Facing the big home truth on dementia – opinion

Home is where the heart – and brain – is for the rapidly growing number of Australians diagnosed with dementia. 

Every day, an estimated 250 people in Australia are diagnosed with a form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. It’s a staggering figure that demands increased focus and has prompted the recent release of the National Dementia Action Plan to guide policy during the coming decade.

At the heart of this government-led focus lies a simple truth: people living with dementia want to stay at home for as long as possible. It’s widely understood that the familiarity of home helps those living with this condition to feel safe and can prevent anxiety and confusion as they experience memory issues, enabling them to maintain their independence and quality of life.

However, to support individuals at home for as long as possible, their families need wide-ranging practical and emotional support, from strategies for managing changes in behaviour to professional in-home care to provide some respite.

As someone who has not only supported a parent with dementia but delivered training to hundreds of in-home carers, I understand keeping those diagnosed at home for as long as possible requires dedication, resilience and some assistance.

The bottom line is it can be extremely difficult for those with dementia and their loved ones to navigate this progressive and, often misunderstood, condition that affects mood, thinking, memory and behaviour.

That is why more must be done to improve public awareness about dementia and the support available for not only diagnosed individuals, but also their families, to enable more seniors to live long and fulfilling lives at home. 

The action plan – which covers everything from risk reduction and promoting inclusivity to building workforce capability to care for people living with dementia – is a major step in the right direction.

Now, more than ever, governments need to invest heavily in delivering increased and coordinated support for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

And it’s made all the more pressing by recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data showing the number of Australians living with dementia is expected to more than double to 849,300 by 2058.

The reality is people are living longer, and age increases the likelihood of dementia. When you reach age 65, there’s a one in 10 chance you’ll develop the condition; those odds increase to one in three once you turn 85. There are several forms of dementia, and the condition affects people in different ways.

At Home Instead, more than 70 per cent of our clients experience some form of cognitive decline, including dementia. We are deeply committed to investing in programs and resources that empower our CAREGivers to provide the best support to both clients and their families. 

This includes immersive training centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne designed to provide real-life insights into the challenges facing seniors living with dementia and other cognitive decline challenges.

While training our CAREGivers, for example, I get them to wear textured gloves to reduce sensation and pop in ear plugs, with a radio playing in the background, to replicate poor hearing.

This type of training that is key to raising awareness so that we can improve services.

As a sector, we need to embrace innovative training methods to help seniors with dementia remain at home.

Furthermore, government funded community-based education sessions would help people better understand dementia and the resources available, such as the 24/7 helpline and materials provided by Dementia Australia. Additionally, these sessions could equip families with the necessary skills to care for loved ones living with dementia. 

Until researchers can find cures for dementia-causing diseases, we must put a greater focus on helping the rapidly increasing number of Australians with the condition live long and fulfilling lives in their homes, where they can remain connected to their families, friends and communities. 

Amanda O’Brien is an expert in dementia and home care as the Queensland State Trainer for Home Instead.