Carer/family
Carer and family support during the detection stage should include the following:
- Access to appropriate information and advice including carer support information and related services
- Acknowledgement and recognition of the partner, family and/or carer perspective for informing appropriate referral [1]
- Access to information and advice on Advance Care Planning
To raise awareness and promote the benefits of early diagnosis, GP's and practice nurses should:
- Provide a copy of the Memory Support Guide for the Central Highlands, Grampians Pyrenees and Wimmera regions.
- Highlight services including Dementia Australia, specialist diagnostics, carer support and home and community care within their area.
- Undertake an informant interview where dementia is suspected to inform assessment and appropriate referral.
- Assess carer needs.
- Provide information on Advance Care Planning
- Highlight information on Dementia Australia services, specialist diagnostic services, carer support and home and community care services located in the guide.
- Undertake and informant interview where dementia is suspected to inform assessment and appropriate referral.
- Assess carer needs.
- Provide information on Advance Care Planning and Respecting Patient Choices
- The Department of Health also provide information and resources on Advance Care Planning. Go to http://www.health.vic.gov.au/acp/advanced-care-plan.htm.
KPMG Dementia services pathways - an essential guide to effective service planning 2011 pg. 13