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Dementia support

Diagnosis, treatment and support for dementia are more important than ever, with more than 400,000 Australians currently living with the condition. The number is predicted to more than double in the next 25 years.

The number of people with dementia in the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network catchment is about 19,700.

In Australia, dementia is the leading cause of death for women, and the second-leading cause of death overall. It is the third highest cause of disease burden.

Recognising that a dementia diagnosis is complex and time consuming, a suite of resources has been developed to help GPs diagnose and care for people with the condition. They provide clinicians with clinical tools, referral and consumer resources and professional training.

The package represents a collaboration between Victorian and Tasmanian primary health networks and includes:

  • New and revised dementia HealthPathways

    There are 4 up-to-date clinical pathways available to assist GPs:

    Referral pages on HealthPathways have also been updated to include information about referring to local cognitive, dementia and memory service (CDAMS) clinics for diagnosis, as well as services to assist with behaviour management. Also added are resources such as national helplines, carer support services, respite providers and local support groups.

  • Patient information in multiple languages and local dementia service directory

    Research by Dementia Australia found that people felt overwhelmed with information at the time of a dementia diagnosis. Hard copy resources, to be used when ready, are preferred.

    Responding to this, we have produced a consumer information sheet, Dementia: resources and support to help you live well, for GPs and other service providers to give to patients at the time of diagnosis, for later reference.

    It includes information about key organisations, including Dementia Australia, Carer Gateway, My Aged Care, and the NDIS.

    It was developed by, and tested with, consumers, carers, people with lived experience, representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, allied health and primary care clinicians and a range of partner organisations.

    • It can be downloaded here in English, Greek, Italian, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.
    • Clinicians can find it under ‘Information for patients’ on HealthPathways Melbourne.

    It also includes a QR code to a directory of local dementia services and supports available in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.

    Local directories of dementia-relevant services have been created by each primary health network. Dementia Australia Helpline operators will use these to support carers, families and patients.

    If you are interested in placing a print order for these resources, please email info@healthpathwaysmelbourne.org.au

  • New dementia training

    Dementia Demystified is a new training course created in conjunction with Dementia Training Australia and designed, developed and facilitated by GPs for GPs, GP registrars, practice nurses, nurse practitioners and other health professionals in the primary care setting.

    This tailored training package, which is delivered by Dementia Training Australia, covers:

    • Dementia Diagnosis Demystified (90 min) – Applying GP friendly frameworks to better understand dementia, and a step wise approach to diagnosing dementia in general practice.
    • Dementia Management Demystified (90 min) – A step wise approach to initiating the post diagnostic care of dementia in general practice. Includes palliative care and advance care planning.

    Upcoming sessions:

    Look out for more sessions in our events calendar.

    More information  

    For more information about this project in Victoria and Tasmania, visit VTPHNA.

Access clinical and referral pathways and information for patients