Challenging Behaviours Program

The Challenging Behaviours Program provides respite to Carers of people with dementia and a behaviour of concern The program is funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, National Respite for Carers Program.

Statement of Purpose

The prime objective of the Challenging Behaviours Program is to provide flexible, responsive respite to carers who may be finding it difficult to access mainstream services due to the care recipients behaviour. The Challenging Behaviours Program can operate as the sole service provider or in partnership with other services as it is recognised that offering people with dementia and a challenging behaviour can be resource intensive.

Respite options may include but are not limited to:

• in-home respite
• assistance with centre-based respite
• small group activities
• 1:1 activities

Target Group

The Challenging Behaviours Program focuses on the Carers of people with dementia who are displaying behaviours of concern, which include:

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• People who are financially disadvantaged
• People living in rural and remote Locations
• People who are socially isolated.

What is Respite?

An alternative care arrangement with the primary purpose of giving the carer a short term break from their usual caring duties.

Priority

Meeting the needs of those carers experiencing "carer stress" as a result of caring for a person with dementia who is displaying a behaviour of concern.

Assessment of relative need is based on "carer stress" taking into account the intensity of care required by the care recipient and other factors related to the needs and circumstances of the carer and care relationship.

Staff

A fully trained support worker will work with the family to implement a careplan and provide flexible respite to the carer.

Carers will be encouraged to join the carers' support group facilitated by Tweed Valley Respite Service and to participate in the Life Connections Program.

The Carer will also be encouraged to attend a Care4U holiday.

Hours of Service

Hours of service to clients will be based on the individual needs of the carer. The program will be flexible and consider HACC National Service Guidelines and National Respite for Carer guidelines when prioritising clients access to service and required needs

Cost of program

Carers will be requested to contribute to service delivery. However no one will be discriminated against or refused service on the grounds that they can not contribute to the cost of the service.

Further Information

Should you require further information regarding the program or wish to make a referral to the Challenging Behaviours program, please contact the Assistant Manager Aged Care Services on 02 6674 2267.