The lives of people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers are about to get a little easier thanks to a new directory service.
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Created by North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network in collaboration with Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, the online dementia directory is now online.
The web-based resource lists locally based organisations which offer care, respite, recreational activities and social support to people impacted by dementia. It has been designed to complement dementia resources available through My Aged Care and the NDIS.
The network's chief executive Christopher Carter said dementia takes a huge toll on those affected by it.
"By pulling all the locally relevant information into one place, finding and accessing all sorts of different supports is at least now faster and easier," he said.
The directory is accompanied by easy-to-understand information sheets, available in English, Greek, Italian, simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.
In Australia, dementia is the leading cause of death for women, and the second-leading cause of death overall.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that there were 401,300 people living with the condition last year, with the figure expected to increase by more than 50 per cent over the next 25 years.
In addition to compiling the directory and information sheets for the public, the two networks have also worked with experts, GPs and community members to refine and update medical advice through the HealthPathways Melbourne platform. Dementia-themed training modules have also been created to allow health care providers to improve their knowledge.
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