Family support

At all management stages of dementia, cater for the range of carer needs that exist depending on individual circumstances.

Carers and families should be respected, listened to and included in the planning, decision making and care and management of people with dementia. ^[1]

As symptoms of the people living with dementia progress and change, the carer requirements for support will also vary. Provide direction on the processes and avenues for further information to assist with understanding, trajectory of dementia, range of information and support services implications. Focus on:

• Initial information and support post diagnosis
• Coping with and managing change
• The key role of day respite and residential care to maintain social participation
• Involvement in end-of-life decision making (advance care planning, the terminal nature of dementia and bereavement) ^[2]

Information on:

• Support Person education and support programs
• Counselling
• Respite Support
• Future Planning

Can be found under Including the support person in the Practice Nurse Cognitively aware chronic disease management section.