Library guides: Tips for supporting carers: Content

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Keep in touch

Carers of people living with dementia can often end up isolated, keep in touch through phone calls, emails, visits, letters or cards.

Discrimination and dementia – enough is enough by Dementia Australia
Dementia Action Week Report 2021
For all the increased recognition of human rights over the past decades and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities coming into force, people living with dementia still report experiencing discrimination and not feeling fully included within society. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities affirms that all persons with all types of disabilities (including people living with dementia) must enjoy the same rights as everyone else, including rights to autonomy in decision-making, independent living, community inclusion, and liberty. The challenge, however, is to shift attitudes, and design and deliver services, businesses and infrastructure that are flexible, innovative, accessible, appropriate and culturally safe to ensure people with dementia, their families and carers are well supported and included within the Australian community.
Alone No More The Myth of Loneliness by Brenda Shoshanna
Publication Date: 2019
Loneliness is fast becoming an epidemic in our new, isolating tech age. Despite endless social media activity, many feel alone. ALONE NO MORE uncovers the true source of loneliness, and offers a unique and simple path to feeling truly connected, wanted and of real value, no matter where you are.
Life is Short, Wear Your Party Pants by by Loretta LaRoche
Publication Date: 2004
This book gives you the tools you need to not only reduce feelings of tension, but also to bring joy, passion, and gusto into your life. Techniques are a brilliant blend of old-world common sense and the most contemporary research in brain chemistry, psychology, and mind-body studies. See dozens of proven techniques for recognizing the ten simple truths that will lead you to an intense, happy, successful life: resilience, living in the moment, optimism, acceptance, humour, creativity, moderation, responsibility, meaning, and connection. As Loretta says: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift—that's why they call it the present."

Take a break

Encourage them to take a break

It can be difficult to find the time to take a break when you are caring for a loved one, help them by offering to spend time with the person they care for.

Self-care for carers by Dementia Australia
This page discusses the importance of taking a break from caring, how to organise it and who can help. Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally tiring and stressful. Families and carers can easily become isolated from social contacts, particularly if they are unable to leave the person they are caring for. Regular breaks mean that you can have a rest, go out, attend to business or go on a holiday.

Help out

Share some of the responsibilities

Take pressure off the primary carer and offer to help with some of the care tasks or responsibilities

The Dementia Guide by Dementia Australia
Publication Date: 2022
For people living with dementia, their families and carers. The Dementia Guide is an important resource for any person impacted by any form of dementia, of any age. The Guide contains information about the impact dementia may have on a person, the treatment, support and services they may need.
The 4th edition of this guide is now available to read online, download a pdf, listen to an audio version or request a print copy.
Dementia - Support for Family and Friends by Dave Pulsford; Rachel Thompson
Publication Date: 2012
For friends, family members and carers of people with dementia, understanding the condition and coping with the impact it has on their lives can be extremely challenging. This book, written specifically for these groups, explores each stage of the "journey with dementia" and explains not only how it will affect the person with the condition, but also those around them, and how best to offer support and where to get professional and informal assistance. It focuses on the progressive nature of dementia and the issues that can arise as a result, and gives practical advice that can help to ensure the best possible quality of life both for the person with dementia and the people around them.

Invite them out

Invite them out to an outing or event together

Help carers by organising activities you can do together to relax. This might be small – like bringing over a magazine they like to read or making them a cup of tea.

Self care for carers
It’s okay to spend time taking care of yourself. Not only because you’ll be better able to care for your loved one, but just because you’re a person who deserves care.

Taking care of a carer
Information on how to support someone who cares for a person with dementia.
Keeping Love Alive As Memories Fade by Gary Chapman
With guidance from professionals and stories of committed caregivers, you'll learn how others have braved the road ahead, and how you can too. Using the five love languages and other creative ideas, you can discover, like many others, the resilient power of love.

Seek support

Encourage them to seek support if they need it.

You can help a carer find support that works for them by becoming more educated on dementia and the services available.

National Dementia Helpline
Free and confidential, the National Dementia Helpline provides expert information, advice and support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. No issue too big, no question too small.
Support for families and carers
Family members and friends often find themselves in the role of a carer when a loved one is living with dementia. While caring for your loved one can be rewarding, it can also have its tougher days. As you care for someone with dementia, you may not be taking as much care of your own emotional, mental or physical wellbeing. Whether you’re the husband, wife, partner, daughter, son, brother, sister or friend of the person, your relationship will change. Dementia Australia offers support for families and carers so you don’t feel alone.

It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine
Publication Date: 2017
The author poses a new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, "happy" life, replacing it with a middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it.
Also available as audioBook
Boundaries Where You End and I Begin by Anne Katherine
Publication Date: 2010
The coronavirus pandemic has brought new and challenging interpersonal situations into our lives. Have you recently walked away from a conversation feeling uncomfortable or violated? Are you looking for ways to set limits with your spouse, kids, parents, or boss? This essential guide to setting and respecting boundaries is for anyone wanting to better understand themselves and others. Just as a cut in our skin causes pain and injury, a breach of any of our physical, emotional, or sexual boundaries can be very harmful to our bodies and minds. We may need help to heal from past boundary violations, respect the boundaries of those around us, and learn how to set healthy limits for the future, particularly if we have a history of trauma, unhealthy relationships, addiction, or adverse childhood experiences.

Physical health

Help them to look after their physical health

It might be difficult for carers to prioritise their own health as well as the health of the person they care for. Cook them a healthy meal or snack or encourage them to exercise with you.

Health direct - How to start exercising
Everyone should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Moderate-intensity physical activity is an activity that is energetic and raises your heart rate, but doesn't make you too breathless, such as fast walking.
Build up slowly...
more...less...
Some physical activity is better than none, and more is better than a little. But you don’t have to exercise to the point of being in pain to get a health benefit.

If you don’t do any physical activity at all, start by just doing some. You can build up gradually.

It can be a good idea to set short-term and long-term goals. Make your goals specific, measurable and achievable. Rather than a vague goal like 'I will get fit', try 'I will walk every day for 10 minutes after meals' or 'I will get on and off the bus/train 2 stops away from my usual stop'.

Workout to Go A Sample Exercise Routine from the National Institute on Aging
Publication Date: 2016
The 13 exercises in this sample workout can help. In this booklet, you'll find easy-to-follow strength, balance, and flexibility exercises that you can do anytime, anywhere.
Taking Care of Yourself Strategies for Eating Well, Staying Fit, and Living in Balance by Andrew Weil
ISBN: 9781615877508
How do you create a “whole-person” fitness program that you will actually look forward to doing each day? Taking Care of Yourself, this pioneering Harvard-trained physician invites listeners to participate in his first personal, one-on-one audio course. With Dr. Weil at their side, listeners learn his most current and proven cornerstones for creating optimum health – naturally. How do you shop for foods and prepare them for maximum nutrition and pleasure? What are the most effective techniques for tapping the power of your mind to combat stress, lower your blood pressure, improve your digestion, and alleviate many other common disorders? Which vitamins and supplements

Mental health

Support them to maintain good mental health

Support them to maintain good mental health If you notice changes in mood such as sadness and grief, encourage them to seek mental health services, talk to a professional or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

Burnout The Secret to Solving the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski
Publication Date: 2019
With insights from the latest science, prescriptive advice, and helpful worksheets and exercises, Burnout reveals:
* what you can do to complete the biological stress cycle - and return your body to a state of relaxation.
* how to manage the 'monitor' in your brain that regulates the emotion of frustration.
* why rest, human connection, and befriending your inner critic are key to recovering from and preventing burnout.
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Publication Date: 2017
Resilience comes from deep within us and from support outside us. Even after the most devastating events, it is possible to grow by finding deeper meaning and gaining greater appreciation in our lives. Option B illuminates how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces. Many of these lessons can be applied to everyday struggles, allowing us to brave whatever lies ahead. Two weeks after losing her husband, Sheryl was preparing for a father-child activity. "I want Dave," she cried. Her friend replied, "Option A is not available," and then promised to help her make the most of Option B.

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