Support following dementia diagnosis
Following your dementia diagnosis your doctor and other health professionals are there to support you with the management of your condition.
You may want to prepare questions to ask your care team to make sure all your health and wellbeing needs are being supported.
Some things you may want to discuss with your care team are:
- your condition and how it may impact your lifestyle
- interventions, such as rehabilitation, that can help you maintain independence, mobility and daily function for longer
- understanding any treatment or clinical care that is suggested for you
- practical help and supports you might need (such as aged care services and home care and transport support).
Dementia-specific support services
There are dementia support services available to you and your carers. Support is available to you, including to:
- learn more about dementia and how it may impact your lifestyle
- access counselling and talk to someone for emotional support and practical advice
- access peer support to connect and meet with peers who are living with dementia and carers who have been through a similar experience
- discuss your needs and get help to navigate the services that can support you.
Organisations that can provide or connect you with services
Many of these services are free to access for people living with dementia and their carers. The following organisations may be able to provide or connect you with services:
In addition, there are other dementia-specific services and programs that can support you to be informed and lead a healthy and connected lifestyle including:
Urgent and immediate support services
If you have urgent healthcare needs, you can contact:
- Call Triple Zero (000) if you have a life-threatening illness or injury. For example, you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, sudden collapse or are seriously injured.
- 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422) is a free, nationwide health advice line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in Australia. 1800MEDICARE can give advice and connect you to the services available to you, including virtual and telehealth services, depending on your needs and location.
- Access Health WA helps you decide where to go when you or your family is unwell in WA.
Practical supports for living with dementia
To discuss what supports are available for you, you may want to contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days).
You may also want to use a care finder if you are an older adult and do not have someone to support you. You can find more information on care finders here: Help from a care finder | My Aged Care.
To understand what supports you might need for your lifestyle, it can be helpful to talk to peers with lived experience of dementia or dementia support services. For example, you might want to learn about rehabilitation and at home support available.
The starting point for many government-funded practical supports is through My Aged Care. If you are younger than 65 years old, support may be from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). There can be waiting times for assessments and to make arrangements, so it is important to plan for your needs in advance.
Supporting your wellbeing
There are a range of supports available to you and your carers to help with your wellbeing – both mental and physical.
Keeping your body and mind healthy and keeping an active social lifestyle can have positive impacts on your condition. There are actions that can slow the progression of dementia and improve your quality of life with dementia, including:
- stay physically active
- maintain a healthy diet
- keep your brain active
- reach out to family, friends and your GP if you’re feeling down
- maintain regular social connections and activities
- be active in your community (such as volunteering and community recreation programs)
- reduce or quit smoking and vaping
- limit alcohol consumption
- have regular checks and use aids to support hearing and vision
- have regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks.
In addition to services and programs run by dementia-specific organisations, there are many other options to be supported to lead a healthy, active and connected lifestyle. You may want to access:
You can also contact your local council and community or multicultural groups for activities available in your area.
Participating in research and trials
You may be interested in participating in clinical trials or want to stay up to date with research on dementia. If you are considering research trials, it can be helpful to discuss this with your specialist or GP. You can find out more about research by visiting:
Planning ahead
It’s wise to plan ahead. For example, you may need to plan for changes in your finances, ability to drive, health and decision-making ability. It’s important to do this early when you can make your own choices. You may also want to create a dementia friendly environment by adapting your home to reduce the risk of falls and support independent living. To learn more about planning ahead, you can visit:
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.