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The Dementia Guide

The Dementia Guide is the go-to resource for people living with dementia their carers and family.

An image of the front cover of the Dementia Guide with a female and young child

The Dementia Guide is the go-to resource for people living with dementia, their carers and family. The information in this guide is divided into sections with each section relating to a particular stage of the dementia journey. The guide supports people living with dementia, their carers and family, to understand more about dementia, the treatments, support and services available. The guide also includes information about living well with dementia and making plans for the future.

In it, you can find information about:

  • the impact of dementia
  • treatment, support and services available
  • ways to adapt to change and live well.

Read or listen to The Dementia Guide by section

Our message to you

The Dementia Guide introduction with Ita Buttrose AC OBE

Section 1: About dementia

Section 2: Understanding your diagnosis

Section 3: Healthcare team and treatments

Section 4: Planning for the future

Section 5: Living well

Section 6: Support for people with dementia

Section 7: Dementia Australia services

Section 8: Residential care

Section 9: Later stages of dementia

Section 10: Checklist

Section 11: Support and information for carers

Dementia Australia thanks everyone who generously lent their voice to the audiobook version of the Dementia Guide, including Dementia Australia Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Dementia Australia Ambassadors Natarsha Belling, Stephanie Bendixsen, Takaya Honda, Mark Seymour, Denis Walter OAM, Pat Welsh.

We also thank celebrity supporters Rhonda Burchmore OAM and Geraldine Hickey, and Ann Pietsch, who lives with dementia and is a Dementia Advocate and who also lent her voice to this audiobook.

Our message to you

Download a PDF of our message to you

The Dementia Guide introduction with Ita Buttrose AC OBE

Dementia Australia Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE is Chair of the ABC and an Australian journalist, television personality and author. Ita has dedicated many years to dementia advocacy and provides the introduction to the audiobook version of The Dementia Guide.

 

Download PDF of The Dementia Guide introduction with Ita Buttrose AC OBE

The Dementia Guide introduction with Ita Buttrose AC OBE by Dementia Australia

Section 1: About dementia

What is dementia? Who gets dementia? What causes dementia? How does dementia affect younger people? And how does dementia progress?

Download PDF of Section 1: About dementia

SECTION 1: About dementia by Dementia Australia

Section 2: Understanding your diagnosis

Recognising your feelings, learning more about dementia, and telling people about your diagnosis.

Download PDF of Section 2: Understanding your diagnosis

SECTION 2: Understanding your diagnosis by Dementia Australia

Section 3: Healthcare team and treatments

Building your healthcare team, understanding your treatment options, and treating depression and anxiety.

Download PDF of Section 3: Healthcare team and treatments

SECTION 3: Healthcare team and treatments by Dementia Australia

Section 4: Planning for the future

Driving, working legal matters, financial management, government support and advanced care planning.

Download PDF of Section 4: Planning for the future

SECTION 4: Planning for the future by Dementia Australia

Section 5: Living well

Coping with changes, reducing stress, maintaining communication, navigating changed relationships, living at home, travelling safely, and staying healthy and active.

Download PDF of Section 5: Living well

SECTION 5: Living well by Dementia Australia

Section 6: Support for people with dementia 

My Aged Care, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), support coordination and other services from Dementia Australia, and local services.

Download PDF of Section 6: Government support for people with dementia

SECTION 6: Support for people with dementia by Dementia Australia

Section 7: Dementia Australia services 

Information services, support services, and education services.

Download PDF of Section 7: Dementia Australia services

SECTION 7: Dementia Australia services by Dementia Australia

Section 8: Residential care 

Identifying the right time, choosing a residential care facility, understanding fees and costs, getting financial assistance, making the move, managing visits from family and friends, and protecting your quality of care.

Download PDF of Section 8: Residential care

SECTION 8: Residential care by Dementia Australia

Section 9: Later stages of dementia

Download PDF of Section 9: Later stages of dementia

 

SECTION 9: Later stages of dementia by Dementia Australia

Section 10: Checklist 

This section offers a checklist of things to help you to live well now and make plans for the future.

Download PDF of Section 10: Checklist

SECTION 10: Checklist by Dementia Australia

Section 11: Support and information for carers 

Getting emotional support, getting practical support, looking after your health and wellbeing, supporting a person with dementia, coping with changes in behaviour, and managing grief and bereavement.

Download PDF of Section 11: Support and information for carers

SECTION 11: Support and information for carers by Dementia Australia

This guide is supported by Lifeview