Weavers

11/07/2023

“The later stages of dementia were an emotional rollercoaster for me, and the most challenging aspect was seeing my once vibrant grandma fade away right before my eyes. It was heart-wrenching to watch her look at me with fear, as if I were a stranger, and not the grandson she adored. I would try to reintroduce myself through photos, but the reality that she may never remember who I was anymore was a painful thought that lingered in my mind,” Adam said.

“As her condition worsened, my family and I had to step up and become her caregivers, providing her with the basic necessities that she could no longer manage on her own. Watching her struggle to do things that were once so effortless for her, like eating or getting dressed, broke my heart. It was as if we were losing a part of her every day.”

Adam describes caring for his grandmother in the later stages of dementia as an emotional rollercoaster. Hear how Adam and his family navigated this difficult time in their lives and found ways for love and connection to shine through: https://www.dementia.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/stories/even-darkest-times-there-always-possibility-love-and-connection

If you are a carer for a loved one with dementia, we are here to help. Call us any time on 1800 100 500.

08/07/2023

Free information and learning sessions for carers of those living with dementia

Our events calendar is updated whenever new events are organised. If you don’t find something suitable today, please check back here at another time. You can also watch our collection of education videos whenever you choose. Delivered by a range of dementia specialists, you can register to watch e...

21/05/2023

Understanding the perspectives and support provided through Palliative Care

National Palliative Care Week runs, 21 May to 27 May 2023 and aims to put ‘Matters of Life and Death’ front and centre in Australia’s consciousness. Camilla ...

18/05/2023

Recognising National Palliative Care Week. 21 - 27 May take a look at this film 'Live the Life you Please' showing across various city and regional locations throughout Australia. You can even host your own viewing as part of raising awareness around end of life issues

Learn about live the life you please, an impact film campaign that will change the way you think about palliative care.

01/04/2023

A beautiful and personal sharing of love and loss through dementia

My beloved Grandma, the matriarch of a family of five children and numerous grandchildren, has dementia so severe it has blown apart her daily life.

08/03/2023

Bobby Redman, who lives with dementia, uses movement sensors, a virtual assistant and recorded messages on her smartphone to stay living independently.

07/03/2023

“Mum looked up at me from where she was sitting. ‘Do you have any brothers and sisters?’ she asks me.

I take a moment before I respond, ‘Yes I do. A brother and a sister.’ I ask, ‘Do you know them?’

‘I don't think I do,’ Mum responds.

I take another moment. Sometimes there are no words that explain the depth of what I feel. Grief tinged with the realism of knowing; it is what it is.

We then talk about my siblings and how they are related to her. Reminding is a gift a carer can give.”

Ruth is a Dementia Advocate and carer for her mum who lives with dementia. We thank Ruth for sharing her story. If you are a carer for a loved one with dementia, we are here to help. Call us any time on 1800 100 500.

28/02/2023

“It snuck up on me. I was having trouble doing simple things like pouring a cup of coffee because I couldn’t quite get it in the cup. Pouring wine in a wine glass was becoming awfully difficult because I couldn't find the boundaries of the wine glass seeing as they’re clear and I thought this is really weird.”

Russ lives with posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of dementia which affects the processing of visual information, and can be evident through difficulties with spatial awareness, depth perception, recognition of objects as well as literacy, numeracy, speech difficulties and cognitive decline.

“The realisation of what I had gave me a better perspective of what was going to happen, how it would manifest over time but more importantly about what else I could do and continue to do, and that made a big difference to my life,” Russ said.

Read more about Russ’ diagnosis experience: https://www.dementia.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/news/how-diagnosis-gave-renewed-sense-positivity

We thank Russ for sharing his story. There are over 100 diseases that may cause dementia. This Rare Disease Day, we are highlighting the rarer and lesser known types of dementia such as posterior cortical atrophy.

Find out more about dementia and its different forms: https://www.dementia.org.au/information/about-dementia

24/02/2023

The Carer Wellbeing Survey asks people to share their experiences – past and present – of being a carer and the support services they use, including the Australian Government Carer Gateway. Have your say to influence and shape national carer policy

The Carer Wellbeing Survey asks people to share their experiences – past and present – of being a carer and the support services they use, including the Australian Government Carer Gateway.

29/01/2023

This poem is dedicated to every person who has at one time or another taken on the role of “caregiver”, whether in the health care field or for a family member or friend. It is hard work that often goes unseen. It’s exhausting and humbling, and yet so many make the sacrifice anyway. You are appreciated more than I can find words to express. Your grace is a gift. Thank you. 🙏🏻💙

“Where would we be
without the caregivers?

Their hearts so full
of warmth and care
they step in and provide
like an answered prayer.

Their eyes so full
of empathy,
they hold hands
and hold space
for the hurting to feel seen.

Their souls so full
of sincerity,
the first to give
and the first to pour out
anticipating every need.

Who step in
to comfort, to cover
to soothe and to nurture,
to bear witness
to the pain of another.

Who lose sleep
ever-serving, pouring
from an empty cup
as they hold nocturnal vigil,
when no one else is up.

Who are there
for every painful breath
and every tear cried.
their grace, a loving guide
the bedrock at the bedside.

Oh, where would we be
without the caregivers?”

-Liz Newman

18/01/2023

Needing support from people around you? Gather My Crew can be a really quick and easy way for carers to ask for the right type of practical help in small ways

Want to help someone but not sure what they need? Dr Susan Palmer takes you through the 5 practical ways that you can help.

17/12/2022

Val Fell cared for her husband with dementia and is using her experience to run a carers group, is an advocate for carers and, through her study, continues to inform future practitioners of the needs of those living with dementia and their carers