A police-only 24-hour helpline to better support people living with dementia has been created in the state of South Australia.
In a scheme which should be replicated throughout Australia, the emergency services priority helpline provides fast-tracked assistance to police when dealing with community members exhibiting high-risk behaviour, who may seem lost or disorientated.
If the person is a Dementia Support Australia (DSA) client, South Australia Police will work together to ensure they can return them to their homes and loved ones.
Helpline staff may also provide advice on behaviour management and effective ways to engage with a person who appears to have dementia.
Since activation in February this year, 22 calls have been made to the helpline.
Mental Health Operations Support Supervisor, Sergeant Peter Benn, anticipated this number to grow as police become aware of the new helpline.
“Police are well-trained to respond to mental health incidents, however, in cases where the individual has dementia, this may require a change in focus and response,” he said.
A mandatory South Australia Police online training course has also been produced, introducing the new helpline and outlining steps for recognising and responding to people living with dementia.
DSA, funded by the Australian Government, provides services to improve quality of life of people living with dementia, including where they are experiencing Behaviours and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).
BPSD refers to a range of non-cognitive symptoms that people living with dementia may experience including aggression, delusions, agitation, depression, vocalisations, disinhibitions and night-time behavioural disturbances.
DSA spokeswoman Marie Alford said the rising incidence of dementia is having an impact on carers, their families, the health system and residential aged care homes. Presently, more than 35,000 people are estimated to live with dementia in South Australia.
She congratulated South Australia Police for being among the first law enforcement jurisdictions to recognise the need for its frontline officers to be equipped to respond to situations where people living with dementia are experiencing BPSD.
“People living with dementia experiencing behaviours can come to the attention of police and it’s important these situations are managed without unnecessary escalation,” Marie said.
While the emergency services priority helpline number is not being publicly advertised, members of the public may call the alternative Dementia Australia Support 24-hour helpline on 1800 699 799.