Changed behaviour in dementia: Resources for residential aged care homes

Approximately 220,000 older Australians reside in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), with over half living with dementia (PLWD) at varying stages of severity. Among these individuals, 40% experience mild symptoms, while fewer than 1% face extreme challenges. These numbers highlight the significant role RACH nurses and carers play in managing the unique demands of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), which require a holistic and tailored approach to care.

This list of practical resources has been curated to support RACH nurses in their work with PLWD. Join us on 7 February 2025 for an in-depth exploration at the Dementia in Residential Aged Care event, delivered by Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) in partnership with the Enhanced After Hours Project Lead from the Gold Coast Health RACH Acute Care Support Services (RaSS).

Resources include:

• Changed Behaviour Toolkit from Dementia Training Australia supports delivery of short in-house sessions by providing resources for nurses to access. Using scenario based learning, qualified individuals (e.g. nurse, clinical lead, educator) can use the toolkit to lead 15-minute learning sessions on changed behaviour in regular staff meetings, at handover time or in a team huddle.
• Free online Changed Behaviour Courses
• Free Face-to-face workshops
• AID poster
• Bespoke RACH training (fee for service) via The Dementia Centre (Hammond Care) –

Raquel Mitchell

Professional Services Lead | Dementia Centre, HammondCare (it should be one word no space)
E: raqmitchell@dementia.com.au | M: +61 4 6857 2969
www.dementiacentre.com

• DTA’s podcast ‘Dementia Dialogues’ is a podcast to help those in the dementia care space. Our episodes give listeners quick insights into the various areas of dementia related care, education and training, including an episode on changed behaviours.

Dementia Support Australia (DSA)

• Dementia Support Australia (DSA) delivers support that is tailored to your needs. The team will help determine the most appropriate service – acknowledging this can change over time.
• Dementia Support Australia’s extensive Behaviour Support Plan page on their website provides broad context regarding behavioural support plans, what a good behaviour support plan looks like, it provides a guide to creating a person- centred behaviour support plan via a comprehensive download available from the page.
• DSA have a comprehensive set of downloadable Behaviour Support Plan resources ranging from screening tools, Abbey Pain Scale assessment, fact sheet, process flowcharts and management tools and much more.
• The DSA Delirium Screen Tool is designed to assist health care professionals assess, treat and/or eliminate sources of delirium that may be impacting on a person, and contributing to changes in behaviour
• DSA 24hr support hotline (including weekends and public holidays 365 days a year) on 1800 699 799.

Other

• Use of the Pain Management Tool via Dementia Centre will help staff Identify, Assess (using Abbey Pain Scale), Manage, Re-Assess & Monitor for pain.
• RaSS is your in hours support and resource (0730-1700hrs including weekends and public holidays 365 days per year).

Additional resources, including afterhours:

• 13 SICK
• Hello Home Doctor: 134 100
• Chevron After Hours – 07 5532 8666

RACH staff are invited to register now for the Dementia Behaviours Forum on 7 February 2025 at Robina Library Auditorium.