Post-Diagnostic Support for Behaviour Changes in Young-Onset Dementia in Australia

Abstract

Behaviour changes (BCs) are common in young-onset dementia (YOD). Access to knowledgeable and age-appropriate support services is needed to assist with the appropriate management of BCs. We sought to investigate the types of YOD-related BCs that most commonly require support, the formal services being accessed for support, and the experiences of those seeking support in Australia. We employed a cross-sectional online questionnaire for individuals living with YOD as well as individuals providing informal or formal care for someone with YOD. Thirty-six questionnaire responses were recorded. Of the total sample, 83% reported YOD-related BCs requiring support, the most common being appetite/eating changes, followed by agitation/aggression and apathy/indifference. Seventy-six percent of these individuals had attempted to seek support from a formal service, with Dementia Australia, Dementia Support Australia, and general practitioners most commonly approached. Responses suggested that the support access pathway is suboptimal, with a lack of clarity about what services to approach for support and long wait times. Furthermore, 28% of participants had not gained access to support utilizing non-pharmacological strategies. Individuals who need support for YOD-related BCs demonstrated a high rate of help-seeking from formal support services; however, the support access pathway is slow, is difficult to navigate, and does not result in the best-practice management of BCs. Formal services resourced to provide efficient support with the implementation of behavioural strategies are needed, along with clear, accessible guidelines on the pathway to access them.