Nurses
From recognising symptoms to helping patients understand their options, find the information, training and support you need to provide exceptional care in your nursing practice.
Spot and assess
Here you'll find pages on our site with information to help you and your patients identify signs and symptoms of dementia, treat and manage those symptoms, and support them to live the best life they can.
Signs and symptoms
- About dementia
Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. Learn more about dementia, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and available support.
- Dementia facts and figures
How common is dementia in Australia? Dementia Australia’s quick, authoritative guide to dementia prevalence.
- Early warning signs
Learn the most common early signs of dementia, how to notice them, and what you can do if they happen to you.
- Types of dementia
More than 100 different medical conditions can lead to dementia. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of common types of dementia.
Steps towards diagnosis
- Testing and diagnosis
How to make the decision to talk to your doctor about changes in your memory, thinking, behaviour and mood, and what tests they might do.
- Coping with your diagnosis
If you’ve just been diagnosed with dementia, there’s a lot to take in. Here are some things you can do to cope, get support and work out what to do next.
- How to talk about dementia
The way we talk and write about dementia makes a difference. Find out how you can use language that respects people living with dementia, their family and friends.
- Refer someone in your care
If you’re a healthcare professional, you can refer a patient or client to Dementia Australia for further information, advice and support.
Treatment, management and engagement
- What next? After your diagnosis
When you get a diagnosis of dementia, it can be hard to know what to do. Here's some advice on where to start.
- Telling someone they have dementia
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, should you tell them? If so, how do you tell them sensitively?
- Treatment and management of dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions. As a result, there are many pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological treatment and management options.
- Talking to someone with dementia
Tips and strategies to help you communicate with someone with dementia.
Life with dementia
- Living with dementia
A dementia diagnosis changes things, but support is available. Learn about changes you can expect, how to plan ahead, and how to stay safe and connected.
- Care options
There are many different ways to care for someone with dementia. Learn about your options, and how to explore them.
- Sleep and dementia
People with dementia can often have problems with their sleep. Learn why this happens, and tips to help them to sleep better.
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy for people with dementia
Dementia management is not just about your brain. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy can help support your physical needs.
“I’m still able to lead a fulfilling life”
Natalie lives with dementia and shares how she continues to do things that are meaningful to her.
Support for patients and carers
- Refer someone in your care
If you’re a healthcare professional, you can refer a patient or client to Dementia Australia for further information, advice and support.
- The National Dementia Helpline
Call 1800 100 500 for free and confidential expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
- Counselling
Dementia Australia offers free, confidential, professional counselling for individuals, families, couples and professional carers at all stages of a dementia journey.
- Get peer support
Connecting Peers, our one-to-one peer support program, connects you with someone who understands your challenges because they’ve been through a similar experience.
Dementia training and courses
Build your dementia care skills, bridge knowledge gaps and increase your confidence with our professional development and training, informed by the experience of people impacted by dementia, latest research and practices.