New website launches to assist carers of ageing family members living with dementia

SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 

An innovative new website has been launched at www.AgedCarer.com.au to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week that assists people caring for their ageing family members who may be affected by dementia.
As the Australian population ages the incidence of dementia is rising rapidly, and people who are in what’s being referred to as the “Sandwich Generation” are finding themselves caring for ageing family members whilst still supporting their own children and grandchildren.

AgedCarer.com.au provides these carers with easy to understand information about dementia and other common age-related health conditions, tips for practical care-giving, expert advice and help finding aged care activities and services in their local community.

The website was independently founded by Emma Hamilton, a registered nurse who has spent the past two decades working in residential aged care. Despite a large variety of information available from government and private services, Emma noticed that a large proportion of the families she dealt with had little knowledge of dementia, the complex needs of ageing people and how to access relevant information, services and support.
Ms Hamilton explained: “I wanted to create an independent resource that addressed the issues of caring for an ageing family member in a way that goes beyond the usual negative stereotypes about aged care and dementia. I think there’s tremendous value in coming together as a community, sharing our experiences and discussing how we can provide quality care and support to our families and people living with dementia.”

The large range of articles, videos and fact sheets available for free on AgedCarer.com.au have been authored by a variety of aged care experts, organisations and real-life carers, such as Terry, whose mother lives with dementia in a country hospital in WA. Terry explained the benefit he’s found from using the website: “Because I live so far away from my mum I haven’t been involved in her daily care. AgedCarer.com.au has helped me understand more about dementia, what to expect in the future and the effect caring has had on my sister who has been my mother’s main carer. I feel like I can help my sister make important decisions and be more involved in mum’s care even if it is from a distance.”

AgedCarer.com.au approaches issues from an grass-roots perspective by providing unbiased information, online community tools and access to services in a way that emphasises that aged care, whilst obviously challenging, can be a uniquely rewarding experience.

"Navigating the aged care system can be overwhelming for many people, and our goal is for carers to feel empowered by the information and tools AgedCarer.com.au provides to not only make informed decisions, but to share their hands-on knowledge and experiences with each other” said Ms Hamilton.

Carers living in the Northern Beaches area are invited to visit www.AgedCarer.com.au to start using the free community tools and share their experiences about caring for a loved one living with dementia.
 

Contact: Emma Hamilton, Founder
Phone. 02 4457 2563 | Mobile. 0414 214 636 | Email. media@agedcarer.com.au
Sydney, September 12, 2009