care.

Fortunately, there are more services available than just aged care residential beds for dementia sufferers and their families. I think it is appropriate that I point out the range of different types of services available to support sufferers of dementia, including the following:

Home and community care services: HACC provides a range of basic maintenance and support services to frail elderly people in order to assist them in remaining living at home in the community. There are four broad categories of services: direct maintenance and support; assessment, referrals and care coordination; carer support, including community respite care; and information, training and advocacy services. Case management for the aged through community services and community options is one service offered through HACC.

Carers Association: the Carers Association of the ACT offers guidance, counselling, information and support to caregivers. The Carer Resource Centre and the Carer Respite Centre are provided though this association.

Alzheimers Association: the Alzheimers Association provides information, education and support to people diagnosed with all forms of dementia, their families and carers.

Mobile respite response team: the Alzheimers Association offers in-home respite and support through this service.

ACT respite links: this service provides medium to long-term support and in-home respite for carers of people with dementia who have behaviours that may be described as challenging and who have difficulty accessing mainstream respite services.

Community aged care packages: these packages offer a community-based alternative for people assessed by the ACAT as requiring low-level residential care. CACPs are planned and coordinated packages of community care services to help people with complex care needs to remain living at home. They are designed for each individual and are based on particular needs.

Extended aged care at home program: the EACH program offers assistance to frail older persons to enable them to remain at home as an alternative to entering a high-level residential aged care facility.

Older Persons Mental Health Service: this service has been funded to provide assessment and treatment of older persons with mental illness and education for service providers, families and carers regarding dementia.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .