• Dementia Care and Memory Support

    Compassionate, person-centred support for people living with dementia and cognitive decline

    Living with dementia can be challenging and uncertain — for both the person affected and for those who care about them.

    There are good days, and days that are not so good. At Resthaven, we understand that dementia affects everyone differently and can vary from day to day. That’s why our approach focuses on the individual: meeting them where they are, and supporting dignity, connection, comfort, and quality of life at every stage—recognising that some days are better than others. We provide specialised dementia care and support across home, community, respite, and residential settings, helping people living with dementia — and their families/supporters — feel understood, accepted, supported, and valued.

    Understanding dementia

    Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. It is more than forgetting a birthday or where you put the keys.

    It is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease and other related cognitive disorders. Dementia can impact memory, thinking, behaviour, personality, and a person’s ability to manage everyday activities. It can also affect planning, communicating, and social interactions. While dementia is progressive, people who have the right planning in place can continue to live meaningful and fulfilling lives with the right support. At Resthaven, we focus on what matters to each person — their abilities, preferences, relationships, culture, and sense of self.

    Dementia Care Banner Quote

    Our approach to dementia care

    Resthaven takes a person-centred approach to dementia care, recognising that every individual’s experience and preferences are unique.

    We work alongside people living with dementia and those close to them to:

    • understand their needs, preferences, and life story.
    • safely support independence and choice wherever possible.
    • promote wellbeing, comfort, and meaningful engagement.
    • provide safe, welcoming environments and activities.

    Our staff receive specialised training in dementia care and are supported by a range of expert specialist clinicians, including continence, wound care, dementia and mental health, and when needed, palliative care. This ensures care is compassionate, consistent, and based on best practice.

    Support at home and in the community

    Many people living with dementia and cognitive decline are supported to remain at home through community-based care and service programs.

    Resthaven offers a range of services designed to help people remain connected, engaged, and supported in familiar surroundings, and to as much as possible, remain independent.

    These services include:

    • Home support services, providing practical assistance and personal care
    • Respite care, including in-home, centre-based day respite, and planned overnight respite
    • Social support groups, including groups for people living alone with memory loss and cognitive decline
    • Making Minds Matter, an evidence-based community program for people with mild to moderate dementia, using cognitive stimulation therapy principles
    • Staying at Home in Regional SA, a free one-day or three-day retreat program for people living with dementia, and their carers, held in various locations in regional South Australia.

    Talk to us about dementia care

    Whether you’re supporting someone at home, exploring respite options, or considering residential care, Resthaven is here to help and provide you with options. We offer guidance, understanding, and experienced support — every step of the way.

    Contact us to learn more about dementia care and support at Resthaven.

    Residential care

    All Resthaven residential aged care homes offer secure, welcoming, purpose-designed environments for people living with dementia and cognitive decline.

    Our approach focuses on comfort, familiarity, safety, and meaningful daily life.

    Purpose-designed environments

    Our residential homes and memory support units are designed to reduce stress and support wellbeing, with features including:

    • Secure living environments
    • Quiet, reflective spaces
    • Professionally designed sensory gardens at most sites
    • Memory support units designed to promote calm, familiarity, and safety
    Programs that support wellbeing

    We offer a range of programs and activities that support connection, engagement, and quality of life, including:

    • Lifestyle programs tailored to individual interests and abilities
    • Music Connections a memory-enhancement program using the power of music

    Find out more about living at Resthaven

    Families are encouraged to remain actively involved, and we work in partnership to support both residents and their loved ones.

    Specialist clinical aged care expertise

    Resthaven is proud to be one of only a small number of aged care providers in Australia to employ Nurse Practitioners with advanced expertise across three key areas: dementia care, mental health, and aged care.

    This specialist clinical leadership is further strengthened by the support of a Clinical Nurse with expertise in mental health and dementia. For families, this means your loved one is supported by clinicians who have a deep understanding of the complexities of dementia-related changes, the assessment and management of mental health concerns such as anxiety and distress, and the broader clinical needs associated with ageing and frailty.

    Working in close partnership with GPs, staff, residents, and families, Resthaven’s Nurse Practitioners provide timely, informed, and compassionate care, ensuring decisions are evidence-based, individualised, and focused on your family member’s comfort, safety, and overall wellbeing.

    Palliative Care and End of Life Planning

    Claire Tan Palliative Care Nurse and Karen Gregory Palliative Care Advanced Practice NursePeople living with dementia and cognitive decline and their families/supporters will also have access to support from Resthaven’s Advanced Practice Palliative Care Nurses.

    These specialist nurses are able to support the individual and their families with timely, compassionate and collaborative discussions and planning around goals of care, ensuring comfort, dignity, and compassionate care at all times, that can be modified responsively.

    Learn more about our approach to Palliative Care and End of Life Planning

    Supporting families and carers

    Caring for someone living with dementia and cognitive decline can be rewarding, challenging and at times exhausting.

    Resthaven provides support to help carers feel supported, informed, and connected, and to remain involved in the care of their loved one as much as they want or are able. This allows them to focus on their relationship with the individual, rather than on providing the physical day to day care that can cause frustration for both the person living with dementia and their carer.

    This includes:

    We also work closely with Dementia Australia, providing access to Dementia Link Workers and trusted external resources.

    Dementia-related resources

    Resthaven continually seeks out and develops resources to support people living with dementia, their families, and carers.

    Useful external resources include:

    Click here to view our respite and support services
    Do you feel overwhelmed in your caring role?