Dementia Care Specialist

29/11/2024

Early detection of dementia can make a significant difference in managing the disease.
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Here are some tips to help identify early signs:
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💡 Keep a journal of any unusual behaviours you notice in your loved one
💡 Encourage regular medical check-ups
💡 Discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional - get it on record.
💡 Look -out for changes in daily routines and social interactions
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Early diagnosis allows for better planning and access to support services. If you suspect a loved one may have dementia, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice or give us a call and we can come out, have a casual chat and discuss your next steps.
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06/11/2024

Did you know there are different types of dementia, each with its own set of signs and symptoms?
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In Australia, the four main types are:
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🧠 Alzheimer’s disease – 50%
🧠 Vascular Dementia – 25%
🧠 Lewy Body Dementia – 10-15%
🧠 Frontotemporal Dementia – 10-15%
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Understanding the differences is crucial, as misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect care. Always ask questions and ensure a thorough assessment of behaviours, not just symptoms.
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09/10/2024

As your loved one ages, keeping a journal of the small things you notice can be incredibly helpful.
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Jot down any behaviours or moments that feel a bit out of character—whether it’s repetitive questions, confusion, or even subtle changes in mood.
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These notes can help create a clearer picture of what’s going on and are invaluable for your healthcare team to provide the best care possible. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in understanding and supporting your loved one’s journey.
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03/10/2024

Some things we can't change, but there is a WHOLE LOT we can do to improve our health outcomes as we age! The time to start focusing on your brain health is 20 yrs before you think you should be! 🧠 💪 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What you do now in your 30's, 40's and 50's MATTERS!

✅ Stay Social and prioritise your relationships
✅ Ditch the ci******es
✅ Work on your cholesterol levels
✅ Ensure you get adequate sleep
✅ Limit alcohol - drink responsibly
✅ Stay fit and active

What you do now matters!

01/10/2024

Being a carer for your loved one is one of the toughest roles going around – it’s a 24/7 responsibility that doesn’t come with a manual or training and impacts you more than anyone really talks about or comprehends. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​FACT - 50% of carers experience significant health issues, including chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and weakened immune systems due to prolonged stress and neglect of their own health .

FACT - 30% of carers die before the person they are caring for, especially in cases of long-term illnesses like dementia. The combination of stress, exhaustion, and the emotional strain of caregiving plays a critical role in this grim statistic .

It might seem necessary to step back from the things like work, socialising and self care because your loved one is in need, yet those things are important in keeping YOU healthy - which helps you help your loved one. 🔁

Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. You deserve time to rest, to fill up your cup, to enjoy some white noise or a cuppa with a friend - even a few hours can make a world of difference.
Reach out for support – you’re not alone in this journey, and we’re here to help. 🤗

If you are a carer, or have been a carer, share your advice with others below, what have you implemented to ensure you still make time for YOU and your wellbeing too?

30/09/2024

Not all changes in ageing are the same. It’s important to know what’s normal and what might be a sign of something more.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ If you or your loved one are experiencing any of the ‘not normal’ signs, don’t ignore them. Early detection and support can make a big difference. Need guidance? We’re here to help you navigate the next steps.

16/09/2024

What many families don’t realise when someone they love receives a dementia diagnosis is that there is a decent amount of paperwork and affairs to get in order.
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Enduring Power Of Attorney – Financial: This ensures that trusted individuals can manage financial decisions on behalf of the person with dementia, protecting their assets and ensuring bills are paid on time.
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Guardianship – Living Arrangements And Health: Guardianship allows someone to make critical decisions about living arrangements and healthcare when the person with dementia can no longer do so themselves, ensuring their safety and well-being.
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Advanced Health Directive – Your Wishes: This document outlines the person’s wishes for future healthcare, providing guidance to caregivers and medical professionals on how they wish to be treated, especially in situations where they can’t communicate their preferences.
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ACAT Assessment: An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is crucial for determining the level of care required, whether at home or in a residential facility, ensuring the person receives appropriate support.
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Will: This is standard. Updating or creating a will is vital to ensure that the person’s assets and estate are handled according to their wishes.
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Need help navigating this? We are here. Drop us a message and let’s have a chat about where you are at.
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11/09/2024

👋 What makes our team a little different to what you might expect or be typically “used to” in our industry?
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1️⃣ We have LIVED experience, as well as all the degrees and certifications of course. 😉 Our founder Theresa began carving out a career in this industry after experiencing first hand so many gaps, myths, misconceptions and lack of support during the journey caring with her mother’s diagnosis.
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2️⃣ We are here to tell you the TRUTH always. This means having honest conversations about what the path ahead will look like and with compassion and honesty we aim to ensure you don’t have any misconceptions or surprises when it comes to the trajectory of the journey ahead.
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3️⃣ We’re always ourselves. You’re a real human, and so are we. We know how important it is to be able to connect and trust in your team and those of us supporting you and your family in the steps to take and implement, and it’s why we bring our personality into our roles here and ensure you feel seen, heard and that we bring a smile - maybe even a laugh, and make the tough stuff a little more manageable with us alongside.
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Have questions? Not sure where to start? Tap the link in our bio and follow the prompts to reach out, we’d love to connect and see how we can help!
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30/06/2024

It's that time of the year again !. Tickets are now on sale for our annual high tea for The Dementia Support Network of WA. This is our third year and we want to make it bigger and better as we have so much important work to do.

Come along for an afternoon of stories, entertainment, drinks, food and a good time. Click the link to buy your tickets today.

If you have a business and would like to chat to us about purchasing your table that way, get in touch.

https://www.trybooking.com/CTAMH

13/03/2024

So So Beautiful

To love someone long-term is to attend a thousand funerals of the people they used to be. The people they're too exhausted to be any longer. The people they grew out of, the people they never ended up growing into. We so badly want the people we love to get their spark back when it burns out, to become speedily found when they are lost.

But it is not our job to hold anyone accountable to the people they used to be. It is our job to travel with them between each version and to honour what emerges along the way. Sometimes it will be an even more luminescent flame. Sometimes it will be a flicker that temporarily floods the room with a perfect and necessary darkness.~

~Heidi Priebe

art: Lucy Campbell

13/03/2024

To love someone long-term is to attend a thousand funerals of the people they used to be. The people they're too exhausted to be any longer. The people they grew out of, the people they never ended up growing into. We so badly want the people we love to get their spark back when it burns out, to become speedily found when they are lost.

But it is not our job to hold anyone accountable to the people they used to be. It is our job to travel with them between each version and to honour what emerges along the way. Sometimes it will be an even more luminescent flame. Sometimes it will be a flicker that temporarily floods the room with a perfect and necessary darkness.~

~Heidi Priebe

art: Lucy Campbell