“What should I do?” – the top three questions we get asked
Every year, our National Dementia Helpline team responds to tens of thousands of enquiries from people living with dementia, their family members and friends, as well as health care professionals.
The free and confidential service was a lifeline for Dharsh, whose mother Mallika lives with dementia.
She called the National Dementia Helpline when she was struggling with the toll the condition was taking on her Mum and herself.
“I was really, really depressed,” Dharsh said. “Little by little, I was absorbing what this condition (dementia) was doing to mum.”
“The lady (Helpline Advisor) was so kind – she just listened and that was more than enough for me.”
As well as giving Dharsh the time to share her concerns, the Helpline Advisor provided practical support including booking her in for counselling and explaining what services were available.
You can click here to view Dharsh’s story.
The Helpline, which Dementia Australia runs as a 24-hour, seven day a week service, is free and confidential and is available to anyone who needs support or guidance.
Here are the top three topics that people contact the National Dementia Helpline about:
1. What services does Dementia Australia provide?
The number one reason people contact the National Dementia Helpline is to find out what services are available to them.
This may be about seeking a dementia diagnosis, what to do following a diagnosis or about changes that are occurring once the condition progresses.
We hear from people living with dementia, their loved ones, health care professionals and even people who are concerned about their cognition.
Our Helpline Advisors provide information about the services and support that Dementia Australia provides as well as services available through other providers.
If you want to know more about available services you can call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit our website for live chat and email support.
You can also visit the Get support section of our website to find out more about the services we provide.
2. What can I do about changes caused by dementia?
Some types of dementia can change the way that a person feels and behaves.
This can be upsetting for the person living with dementia and their loved ones who then reach out to understand more about these changes.
If this is something you want to talk through with someone, contact our National Dementia Helpline for support.
We also have more advice and information on the Mood and behaviour changes page of our website.
3. What advice do you have to manage the impact of dementia on families and relationships?
Whether you are living with dementia and want advice about how this is impacting on various relationships in your life or have a loved one living with dementia and want support, we are here for you.
Our Helpline Advisors respond to a whole range of questions about relationships including how to share news of a diagnosis, becoming a carer for someone you love, navigating different family members’ responses to a dementia diagnosis, just to name a few.
You can also find information on this topic on the Dementia and family relationships page on our website.
The Hold on to connection episode of Dementia Australia’s Hold the Moment podcast looks at how partner, parent and family relationships can change following a dementia diagnosis.
Other commonly asked questions
The above are the three most common topics covered by our Helpline Advisors however they receive a wide range of queries including:
- dealing with grief
- managing stress
- requests for general information and resources
- dementia education requests
- advice about legal, financial and accommodation matters
- how to reduce the risk of dementia
- advice on transitioning to residential aged care.
Need support?
No matter how you are impacted by dementia, we are here for you.
There is no question too big or small and no time too late to contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
You can also chat with a Helpline Advisor on webchator send us an email at helpline@dementia.org.au.
Dementia Australia’s Christmas Appeal 2025 is raising funds so that more people, like Dharsh, can access our services and programs.
