​Right at Home Australia Managing Director Daryl Sahli, was invited to speak at the Dementia Strategy Summit held in Sydney this week.

The conference sponsored by Akolade in conjunction with Talking about Alzheimer's Across Australia focussed on building capacity and quality frameworks for complex needs in a consumer-directed era. The conference followed the nation's Dementia Awareness Month in September where the theme for this year was 'Creating a Dementia Friendly Nation'.

The number of people with dementia in Australia is projected to rise one third in less than 10 years to 2020, according to a recent report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). While projection methods vary, the number of people with dementia is estimated to reach almost 400,000 by 2020, and there could be around 900,000 by 2050. Dementia was the third leading single cause of death in 2010, accounting for 6% of all deaths in Australia.

The provision of services to families suffering under the impact of dementia and Alzheimers is an important focus for Right at Home in Australia.

Daryl stressed the importance of the development of effective strategies to help families cope when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia. Daryl provided information on how Home Care companies such as Right At Home Australia are able to play their part in designing and implementing innovative care pathways, allowing ways for dementia sufferers to stay at home for as long as is possible. He elaborated on how to give Dementia patients the positive feeling of making a contribution and of being needed and valued.

Daryl said the conference was an important step in getting the public and healthcare providers and communities to have a conversation about the ever-growing impact of this degenerative disease. 'As Australia's population ages these conversations become more and more important' Daryl reiterated.

Right at Home Australia is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved one and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. Right at Home offers in-home care and assistance so your loved one can continue living independently and enjoying a vibrant life. Our caregivers are screened, trained and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. Right At Home Australia offers consumer-directed care, 24-hour service and carers who are able to provide overnight care at the home of your loved one.