The thought of getting older can be a bit daunting for many of us. As we age, many things start to change both mentally and physically. We know that the best way to stay healthy as we get older is to look after our body and brain by exercising regularly and eating well. However, experts now […]
If you are caring for a person with dementia, a big part of your role is to ensure they have the best quality of life possible. People who have dementia will still enjoy taking part in activities, and also like to do useful things. As a carer, it’s our job to facilitate meaningful activities, help […]
As a caregiver, our to-do list each day can seem overwhelming, and it can be difficult to manage all of the things that we have to get done in a day. A routine can simplify the life of a caregiver, and make it easier for them to get everything done. A routine can also greatly […]
September is traditionally Dementia Awareness month. We know that there are a lot of myths around dementia and many people don’t fully understand what dementia is and how it affects others. Our aim for this month is to give everyone a better understanding of dementia by dispelling a myth a day. Myth 1: If You […]
Hoarding is a behaviour that can be seen in people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, where individuals collect and stockpile certain things. Sorting through things that are familiar to them can be reassuring for someone with dementia. For example, the person may want to keep piles of papers that are completely useless or stock up on food […]
In 2015 there were 2.7 million unpaid carers in Australia. Around 32% of these are primary carers, providing the most informal assistance to another individual. Most primary carers provide more than 20 hours a week of care, which is a huge commitment that can be difficult to take on in addition to the carer’s other […]
Recently, there has been a surge of brain-training apps available to smartphone users. Apps such as Lumosity and Elevate are being used by tens of millions of people around the world in an attempt to boost their brain health. However, the actual cognitive benefits of these brain-training apps have been called into question. Some studies have found that brain-training […]
The idea of ageing is one that many people dread. However, ageing shouldn’t necessarily be considered a bad thing. The later years of our lives can be some of the most rewarding and fulfilling that we experience. As we get older, it’s no surprise that some things start to get a bit more difficult, and […]
Six in 10 people with dementia will wander. Anyone who has problems with their memory and is able to walk is at risk for wandering, even in the early stages of dementia. As such, it’s likely that caregivers of people with dementia will come across this behaviour at some point in time. Wandering is relatively […]
Australians currently have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Today, Australian men are living until they are nearly 80 years old, and women are living to 84 years. For both genders, this is up 25 years from a century ago. As the population is ageing, the physical health of older Australians is also […]