Getting Started as a Carer
Creating a Safe Home Environment
Practical modifications to reduce falls, wandering risks and confusion in the home.
Communication Techniques
How to talk with someone who has dementia — reducing frustration and improving connection.
Nutrition and Mealtimes
Managing eating difficulties, appetite changes and maintaining good nutrition.
Sleep and Sundowning
Understanding and managing sleep disturbances and increased agitation in the evening.
Driving and Independence
When and how to have the difficult conversation about stopping driving safely.
Legal and Financial Planning
Power of attorney, advance care directives and financial planning while capacity exists.
Looking After Yourself
⚠️ Carer burnout is real — and common
One in three dementia carers experience severe psychological distress. Recognising the signs early and seeking support is not a weakness — it is essential to sustaining care.
- 1Accept help when it's offered. Many carers refuse help out of guilt or pride. Make a list of specific tasks others could do and keep it ready when people ask.
- 2Use respite care regularly — not just in a crisis. Regular short breaks prevent burnout. Home respite, day programs and overnight residential respite are all available.
- 3Stay connected with your own social network. Isolation is one of the greatest risks for carers. Even a brief phone call with a friend makes a difference.
- 4Attend a carer support group. Connecting with others in the same situation reduces isolation and provides practical advice you won't find in any guide.
- 5Talk to your GP. Your own health matters. Depression and anxiety are significantly more common in carers — your GP can help.
- 6Learn about the disease, not just the symptoms. Understanding what's happening neurologically helps carers respond with patience rather than frustration.
Respite Care Options in Australia
In-Home Respite
A trained carer comes to your home so you can take a break. Available through My Aged Care and NDIS (under 65s).
Day Therapy Programs
Social programs that provide stimulation, activities and meals for the person with dementia during the day.
Residential Respite
Short-term stays in a residential aged care facility — typically up to 63 days per year subsidised by the government.
Cottage Respite
Small group overnight stays in a home-like setting — a less clinical alternative to residential respite.
How to access respite in Australia
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange an assessment for government-subsidised respite services. You can also contact Dementia Australia on 1800 100 500 for guidance on what's available in your area.
Managing Challenging Behaviours
Behaviours that seem difficult — such as aggression, wandering, repetitive questioning or refusing personal care — are almost always a form of communication. The person with dementia is trying to express an unmet need.
- ✓Look for the trigger. Pain, hunger, thirst, fear, boredom and overstimulation are common causes of distressed behaviour.
- ✓Don't argue or try to reason. The person's reality is real to them. Entering their world is more effective than correcting them.
- ✓Maintain routine. Predictable daily routines reduce anxiety and agitation significantly.
- ✓Redirect, don't confront. Gently guide attention to a different activity rather than addressing the behaviour directly.
- ✓Seek professional support early. A geriatrician or psychogeriatrician can assess and help manage complex behaviours — don't wait until crisis point.