What’s happening?
Last Friday, 27 February, Anglicare Southern Queensland officially opened its third Specialist Dementia Care Program unit at E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care.
The program was supported by the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The opening was attended by Kara Cook, Federal Member for Bonner, and Joan Pease, State Member for Lytton.
The new unit strengthens Anglicare’s specialist dementia services across Queensland. It builds on established SDCP units at Abri Residential Aged Care Home and St Martin’s Residential Aged Care Home, with St Martin’s recognised by external stakeholders as the gold standard for SDCP delivery.
The new facility is the first of its kind in South Brisbane.
CEO Sue Cooke said the program fills a key gap in care.
“It’s fantastic that our E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care Home is now equipped to offer this vital program, which is a first for the South Brisbane region and provides a supportive, safe environment where residents are treated with dignity and respect,” Ms Cooke said.
Why it matters?
Demand for specialist dementia care continues to grow across Australia as cases rise.
“In 2025, there were an estimated 85,200 people living with all forms of dementia, and this figure is projected to increase to an estimated 168,300 by 2054,” Ms Cooke said.
“We recognise the growing need for this type of specialised care in Australia, and these units will be an asset to the local community.”
The program also supports the wider health system.
“The accommodation also plays a vital role in helping free up acute hospital beds for those who need them,” Ms Cooke said.
Local Impact
The SDCP unit at E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care will deliver specialised support for people with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia who cannot be effectively supported in mainstream aged care settings.
The unit provides accommodation for eight residents and delivers tailored, high-level care through personalised behaviour support and care plans.
The goal is to reduce or stabilise dementia related symptoms so residents can move into less intensive care settings.
“The program delivers best-practice care through individual behaviour support and care plans and aims to reduce and or stabilise the symptoms of dementia each individual may experience, so they can move into less intensive care settings, with an average expected resident length stay of 6 to 12 months,” Ms Cooke said.
By the numbers
-
In 2025, an estimated 85,200 Australians were living with dementia, highlighting the current demand for specialised support services.
-
By 2054, the number of Australians living with dementia is projected to reach about 168,300, almost double the current level.
-
The new SDCP unit will support eight residents at a time, with an expected stay of six to 12 months as care plans stabilise symptoms.
Zoom in
The model of care focuses on creating a calm, safe environment for residents.
The facility features small cottage-style living spaces with open plan layouts, homely furnishings, secure outdoor areas and calming colour schemes. The design supports comfort, safety and independence.
Anglicare also draws on lessons from its two existing SDCP units.
“Having two established SDCP’s under our belt has given us critical insight into what works, and our learnings have shaped every aspect of the new unit,” Ms Cooke said.
“These learnings, combined with a dedicated dementia lead overseeing the delivery and clinical management at our SDCP units, means we’re able to deliver consistent, best-practice specialised dementia care for those in need.”
Specialist nurses, geriatricians and other practitioners are involved in the program to support each resident.
“However, it’s important to acknowledge everyone’s journey is different, and the program offers a personalised approach with the duration of each residents stay tailored to their unique needs,” Ms Cooke said.
Zoom out
For more than 150 years, Anglicare Southern Queensland has supported Queensland communities through services including aged care, foster care, family support, homelessness services, youth support and counselling.
The new unit reflects broader efforts to expand specialist dementia care across Australia as demand continues to increase.
What to look for next?
The South Brisbane unit of Anglicare will continue delivering specialist dementia care across its three SDCP locations.
