Hi Donte';
Dementia is considered a neurological illness, though symptoms need to be acknowledged when it comes to care and supervision more than their diagnosis. Each stage requires different levels of attention from carers, family and the community.
It's in early stages when families need to get together with medical, welfare and NDIS professionals to create a plan for the future. This should include organising 24/7 care, external services and talking about pressures placed on carers as the illness progresses.
For carers, mental health problems like depression are prevalent, especially due to a lack of social equity. When I talk of respite, it's for the carer to rest, relax, enjoy social connections and recharge batteries, necessary components for ongoing quality care as well as their own needs. Who cares for the carer?
For govt agencies like Health, Home Care, Supported Accommodation, NDIS and Centrelink, home carers are valued assets because they provide a service which would otherwise be dealt with by them. Families might do well to take a page from this book because if that carer dies or becomes ill themselves for instance, the responsibility then falls to them.
Once people enter the supported accommodation sector, control of how their loved one's are cared for is lost. Recent news reports of deaths in aged care facilities tell the story.
To answer your question, yes; the NDIS provides assistance for people suffering dementia and especially their carers. The following link will assist with information;
www.carersaustralia.com.au
I don't know if people realise this, but 'children' are statistically predominant in carer circles. Those with physically or mentally disabled parents/grandparents even as young as 10, fall in this category.
I do understand cultural 'shame' where reaching out's concerned, but limiting family carers rights to care themselves has to change. Hopefully there'd be community ethnic groups to raise this very important issue with as a matter of urgency.
Information + action = community awareness and hopefully, change.
Sez