Dementia Support Australia will be holding a free two-night residential education program in Darwin to support dementia patients who are living at home, as well as their caregivers.

DSA Staying at Home project leader Tom Gauci said the free program would include methods of how to best manage behaviour changes that come with dementia, and information about obtaining 24-hour support from DSA staff and other community services.

“It also touches on how to plan, and how to care for both the patient’s and the caregiver’s well-being. Everyone wants to continue living at home. It’s our place of comfort, familiarity and security,” he said.

“Staying at Home empowers people living with dementia and their carers to continue living together at home for as long as possible.”

Mr Gauci said participants living with dementia are supported to continue activities such as gardening or creative arts, or excursions into the community, and introduced to respite care, and have an opportunity to discuss their diagnosis with the DSA team and other participants.

The Staying at Home program will be held in Jingili from May 9 to 11. Visit the website for eligibility information.