Caring for someone with dementia
2-minute read
Caring for someone with dementia is a big responsibility. It can be very rewarding, but it can be physically and emotionally challenging as well. It may affect your lifestyle and life choices. You will also need a lot of patience, compassion and understanding every day.
As a carer of a person with dementia, you will want to do everything you can to support and reassure the person you care for, while helping them to be as independent as possible.
Planning ahead can help minimise the stress on you and your family. It can help you know what might be coming, so you can have strategies in place to deal with particular situations.
Your planning might include organising regular respite care so you can have a break from your caring role, because it is important to look after your own needs as well.
It might also include working out what will happen to the person you care for if you are no longer able to continue in your caring role.
Are you a carer or helping someone out?
Carers are everyday people who provide unpaid and ongoing care and support to someone they know who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, a chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail.
Support for carers
Find practical information and useful resources for carers on Carer Gateway. You can also learn more about carers' support and services in your state or territory through Carers Australia.
Talking about your situation and feelings with health professionals and other carers may help you to cope better. Some organisations run support groups where carers can meet and share their stories.
Everyone’s dementia journey is different, but there is information and support available to help make that journey easier.
Help for dementia carers - expert advice
It is important that carers have access to a range of support such as financial, emotional and physical assistance. Watch the video below about the importance of help for dementia carers.
Read the related video transcript
Last reviewed: October 2018
Recommended links
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carergateway.gov.au
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Top results
Information for carers of dementia patients | myVMC
Carers of Dementia Patients: Information for carers of Dementia Patients and caring for dementia patients written and reviewedby Medical Professionals.
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Dementia (Alzheimer's disease) carers' information video | myVMC
Caring for people with dementia or Alzheimer's disease is challenging. This video presents practical strategies for caring for Alzheimer's carers.
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Dementia Australia | Dementia and Driving - VIC
*/ Read general information and guidelines about driving and dementia here Driving in Victoria - information and resources
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Dementia Australia | Flexible respite
Flexible respite services for people with dementia and their carers Information for consumers
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Dementia Australia | Free dementia kit
If you fill in this form, we will send you a Dementia Kit from the National Dementia Helpline. There is no cost and no obligation. We will follow-up with a phone call (unless you tick "no" to phone calls in the form). If you have any questions about the dementia kit, call us on 1800 100 500.
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Dementia Australia | Help with Dementia
Help with Dementia is an online support portal for people living with dementia, their families and carers If you or a loved one has dementia and you need information, counselling, support and to connect with others in your situation then this website can help you. Through this website you can:
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Dementia Australia | For people with dementia
Dementia Australia offers a range of education programs designed to support the specific needs of people living with dementia. Living with dementia program If you are living with early stage dementia or are a family carer for someone with dementia, you are welcome to join our early intervention program. You will get information and support through sharing your experiences
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Dementia Australia | I am a carer, family member, or friend
Information and ideas for carers, family members, and friends. Activities for people with dementia Advance care planning Caring for someone who lives alone
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Your Brain Matters - Step 3 - Mentally challenge your brain
About the Your Brain Matters programStep 1 - Look after your heartStep 2 - Do some kind of physical activityWhat else can you do to avoid dementia?Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for questions, information, advice
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Your Brain Matters
About the Your Brain Matters programStep 1 - Look after your heartStep 2 - Do some kind of physical activityWhat else can you do to avoid dementia?Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for questions, information, advice
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Top results
Efficacy and experiences of telephone counselling for informal carers of people with dementia | Cochrane
Caring for a person with dementia often has a negative impact on an informal carers mental and physical health and social life. Therefore, these informal carers should be offered support. They are usually family members and care for the person with dementia at home.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Cognitive reframing for carers of people with dementia | Cochrane
There is some evidence that cognitive reframing interventions for family carers of people with dementia are effective.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
No evidence that homeopathy is effective in treating dementia | Cochrane
Dementia is a distressing illness that has major implications for individuals with the disease and their carers. Homeopathy is a popular type of complementary medicine. It is however controversial because although there is some evidence that it is not just a placebo, no one understands how it could work. The researchers did not find any good quality trials and so cannot say whether it is or is not effective for treating this condition. As no information is available on how much homeopathy is used for dementia, it is difficult to say whether it is important to conduct more trials.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Inconclusive, but promising evidence for the efficacy of functional analysis interventions for challenging behaviour in dementia | Cochrane
Inconclusive, but promising evidence for the efficacy of functional analysis interventions for challenging behaviour in dementia
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Case management approaches to home support for people with dementia | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Family Carers - Synthesis
Family Carers - Synthesis
Read more on palliAGED website
Education Community Family Carers - Synthesis
Education Community Family Carers - Synthesis
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Depression in dementia | Issue 6 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
People with dementia of any type have a high incidence of major depression.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Managing behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia | Issue 4 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
Behavioural and psychological symptoms are perhaps the commonest complication of dementia syndromes.
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Bereavement - Synthesis
palliAGED makes it easy to find and use palliative care evidence and practice resources in aged care. Older Australians, their families and friends are also welcome to use these trustworthy resources.
Read more on palliAGED website
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