Caring for someone who lives alone

Each person with dementia is unique and so is the situation in which they find themselves.

While most people live with a partner or in some type of family situation, increasingly many people live alone. This may be by choice, or by circumstance. Whatever the reason, it creates a particular challenge for people who care for someone with dementia who lives on their own.

A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean that people are immediately incapable of caring for themselves. Assisting a person to remain in the familiar surroundings of their home for as long as possible is a worthwhile goal. However it can be very worrying for family and friends.

The type of support needed depends on the individual situation.

Things the person living alone may do or forget to do

  • Forget to eat or take prescribed medication
  • Forget to bathe or change their clothes regularly
  • Lack awareness of potentially hazardous situations such as fire or electrical appliances
  • Show poor judgement about who they let into the house
  • Forget to feed or care for pets
  • Have unrealistic ideas or suspicions which can lead to trouble with neighbours, the police or the community.

Some of these situations may be able to be dealt with fairly simply. For instance, if the person is forgetting to eat, arranging for delivered meals, such as meals-on-wheels and then making a phone call or have a person visit to remind them to eat the meal may help. Some of the situations however may compromise the person’s safety and well-being, and a move to more supervised care may have to be arranged. 

How can you help?

Accept a degree of risk

There is an increased risk when a person with dementia lives alone. However whether this continues to be an acceptable risk will need to be reviewed regularly by family, carers and professionals. The person’s own wishes and concerns must also be considered.

Get the family involved

It may be possible for more family members to be involved in aspects of the care and assistance of someone living alone. It can be useful to organise a family meeting at an early stage to work out what each person can offer, now and into the future as well as when the situation will be reviewed.

Make the house safe

Ensure that the house is well lit and that there are no obvious hazards such as faulty kitchen appliances, loose carpets or unsteady furniture. 

Research independence aids

There are many aids which can assist a person to remain independent. Some of these include:

  • Hand rails at bath, shower and toilet
  • Easy to read clocks, large calendars will help to orient to time
  • Reminder timers may also be helpful, particularly for remembering medications
  • Personal alarms or monitoring systems may help.

The Independent Living Centre (ILC) in each State and Territory offers a number of services designed to promote safe living. Information is available on a number of products including smoke detectors, hot water service temperature regulators and monitoring services. Advice is also available on home modifications and home design. Contact numbers for the ILC can be obtained from the phone book or by contacting Dementia Australia. 

Help them manage their finances

As the dementia progresses, the person’s ability to make financial and legal decisions will decrease. They will need assistance in managing their finances. It is essential to get legal and financial advice while the person can still participate in the decision.

Tell other people

Explain the person’s condition to friends, neighbours, local shopkeepers, people on neighbouring farms and the local police and provide them with contact numbers. They can be very helpful in keeping a tactful eye on a person with dementia. Ensure that the person has adequate identification and an emergency contact number when they go out. 

Who can help?

Dementia Australia supports people living with all forms of dementia. We also support their families and carers.

Call the National Dementia Helpline on freecall 1800 100 500 for information and advice.

Attend a family and carers education session to learn more about this topic.

My Aged Care is available to people living with dementia aged 65 years and older.  To apply for Government-funded services and arrange an Aged Care Assessment, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides Government-funded plans for people under 65 with younger onset dementia. Call 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au.

Carer Gateway is a national service that provides practical information and resources to support carers.  Call 1800 422 737 or visit carergateway.org.au.

For information, support and advice call the National Dementia Helpline now on 1800 100 500.