As of 2024, there are an estimated 421,000 Australians that live with dementia, with approximately 2 out of 3 cases living in the community and not in residential aged care. According to 2024 statistics provided by Dementia Australia, an estimated 1.6 million people in Australia are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.
For those helping a loved one with dementia, much of your concern or fear may come from not knowing what’s likely to happen in the future.
What is dementia?
Warning signs of dementia
- Memory loss, especially around more recent events. In the early stages of dementia, the person may misplace objects or forget what they were planning to do
- Difficulty finding their way around, especially in new or unfamiliar surroundings
- Problems finding the correct words or understanding what others are saying to them
- Poor concentration
- Problems learning new ideas or skills
- Difficulties with thinking, such as having trouble using logic during a discussion
- Problems in perception and judging distance, for example, missing the edge of a chair when attempting to sit down
- Changes to physical abilities, such as difficulties coordinating movement during domestic chores
- Psychological changes, including becoming irritable, saying or doing inappropriate things or becoming suspicious or aggressive.
How to support someone with early onset dementia
If someone in your family is exhibiting early signs of dementia, now is the time to learn more and start thinking about – and planning for – the future.
Spark a comfortable conversation
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe revealed that “more than 60 per cent [of Australians] said they didn’t know what to say to someone with dementia, while more than 50 per cent said they were worried they wouldn’t be understood, that they would say the wrong thing or that they might hurt the feelings of a person living with dementia”.
You can begin to communicate with the person by remaining calm and patient during the conversation, keeping sentences short and simple, and allowing time for them to understand what you’ve said.
Encourage mental and physical activity
Keep communication open between family and support workers
Create a community network
According to McCabe of Dementia Australia, “Dementia can be one of the most profoundly isolating conditions, despite the fact it is impacting so many people”. Friends and neighbours are generally keen to help. Reach out to them and others, including local community centres, to build a support network that can step up when you may be unavailable.
Take time to research
Dementia is a multifaceted disease, and the signs of dementia are incredibly diverse. If you’re supporting someone who is experiencing a gradual decline in physical and mental capabilities as a result of dementia, you can find out more on the Dementia Australia website about how to cope with common behaviours such as aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression and disinhibition.
Adapt your methods of personal care
Dementia can come with challenging physical effects that can inhibit a person’s ability to carry out personal tasks such as eating, maintaining good hygiene, sleeping, and managing incontinence.
Find out more about personal care for people with dementia.
Optimise the person's home environment
You may wish to review their home environment to ensure they can live independently and safely. There are many potential challenges in the immediate home and community environment for people living with dementia, and it is important to know what they might be and how to best deal with them.
Remember to care for yourself
How to communicate with people with dementia
- Use simple, short sentences
- Allow them time to understand what you say
- Where appropriate, use physical communication to convey affection
- Avoid talking in noisy/busy environments to help them focus.
Arranging for in-home care
As dementia progresses, the person may not have insight into their own care needs and may be resistant to outside help. Therefore, dementia support might be accepted more readily if introduced in the earlier stages of dementia.
Familiar surroundings and routines are reassuring to people living with dementia. Generally, they are much happier living in their own home, although that’s not always possible for everyone.
In-home support services can help with personal care, such as getting the person up in the morning, helping them to shower and dress, and then go to bed at night.
Learn more in our guide to personal care.
Other in-home support could include domestic assistance from a support worker, such as help with housework or grocery shopping, or nursing services.
Find support through Mable
Many of Mable’s community of independent support workers are experienced in dementia care. They may be able to provide social, domestic and personal assistance for those living with dementia and their families. Importantly, because they’re independent, they may be able to commit to a long-term support relationship so that you can all have confidence in continuity of care.
“Every person living with dementia is different, and every family situation is different,” says Debbie, who provides dementia care services via the Mable platform. “We are all individuals with our own unique likes, dislikes, feelings, and experiences. Maintaining a sense of self and identity can help the person living with dementia feel more confident and reassured. For some, this can mean completing the daily activities they are used to or following the same routines.”
Learn more about the in-home aged care support you can find on Mable.
If your loved one is eligible for a Home Care Package, you can choose to self-manage and book a support worker through Mable.
