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 […]
Many parents, spouses, family members, siblings and significant others, find themselves in the role of caregiving for a loved one as they age. While caregiving is undoubtedly rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. The role of caregiving can be highly stressful and over a long period of time, it can start to take its toll […]
People with dementia sometimes become more confused, restless or agitated later in the afternoon or in the early evening. They may become more demanding, upset or suspicious and can sometimes even see or hear things that aren’t real, particularly at night. For some people with dementia, their attention span and concentration can become more limited […]
Providing care for an ageing or ill parent can put a significant strain on sibling relationships. A survey commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association found that more than half (61%) of carers felt that they didn’t get the support they needed from their siblings and it affected their relationship. In an ideal situation, caregiving gives siblings the opportunity […]
More and more older Australians are boarding planes and cruise ships to explore the world. In fact, now, over 65s is the fastest growing age group travelling overseas. The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the number of people aged 65 to 74 holidaying overseas increased by over 80% in the last five years. One […]
This article was originally written and published by HelloCare. Caring for someone living with dementia isn’t always easy – it can be frustrating, overwhelming and even, at times, frightening. Though every case of dementia is different, the changes that take place in a person’s brain when they have dementia can have a range of effects, […]