Aged care home sees results of Specialist Dementia Care Program
Anglicare Southern Queensland states its Abri Residential Aged Care Home, where its Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) unit is transforming lives of residents with complex care needs.
Officially opened at the home in Southport, Gold Coast, in May this year, the unit offers transitional, short-term support with a high level of tailored care for up to eight individuals who exhibit severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and cannot be effectively cared for by mainstream aged care services.
Caption: From left: Anglicare Southern Queensland Chief Operating Officer Kane Singh; Anglicare Southern Queensland Clinical Lead, Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP), Victoria Cain; Anglicare Southern Queensland Abri Residential Aged Care Home Facility Manager Kirandeep Kaur; Anglicare Southern Queensland Group Manager, Residential Aged Care, Kate Hawkins; Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Chair of the Community Services Commission, Tracy Morgan; Anglicare Southern Queensland CEO Sue Cooke; and, Archbishop Jeremy Greave.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing funds SDCP units in residential aged care homes. The aim is to have 35 nationally. They are currently 27.
For Susan Yates, the program has been life-changing for her husband, Victor, who is one of the first residents of the Abri SDCP to transition back into mainstream care.
“Vic’s wellbeing and behaviour has completely shifted for the better since being moved to the Abri SDCP earlier this year,” Susan said.
“Before Abri, his previous place of care had him on an incredibly high amount of medication just to manage his needs. He wasn’t able to follow a normal routine or do simple things like spend time outside in the sun. That’s when we knew he needed specialised care.
“The attention and tailored support he’s received through the Abri SDCP has been fantastic. His mood improved, his appetite came back, and he’s been transitioned out of the SDCP into Abri’s mainstream care thanks to this improvement.
“His medication has been reduced which is wonderful and just knowing he has a great routine now, where he can spend time outside in the garden to soak up the sun is terrific.
“It’s just extraordinary to see such a positive change in him. He was even named Resident of the Month recently! The team at Abri say he’s thriving in the mainstream care,” she said.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Chief Operating Officer of Aged and Community Services Kane Singh said Victor’s story is a testament to the value of Specialist Dementia Care Programs.
“In 2025 there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to an estimated 812,500 by 2054 i ,” Kane said.
“We recognise the growing need for specialised care and programs like the SDCP are already proving to be an invaluable asset for families like Victor’s.
“The SDCP helps people living with dementia by reducing or stabilising their behaviour or psychological symptoms in a dedicated, dementia-friendly environment with the end goal of supporting them to move to a less intensive, mainstream care setting when they no longer require these specialist services.
