New England Medicare Local, Armidale, NSW
New England Medicare Local, Armidale, NSW
Support Services (MAPSS) was developed
in 2003 to address the shortfall in dementia
diagnosis and care within the NSW New
England region. Hunter New England Local
Health District's (HNELHD) geriatrician had
reported that patients were presenting in
advanced stages of dementia, often in crisis,
and often following multiple unplanned
presentations and admissions to hospital.
determine the impact of the following on
frequency of use of emergency respite
services:
1) carer awareness and utilisation of support
living with dementia (PLWD), who had been
diagnosed with dementia through MAPSS
prior to July 2011. We used a carer survey to
measure knowledge and use of emergency
respite and support services; carer burden; and
positive aspects of caregiving. We reviewed
HNELHD patient files to determine hospital
prior to and following dementia diagnosis. It
is anticipated that the research will show that
participation in MAPSS during early cognitive
decline reduces unplanned dementia-related
hospital admissions and use of emergency
respite services. The project team hope to
gather evidence in support of the MAPSS "key
worker" support model and integrated, multi-
disciplinary approach to memory assessment
and dementia support, so that the MAPSS
model can be replicated within other Medicare
Locals.
of Family and Community Services, Ageing,
Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and
conducted by New England Medicare Local
with the support of the DCRC-ABC.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW
research project on the service and support
requirements of people with younger onset
dementia and their families. The project was
funded by the NSW Department of Family
and Community Services - Ageing, Disability
and Home Care (ADHC) and conducted by
Alzheimer's Australia NSW with the Social
Policy Research Centre at the University of
NSW and UnitingCare Ageing.
diagnosis of younger onset dementia; the
experiences of people with younger onset
dementia and their families in accessing the
NSW service system; their support needs;
appropriate service types for early intervention