The Roles and Responsibilities of Dementia Support Australia (DSA)
Dementia Support Australia (DSA), led by HammondCare, is a free, Australian Government-funded service that provides nationwide support. DSA's primary focus is to assist people living with dementia, their carers, and health professionals, particularly when changed behaviours impact their care and wellbeing. This can range from mild to moderate symptoms managed through advisory services to more severe cases requiring specialist mobile teams.
DSA's services are delivered through a person-centred approach, tailoring support to each individual's unique needs. Their team of accredited dementia consultants includes health and allied health professionals with extensive experience in dementia care. The goal is to provide practical strategies and recommendations that improve quality of life for all involved, supporting people in their own homes, in residential aged care, or in acute care settings.
Core Services Provided by Dementia Support Australia
DSA delivers several specific, government-funded programs to address different levels of need. These include:
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS): This service offers on-the-ground, practical advice and short-term case management for individuals experiencing mild to moderate behavioural symptoms. It is designed to work proactively with the care network, including family and professional carers, to understand triggers and implement effective, non-pharmacological strategies.
- Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT): For more severe behaviours or psychological symptoms, the SBRT provides a mobile, 24/7 specialist response, often responding to high-risk referrals within 48 hours. These teams provide intensive support, clinical expertise, and additional staffing resources to stabilise complex situations, particularly in residential aged care.
- Needs Based Assessment Program (NBAP): This program assesses eligibility for the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) for individuals with very severe behavioural symptoms who cannot be managed in mainstream residential care. The SDCP units offer specialised, transitional care to help stabilise behaviours before the person moves to a less intensive setting.
- Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program (HACDSP): The HACDSP supports people with dementia who are at risk of delayed hospital discharge due to their condition. The service provides guidance to help facilitate a smooth transition into appropriate aged care.
- Other supports: DSA also offers resources for carers of people with younger onset dementia, specific advice for GPs, and programs like 'Staying at Home' to help families support a person to remain in their own home longer.
How Does Dementia Support Australia Differ from Dementia Australia?
It is important to distinguish between Dementia Support Australia (DSA) and Dementia Australia, as they provide different, yet complementary, services. While DSA is a clinical, government-funded service focusing on managing behavioural changes, Dementia Australia is the national peak body representing people with all forms of dementia and their families.
| Feature | Dementia Support Australia (DSA) | Dementia Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Managing changed behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia. | Providing information, education, counselling, and advocacy for all people impacted by dementia. |
| Key Services | DBMAS, SBRT, NBAP/SDCP, and Hospital to Aged Care support, often involves in-person or specialist clinical intervention. | National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500), counselling, support groups, library services, and public awareness campaigns. |
| Funding | A specific government-funded service, led by HammondCare. | A peak body receiving government funding through the National Dementia Support Program, plus private and philanthropic donations. |
| Contact | 24/7 helpline for behavioural issues: 1800 699 799. | 24/7 National Dementia Helpline for general support: 1800 100 500. |
| Who They Help | People with dementia whose behaviour impacts care, as well as their carers and health professionals. | People with dementia, their families and carers, and the general public with concerns about memory loss. |
The Importance of a Coordinated Approach
Both DSA and Dementia Australia play vital roles in supporting people impacted by dementia, often working in collaboration with each other and other organisations. Dementia Australia, as the peak body, handles the overarching advocacy, information provision, and broader support programs. DSA, in turn, provides the specialist clinical and behavioural interventions that can be crucial for managing complex situations. For example, if a carer contacts the National Dementia Helpline (Dementia Australia) with concerns about a loved one's aggressive behaviour, they may be referred directly to DSA's Behaviour Management Advisory Service for a specialist assessment.
This collaborative network ensures a comprehensive safety net of support across Australia, addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of people with dementia and their care partners. The recent National Dementia Action Plan (2024-2034) further solidifies this approach by focusing on improving post-diagnostic support and building a more capable workforce.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dementia Support Australia (DSA) plays a highly specialised role in the broader landscape of Australian dementia care, primarily focusing on managing challenging behaviours and providing clinical expertise. By offering free, nationwide services such as the DBMAS and SBRT, DSA ensures that people with dementia, their carers, and health professionals have access to tailored support when and where it is needed most. While distinct from the general advocacy and information services of Dementia Australia, DSA is a critical component of the national strategy to improve the quality of life for those living with this condition. Ultimately, the work of both organisations is essential for creating a more dementia-friendly and supportive society.
References
- AIHW. (2025, August 27). Dementia in Australia, Support services. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/support-services
- Dementia Australia. (2025, August 05). Dementia Australia Research Foundation grants. Retrieved from https://www.dementia.org.au/research/dementia-australia-research-foundation-grants
- Health.gov.au. (2023, November 08). National Dementia Helpline. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-dementia-helpline
