Dementia

One of the most frustrating challenges for people with dementia is losing the ability to communicate. They can struggle to express themselves clearly or understand what others are saying, making it difficult for themselves and their family and carers. As part of our webinar series , guest presenter Garrie O'Toole from Dementia Australia shared strategies for communication with people living with dementia. Below are some of the highlights from the webinar. Types of dementia and what they do to your brain Dementia refers to a broad set of symptoms caused by brain diseases. "Dementia itself is not a specific disease but rather describes symptoms related to progressive cognitive decline," explains O'Toole. While normal ageing involves some cognitive slowing, dementia leads to significant disruptions in daily functioning, which is not normal. There are over 150 types of dementia. The four primary types are: Alzheimer's disease , which is the most common type, progresses gradually, with

My wife Jillian (Jilly) is 68 years old. Her father died from dementia. Jilly is the eldest of 8 and enjoyed a privileged upbringing. She became a nurse, then left to travel the world, returning to start a fashion company in Sydney with her sister. We were married in 1982. Jilly loved art, fashion, design, colour and had a great eye for style and elegance. We have 4 children and remain a very close-knit family looking out for each other and fully engaged in Jilly’s welfare and ongoing quality of life. Warning signs of dementia The early warning signs of dementia in Jilly’s case were very subtle, and started in her late 50s. Making off-hand comments about people or issues Forgetting where she was going Accusing me of doing things that did not happen At the fashion boutique where she worked, Jilly started struggling to balance the books each day. Eventually, she lost her job as things were getting worse. My kids were aware of these hiccups but I shielded them from many of these early s

Activities that calm, create a sense of purpose or stimulate cognition, can be incredibly beneficial to a person living with Alzheimer’s disease . They also make for more meaningful and enjoyable social interactions. In celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, we have made a list of 9 such activities for people with this type of dementia . Remember, these activities will need to be adapted to the individual’s preferences and abilities. Playing ‘hum that tune’ Music and singing can soothe and uplift the person, especially when it’s from a time in their youth. Play ‘hum that tune’, where you start humming a song they might know and ask them to join in. A familiar song can create happy feelings. This activity also delivers a sense of achievement when the person recognises a song. Visiting old places If the person you are supporting is mobile enough, a lovely thing to do is to take them to a place that holds old memories. This could be somewhere from their childhood, like a

Technology has come a long way and there is seemingly no end to how we use it in daily life. If you are supporting someone with dementia , then you are probably wondering if apps and assistive technologies can help. The short answer is: yes. From brain-training apps for dementia and support worker resources, to safety and orientation aids, technology is making everyday situations for those living with dementia more manageable. However, using these in conjunction with other supports is the best way to get the most out of them. What is dementia? Dementia is a broad term used for conditions which affect the brain. These include Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular dementia, among others. As dementia is a progressive condition , the person with the diagnosis will likely experience a decline in cognitive functions over time – typically in areas such as thinking, behaviour and memory. As such, performing everyday tasks will become more challenging without support. It’s important then

When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they’re likely to feel anxious, stressed and scared. They may be aware of their increasing clumsiness and inability to remember things, and this can be very frustrating and upsetting for them. If you are looking after someone with dementia, you can help them feel more secure by creating a regular daily routine in a relaxed environment where they’re encouraged and not criticised. Involving the person you look after in everyday tasks may make them feel useful and improve their sense of self-worth. They could help with the shopping, laying the table or sweeping leaves in the garden, for example. As the illness progresses, these tasks may become harder for them to manage independently, and you may need to give them more support. Many support workers on the Mable platform are trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They understand the importance of comfort and familiarity for these special clients. The right envi

If you are supporting a parent or a partner living with dementia, making the decision with them about how to manage their needs in the future can be extremely difficult. We look at how people with dementia can be supported to live at home for longer – and the important role that community plays in supporting independence. As more flexible aged care options become available, the notion of the inevitability of moving to a residential facility as we age is becoming less acceptable. These days, the overwhelming majority of older Australians wish to age in place, in the comfort of their own homes. With 812,500 people expected to be living with dementia by 2054, according to Dementia Australia , more support will be needed for people to remain living independently even with cognitive impairment like dementia. But with the right support, remaining at home can be hugely beneficial, providing the comfort and safety of familiar surroundings. Community support is key for independent living and d

Exercise has so many benefits for all ages and in the case of people as they age, they could include greater flexibility, prevention of falls, better bone density, keeping illness at bay through stronger immunity, reducing the risk of dementia and gaining more confidence, not to mention independence. There are many ways to engage with exercise, depending on your personal health and fitness goals. Stick to an exercise routine Exercise works best when we do it on a regular basis. For seniors, twenty to thirty minutes a day of moving your body other than the incidental exercise you get is recommended. To help you create and stick to a routine, put it on a calendar so you remember every day. Set an alarm on your phone for the same time each day and be ready with a plan for what you’ll do: walking, stretching, dancing, lift gentle weights or whatever else you choose. Keeping a weekly or twice-weekly booking with your support worker is a good way to make sure you get your exercise in, at lea

From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . If you have a loved one living with dementia and are looking for additional support for them to continue living independently in the home , a Home Care Package is what might suit you best. What is a Home Care Package? A Home Care Package is one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs. Once you have cleared the eligibility requirements for a home care package and have been assigned one, you can use it to find support services via Mable . Everyone who receives a government-funded home care package has the option to ‘self-manage’ it.

Being diagnosed with dementia can be a daunting experience for the person themselves, their family and their friends. It’s important to take time to come to terms with the diagnosis, but it’s also crucial to plan for changes that might come your way following the diagnosis. Whether the person lives alone, or with family, bringing additional support on board over time can help them to continue living with independence , comfort and dignity. As a first step, creating a plan for what support they might need in the future is a great idea. Changes in behaviour caused by dementia Dementia can cause all sorts of different changes in different people. Brain cell loss can have a range of direct impacts, including low motivation and impulse control, lack of ability to focus and plan, and problems communicating appropriately. Its effects can also be a little more oblique, and can make it challenging to care for a person living with dementia . For example, anger, frustration and disengagement