Dementia care options in Australia — a family guide

A dementia diagnosis changes the aged care conversation significantly. The care needs are different, the timeline is uncertain, and the emotional weight on families is enormous. This guide covers what's available and how to navigate it.

The first call to make

Dementia Australia — 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free specialist support, information, and navigation for people with dementia and their families. Call this before anything else.

Getting an ACAT assessment — what to know for dementia

Be specific about safety concerns during the ACAT assessment. Describe what happens on bad days — wandering, getting lost, not recognising familiar people, leaving the stove on, unsafe at home alone at night. Being specific about safety concerns typically results in a higher level of approved support.

Cognitive impairment is assessed separately during the ACAT process. A cognitive assessment (often a MMSE or MOCA test) helps the assessor understand the level of impairment.

Home care for someone with dementia

Support at Home can fund:

• Personal care assistance
• Supervision and social support
• Day programs (structured activity and respite)
• Nursing visits for medication management
• Home modifications for safety (door alarms, stove shut-off devices)
• Assistive technology including personal emergency response systems

Higher support levels (5–8) are appropriate for moderate to advanced dementia where significant supervision is required.

When residential care is needed

Specialised dementia care — often called a Memory Support Unit or secure dementia unit — is a distinct model within residential aged care designed for people with moderate to advanced dementia. It provides a secure, structured environment with specialised staff.

Not all residential facilities have dementia-specific units. When researching, ask specifically about staffing ratios, dementia training, secure units, and the facility's approach to behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

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