Homage

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, nor is it one specific disease. Dementia actually describes a collection of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and capacity to perform daily living activities. Dementia can affect anyone, but is more common among older people and is a leading cause of disability for Australians aged 65 and over.

Thanks to improvements in health care and medical technology, the population in Australia and other parts of the world is ageing. This has led to the rates of dementia diagnoses increasing rapidly, and are predicted to become even more common in future years. Concerningly, more young people are starting to develop dementia earlier in life, creating more demand for effective management, treatment, and prevention options for this population group.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent developing dementia, however you can control certain risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Independent Living for People With Dementia

Dementia can have serious impacts on your ability to safely live independently, so many people living with dementia live in residential aged care to allow full time nursing care and supervision. However, the majority of dementia care is still provided informally by unpaid family and friends in a private home setting. Caring for a person with dementia can be rewarding and enjoyable, but also emotionally taxing and physically demanding. Fortunately, with recent advances in technology, there are ways to automate and adapt the home environment to maximise dignity and independence for persons with dementia.

Learning to live with as much independence as possible is important for people with dementia, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Difficulty remembering things and processing information can feel frustrating and scary, so any tool that provides a greater sense of empowerment, safety and self-reliance can make a huge difference to quality of life. There is no reason for people with dementia to miss out on all the joys life has to offer, particularly with so many clever, accessible technological solutions available that can help you support your loved one to participate fully in their daily life.