Dementia Rehabilitation Program expansion - more people living with dementia in South Eastern Melbourne are now eligible.

South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) is pleased to announce the expansion of the Dementia Rehabilitation Program for older people (65+) living with dementia in the South Eastern Melbourne region. Residents living in the City of Greater Dandenong, the City of Frankston and the City of Kingston can now access the Dementia Rehabilitation Program. Mornington Peninsula Shire and the City of Casey residents remain eligible and can continue accessing the service.

Delivered by Encara, the in-home Dementia Rehabilitation Program aims to improve access to allied health-led rehabilitation activities to support independence and wellbeing. Led by a team of Allied Health Professionals, the program combines therapeutic interventions, education, and personalised care, integrating allied health with aromatherapy, art therapy and music therapy.

What is Dementia Rehabilitation?

The World Health Organisation defines rehabilitation as “a set of interventions designed to optimise functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions (not just after an acute event) in interaction with their environment.”

Rehabilitation helps people to maximise their independence, relationships, and quality of life. It gives people opportunities to retain or regain skills and activities they may have lost or be at risk of losing. Rehabilitation includes supporting people to develop alternate strategies and supporting care partners.

Why is this program needed?

Dementia is a significant and growing health and aged care issue in Australia that has a substantial impact on the health and quality of life of people with the condition, as well as their family and friends. As the condition progresses, the functional ability of an individual with dementia declines, eventually resulting in the reliance on care providers for all aspects of daily living.

​In south eastern Melbourne, approximately 11,000 people are living with a diagnosis of dementia, with nearly a third of this group residing in the LGAs of the Mornington Peninsula Shire and the City of Casey.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care and Dementia Guidelines recommend optimising independence and wellbeing through access to allied health professionals. Without treatment, people with dementia may decline faster and enter aged care facilities earlier.



What support will the program provide?

The Dementia Rehabilitation Program runs across 12 weeks and offers personalised care, evidencebased interventions, and a collaborative approach to empower individuals living with dementia. The program includes:

• Expert team of caring professionals specialised in dementia care
• Personalised interventions to promote independence and quality of life
• Home visits by Occupational Therapists to assess and support daily living activities
• Podiatry assessment and ongoing therapy for comfortable footwear and overall foot care
• Physiotherapy sessions to improve balance, strength, and mobility
• Access to additional allied health services, including Dietetics and Speech Therapy
• Aromatherapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy
• Ongoing education and support for participants and their families

How to make a referral

The program is now open for referrals.

Eligibility

People aged 65+ years old living with dementia in the following Local Government Areas are eligible:

• Mornington Peninsula Shire
• The City of Casey
• The City of Greater Dandenong
• The City of Frankston
• The City of Kingston

To find out more, or make a referral, visit Encara's website.

If you have an enquiry about the program please email dementia@encara.com.au.