Finding the right home care partner eases the challenges of living with dementia

This is sponsored content for Home Care Assistance Newcastle.

Today an estimated 250 people in Australia joined the more than 447,000 who are living with dementia around the country. Around another 250 will join that population tomorrow.

They are confronting figures that show the prevalence of dementia and its associated neurological conditions, like Alzheimer's disease, in the community.

A diagnosis of dementia is scary and can throw both the person with the disease and their family and friends into a panic about what the future holds and the impact it will have on their lives.

First thoughts for sufferers can turn to fear about the journey ahead, the possibility of having to leave the home they love, and the pressure on their family as a result of the care they will need as their cognitive abilities decline.

For families, there is worry about how their loved ones will be able to cope with daily life, plus confusion about where to turn to next to get a clear idea about their options and the choices they need to make.

"People do go into a bit of a panic," said Mark Burns, who with wife Kerrie owns and operates local home care support service Home Care Assistance Newcastle, the business they started more than two years ago with the aim of delivering the kind of high quality elderly home care support services they had struggled to find for their aging parents.

"It's a bit of a shock getting that diagnosis, and then the questions come. What does this mean? How will they be able to live on their own? Will they have to go into residential care?"

Mark said these days there is a range of home support options and Government funding available that is allowing dementia sufferers to continue living successfully in their own homes, the familiar place where they are most comfortable, for longer.

"Cleverly targeted and tailored support in the right places at the right time can mean people, even those living on their own, get the help they need," he said.

"One of the challenges is that every single person experiences dementia differently, it's very personal, and it means the way people are affected in their lives is very different so the support they receive has to be personalised.

"You need to recognise the shortfalls for the individual and then put in supports that help them with that. The care has to be flexible - as the situation changes then the type and amount of care changes."

For family members taking on the role of caring for the person with dementia - perhaps a partner, child or grandchild - getting support is important to ensure the pressure doesn't leave them burnt out.

"Some find it hard to accept that they need some home care support, but it's about giving them some respite, and the time to do other things," Kerrie said. "It can be a very stressful role."

"People don't have to do it on their own and feel like the pressure is only on them, that they are the only thing holding it together. All of a sudden the burn out comes.

"We talk about turning family back into family instead of being carers; the right amount of targeted care means the family can go back to doing the high quality family stuff rather than having to be there every day as a carer.

"And it's a case of the earlier the better. A little bit of support early can get better outcomes than waiting until stress levels are so high. It is a journey and having a plan in place can ease that stress."

Kerrie and Mark encourage people to take their time when selecting a home care provider, looking for one that will offer the kind of personalised, high quality care that will ease the challenges of living with dementia for everyone involved.

"People should understand they do have a choice.and they aren't locked in to just going with the first home care organisation that comes along," Kerrie said.

"When you are choosing someone to come in and help it needs to be someone who listens to you and understands, and will work to put in place what you want and that suits you."

To find out more contact Home Care Assistance Newcastle on (02) 4089 3000 or head to the website. You can book in a no obligation, in-home assessment with Kerrie, Mark and the team.

This is sponsored content for Home Care Assistance Newcastle.