At the heart of effective dementia care lies the crucial need for written strategies to move off paper and into real-life practice. Our Dementia Support Coaches are dedicated to this mission, working directly with care staff across Australia to ensure that strategies are not just planned on paper, but become actionable solutions. From bustling cities to remote areas like Cooma, Mildura, and Denmark in Western Australia, our coaches tackle the challenges that can prevent the effective implementation of Dementia Consultants recommendations.
In Cooma, New South Wales, the DSA coach provided hands-on support by spending time with staff modelling effective ways to engage with the person to minimise contributing factors identified in the DSA report that provides recommendations for behaviour support strategies. Observations of mood changes were also noted as strategies were implemented and adjusted accordingly to meet the person's individual needs in real-time. This direct involvement led to immediate improvements in care, with a resident's daughter observing a significant reduction in aggression and expressing heartfelt thanks for the positive change.
Examples such as this highlight the importance of making strategies actionable to overcome barriers such as transient staff and limited resources. Our Dementia Support Coaches are here to help staff bring written plans to life, so they don’t just sit on a bookshelf in an office. They work closely with care staff to ensure that consultants' recommendations are effectively implemented, enhancing overall care delivery.