Our Counselling Team provide personalised and confidential information, support and advocacy services.

• Maintain your sense of humour
Humour relieves pain and tension, and helps put life back into perspective.
• Accept the reality of the person with dementia
Dementia destroys the ability to reason, so the person’s experience of reality is all he/she knows. Arguing and rationalising can often make things worse. Changing the subject can be a good strategy.
• Create a routine
Choices create stress for a person with dementia, so a calm, consistent lifestylemroutine can create a sense of security.
• Change your perspective
Remember, changed behaviours are part of the condition; some are not controllable, and not intentionally directed at you.
• Remain calm
Your mood will influence the person with dementia. If you are calm, they are more likely to be calm too.
• Simplify
Return to the basics of living:
Simple pleasures – walking and enjoying nature
Simple food – one dish meals
Grooming – clothes with minimal buttons, zips, ties, belts
Communicating – simple, one-step directions and use closed questions
• Focus on the emotion
Try to pick up on the feelings behind what is being said even if the details are not accurate.
• Focus on current abilities
Choose activities the person can successfully participate in and give them positive feedback for self-worth and confidence.
• Recognise that dementia is a progressive condition
Identify and adapt to the changes
• Seek support for yourself
Give up the idea that one primary caregiver can do it all. There are services available for you as well as friends and family. Asking for help does not imply failure.

Putting these ideas and other strategies into practice may not always be easy. Every body is unique.

Our Counselling Team provide personalised and confidential information, support and advocacy services. We offer face to face or telephone counselling for individuals, couples, carers and families and we can meet you at Alzheimer’s Australia SA office at 27
Conyngham Street, Glenside, in your home – where ever you feel comfortable this can be both metropolitan or regional. After hours appointments can be arranged if you need them.

For further information or to speak with a Counsellor call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Special arrangements can be made for an interpreter to assist in other languages.