Supporting a person living with dementia
Historical article – pre-1 November 2025 aged care changes
Living with dementia can be unsettling and frustrating, but independence and quality of life can still be achieved with the right support and a few changes.
With almost half a million people living with dementia in Australia, and another 1.6 million people involved in their care, it is likely that we are all impacted in some way.
This week is Dementia Action week, putting a spotlight on how to support a person living with dementia as well as support for the carers. Understanding the experience of dementia, and making a few changes can have a beneficial impact on the person’s quality of life and help them to live more independently.
When we think of dementia, we think of a person’s loss of memory and the confusion this may cause with identifying loved ones or timeframes. But people living with dementia may also have different sensory perceptions, which makes them see things differently.
Dementia Australia has a range of useful tools and tips for creating a dementia-friendly environment so that the home remains familiar, but is more accessible and safer. Some of the top tips include:
Consider colour contrasts between doors and walls and between doors and architraves
Perhaps have a different colour door for the toilet
Put up signs (in Arial or Helvetica font) or photos to indicate the function of a room
Use larger size light and power switches
Set up a whiteboard or calendar to post notes and reminders.
Sometimes, the home environment is not safe enough and a move into residential care may be needed. When selecting the right provider, ask lots of questions to determine how the provider can meet the needs of a person with dementia.
If you are impacted by dementia or you are worried about a family member or friend, take a look at the range of information and tools at Dementia Australia’s website www.dementia.org.au. And call us on 0431 414 799 to talk about the support available with Home Care Packages or residential care, what it will cost and how to manage your cashflow to pay for the care you need.
Financial advice from an Accredited Aged Care ProfessionalTM can help you to decide what you can afford and show you some tricks to make what seems unaffordable more affordable. We have the expertise to help you make an informed decision.
As an Accredited Aged Care ProfessionalTM I have helped many clients to make this choice. I help to find a choice that is affordable, as well as one that works best for the family and protects the value of the estate.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it is important to speak to someone like myself who is a licenced financial adviser. I am also an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232.
Giving yourself time by starting your research early can reduce stress levels, and for an older person, can ensure their voice is heard more clearly. Call me on 0431 414 799 to discuss how I can help you or a loved one.
