Dementia: a video guide
This series of short videos will help you understand what dementia is, navigate diagnosis and support, and feel more confident about next steps.
About these videos
Learning about dementia can feel overwhelming, whether you’re concerned about changes in your own thinking, supporting someone close to you, or adjusting to a recent diagnosis.
These videos provide clear, practical and evidence‑based information about dementia: what it is, how it’s diagnosed and what support you can get.
Each video focuses on a different topic, from early concerns and diagnosis, to planning, navigating services and living with dementia.
If you are a person living with dementia, a family carer, or someone seeking to better understand the condition, these videos are for you.
Understanding dementia: early signs, types and what to expect
In this video, Dementia Advocate and former carer Isabelle Burke talks about:
- understanding changes in thinking and memory
- the most common types of dementia (skip to 2m 23s)
- dementia and daily life (skip to 4m 44s).
Transcript
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Speaker 1: Many people start thinking about dementia long before a diagnosis. You might have noticed changes in your own memory or thinking, or you may be concerned about someone close to you. These concerns are common, and it's okay to want clarity and reassurance. Our memory, mood, and thinking change all the time. Some days we're sharp and cheerful, and others, we can be forgetful or have brain fog. That's normal for everyone, but if you've noticed a pattern of changes in yourself or someone you care for, it's a good idea to reach out for help early. You'll get clarity about what's happening and access to supports and treatment if needed.
Paying attention to brain health can help you take informed proactive steps. One way to do that is with ‘BrainTrack,’ Dementia Australia's free app that helps you monitor and understand changes in thinking and memory over time. If you have concerns, you can download a report to start a conversation with your GP and access early support if needed. Learning more about brain health and about conditions like dementia can help you feel more informed as you decide what next steps, if any, are right for you.
So, what do we mean when we talk about dementia? Dementia isn't one single disease. It refers to a collection of symptoms caused by changes or damage in the brain. These symptoms can affect a person's memory, thinking, communication, ability to plan or solve problems, and sometimes their mood or behaviour. Dementia isn't a normal part of ageing. While many people diagnosed with dementia are older, the changes that occur are due to underlying brain conditions.
Dementia can affect people of all ages. This can make it harder to remember new information, follow conversations, or keep track of things that once felt easy. If you do have concerns about your brain health or someone you know, reaching out for advice early can make a real difference because the sooner you know, the more you can do. Dementia can be caused by more than a hundred different conditions, however, there are five more common types. Understanding these can help make sense of what you or someone close to you may be experiencing.
The most common type is Alzheimer's disease. Early symptoms often include gradual memory loss, difficulty with orientation, or learning new information. Over time, it can also affect thinking, behaviour, and daily functioning. The second most common type is vascular dementia. This occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced or interrupted often due to a stroke or small vessel disease. People may notice slower thinking, difficulty planning, or problems with concentration. Lewy body dementia is an umbrella term used to describe two related conditions; dementia with Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease dementia. These dementias can affect thinking, movement, and sleep.
Some people may also experience visual hallucinations. Attention and alertness can fluctuate more than in other types of dementia. Frontotemporal dementia or FTD affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It often develops between the ages of 40 and 65. Changes in personality, behaviour, or language usually appear before memory is affected. You might also hear the term, ‘Young onset dementia.’ This refers to any dementia diagnosed before the age of 65. While less common, it can have a significant impact as many people are still working, raising families, or managing financial responsibilities when symptoms begin. Each type of dementia affects the brain differently and every person's experience is unique. Knowing the type of dementia involved can help guide treatment options, support services and future planning.
Dementia affects everyone differently, but there are some common changes people notice as it begins to affect daily life. Early signs may include forgetting recent conversations or events, repeating questions, or becoming confused about time or place.
Everyday tasks such as following a recipe, paying bills or remembering appointments can become more difficult. Mood and personality can change too. Someone who was once very organised might appear more scattered. A person who was previously outgoing may become quieter or more withdrawn. Communication changes are also common. A person may struggle to find the right word, follow conversations, or express their thoughts clearly. These changes can be subtle at first and may vary from day-to-day.
Dementia progresses differently for everyone, which is one reason it can take time to diagnose. It's also important to remember that not all memory lapses mean dementia. Everyone forgets things occasionally. Misplacing keys or forgetting a name can be part of everyday life. Dementia involves ongoing changes that begin to interfere with daily activities in noticeable ways. Although these changes can be challenging, many people continue to live independently and maintain familiar routines with the right support.
Understanding what's happening can help you recognise changes and take the next steps in seeking support or advice and it's okay if you're still learning or waiting for further assessment. Understanding takes time. It's important to know you're not alone and support is available. Dementia Australia offers information, education, counselling, and practical support for people living with dementia and their families. You can call the national Dementia Helpline 24 hours a day for free confidential advice and reassurance.
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For more information, visit our introduction to dementia page:
Diagnosing dementia: what’s involved and what happens next
In this video, Dementia Support Specialist Andrea Page talks about:
- how to get a diagnosis
- what to do after receiving a diagnosis (skip to 2m 8s)
- dementia support services (skip to 5m 33s)
- telling people about your diagnosis (skip to 6m 36s).
Transcript
[BEGINNING OF RECORDED MATERIAL]
Speaker 1: Getting a diagnosis of dementia usually begins when you or someone close to you notices ongoing changes in thinking, memory, or behaviour. The first step is usually to visit your GP. There isn't a single test that can diagnose dementia, instead, doctors build up a picture over time. This often includes taking a detailed medical history, asking about changes in day-to-day functioning, completing physical checks, and organising blood or urine tests. These tests help rule out other possible causes. Conditions such as depression, infections, medication side effects, sleep problems, vitamin deficiencies, or dehydration can sometimes look like dementia. Many people are then referred to a specialist such as a geriatrician, a neurologist, or a psycho-geriatrician. Further assessments may include more detailed thinking and memory tests and brain scans. For people under the age of 65, diagnosis can be more complex. Younger-onset dementia is less common, and symptoms are sometimes mistaken for stress, depression, menopause, or burnout.
Many younger people are also able to compensate for changes early on, which can delay recognition. Although the process can feel lengthy or frustrating, careful diagnosis is important. It helps ensure the correct type of dementia is identified and that the most appropriate supports are put in place. Diagnosis can take time, but it helps make sure that you get the right information, treatment, and support. Dementia Australia provides guidance throughout this process. The Dementia Australia helpline is available 24 hours a day, if you have questions or need support before, during, or after a diagnosis.
Being diagnosed with dementia or supporting someone who has received a diagnosis can feel really overwhelming. Many people describe feeling shocked or frightened or unsure about what the future might hold. Receiving a dementia diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions. People often talk about feeling sadness, fear, anger, or even relief. Some feel overwhelmed by what they imagine lies ahead, while others feel comforted to have finally had an explanation for changes they've been experiencing.
There is no right way to react. These responses are normal and they may shift and change over time. For some people, a diagnosis comes after months or even years of uncertainty, stress or self-doubt. Having clarity can help people understand that the changes they've noticed are not personal failures or a lack of effort, they're caused by changes in the brain. It's also common for strong emotions to surface for carers, partners, and family members. People may grieve for changes they've already noticed, worry about what's ahead or feel unsure about how best to offer support. Importantly, a diagnosis of dementia does not mean losing independence straightaway. Many people continue working, driving, parenting, volunteering, making decisions, and living actively, especially in the early stages. Support at this point can make a real difference. Talking through what's happening with a health professional, counsellor, or dementia advisor can help you process the diagnosis and adjust at a pace that feels right.
Time, information, and reassurance all play an important role in moving forward. Once you've had some time to absorb the diagnosis, a next step may be to learn more about the specific type of dementia involved and talk with your doctor about what to expect over time. Your GP or specialist can help you manage symptoms, review medications, and plan for future needs. There are also new medications for early Alzheimer's disease that can slow progression for some people. These treatments are not suitable for everyone, and they do require specialist assessment and ongoing monitoring. Discuss your options with your doctor.
This early period can also be a useful time to start planning at a pace that feels manageable. Planning doesn't mean giving things up. It means placing your preferences, values, and priorities at the centre whilst decision making is clearer. This may include planning around work, driving, finances, and future healthcare. We provide information, advice, and support following a diagnosis, including counselling and practical guidance. Our expert advisors can support both people living with dementia and those close to them. If you'd like to access any of these supports, you can call the National Dementia Helpline. After a diagnosis, it's important to understand what support is available. Dementia Australia can work with you to understand your needs and help you navigate and plan for appropriate services and supports. If you're under the age of 65, you may be eligible for the NDIS, which can fund support such as therapy, help with daily activities, home modifications, and assistive technology to support independence.
If you're 65 or over, My Aged Care can connect you with services such as home support, respite care, equipment, and home modifications. It can also help with residential aged care options if these are needed in the future. Carers can also access support through Dementia Australia and the Carer Gateway, including information, counselling, and practical advice. Together, these services help people living with dementia and those who support them to navigate the journey ahead with greater confidence. Telling others about a dementia diagnosis can feel difficult. However, sharing this information can help build understanding and support around you. Many people choose to start by telling close family members or trusted friends. You might decide to explain the type of dementia you have, how it affects you, and what kind of support you would find helpful.
There's no obligation to tell everyone and it's okay to take this step slowly. Being open when you feel ready can reduce misunderstandings and make it easier for others to support you as things change. You don't have to rush or share more than you feel comfortable with. You are entitled to dignity, respect, and understanding at every stage of this journey.
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For more on information, visit our dementia diagnosis page:
Looking after yourself: adjusting to change
In this video, Dementia Support Specialist Bianca Colombage talks about:
- coping strategies for daily life
- maintaining health and wellbeing (skip to 3m 4s)
- planning ahead (skip to 5m 27s)
- Dementia Australia’s support services (skip to 7m 49s).
Transcript
[BEGINNING OF RECORDED MATERIAL]
Speaker 1: Living with dementia or caring for someone who has dementia means living with ongoing change. These changes may affect memory, communication, energy levels, routines, roles and relationships and they often unfold gradually. It's important to understand that there's no single right way to cope, and that coping will look different at different times. One of the most helpful coping strategies is creating structure through familiar routines. Many people living with dementia are looking for structure. Predictable routines can reduce anxiety, support orientation, and make daily life feel safer and more manageable for the person living with dementia and those around them.
Breaking tasks into small achievable steps is another key strategy. Dementia can affect planning, the ability to sequence tasks and decision making. This can make complex tasks overwhelming. Slowing things down, doing one step at a time and reducing pressure can lower frustration and help preserve independence. It's also important to cope by focusing on strengths rather than losses. Dementia does not affect all abilities equally. Sensory, emotional, social, and physical skills often remain long after memory changes begin. People can still take part meaningfully in everyday activities, sometimes actively, sometimes passively, and both forms of participation matter. Coping also means adjusting expectations. Activities don't need to be completed perfectly to be successful. People may not remember the activity later, but they are very likely to remember how it made them feel. Calm, respectful, positive interactions leave emotional memories that last. Coping with dementia is not about fixing or controlling everything, it's about responding flexibly, staying connected and adapting as needs change. When caring for someone with dementia, it's important to look after yourself. Caring can be demanding and it's okay to need support. Making time for rest, connection, and your own needs helps protect your health and resilience. Practical steps such as organising respite, sharing care tasks where possible and staying socially connected can reduce pressure and support your wellbeing.
Wellbeing is far more than a person's memory or physical health. Our wellbeing is shaped by physical, emotional, social and sensory factors and this applies equally to all people living with dementia and those who support them. Looking after your body is a key part of maintaining wellbeing. Regular physical activity adapted to the person's abilities supports brain health, mobility, mood, sleep, and confidence. This might include walking, gentle stretching, gardening, water-based exercise or everyday movement. Enjoyment is important. People are more likely to keep moving when activities feel rewarding rather than prescribed.
Nutrition also plays a vital role. Changes in memory, taste, smell, appetite, or swallowing can affect how and what a person eats. Eating regularly, maintaining weight, staying hydrated, and adapting meals as needed, is important. Mealtimes can also be social opportunities and moments of connection. Emotional wellbeing is just as important. Dementia often brings ongoing grief and loss, not only for carers, but also for people living with dementia. These losses might include changes to roles, identity, future plans, or relationships. Grief in dementia is not a single event. It can come and go in waves and may show up as sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, exhaustion, or withdrawal. Grief doesn't disappear, instead, people often grow around it, finding ways to adapt while still living meaningful lives. Acknowledging grief rather than ignoring it supports emotional health.
Maintaining wellbeing means paying attention to your body, mind, relationships and emotions, and recognising that all of these matter. Planning ahead can feel confronting, especially after a diagnosis, but many people find it becomes one of the most empowering steps they take. Planning early helps protect choice, dignity, and peace of mind. Dementia can affect many aspects of life over time, including finances, legal matters, employment, driving, living arrangements, healthcare, and decision making. Planning ahead allows people living with dementia to be meaningfully involved in decisions while they can express their wishes.
An important part of planning ahead is understanding decision-making capacity. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean someone loses the ability to make decisions. Capacity refers to a person's ability to understand information, consider options, and communicate a choice. Capacity can change over time and can vary depending on the type of decision being made. Many people living with dementia continue to make decisions for a long time, especially when they're given the right information and support. Supported decision making means trusted people help explain options, talk through consequences, and assist with communication while the person with dementia remains at the centre of the decision. Planning ahead may include formal steps such as appointing decision makers or completing advanced care planning. It also includes informal conversations about values, preferences, and what matters most. Planning doesn't need to happen all at once; it's an ongoing process that can be revisited as circumstances change. Starting early helps avoid crises later and can reduce stress for families and carers. Planning ahead is not about giving up control, it's about keeping your voice at the centre of future decisions.
Living with dementia affects many parts of life, which is why support is most helpful when it is holistic, flexible, and tailored to a person's specific needs. Dementia Australia supports people of all ages living with all forms of dementia as well as their families and carers. Our services take a person-centered approach that focuses on living well, not just managing symptoms. We provide evidence-based information about dementia, individual and family counselling, support groups and peer connections. Social support and respite services, group programs for people living with dementia and carers. Guidance on daily living, communication, activities and environments. Support navigating systems such as My Aged Care and the NDIS. When you call the national Dementia Helpline, you'll speak with expert advisors who can provide information, emotional support, practical strategies, and help connecting with local services. As needs change over time, whether they're emotional, practical, or physical, support may need to change too.
We can help across all stages of the journey. Living with dementia can be challenging, but with the right information, understanding, and support, it is possible to continue living a meaningful, connected life.
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For more on information, visit our living with dementia page:
The National Dementia Helpline
Free and confidential, the National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500, provides expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. No issue too big, no question too small.