Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person's functioning. It is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning. There are many types of Dementia including Alzheimer's disease, bascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it's more common after the age of 65.

Key facts and statistics 2017

• Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and there is no cure
• Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians (aged 65 years or older) and the third leading cause of disability burden overall.
• By 2025, the total cost of dementia is predicted to increase to $18.7 billion in today's dollars, and by 2056, to over $36.8 billion, which represents a 2.6 fold increase in costs from 2016.
• The lifestyle risk and protective factors for dementia offer very real opportunities for prevention programs that reduce the number of  Australians developing  dementia each year.

Resources

• Alzheimer's Australia statistics
• RACGP clinical practice guidelines and principles of care for people with dementia in Australia
• Alzheimer's Australia - Detecting Dementia in General Practice
• Alzheimer's Australia - Clinical tools and resources
• Alzheimer's Australia NSW - Provides information on numerous aspects of living with dementia, fact sheets and cultrally diverse information.
• Alzheimer's Australia - Free Dementia Kit: : Alzheimer's Australia provides a free Dementia Kit from the National Dementia Helpline. Click here to fill out the form to receive one.
• Alzheimer's Australia - Information in other languages. Alzheimer's Australia is committed to helping people from culturally and linguistically diverse population groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and has translated resources to meet the linguistic needs of the community.
• Alzheimer's Australia - Antipsychotics and Dementia: Managing Medications 
• pdf Eastern Sydney Dementia Directory of Services (904 KB)
• Eastern Sydney Dementia Assessment Services Pathway
• Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS) - DBMAS is a nationwide network of services funded by the Australian Government to provide individualised support for the carers of people living with dementia whose behavioural and psychological needs are rapidly changing and impacting on the person's care and quality of life. For more information visit the DBMAS website.
• Dementia Enabling Environments - The Dementia Enabling Environments Project (DEEP) is a collaboration between Alzheimer's Australia WA and the NSW Dementia Training Study Centre based at the University of Wollongong. The project hosts a virtual information centre which provides practical tips, guides and resources to make the places we live more dementia friendly. To view the interative virtual information centre, go to the Dementia Enabling Environments website and select the environment that you wish to adapt.
• Driving and Dementia - A decision aid: The decision on when to stop driving after dementia diagnosis is often difficult on numerous levels. The University of Wollongong has developed a Dementia and Driving Decision Aid to assist with this process. The guide can be accessed here.
• Alzheimer's Australia NSW also the licensing requirements around driving after a diagnosis. This information can be accessed here.

The abuse of older people is a globally recognised issue that is becoming more prevalent. Research suggests that as many as 50,000 older people in NSW may have experienced some form of abuse and it is estimated that only one in five cases of elder abuse is reported. The majority of alledged abusers are trusted family members, neighbours or paid carers.

• Elder abuse toolkit for professionals
• Elder abuse suspicion index for health professionals
• Elder abuse - video for health professionals

My Aged Care is a key feature of the Commonwealth Government's reform of the aged care system which came about following release of the Productivity Commission Inquiry report 'Caring for older Australians' (2011). One of teh Commission recommendations is that consumers be viewed as active partners throughout the care journey and be part of decision making processes and be providedthe resources and information to do so.

My Aged Care was implemented as a national, clear entry point of access for Aged Care services and information. It consists of the My Aged Care website and contact centre (1800 200 422). Both provide information and referrals for clients and their carers to be assessed for Aged Care services such as domestic assistance, personal care, nursing, home maintenance and modifications; and residential and respite care.

As part of ongoing refinements to the My Aged Care portal, a referral web form was introduced. Health practitioners should complete online referrals which are sent directly ro wither the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for entry level support services or the Aged Care Assessment Term (ACAT) for those with higher care needs. The link to online referrals is here, with a video explaining how to make an online referral.

• My Aged Care Community Health Professional and GP Fax Referral Form
• An updated fact sheet for General Practioners explaining the June 2016 changes including information about urgent referrals. Changes were implemented in July 2017 to better support clients with diverse needs and improve access to information for health professionals. There is now a clearer approach about who can speak on a client's behalf and a client now has more flexibility to appoint a regular representative to assist with decision making.
• Appointment of a representative form
• Health professionals now have improved access to information affecting their patients which enables them to follow-up on referrals and add information if needed. It is also possible to access information from My Aged Care assessors regarding implementation of services.

New Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources on My Aged Care

• Here you will find resources specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including translated materials. They can be viewed or downloaded from the My Aged Care website.
• There is also a video for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences on the My Aged Care website, which provides an overview of My Aged Care, including the services available and how to access them.
• My Aged Care resources for CALD people.

CESPHN supports the various Geriatric Flying Squads and Outreach Services that are operated by Local Health Districts. These  services are intended to reduce the need for transfer to hospital by managing residents at their facility.

Geriatric Flying Squads (GFS) and other outreach services contact details

1. Sutherland Shire Catchment area - Southcare GFS - 9540 7956
2. St George GFS - 9113 3999 - Referrals pdf Form (647 KB) and GFS  pdf flyer (210 KB)
3. War Memorial Hospital GFS - 9369 0400: WMF-GFS RACF pdf Flyer (266 KB)  April 2016
4. pdf GFS Services (373 KB)
   
5. SLHD Nurse Practitioner Outreach Program - 1300 722 276 : pdf ACT Flyer (148 KB) ,   pdf SLHD Service Description (78 KB)
6. NSW Ambulance Fact Sheet

Regional Medication Advisory Committee (RMAC)

The Regional Medication and Advisory Committee (RMAC) is a committee inclusive of a broad membership of Aged Care Specialists, GPs, Executive Staff of RACFs and Allied Health Professionals and is currently conducted in the Sutherland Shire and St George regions. The RMAC allows for a multidiscriplinary approach where members can participate in problem solving and local development of Aged Care policy and procedures to do with medication management in RACFs. RMAC meetings are held quarterly. The St George meeting at CESPHN Kogarah and the Sutherland meeting in Sylvania. Contact Collette McClelland on 9330 9960 for more information.

Transfer to Hospital Clinical Information Handover Tool - Yellow Envelope

CESPHN has developed a clinical information handover envelope in collaboration with Local Health Districts and through consultation with Residential Aged Care Management to be utilised between RACFs and hospitals. The purpose of the envelope is to improve the safety of residents during their transfer, assessment, treatment and discharge from hospital. Audits have shown that critical resident information is often lost or not communicated in writing during resident transfers. Poor communications can contribute to poor health outcomes.

CESPHN provides these envelopes to RACFs at no cost to the facility. If you require more envelopes, please contact the Aged Care Team

According to the World Health Organisation, Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccible assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

• Palliative Care Australia
• Palliative Care NSW
• Decision Assist GPs and nurses can get immediate advice on symptom and pain management 24/7 by calling: 1300 668 908 or Advance Care Planning advice from 8am - 8pm daily
• An app to support GPs in the provision of Palliative Care
• An app to support nurses in the provision of Palliative Care
• Palliative Care Clinical Guidelines developed by Calvary Health Care Kogarah and local GPs

Wellness, reablement amd restorative approaches are emerging as powerful ways to help older people improve their function, independence and quality of life. The following fit the short-term approaches to improving functioning and wellbeing.

The Active and Healthy website links community members and health professionals to resources and programs on staying active and living a healthy lifestyle. There is a focus on falls prevention activities with the Staying Active on your feet downloadable booklet providing consumers with information and ideas on ways to reduce their risk of falling.

Falls Prevention

The Stepping On through LHDs program offers older people a way to reduce the incidence of falls and to build confidence to manage situations where they are at risk of falling. The program is delivered over seven consecutive weeks followed by a booster session after two months.

SESLHD Stepping On