Dementia Care

Dementia is a broad term to describe a collection of symptoms that are caused by specific medical conditions, such as memory loss and decline of cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s Disease is a specific brain disease and the most common form of dementia. Other types of dementia that are most common include Vascular Dementia, Fronto-temporal lobe dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies.

• Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. Symptoms often interfere with daily tasks. It is caused by a buildup of proteins in the brain that leads to the brain getting smaller. It is the most common type of dementia.
• Vascular Dementia is caused by damage from restricted blood flow in the brain. It affects reasoning, planning, judgment and attention, and how a person functions.
• Frontotemporal lobe dementia impacts two areas of the brain, the frontal lobes and the temporal lobes. There are four types of frontotemporal dementia: behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia and progressive non-fluent aphasia. Each type impacts a person differently, such as difficulty controlling emotions and impulses (behavioural variant) to difficulty understanding language and communicating (semantic dementia).
• Lewy body dementias are caused by abnormal protein deposits (called Lewy bodies) that disrupt regions in the brain involved in thinking, memory and movement.

Early signs of dementia can be subtle and often develop gradually. Common symptoms include memory loss (especially forgetting recent events), difficulty finding the right words, confusion about time or place and difficulty completing familiar tasks. 

You may also notice changes in mood, personality or behaviour, such as increased anxiety, withdrawal, loss or reduced interest in usual activities or frustration.  

Everyone experiences dementia differently, but if these changes are becoming more frequent or starting to impact daily life, it may be time to seek medical advice and explore support options. 

There’s no single ‘right time’, but professional care can be helpful when daily tasks become more difficult or safety becomes a concern.

This might include:

• Forgetting to take medication
• Difficulty preparing meals
• Increased confusion or wayfinding behaviours
• Changes in behaviour or mobility.

Often people seek support earlier than they expect - not because they can’t cope, but because the right care can improve quality of life for both the person living with dementia and those around them.

Starting care early can help provide reassurance, maintain independence and help prevent crises later.

Support is available for people caring for someone with dementia including: 

• In-home care services to assist with daily tasks  
• Counselling and support groups, with organisations such as Carer Gateway and Dementia Australia offering free counselling, emotional support and practical advice 
• Respite (short-term) care in an aged care home to give carers time to rest, recharge and attend to other commitments  
• Education and guidance on managing dementia-related changes Dementia Australia has helpful resources and webinars 
• Permanent residential aged care, for when a person's care needs can no longer be safely or comfortably supported at home. 

At our aged care centres, dementia care is covered in the cost of accommodation at your chosen centre. 

The following are a few suggestions for caring for someone living with dementia at home that can support independence, safety and purpose: 

• Establish routine 
• Simplify tasks (e.g. fill the kitchen sink with warm water and detergent) 
• Encourage activities that are familiar and meaningful to the person 
• Remove hazards (e.g. mats that can cause trips/falls) 
• Discreetly secure items in the home that could be unsafe (e.g. safety locks on medicine cabinets) 
• Make items you want the person to use clearly visible (e.g. toothbrush and toothpaste placed on the vanity) 
• Install adaptive equipment that promotes safety and independence for e.g. grab rails in the bathroom  
• Use emergency safety measures e.g. medical alert pendant or keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone. 

While dementia cannot be completely prevented, regular health checks and looking after your physical and brain health may help reduce your risk. A healthy diet, regular exercise, socialising and learning new things can all help lower your risk. 

Our dementia care includes: 

• Personalised care plans 
• Lifestyle and therapy activities specially designed for people living with dementia 
• Comfortable and supportive environments with safe open spaces  
• 24/7 registered nurses, care service employees and specialist staff trained in dementia care 
• Chaplains for pastoral care or just a listening ear, if desired 
• Access to external health specialists plus behavioural and psychological assistance 
• Support and resources for families and supporters.