> 2.1 Communication
> 2.2 Therapies and communication approaches
> 2.3 Safety issues
> 2.4 Caring for someone who lives alone
> 2.5 Activities
> 2.6 Making the most of Respite Care
> 2.7 Driving
> 2.8 Travelling
> 2.9 Working with doctors
> 2.10 Going to hospital
> 2.11 Pain
> 2.12 Eating
> 2.13 Nutrition
> 2.14 Dental care
> 2.15 Dressing
> 2.16 Sleeping
> 2.17 Hygiene
> 2.18 Continence
> 2.19 Intimacy and sexual issues
> 2.20 Later stages of dementia
> 2.21 Palliative care and dementia
2.1 Communication
This Help Sheet explains some of the changes in communication that occur as a result of dementia and suggests ways that families and carers can help. It also includes some personal tips on communication written by a person with dementia.
Help Sheet - 2.1 Communication
PDF file, 158 KB, updated October 2009
2.2 Therapies and communication approaches
This Help Sheet briefly explains three approaches to communicating with people with dementia – Validation Therapy, Music Therapy and Reminiscence. Many families and carers find these approaches helpful in providing support that is respectful and dignified when communication is difficult.
Help Sheet - 2.2 Therapies and communication approaches
PDF file, 193 KB, updated October 2009
2.3 Safety issues
This Help Sheet discusses some of the safety issues that need to be considered when caring for someone with dementia. It provides some tips for safety inside and outside the home, and a basic safety checklist for use by families and carers.
Help Sheet - 2.3 Safety issues
PDF file, 164 KB, updated October 2009
2.4 Caring for someone who lives alone
Families and carers often have particular concerns about someone with dementia who lives alone. This Help Sheet discusses specific issues that may arise and some ways to help the person live alone safely.
Help Sheet - 2.4 Caring for someone who lives alone
PDF file, 185 KB, updated October 2009
2.5 Activities
This Help Sheet provides information about planning and providing appropriate activities for people with dementia.
Help Sheet - 2.5 Activities
PDF file, 257 KB, updated October 2009
2.6 Making the most of Respite Care
This Help Sheet discusses some of the ways that families and carers can make respite care a positive experience for themselves and for the person with dementia. It provides some practical suggestions for planning and using respite.
Help Sheet - 2.6 Making the most of Respite Care
PDF file, 205 KB, updated October 2009
2.7 Driving
Families and carers may be worried about a person with dementia who continues to drive.This Help Sheet describes the effects that dementia may have on driving skills and suggests ways to help a driver who has been diagnosed with dementia.
Help Sheet - 2.7 Driving
PDF file, 208 KB, updated October 2009
2.8 Travelling
This Help Sheet provides information for families and carers about travelling with someone with dementia. It lists some warning signs for when travel may be inappropriate and some helpful suggestions for planning a trip and for travelling.
Help Sheet - 2.8 Travelling
PDF file, 219 KB, updated October 2009
2.9 Working with doctors
If someone you are caring for has dementia, over time you will meet many doctors, both general practitioners and medical specialists. This Help Sheet discusses effective ways of working together with doctors to obtain the information and support that you need.
Help Sheet - 2.9 Working with doctors
PDF file, 161 KB, updated October 2009
2.10 Going to hospital
A hospital admission can be daunting for anyone, but especially so for a person with dementia. If you are caring for someone with dementia who needs to go to hospital, this Help Sheet provides information to make the hospital experience easier for you and for the person with dementia.
Help Sheet - 2.10 Going to hospital
PDF file, 157 KB, updated October 2009
2.11 Pain
People with dementia should have any pain treated quickly and effectively but it is not always easy to determine they are in pain. This Help Sheet discusses some of the causes and ways to recognise and treat pain.
Help Sheet - 2.11 Pain
PDF file, 184 KB, updated October 2009
2.12 Eating
This Help Sheet provides a number of practical strategies for people caring for someone with dementia who is having problems eating.
Help Sheet - 2.12 Eating
PDF file, 161 KB, updated October 2009
2.13 Nutrition
This Help Sheet discusses the importance of good nutrition, and provides some practical ways that families and carers can ensure that a person with dementia is well nourished.
Help Sheet - 2.13 Nutrition
PDF file, 163 KB, updated October 2009
2.14 Dental care
This Help Sheet provides information about caring for the dental health of people with dementia. It discusses some of the possible causes of dental problems as well as practical advice for maintaining the best possible dental health.
Help Sheet - 2.14 Dental care
PDF file, 163 KB, updated October 2009
2.15 Dressing
This Help Sheet explains some of the problems that people with dementia may have when dressing. It offers families and carers a number of practical suggestions for managing these common problems.
Help Sheet - 2.15 Dressing
PDF file, 147 KB, updated October 2009
2.16 Sleeping
This Help Sheet discusses some of the causes of sleeping problems and provides some suggestions for families and carers to help manage this common, yet difficult problem.
Help Sheet - 2.16 Sleeping
PDF file, 156 KB, updated October 2009
2.17 Hygiene
This Help Sheet looks at the issue of hygiene for people with dementia. It discusses some of the possible causes of problems, as well as suggestions to help families and carers manage bathing, shaving, dental, hair and nail care.
Help Sheet - 2.17 Hygiene
PDF file, 149 KB, updated October 2009
2.18 Continence
This Help Sheet explains incontinence and some of the reasons that it may occur in people with dementia. It suggests ways that families and carers can manage the problem.
Help Sheet - 2.18 Continence
PDF file, 163 KB, updated October 2009
2.19 Intimacy and sexual issues
This Help Sheet discusses intimacy and sexual issues for people with dementia, their families and carers. It describes the importance of these issues in their lives and ways to deal with some of the problems that may arise.
Help Sheet - 2.19 Intimacy and sexual issues
PDF file, 150 KB, updated October 2009
2.20 Later stages of dementia
Dementia is a progressive condition and people with dementia will become increasingly frail. This Help Sheet describes what to expect in the later stages of dementia and some issues that may be useful to consider.
Help Sheet - 2.20 Later stages of dementia
PDF file, 183 KB, updated October 2009
2.21 Palliative care and dementia
Palliative care approaches have a crucial role to play in the care of the person with dementia who is dying, and in the support of their family and carers. This Help Sheet provides some information about how the person with dementia can be supported to die in comfort and with dignity.
Help Sheet - 2.21 Palliative care and dementia
PDF file, 157 KB, October 2009
Contact Us
Alzheimer's Australia is the national peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers and provides leadership in policy and services. To find out more, contact us or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Alzheimer’s Australia is responsible for the content of these Help Sheets.
These publications provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about their specific case. Alzheimer’s Australia is not liable for any error or omission in these publications.
© Alzheimer’s Australia 2005
updated: 4 November 2009
created: 25 November 2002
