Nurse service lends support to dementia carers

A Western Australian nurse service dedicated to the carers of people living with dementia has doubled its reach to include Perth’s south suburbs.

The official launch of McCusker Nurse South will take place tonight in the presence of its patron, His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker.  

Developed by Western Australian aged care provider Amana Living, the McCusker Nurse Service is the first of its kind in Australia, offering free support and guidance to carers and families of people living with dementia in the north and south metropolitan regions of Perth.

Dementia specialist Karen Malone has been newly appointed at McCusker Nurse South after pioneering the service in the north back in 2011.

Ms Malone said the service addresses the levels of burden, stress and strain associated with caring for a loved one with dementia.

“Its purpose is to empower the carer so they avoid crisis,” she said.

Referrals are received by phone and then followed through with a consultation if needed.

“I call up and introduce myself and see if they want to grab a cup of coffee, then we make the appointment and go from there,” Ms Malone said.

While some issues are resolved in one consult, others are followed up with multiple meetings and possible recommendations for referral.

Ms Malone said respite care is a valuable resource that is often overlooked, or misunderstood by carers.

“There could be a knowledge deficit, or perhaps they are concerned about what respite will do for their loved one.”

Ms Malone encourages respite as an integral part of the carer’s role.

Any carer experiencing the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) can access the service, whether or not they have reached crisis point.

“Certain behaviours such as aggression and sleep disturbance can get trigger carer burden.

“If the person with dementia isn’t sleeping the carer won’t be sleeping.”

Ms Malone also works with families as a group, in an effort to minimise the isolation felt by unique parties caring for the same person.

“Dementia fractures families,” she said.

“Everyone deals with it in different ways - The McCusker Nurse Service works to get everyone on the same page so they can move forward together.”

Ms Malone said dementia is isolating by nature.

“When people are diagnosed with dementia, their world shrinks and the carer is drawn into that world.

“A couple of doors down someone may be experiencing the same things, and you would never know.”

Using the Modified Carer Strain index, a validated tool for measuring carers’ perceptions of their wellbeing, the McCusker Nurse Service has been able to boast a 60% improvement rate for the wellbeing of its recipients.

Amana Living CEO Ray Glickman said demand still far outweighs the capacity of the service.

Further funding would facilitate expansion of McCusker Nurse to regional, rural and remote WA.

“Demand in the southern region of Perth alone is projected to top 13,000 by 2018,” Mr Glickman said.

“While the capacity of one nurse doesn’t stretch anywhere near 13,000, this will go some way to alleviate crisis for carers.”

Image: The McCusker Nurse offers advice. CREDIT: LEON SHAFFER