Dementia care: Supporting patients’ and carers’ mental health

Updated May 2026 | 6 min read
Expert contributor: Dr Kaele Stokes, Executive Director Services, Engagement and Research, Dementia Australia
Words by Sabrina Rogers

Learn how person-centred dementia care and the right support can protect the mental wellbeing of both patients and their carers.

With an estimated 446,500 Australians living with dementia in 2026 and numbers projected to rise to over one million by 2065, a growing number of loved ones will face the practical and emotional pressures of a dementia diagnosis.

Dementia is a broad term for a collection of symptoms caused by changes in the brain that can affect memory, cognitive abilities, personality and behaviour. Some of the most common types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• vascular dementia
• Lewy body dementias
• frontotemporal dementia
• younger onset dementia.

As a person progresses through the three stages of dementia – early, middle and late – their symptoms become more severe. Thoughtful dementia care is critical over this time, providing mental wellbeing support for both patients and their carers.

Dementia in Australia: a snapshot

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, with mortality rates rising by 39% over the past decade.

These figures reveal the wider impact of dementia:

• About 1.7 million Australians help care for someone living with dementia.
• In 2023 to 2024, about one in 58 hospitalisations in Australia involved dementia (either the main reason or a contributing condition).
• More women than men live with dementia in Australia.

A global leader in dementia care

Australia's ageing population is a major contributor to this increase. As we live longer, our chance of developing dementia increases.

The good news is that Australia is a leader in dementia research, prevention and treatment. Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, who founded UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, was named 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for his pioneering work in transforming dementia care and promoting cognitive health across our entire lifespan.

How does dementia affect people?

While dementia is often perceived as a condition that only affects memory, it can cause personality and mood changes as well.

Structural brain changes

“The frontal lobes of the brain help regulate our personality, planning and judgement,” says Dr Kaele Stokes, Executive Director Services, Engagement and Research at Dementia Australia. “If dementia affects a person’s frontal lobes, they might become more irritable or angrier than they used to be. Alternatively, they might feel a sense of apathy and socially withdraw, or they might lose their filter and be more inclined to swear or tell people what they're really thinking, or find it more difficult to regulate their own behaviour.”

Dementia can also affect the temporal lobes, which manage long-term memory, language and emotion. “When temporal lobes are affected, the person might respond in a far more amplified way than they used to or they might feel heightened levels of depression,” Dr Stokes explains.

Emotional changes

Mood and personality changes in dementia can be caused by not only structural changes in the brain, but also how the person experiences their environment.

“If they’re less confident about moving around a particular space or they’re worried they're going to get lost, that can cause fearfulness, anxiety or concerns about going out into the community,” says Dr Stokes.

The impact of hospital stays

Research shows hospital stays can cause confusion and distress that can worsen dementia symptoms. People with dementia often experience a decline in physical or cognitive health following hospitalisation.

Why person-centred dementia care is so important

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, person-centred dementia care takes a patient’s background, needs and preferences into account and tailors support accordingly.

“If the person doesn’t recognise their family members or mistakes their child for their partner, try to connect on a level that’s appropriate for them,” advises Dr Stokes. “Rather than telling them their partner isn’t there and creating a renewed sense of grief, you could try to divert their attention to something familiar and comforting by asking them what they liked doing with their partner or what holidays they went on.

“When it comes to memory loss, some family members say they’ll patiently answer a question the same way even if they’re asked 50 times. It requires a lot of patience.”

If you’re seeking an aged care provider for extra support, look for one that takes the time to get to know the person with dementia and their life experience.

“It’s much easier to be responsive and understanding if you have a clear picture of who the person is and what’s important to them,” explains Dr Stokes.

The impact on dementia carers and loved ones

Carers and family members of people with dementia can also be deeply affected by the condition.

“Relationship dynamics can go through complex changes, especially for children of a parent with dementia,” says Dr Stokes. “Becoming more responsible for the day-to-day care of their parent can be really confronting and challenging. Families often say it’s a very long grieving process because of all the mood, personality, cognitive and physical changes that can occur over time.”

Common emotions experienced by carers and loved ones of people with dementia include the following:

• Denial: struggling to accept the diagnosis.
• Frustration or anger: feeling overwhelmed by daily challenges and changes.
• Guilt: worrying you’re not doing enough or losing patience.
• Fear, stress or anxiety: feeling uncertain about the future and what lies ahead.
• Sense of loss: grieving the gradual changes in someone you love.
• Depression: experiencing persistent sadness or emotional exhaustion.

Support for carers

If you experience any of these emotions and they’re impacting your wellbeing, speak to a GP. With GP2U, you can book an online GP consultation* for a range of services – including a standard GP consultation (up to 10 minutes) for a fee of $50 – to help you get access to care when you need it. Eligible rural and remote members^ can access an annual 15-minute online GP consult with GP2U, at no cost.  Also consider booking an annual telehealth HealthyMinds Check-in with a psychologist, which eligible members can access free of charge⁺.  

Tips for managing your mental wellbeing

People with dementia and their carers or loved ones can take practical steps to look after their wellbeing.

For people with dementia

Despite persistent myths that people with dementia are powerless and dependent on others, many people with dementia can do a lot for themselves. Dr Stokes recommends the following steps to maximise your wellbeing after your diagnosis.

• See your GP regularly. This will help you manage your dementia, general health and medications.
• Eat well and keep moving. Good nutrition and regular physical activity can boost mood, sleep and overall wellbeing.
• Stay socially connected. Spending time with family and friends helps reduce isolation and loneliness.
• Talk about how you’re feeling. Sharing concerns can ease stress and help others understand your needs.
• Join a support group. Connecting with others living with dementia can provide reassurance and practical advice. Try Dementia Australia’s Connecting Peers.
• Ask for help when you need it. Accepting support helps make daily life more manageable.
• Use memory aids. Calendars, notebooks and reminders may support independence.
• Keep doing activities you enjoy. Meaningful hobbies can help maintain your confidence and sense of identity.

For dementia carers and loved ones

“A carer’s health and wellbeing are often significantly poorer than the average person’s, because they tend to put their own needs at the bottom of the list,” says Dr Stokes. “It’s easy to tell them, ‘You need to look after yourself’, but practically it can be quite difficult for them to do that.”

Her no-nonsense self-care tips include the following:

• The Dementia Australia website. If you're living with dementia, caring for someone or supporting the cause, it's a great first step.
• Call the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500): support is available 24 hours a day if you need advice or a sympathetic ear. You can also access support online at the Dementia Support Australia website.
• Create a support network: having even one or two people you can count on to help you when you’re having a challenging moment can make a big difference.
• Take time to connect: doing an activity that’s meaningful to both you and the person with dementia, like going out for coffee, taking a walk or playing a board game, can help nurture your relationship outside of your caring role.
• Access support services: Most state governments have a handy resource hub to help you access services. To help ease your load, you also may be able to access personal care, domestic, transport and respite services for the person with dementia through the government’s Support at Home program.

Reduce your fall risk

Dementia can affect balance, coordination and spatial awareness, so taking steps to reduce your fall risk is especially important. If you’re over 65 or concerned about having a fall, complete our 5-minute survey to see if you’re eligible for personalised support. We can help you work towards increasing and maintaining your strength, stability and independence, and support you in your healthy ageing.