Allied health professionals play an important role in supporting patients with dementia, writes Professor Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive of Dementia Australia.
People living with dementia need access to appropriately funded pathways to allied health support and services.
We know that early intervention can help delay the progression of dementia, and allied health services provide significant benefits by helping people to maintain their physical and cognitive health, independence and wellbeing for as long as possible.
There are an estimated 433,300 Australians who live with dementia in 2025. In Western Australia, there are an estimated 42,000 people living with all forms of dementia. This figure is projected to increase 107% to an estimated 87,000 by 2054.
Rates of dementia in Australia are expected to double in the next 30 years without a significant intervention, so it is vital that Australians have immediate, ongoing and flexible access to early intervention supports.
Challenges faced post-diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a distressing experience for the person and their family members and carers.
They are often left to process their diagnosis and identify appropriate supports on their own and can encounter challenges in navigating healthcare, specialist, disability and aged care systems, including referral and access to allied health services.
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For many people impacted by dementia, including carers and family members, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience.
These challenges can impact a person’s ability to understand their diagnosis and what support is available to them, and as a result can delay timely access to allied health services and supports.
The solution
People tell us that they are relieved when they find our services. They also tell us that they need greater levels of assistance to navigate the health, disability and aged care systems to access the care and support they need.
A network of trusted specialist dementia care coordinators would directly address these commonly faced challenges, and help people get the right support at the right time, which is critical to ensuring better outcomes for everyone involved. It is one of the key asks Dementia Australia has of the 48th Parliament as they return after the election.
Early intervention can enable people living with dementia to maintain their independence and functional capacity for as long as possible.
Allied health professionals play a key role in this and provide interventions to support the maintenance of current strengths and capacities, improve skill acquisition and promote recovery, enablement and rehabilitation.
Speech pathology and occupational therapy
People living with dementia can experience changes that impact their ability to perform tasks such as driving, managing finances, and everyday tasks such as showering and getting dressed.
Occupational therapists can implement strategies to support people to continue to participate in activities. Evidence shows that working with an occupational therapist can help to maintain independence, reduce the impact of changes in behaviour and improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
People can also experience changes to their communication, eating, drinking and swallowing. Speech pathology plays an important role in supporting people to continue to maintain independence and communicate their needs, an essential part of living well with dementia.
Speech pathology and occupational therapy are examples of the very significant benefits provided by allied health professionals in supporting daily activities and maintaining skills and strengths. Allied health is an essential part of a multidisciplinary approach for a person living with dementia to support wellbeing and independence.
Greater awareness for better outcomes
Improving awareness and understanding of dementia, and the importance of timely access to allied health services and supports, will lead to better outcomes for people living with dementia, their families, carers and communities.
RELATED: Out of sight, out of mind – the impact of dementia
Dementia Australia has a number of resources on allied health and dementia including position statements on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology.
For dementia information and support you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline
Dementia Australia’s position statements are available at dementia.org.au/about-us/publications/position-statements
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