Specialist dementia care units in Queensland

The Specialist Dementia Care Program funds specialist dementia care units in residential aged care homes. The units provide specialised care to people with very severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia that aim to reduce or stabilise symptoms so that people can move into less intensive care settings.

The three Specialist Dementia Care Program units in Queensland all have vacancies and are ready to receive referrals. Referrals can be made from outside the PHN region where the unit is located. Generally, referrals nationally are coming from acute health settings, older persons’ mental health services and residential aged care.

The Specialist Dementia Care Program provides a person centred, multidisciplinary approach to care for people exhibiting symptoms of dementia whose behaviours may put themselves or others at risk or otherwise mean they are unable to be appropriately cared for by mainstream aged care services. The program offers transitionary care to reduce or stabilise symptoms and enable people to move to less intensive care settings.

The Australian Government is establishing a national network of units under the Specialist Dementia Care Program, with at least one unit to be established in each of the 31 Primary Health Network regions. The prototype unit opened in Inglewood, Perth in September 2019. Between January and August this year, nine additional units have opened across Australia, including three units in Queensland.

All Queensland units are currently receiving referrals, including the North Brisbane unit at St Martin’s Nursing Home in Taigum. There are specific eligibility requirements for referral to the program.

For more information, including referral guidance visit Dementia Support Australia at dementia.com.au/contact/referral.