Dementia

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a syndrome that can affect:

• Memory
• Cognition
• Behaviour
• communication
• the ability to carry out everyday activities

Dementia is caused by several underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, which most instances of dementia are attributed to. According to Dementia Australia, over half of all residents of aged care facilities in Australia are living with Dementia and it is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians

Dedicated causes a progressive decline in a person’s functioning and requires a dedicated approach from health care professionals and carers. Allied health providers can assist with neuro-rehabilitation support for these patients in aged care settings.

Allied Health Support for Dementia

Allied health professionals can offer a range of support to enable people living with dementia experience a good quality of life and help carers and residential aged care providers to provide a high level of care.

Trained professionals including occupational therapists and physiotherapists can provide a wellness approach to provide dementia care and use a rehabilitative framework to maximise independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapy

Trained Occupational Therapists provide support for Dementia patients in both residential aged care and home care situations including but not limited to:

• assessing and identify the person’s existing skills, abilities and strengths to manage everyday activities
• identifying obstacles that prevent people from doing what they want
• assessing home environments and providing advice on environmental modifications
• identifying barriers to participation in physical activities and exercise
• minimising risks and impediments to active enjoyment of life
• prescribing aids or equipment to allow engagement in physical activity and exercise
• determining the amount of cognitive support required for a person to complete an activity
• assessing suitability for cognitive rehabilitation programs
• providing advice around assistive technologies
• encouraging and facilitating social interaction

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists can provide support for dementia patients and carers including:

• assessing transfers, mobility, strength, balance, range of movement and fall risk factors
• developing tailored exercise programs to maintain or improve mobility, strength, balance and endurance
• identifying physical activities that are both safe and enjoyable
• delivering fall prevention programs
• developing strategies to help manage impairments and maintain safety
• assessing and treat musculoskeletal injuries and helping manage pain
• providing rehabilitation programs to help recovery from surgery and other illnesses
• assisting with pain management
• helping maintain mobility and range of movement
• optimising respiratory function
• suggesting equipment to help with transfers and mobility
• instructing carers on safe physical assistance

Podiatry

Our qualified podiatrists assist in making dementia sufferers comfortable by providing:

• foot care advice and information
• corn and callus removal
• management and treatment of skin and nail disorders including in-grown toenails
• footwear advice and education
• orthotic therapy and custom orthotics including ankle foot orthoses
• biomechanical assessment including gait assessment and management
• neurological and vascular risk assessment