Home > For Consumers > Conditions and Diseases > Other Health Issues > Dementia > About Dementia

About Dementia

Recognising the signs of dementia and what to do when you see them?

Information on how to recognise the signs of dementia and what to do from there.

Know the Signs’ of dementia

On the 14 January 2011, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing the Hon Mark Butler MP launched a series of communication and education resources as part of the ‘Know the Signs’ Project which aim to:

• Raise awareness of dementia
• Address some of the more common ‘myths’ about dementia
• Provide information about the early signs of dementia
• Provide support and direction to people who are concerned about their memory or the memory of someone else

These materials include:

• General – A3 poster (PDF 2484 KB)
• General – brochure (PDF 290 KB)
• Younger Onset Dementia – A3 poster (PDF 2425 KB)
• Younger Onset Dementia – brochure (PDF 294 KB)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – A3 poster (PDF 3605 KB)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – brochure (PDF 259 KB)
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse – A3 poster (PDF 1745 KB)
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse – brochure (PDF 1047 KB)

It is recommended that these materials be displayed in:

• Dementia and aged care facilities
• GP and Medical centres/surgeries
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Community care and health centres
• Not for profit organisations
• Senior Citizens Clubs or similar
• Work places

To order copies of these materials, at no cost please contact National Mailing and Marketing on (02) 6269 1080 or send an email to dementia@health.gov.au

Top of page

I am worried about my memory. What should I do? I am worried about someone else’s memory. What can I do?

If you have noticed these signs in yourself or someone else, there are some things you can do to help:

• Find out more about dementia to get a clearer understanding of what the changes may be or may mean
• Keep a note of the signs you are seeing – in particular their frequency, duration and effect
• Discuss the changes you have noticed with the individual, or trusted family members or friends
• Develop strategies to support the person in managing these changes, for example using written and verbal reminders, calendars and whiteboards and developing a set routine

In addressing your concerns it is important to be respectful and honest to yourself, family and those around you.

Often family members and friends are the first ones to notice the early symptoms of dementia. Individuals themselves may not be aware of the changes or may find it difficult to acknowledge or discuss the changes they are experiencing.

Further action should be taken if the changes:

• Become more frequent or affect the individual’s ability to do the things they have previously been able to do
• Become progressively worse or affect more areas of daily life
• Become increasingly noticeable to others such as family members or friends
• Are outside the ordinary for the person (for example a very organised person becoming disorganised or an outgoing person withdrawing from social activities)
• Are worrying or causing stress to the individual themselves or those around them

If you are concerned about your memory or the memory of someone close to you, it is recommended that you speak to your GP about your concerns or call the
National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

Top of page

Going to the Doctor – tips and strategies

Taking stock of the situation and making the decision that something “needs to be done” can be stressful and emotional. Seeing the doctor can be the first step in a challenging process to secure a diagnosis, manage the outcomes and plan for the future. To ensure that you get the best outcomes from the appointment, it is recommended that you are informed and prepared.

Before the appointment, talk to your family about the concerns you all have and the common things you have noticed or are worried about. It is also important that you discuss these and get a consensus about what changes are apparent and the degree to which they impact on your life and those around you.

Some things you might like to consider thinking about or taking to your appointment include:

• Medical and family history – including whether or not dementia is common amongst your ancestors and current medications
• Common symptoms that are experienced and their frequency. If you have kept a diary or record it would be useful to bring it to the appointment
• Clear examples of common or out of the ordinary day-to-day scenarios you have experienced
• A list of pre-prepared questions and things you want to ask around symptoms, treatment, testing and diagnosis and future management.

Top of page

---

For more information and assistance

Ring…

National Dementia Helpline – 1800 100 500*
For Aged Care Information - 1800 200 422
Centrelink - 13 27 17 *Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges.

Visit…

Aged Care Australia
Centrelink