Dementia Support

Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS) provides Filipino-specific programs and services to support Filipinos living with Dementia and their cares

The following programs and services we provide are funded by the Federal Government of Australia under the Department of Health and Aged Care

Maharlika Lodge

Maharlika Lodge™ is our respite house where we deliver the Maharlika Lodge™ Overnight Respite for Filipinos Living with Dementia and their Carers program. This three-year program (2023-2026) is an innovative program and model of respite care planning for people with Dementia and their carers. The program is funded under the Improving Respite Care for People with Dementia and their Carers grant.

Reminisching Garden

The unique community garden offers a safe and happy space for people living with Dementia. This is a partnership with local Samoan community supported by Dementia Australia’s Friendly Community Initiative. Both communities plant and harvest taro plants, cook their leaves and produce which give them opportunities to share their food stories growing up in Samoa and Philippines

Social Activities

AFCS delivers group social support activities engaging Filipino Seniors living with Dementia through music, dance, table games, crafts and gentle exercise. We also provide individual support through friendly home visits, welfare checks, follow-up social calls and accompanying seniors in their shopping and medical appointments.

Screening and Referrals

AFCS offers memory screenings and referrals for further assessments to specialist geriatric clinics that are linguistically and culturally appropriate. We facilitate referrals to and from agencies such as My Aged Care, Dementia Australia, Dementia Behaviour Management Assessment Service, home care package providers, local hospitals, GPs, and community health centres to assist families navigate the services system for better service access. We are a recognised specialised support service provider that can tailor programs according to families and individuals’ needs and requests.

Filipino Health Professionals

We engaged Filipino health professionals from the Philippines and in Australia including bi-lingual GPs, Dementia Specialist Nurses, Nutritionists, Speech Pathologist and Geriatricians that specialise in caring for people living with Dementia.

AFCS works with Dementia Society of the Philippines in utilising culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools and resources to support Filipinos living with Dementia and their carers in Australia.

Community Awareness

We deliver Dementia awareness campaigns and provide information sessions to community groups across Victoria, Australia. Information session s include: understanding Dementia, the different types and stages of Dementia; impacts of Dementia on activities of daily living, sudden behaviour changes; and information for families, carers and people living with Dementia.

Dementia Awareness in the Philippines

Since 2016, we have expanded our community awareness efforts to the Philippines, engaging community groups and Churches.

In October 2023, we organised the first Seniors Walk ‘Healthy Brain, Healthy Life!’ at Quezon City Memorial Circle during the National Elderly Week, in partnership with the Australian Embassy, Quezon City Government, and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The event was a successful collaboration with Australian and Philippine organisations and governments. More than 500 participants received the Healthy Brain, Healthy Life Dementia risk reduction resource booklet published by Dementia Australia.