Dementia Care: Calvary iREADi Program
Integrated Rehabilitation for Early-Stage Dementia
Welcome to iREADi, a free program for people living with early-stage dementia and their care partners.
This program is kindly funded by the Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN).
What is the iREADi program?
iREADi is a rehabilitation program which improves the knowledge, skills and confidence of people with any type of early dementia and their carer or family member.
It is a group-based program meaning you are supported by people in the same situation as you. The iREADi program is run by a team of health professionals we call the Management of Dementia Squad (MOD Squad)
The Calvary iREADi program is an adaptation of the iREADi program that has been running at The Uniting War Memorial Hospital for over 5 years,
What to expect
iREADi has two parts.
- Once a week you and your carer or family member will attend a 9-week group education and rehabilitation course. Each week you will experience presentations and workshops from members of our team (clinical nurse consultant, neuropsychologist, geriatrician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, social worker, dietitian, speech pathologist and solicitor).
- You will also have plenty of time to meet and chat with other people navigating the same journey as you.
- After your weekly sessions, you will work with a coach for the next 12 weeks to develop one or two goals that are important to you. Your MOD Squad coach will help you develop a goal that is relevant to you and help you achieve these goals.
What are iREADi participants saying?
“I find it so good to be able to meet and talk to people with similar problems as myself.”
“It is amazing how much I have learnt and discovered since this course started.”
“We are so grateful for how much the program has helped her to feel she is not alone in dementia."
“Appreciate the professional and helpful information and ideas”.
How can I join this program?
Anyone can refer you to the program; you can even refer yourself. You will just need to bring a letter from your GP or Specialist confirming you have a diagnosis of dementia.
Your other health team members can also refer you, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, nurses, speech pathologists, dietitians and psychologists.
The iREADi Nurse Coordinator will discuss your specific situation and determine if the iREADi program is right for you or link you with other supports and resources to support you.
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