Barunga Village has received grant funding through the Rural Health Innovation Fund supported by Country SA PHN to deliver HomeStrong Foundations, a community-led project focused on improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers across the Yorke and Northern region.
Running through to 30 June 2027, HomeStrong Foundations will bring together people living with dementia, carers, families, health professionals, community organisations and regional service providers to co-design a rural dementia reablement and respite pathway framework for the region.
Through consultation workshops, stakeholder engagement and community participation, the project will identify local needs, opportunities and practical solutions to strengthen dementia support in rural communities.
Importantly, the pathway framework will not be developed for the community – it will be developed with the community.
Barunga Village’s Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Carroll said hearing directly from people with lived experience would be central to the project.
“People living with dementia and the family members and friends who support them understand better than anyone where the challenges are and where support could be improved.
“HomeStrong Foundations gives us an opportunity to listen to those experiences and bring our community, health professionals and service providers together to explore practical solutions that reflect what people in our region actually need.”
Dementia can be a complex journey for individuals and families, particularly in rural communities where access to services, specialist support and respite can present additional challenges.
HomeStrong Foundations will explore how earlier support, reablement, respite, carer education and coordinated clinical input could work together more effectively across aged care, primary care and specialist dementia services.
The project will culminate in the development of a HomeStrong Rural Dementia Reablement and Respite Pathway Framework and Implementation Plan to guide future service delivery and strengthen support for people living with dementia and their carers. The locally informed, evidence-based model also has the potential to be adapted by other rural communities.
Community invited to get involved
Barunga Village is inviting people living with dementia, carers, families and other community members with experience navigating dementia support to express their interest in being involved in HomeStrong Foundations.
Recruitment is currently underway for a Project Officer to support the delivery of HomeStrong Foundations. As the project progresses, there will be opportunities for people living with dementia, carers, families and community members to participate in consultation, share their experiences and help shape practical solutions for dementia support across the region.
To express your interest in being involved in HomeStrong Foundations, email [email protected].
This initiative has been made possible by grant funding from the Rural Health Innovation Fund, supported by Country SA PHN.
