Printable information for patients, clients and families

45% of all dementia cases can be prevented. Learn the risk factors for developing dementia and what you
can do today to protect your brain and reduce your dementia risk with this printable fact sheet.

Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. Learn more about what dementia is, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support.

There isn’t one single test that tells you if you have or don’t have dementia. Instead, doctors will do several different kinds of test.

Nearly 1.6 million Australians are involved in the care of someone living with dementia. We have information, advice and support specifically designed for you and your needs.

Are you a young person who knows someone with dementia? This is the page for you.

As your dementia progresses, you may no longer be able to make decisions on your own. It might be hard to think about, but by planning ahead and communicating your decisions, you can make sure your wishes are respected.

Medication-based treatment options for various forms of dementia, their symptoms and comorbid conditions.

If there’s dementia in your family history, or you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, you probably have questions about genes.

Researchers are always working to learn more about dementia and how people live with dementia conditions

If you or a loved one have concerns about changes to memory, mood or thinking, there is support and information to help you.

The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a physical brain condition resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour, where a person’s abilities deteriorate over time.

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s’ disease in people with Down syndrome can be difficult as Alzheimer’s symptoms may be considered part of the Down syndrome.

Vascular dementia is caused by damage from restricted blood flow in your brain.

Regularly consuming alcohol at risky levels can cause alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI), which can affect your thinking, memory, personality and movement.

HIV-associated dementia is the most severe form of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder. It affects your thinking, mood, behaviour and movement. 

“Lewy body dementias” is an umbrella term describing two forms of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Younger onset dementia is any form of dementia in people under the age of 65. It’s sometimes called “early-onset dementia”.

If you have posterior cortical atrophy, tissue in your brain atrophies (shrinks) as cells are lost.

Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. Learn more about what dementia is, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) dementia affects your brain’s ability to function. Repeated head injuries cause the condition.

Dementia can change the way someone feels and behaves. These changes might be subtle or dramatic. They might come and go, or persist.

Every person experiences dementia differently, this section explores common mood and behaviour changes.

Dementia affects a person’s emotional state. Dementia can also be a distressing experience. As a result, depression is very common among people living with dementia.

It’s common for people living with dementia to wander. This can be confusing and frightening for both the person with dementia and the people who care for them.

Some people with dementia become more confused, anxious or restless in the late afternoon or early evening.

Someone living with dementia might become increasingly anxious. Learn about the causes of anxiety, and what to do if the behaviour occurs.

Dementia changes people’s behaviour and emotions. Sometimes, people living with dementia can become agitated or aggressive.

Dementia can cause people to sense or believe things that aren’t real. Although they’re not real, they can feel real and sometimes very scary to the person experiencing them.

Inhibitions are the self-control mechanisms we all have that stop us doing things that break the rules of our society.

Regular breaks from your caring role mean you can rest, go out, get some things done, change your scenery and recharge.

It’s okay to spend time taking care of yourself. Not only because you’ll be better able to care for your loved one, but just because you’re a person who deserves care.

Becoming a carer, whether it happens suddenly or over time, can come with some big, difficult emotions.

Involving other people in your care helps you, and can be a terrific way to help the person with dementia stay socially active, too.

Losing someone you love to dementia is heartbreaking. It can take a while to process the range of emotions you may feel after their death.

It’s a basic human need to be able to express yourself and be understood by other people.

For people with dementia, some everyday activities can get harder. But there are things you can do to help.

Dementia can affect almost every aspect of everyday life. But there are things you can do to make home life safer and easier, so you can keep living the best life you can.

From a favourite hobby to coffee with a friend, activities can help someone with dementia stay socially active and engaged.

Respite care is a form of short-term, temporary professional care for a person living with dementia.

Driving is complex. To do it, you use your manual skills, senses, reflexes, memory, concentration and thinking, all at once.

Travel is a great joy, and everyone loves a holiday. If you have dementia, or you’re planning to travel with someone who has dementia, travel becomes more complicated.

If someone you care for is diagnosed with dementia, they’ll probably be treated by a range of medical and healthcare professionals.

If you’re caring for someone who needs to go to hospital, there are some things you can do to make their stay more comfortable.

People living with dementia feel pain, just like everyone else. But it might be hard for them to understand or explain their pain.

If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you might notice changes in the way they experience food and eating.

A good diet is essential to good health. Learn what to eat, what to avoid and what to expect when you’re living with dementia.

Our teeth, gums and oral hygiene are important to our health and wellbeing. Dementia can affect a person’s oral health and their ability to care for their teeth.

Dementia can make it more difficult to get dressed or undressed. Find out what you can do to make the process easier.

We all feel better when we get enough sleep. That’s also true for people living with dementia.

Some people with dementia find tasks like bathing, shaving and dressing difficult. These tips can help you support their personal care.

Incontinence can happen to anyone. Dementia can make it harder to know when you need to go to the toilet, what to do when that need happens.

Dementia can affect how you feel about sex and intimacy. These are some of the changes that may occur, and advice for you and your partner.

Information and advice about the later stages of dementia, end of life and beyond.

Palliative care can help to maintain someone’s comfort and quality of life in the later stages of dementia. Here’s a guide to what you can expect.

If you’re caring for someone with dementia, you may need to make the decision to move them to residential care. Here are the key steps, and the support you can get.

Trying to find the right residential care home can be overwhelming, so it’s helpful to break it down into steps.

Once your friend or family member has moved into residential care, your role will change, but you can still play an important part in their care.

Once you’ve decided on a care home, it’s time to start organising the move. You might need to make a decision very quickly once a place becomes available, so it’s worth working out in advance what you need to do.

Visiting a loved one with dementia can make a big difference to both of you. Here’s how to make the most of your time together.

Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. Learn more about what dementia is, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support.

As your dementia progresses, you may no longer be able to make decisions on your own. These are some key considerations and documents to help you plan for the future.

By looking after your mind and body, you can live the best life you can with dementia, and reduce your need for extra care.

Dementia reduces your ability to drive safely. Learn the warning signs and your options if you need to stop driving.

Like many Australians, you might currently live alone. A dementia diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean you need to move.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with dementia, there’s a lot to take in. Here are some things you can do to cope, get support and work out what to do next.

Stimulating activities help people living with dementia stay engaged and motivated. Here are some tips and ideas to make activities more enjoyable for everyone.

Telling your family and friends about your dementia diagnosis can be difficult. You might need some time to come to terms with the news yourself before you talk to anyone.

Doctors play a vital role in the care and support of people with dementia. Here’s how you can work effectively with them.

Dementia can affect your ability to stay in a job. Find out what you can do, your rights and how to make decisions about employment.

If you or a loved one have concerns about changes to memory, mood or thinking, there is support and information to help you.

Our teeth, gums and oral hygiene are important to our health and wellbeing. Dementia can affect a person’s oral health and their ability to care for their teeth.

Respite care is a form of short-term, temporary professional care for a person living with dementia.

A dementia-friendly home is a place where changes have been made that make it easier for someone with dementia to live in. Learn how to make your home more dementia-friendly and safe.

Dementia can make everyday life harder. But there are tools, aids and technology that can help you live the best life you can.

A well-designed care environment can enable people living with dementia to make the best of everyday life.

Dementia is a word used to describe many illnesses that make the way people think and act change and keep changing. Find out more.

Dementia is a word used to describe many illnesses that make the way people think and act change and keep changing. Find out more.

Learn the early warning signs of dementia, and what kinds of tests you can get if you're concerned.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Learn about its causes, symptoms, stages and treatment.

Information, tips and strategies on staying connected to people living with dementia.

“Lewy body dementias” is an umbrella term describing two forms of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

You might have changes to your thinking abilities that could last for minutes, hours or days. They’re called cognitive fluctuations.

A guide to professional Lewy body dementias care for acute care workers and staff in care homes.

Both kinds of Lewy body dementia affect your thinking, behaviour, movement and bodily functions. 

The Lewy body dementias can be hard to diagnose, because there can be a variety of symptoms in the early stages. 

A guide to professional Lewy body dementias care for acute care workers and staff in care homes.

Younger onset dementia is any form of dementia diagnosed in people under the age of 65. Learn the facts for people living with younger onset dementia.

As your dementia progresses, you may no longer be able to make decisions on your own. These are some key considerations and documents to help you plan for the future.

A program for people recently diagnosed with younger onset dementia, including information, advice and support.

Dementia Australia’s free counselling service for families where someone lives with younger onset dementia.

We have information, advice and support specifically designed for you and your needs.

Visiting a loved one with dementia can make a big difference to both of you. Here’s how to make the most of your time together.

Special occasions are a time to celebrate and enjoy. Discover tips to help make special occasions easier and more enjoyable for someone with dementia.

Stimulating activities help people living with dementia stay engaged and motivated. Here are some tips and ideas to make activities more enjoyable for everyone.

Phone and video calls can also help you stay in regular contact with your friend or family member, particularly if you don’t live nearby

Dementia isn’t inevitable. 45% of all dementia cases are avoidable: find out what you can do to reduce your risk and prevent dementia.

Learn the most common early signs and symptoms of dementia, how to notice them, and what you can do if they happen to you.

If you or a loved one have concerns about changes to memory, mood or thinking, there is support and information to help you.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a brain condition that affects memory and thinking more than normal aging, but not as severely as dementia.

Reducing your alcohol, tobacco and other drug consumption can protect your brain health and reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Like any other illness, depression can be treated, and there are good options for support.

Taking care of your hearing and vision can help you reduce your risk of developing dementia.

A good social life helps us feel like we belong, like we’re connected to the world around us.

The best way to reduce your risk of CTE dementia is to protect your head and avoid injury.

The more you do to take care of your heart, the better the result for your brain health. And it’s never too soon, or too late, to start.

How do you turn a good intention into a regular habit?

Just like your body, your mind gets stronger when it works out.

Good sleep means good brain health. Find out how to get the most out of your bedtime routine and reduce your risk of developing dementia.

People who are physically active throughout their lives, particularly from age 65 on, are less likely to develop dementia.

Eat well for a healthier heart, body and mind and reduce your chance of developing dementia.

Call 1800 100 500 for free and confidential expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

No matter how you are impacted by dementia, we are here to help. Learn more about all support services offered by Dementia Australia.

The Dementia Australia Library provides free access to Australia’s largest collection of books, articles, audiobooks and ebooks about dementia.

Innovative apps, online and virtual reality experiences for people living with dementia, families, friends and carers, and workers in the aged care and health fields.

Dementia Australia’s free counselling service for families where someone lives with younger onset dementia.

The Dementia Guide is the go-to resource for people living with dementia, their carers and family. Download, listen or order a free printed copy.

If you’re a healthcare professional, you can refer a patient or client to Dementia Australia for further information, advice and support.

Dementia Australia's innovative, proven dementia training courses for organisations and individual health workers supporting people living with dementia.

Professional development, training and resources for aged care workers.

Professional development, training and resources for allied health workers

Dementia Australia provides expert advice to help you transform dementia care in your aged care, acute care, hospital or community care organisation.

Professional development, training and resources for disability care workers.

Dementia referral and dementia information for GPs and other referrers, and your patients and clients, from Dementia Australia.

Professional development, training and resources for home and community care workers.

Professional development, training and resources for hospital staff.

Dementia information, training and referral pathways for you and your patients, from Dementia Australia.

We fund new and early-career researchers to pursue bold ideas that lead to breakthroughs in dementia diagnosis, treatment and support.