Caring for someone living with dementia can be one of life’s most challenging and rewarding roles. At Dementia Support Australia (DSA), we work closely with carers, families, and home care providers to deliver personalised strategies that reduce stress, support wellbeing, and help people living with dementia stay engaged in everyday life. With tailored guidance and practical tools, carers feel more confident and supported in their role.
Here we share two powerful stories that show how understanding a person’s history and routine can transform daily care.
Mary, a former journalist, lives at home with her husband Greg. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, Mary had become increasingly withdrawn, communicating very little and often spending hours picking leaves in the garden.
Greg was heartbroken. He missed their connection and described his role as lonely and exhausting. Concerned, their home care provider contacted DSA.
During a visit, a DSA consultant asked Greg to share family photos. As they looked through them, something remarkable happened — Mary smiled, pointed at faces, and even spoke the names of loved ones. It was the first meaningful conversation Greg had shared with her in months.
Building on this moment, DSA introduced reminiscence therapy — encouraging Greg to create a personalised life story book using Mary’s travel stories and published articles. With help from Mary’s sisters, the book became a treasured activity, prompting more communication, laughter, and connection.
For Greg, it was a turning point. Seeing Mary so engaged lifted his spirits and gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He later completed DSA’s It Takes a Village online webinar series to learn more strategies to support her.
By honouring Mary’s past and embracing the power of memory, Greg and Mary rediscovered their bond — and a new way forward together.
Beth, in her early eighties, lives with her husband David and has been living with Alzheimer’s for several years. Though physically fit, she had become increasingly disengaged, following David around the house, often agitated and declining to shower.
David, overwhelmed and stressed, had taken over all household tasks in an effort to manage things — but Beth needed structure to her days and purpose. Their home care provider reached out to DSA for support.
Through consultation, DSA uncovered Beth’s strong identity as a homemaker — someone who had always taken pride in keeping a home and caring for others. Armed with this insight, DSA proposed a gentle reintroduction of meaningful household tasks: folding laundry, organising small items, and setting routines she was familiar with.
They also helped David create a more inviting shower routine — warming the bathroom, playing soft classical music, and following the order of steps Beth had always preferred.
The result? Beth began showering again and felt calmer and more engaged in her day. David, seeing her improvements, felt more confident and less alone in his caregiving role. Together, they found a rhythm that worked for them.
Beth’s story is a reminder that even small changes — when grounded in a person’s life story — can bring comfort, dignity, and renewed connection.
Stories like Mary’s and Beth’s show the impact of personalised dementia support. But carers like Greg and David need care, too.
That’s where DSA’s Staying at Home retreat can help. This free, overnight respite retreat gives carers the chance to rest, reflect, and learn in a relaxed setting. While loved ones are gently introduced to respite care, carers connect with others, gain practical skills, and leave with renewed energy.
More than just a break, Staying at Home is a chance to grow in confidence — and remember that you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a carer, a family member, or simply seeking information, Dementia Support Australia is available around the clock.
Our free 24/7 helpline — 1800 699 799 — offers expert advice, a listening ear, and information about services like the Staying at Home retreat and the It Takes a Village online webinar series.
Dementia is different for every individual, but no one needs to walk the path alone.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
Dementia Support Australia’s Staying at Home program empowers people living with dementia to remain independent in their own homes for longer. Carers are supported with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate their role with confidence.
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