Department of Health Tasmania

Dementia Support Service (DSS)

Provides comprehensive advanced clinical assessment, intervention and support service for people diagnosed or suspected of having a degenerative cognitive condition.  The service also provides information and education to the person with dementia, their families/carer and for the broader health care sector community.

The DSS is provided by a Clinical Nurse Consultant – Grade 6 Registered Nurse and operates from the Community Health Service Centre, Ulverstone – delivering services across the North West and West Coast, including King Island.

The service is funded by the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program. The HACC Service Agreement guides the services delivered by DSS to focus on sector support and development; to build the capacity of the sector to meet the needs of the clients; incorporate the outcomes of the evaluations; and develop best practice.

Principles of Service Provision

• Valuing people living with dementia and those who care for them; looking at the world from the perspective of the person with dementia.
• Treating people with respect and dignity, valuing cultural differences and diversity.
• Working alongside and encouraging others to achieve health gain and independence.
• Valuing other's skills and contributions.
• Acting with integrity, embracing ethical standards
• Constantly striving to use the best available evidence to improve practice.

Resources and Publications

• Fight Dementia
• Alzheimer's Society UK
• My Life Story App
• Alzheimer's Organisation USA
• Occupational exposure to solvents may have lasting effects on brain health
• Trial Participation Information

Specific Links for People Living with Dementia

• Benefits of Mediterranean dietenefits of Mediterranean diet
• Clinical Trial Details
• Early signs that drug 'may delay Alzheimer's decline'
• Alzheimer's Society - Living with Dementia
• Dementia Alliance International
• Alzheimers Disease International - I Can I Will library

Specific Links for People Living with Young Onset Dementia

• Young Dementia
• Younger onset Dementia Assc.
• Kate Swaffer Story
• Christine Bryden Dementia Advocate

Specific Links for Carers

• The Global Voice on Dementia
• Language Guidelines
• Dementia Explained for Children
• Dementia Challengers

Useful information for Health care workers

• New trial to treat Alzheimer's seen as "game changing"
• Capacity and Dementia
• FRONTIER - is investigating the neurological, psychological and biological basis of brain function in frontotemporal dementia and healthy ageing.
• Alzheimers Research - Mayo Clinic
• Delirium - Infographic

Service Details

Phone: (03) 6464 3064 (If phone is unattended please leave a message)

Fax: (03) 6464 3294

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (Excluding public holidays)

Address

Dementia Support Service

Central Coast Community Health Service Centre

48 Water Street

Ulverstone TAS 7315