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.
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 two programs Dementia Australia has developed to support those wanting to better understand dementia and for people diagnosed with dementia.
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