With dementia now the leading cause of death in Australia, according to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, we would like to highlight dementia programs and resources available to support those wanting to better understand dementia, healthcare professionals, family members and for people diagnosed with dementia.
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia is the national peak body supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers. They foster dementia-friendly communities, provide direct support, and champion research and care.
Nightingale Program: Dementia-specific palliative care support.
The Nightingale Program is a palliative model of advanced dementia care throughout South Australia and specific New South Wales locations: Port Macquarie, Hunter, Metropolitan Sydney and Queanbeyan-Palerang.
In NSW, the program is provided by specialist nurses and is available free of charge, providing strategies and advice to support people living with advanced dementia, their families and care providers, with a focus on promoting choice, well-being and forward planning.
The program supports people living at home, in residential aged care and community settings.
To find out more about the Nightingale Program, call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Download the Nightingale Program NSW flyer HERE
For more information including access to the ‘Dementia expert webinar: palliative care and dementia, with Sarah Jamieson’ click HERE
Living With Dementia Program.
This program provides an overview of dementia and how to proceed after a diagnosis. It covers coping with change, relationships and communication, planning for the future and staying healthy.
If you register, you’ll be contacted by Dementia Australia to ensure that the program meets your needs and that you’re eligible.
Suitable for: People in the early to mid stages of dementia, their family carers and family members (carers cannot attend alone). You will need to attend multiple sessions or a block of time. This program is not suitable for professionals employed in the health or aged care sectors, people without a diagnosis or people living with dementia who do not acknowledge their diagnosis.
Upcoming sessions in NSW:
Start Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Time: from 10:00am to 3:00pm AEDT
Location: Kiama NSW
There will be 4 sessions every Wednesday. To complete this program, you must attend all the 4 sessions. For more information click HERE
For more information about the ‘Living With Dementia Program’ click HERE
Dementia Support Australia (DSA)
Funded by the Australian Government and led by HammondCare, Dementia Support Australia brings together industry-wide expertise, build sector capacity and create partnerships for better dementia care around the country. Their nationwide service recognises the individual experiences of people living with dementia and recommends the ideal service level for each person.
Their services focus on getting to know the person with dementia and their individual experiences, likes and dislikes and routines. After careful assessment, they provide personalised expert advice and strategies – working with you, the person with dementia and their wider care network to address their needs and allow for ongoing care and support.
DSA provides a variety of resources to both inform and assist healthcare professionals and family members who are supporting a person living with dementia.
Please click HERE to explore their wide range of useful resources.
Understanding Dementia course offered by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is at the forefront of translational research and support for issues confronting people with dementia and their carers. Projects are being carried out in Tasmania and nationally, across research fields such as neuroscience, medicine, nursing, psychology and sociology, health, economics and policy.
The Understanding Dementia course includes contributions from individuals living with dementia and their families who share deeply personal, practical, and powerful insights designed to help you develop a rich understanding.
The course is free and accessible at any time. The learning is online and self-paced, and participants are provided with a certificate on completion. For registration and more information, please click HERE.