The Dementia and Stroke or Coronary Heart Disease Toolkit
May 20, 2015
Peak bodies collaborate to provide increased support for people living with dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease
A combination of dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease can result in a unique set of challenges for people living with these conditions and their carers.
All three conditions have similar risk factors meaning it is not uncommon for a person to be living with more than one of these.
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic has partnered with the National Stroke Foundation and The Heart Foundation to develop the Dementia and Stroke or Coronary Heart Disease Toolkit.
Dr David Sykes, General Manager Learning and Development at Alzheimer’s Australia Vic said, “A person with dementia may have trouble telling you about the pain associated with a separate condition. They may have issues around remembering to take their medication, issues with physical activity and are more likely to develop depression or anxiety.”
“It is important that anybody caring for a person living with dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease knows what to look out for,” said Dr Sykes.
Diana Heggie, CEO Heart Foundation Victoria said, “The warning signs of heart attack can be different from person to person. This toolkit explains the warning signs that may be experienced and the importance of calling triple zero (000) when they occur.”
The toolkit is designed to support better health outcomes and improve support for people living with dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease. It includes information and advice for the person with the diagnosis, their carers and community care workers.
Information on the causes, symptoms and strategies for managing the conditions, is accompanied by several case studies and three specially produced educational videos.
Dr Sykes said acknowledgement and awareness of the link between these conditions is critical to providing the best possible care.
“We urge anybody living with these chronic conditions and the people that care for them to use this resource. This information allows people to understand how to effectively lower the risk or to manage the conditions,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Erin Lalor, National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer said the toolkit brings together vital information that is easy to understand in one convenient location.
“Those impacted deserve to live the best quality life; their friends, families and even paid carers all want to help enable those impacted to do this. For that, they need information,’’ Dr Lalor said.
The Dementia and Stroke or Coronary Heart Disease Toolkit is the third in a series of toolkits known as the Dementia and Chronic Conditions Series, funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the Home & Community Care (HACC) program.
The toolkit is available at fightdementia.org.au/dcc
A combination of dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease can result in a unique set of challenges for people living with these conditions and their carers.
All three conditions have similar risk factors meaning it is not uncommon for a person to be living with more than one of these.
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic has partnered with the National Stroke Foundation and The Heart Foundation to develop the Dementia and Stroke or Coronary Heart Disease Toolkit.
Dr David Sykes, General Manager Learning and Development at Alzheimer’s Australia Vic said, “A person with dementia may have trouble telling you about the pain associated with a separate condition. They may have issues around remembering to take their medication, issues with physical activity and are more likely to develop depression or anxiety.”
“It is important that anybody caring for a person living with dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease knows what to look out for,” said Dr Sykes.
Diana Heggie, CEO Heart Foundation Victoria said, “The warning signs of heart attack can be different from person to person. This toolkit explains the warning signs that may be experienced and the importance of calling triple zero (000) when they occur.”
The toolkit is designed to support better health outcomes and improve support for people living with dementia and stroke or coronary heart disease. It includes information and advice for the person with the diagnosis, their carers and community care workers.
Information on the causes, symptoms and strategies for managing the conditions, is accompanied by several case studies and three specially produced educational videos.
Dr Sykes said acknowledgement and awareness of the link between these conditions is critical to providing the best possible care.
“We urge anybody living with these chronic conditions and the people that care for them to use this resource. This information allows people to understand how to effectively lower the risk or to manage the conditions,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Erin Lalor, National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer said the toolkit brings together vital information that is easy to understand in one convenient location.
“Those impacted deserve to live the best quality life; their friends, families and even paid carers all want to help enable those impacted to do this. For that, they need information,’’ Dr Lalor said.
The Dementia and Stroke or Coronary Heart Disease Toolkit is the third in a series of toolkits known as the Dementia and Chronic Conditions Series, funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the Home & Community Care (HACC) program.
The toolkit is available at fightdementia.org.au/dcc