DBMAS and Dementia Behaviour Support in Australia

Your parent is hitting, yelling, refusing showers, wandering at 2am, or becoming intensely agitated every evening. These are Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) — and they are the point where most family carers reach breaking point. Australia has a free, federally funded clinical service designed specifically for this. Here is how to access it.

What DBMAS Actually Does

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) is operated by Dementia Support Australia (DSA), a national clinical service led by HammondCare. It is not a helpline for general dementia advice — it is a clinical intervention service that designs tailored, non-pharmacological strategies to address the specific behavioural triggers affecting your parent.

DBMAS operates 24/7 via the national helpline: 1800 699 799.

When you call, a clinical consultant conducts an initial phone assessment — typically within 48 hours — to understand the behaviour, its frequency, known triggers, and the care environment. For more complex cases, an on-the-ground specialist visits your parent's home or residential facility within two to seven days to conduct an environmental assessment and observe the behaviour patterns firsthand.

The outcome is a personalised behaviour management plan that focuses on non-pharmacological interventions: environmental modifications, communication strategies, activity-based approaches, and carer coaching. DBMAS also coordinates directly with GPs, geriatricians, and home care providers to implement these strategies across the care team.

How to Make a Referral

Anyone can refer — family carers, GPs, home care providers, or residential facility staff. The process:

1. Call 1800 699 799 or submit an online referral through the Dementia Support Australia portal
2. Provide consent — you need formal consent from the person with dementia, their legal representative (EPOA holder), or the residential facility
3. Share clinical history — current diagnosis, medications (especially any psychotropic drugs), and a description of the behaviours with frequency and severity

DBMAS is free. It is fully funded by the Australian Government. There is no means test, no co-contribution, and no limit on the number of referrals.

When Behaviour Escalates Beyond DBMAS

If your parent's behaviour poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others — physical aggression causing injury, severe self-harm, or complete breakdown of care arrangements — the next step is the Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT).

SBRT deploys clinical specialists directly to the home or facility to provide rapid stabilisation. They assess the situation, provide hands-on coaching for care staff, and determine whether the current care setting can safely continue.

For the most extreme cases — where mainstream services cannot safely manage the behaviour — SBRT can refer to the Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP). This program operates small, specialised 9-bed units within residential facilities that provide transitional care led by psycho-geriatricians. Typical stays run approximately 12 months, with the goal of stabilising symptoms before transitioning back to less intensive care.

Sundowning: The Evening Escalation

Sundowning — increased agitation, confusion, and behavioural disturbance in the late afternoon and evening — is one of the most common and exhausting BPSD patterns. DBMAS clinicians frequently address it through:

• Adjusting lighting to reduce shadows that can trigger visual misperception
• Establishing calming afternoon routines (music, gentle activity, reduced stimulation)
• Reviewing medication timing with the GP to ensure sedating medications align with evening patterns
• Modifying the physical environment to reduce exit-seeking behaviour

If your parent is in residential care and experiencing restrictive practices (physical restraint or chemical restraint via psychotropic medication), these are strictly regulated under the Aged Care Act and permitted only as a last resort. The facility must obtain consent from a designated Restrictive Practices Substitute Decision Maker before implementing any restrictive practice.

Getting Structured Support

For a complete behaviour management framework, referral templates, and crisis escalation protocols, the Australian Dementia Care Support Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for navigating DSA's clinical pathways alongside your parent's broader care plan.

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