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      Specialist Dementia Care Units

      Specialist Dementia Care Units

      A safe place, when care feels out of reach

      HammondCare was the first aged care provider in Australia to trial an interdisciplinary model of care tailored to support people living with very severe behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). It became a launchpad for the government's vitally important Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP), approved for 35 cottages across the country, for which HammondCare is a leading provider and strong advocate. A further 20 cottages were announced in the 2026 federal budget.  

      Our nine Specialist Dementia Care Units (SDCUs) are now homes for up to 70 people, many of whom struggled to find any other appropriate residential care. 

      Who is the SDCP for?

      About 1 per cent of people living with dementia are estimated to exhibit very severe BPSD. 

      Residents are independently assessed for eligibility and referred to the program by Dementia Support Australia, also a federally funded program. 

      The SDCP offers temporary care to stabilise and reduce a person’s behavioural symptoms, with the aim of enabling them to transition to a less intensive care setting. 

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      How can I organise an assessment?

      Get in touch with Dementia Support Australia. Their experienced consultants will assess the person and their needs, and advise you on which services will best support them and their carers. 

      Visit the Dementia Support Australia website