Start the CARER tool with Government Funding

As a passion project created by volunteers and carers, our modest fee (less than a cup of coffee a month or $54.89/year) can be funded by the Government's Home Care Packages, Carer Gateway or the NDIS, based on your needs.

You can click on the headings below for easy steps on paying the CARER tool for each funding options.

Note: if you haven't already, you can check-out the 'CARER tool Overview' here.

Home Care Packages (My Aged Care) and My Dementia Companion

The Home Care Program, through My Aged Care, provides a mix of services and supports to meet a person’s individual care needs and goals. Depending on your needs, My Dementia Companion can be included under the Program. This is also known as Home Care Packages (HCP).

Simple steps to access My Dementia Companion:

1. Contact your HCP Provider

Ask your HCP Provider to include My Dementia Companion as part of your Care Plan (more below*).

2. We'll set up your account

Your HCP Provider will contact us with your name, carer name & email address to set up an account for you.

3. Empowered to live well

You can then access your account for guidance on managing challenges and navigate the system.

If you are a provider, you can view more detailed steps on how to start a client or carer on HCP here.

*More about your HCP Care Plan

Work with your Home Care Provider to discuss what type of supports you need in your Care Plan to optimise your health and wellbeing when living with dementia (or cognitive impairment). Your Care Plan will then then determine what can be purchased from your package budget.

Including My Dementia Companion as part of your Care Plan will enable you to:

Gain practical guidance, with a re-ablement approach, to support you on your dementia (or cognitive impairment) journey at home, safely and independently
Access information at your fingertips at any time, including understanding dementia, communication, changed behaviour strategies, carer support, environmental changes, respite care and much more.

If your Care Provider has any questions about this, please feel free to contact us. We would like to thank the Department of Health and Aged Care for clarifying that My Dementia Companion can be funded through a client's Home Care Package, where it is part of their assessed needs and Care Plan.

Designed here in Australia, My Dementia Companion is the world’s first practical dementia tool guiding and supporting you through your dementia journey. Whether your Home Care Package is Care Managed or Self Managed, the tool will help you understand what is happening for you and what supports you need to live well with dementia. Planning in the early stages of dementia have proven successful in the later stages as the disease progresses.

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. After registering and assessing your individual needs, you may be eligible for practical support, which could help with the cost of My Dementia Companion.

Simple steps to access My Dementia Companion:

1. Register with Carer Gateway

Request a call back here (VIC only and other States coming soon), or call them directly on 1800 422 737. This initial phone call will begin the registration process.

2. Discussing your needs

Carer Gateway will connect you with your local service partner to discuss your needs and support you in your caring role. One of those supports might be assistance with the annual cost to My Dementia Companion.

3. Activating your account

Once funding is approved, Carer Gateway will contact us with your details to set up an account. Then, we will email you simple steps to get started, so you are empowered to manage challenges and navigate the system confidently.

You may also let them know that you would like apply for a Tailored Support Package for My Dementia Companion’s practical support to empower you in your caring role and enable you to:

Learn new practical skills in your caring role to manage challenges, navigate the complex dementia journey at home, safely and independently, including but not limited to dementia friendly communication or environment, changed behaviours strategies and much more.
Gain practical knowledge and guidance on managing your wellbeing, reduce carer stress and burnout, including tips from other carers.

If you are a provider, you can view more detailed steps on how to start a client or carer on HCP here or contact us.

More about Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. Carers are encouraged to reach out to Carer Gateway to learn more about how to access these supports, which may include counselling, coaching, practical assistance, tailored support packages, in-person and online peer support with other carers, and emergency or planned respite. Upon registering with Carer Gateway and assessing your individual needs, you may be eligible for practical support, which could help with the cost of a My Dementia Companion app membership.

Please note that funding for the app membership is subject to eligibility and is not guaranteed. For more information, please contact Carer Gateway at 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm or complete a callback form here for VIC (work in progress for other States). Please contact us if you or the Carer Gateway staff have any questions

We would like to thank each State/Territory's lead organisation and consortia partners for making the CARER tool available.

I have done other dementia training, which is more academic. This is much more practical and useful day to day, such as labelling cupboards, accepting respite and more

Andrew, husband, carer

It helped me to find my way around this maze. It's such a relief I can find all I need here. Saves me from going through all the loose booklets and links.”

Anonymous, wife & carer

It's very open, clear and super easy to navigate. It steps you through one bit of information at a time, so you are not overloaded with too many pamphlets at a time."

Sandra, wife & carer

I am a GP and carer and have just started using My Dementia Companion CARER. I just wanted to say... it is excellent and will be recommending it to my patients

Ros, daughter & carer

Launch Tool

Other information

Subscribe: new webapp

My Dementia Companion CARER tool guides people living with dementia, their family and friend carers on what to do, where to go for help and how to manage challenges at home. You can read an overview of our world-first innovation here, including videos and more
Works on all browsers, smartphones and tablets (Apple App Store here or Google Play store here)
It is very easy to use and a more detailed tutorial video is available after you log-in
Contact Us here if you have any questions.

We would like to thank all our volunteers, experts, Department of Health and Aged Care, Carer Gateway partners for making this possible, including Holstep Health.

Start the CARER tool with Government Funding

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers. After registering and assessing your individual needs, you may be eligible for practical support, which could help with the cost of My Dementia Companion.

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More about Carer Gateway

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We would like to thank each State/Territory's lead organisation and consortia partners for making the CARER tool available.

​​

Other information

​​

My Dementia Companion CARER tool guides people living with dementia, their family and friend carers on what to do, where to go for help and how to manage challenges at home. You can read an overview of our world-first innovation here, including videos and more

Works on all browsers, smartphones and tablets (Apple App Store here or Google Play store here)

It is very easy to use and a more detailed tutorial video is available after you log-in

Contact Us here if you have any questions.

​

We would like to thank all our volunteers, experts, Department of Health and Aged Care, Carer Gateway partners for making this possible, including Holstep Health.

​​

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