Dementia care at home combines daily help, a safer and familiar home, routine and carer support. It may help someone remain at home while that remains safe and workable. Dementia changes over time, so support needs may change too. This guide focuses on dementia-specific home safety, routines, respite and questions to ask providers. It is general information, not medical advice or an individual assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Home support can combine daily living help, personal care, a safer home and a steady routine.
- A My Aged Care assessment determines the approved services and support plan.
- From 1 October 2026, approved personal care under Support at Home has no out-of-pocket cost for that service type.
- The National Dementia Helpline is available 24/7 on 1800 100 500; Carer Gateway provides respite information on 1800 422 737.
Updated 30 October 2026. Editorial ownership: TIMELY HEALTH ASSIST (learn about our team). Confirm current program settings and service arrangements with My Aged Care, Dementia Australia or Carer Gateway.
What dementia care at home can involve
Care at home combines several kinds of support, and the balance shifts as the condition progresses.
Daily living support can include meals, household tasks, shopping, laundry and transport to appointments. Personal care may involve assistance with showering, dressing and grooming. Companionship and supervision can mean encouraging activities the person enjoys and reducing the risk of them becoming disoriented alone.
Support what the person can still do rather than taking over every task. The Healthdirect guide to caring at home describes this as encouraging independence with a familiar routine, safe activities and friendly company. Break a task such as preparing a meal into smaller steps. That can help someone keep doing it for longer.
Everyday support is different from clinical care. Decisions about diagnosis, medication, changed behaviour or a decline sit with the person’s doctor or nursing team. Support workers can follow a plan and report changes, but they do not replace clinical advice. For the broader service pathway, see our guide to home care services for older people in Adelaide.
How funded dementia support works
My Aged Care is the entry point for government-funded aged care. An assessment determines eligibility and what level of support may be funded. You can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online.
Because dementia can fluctuate, the assessment conversation matters. A person may present well on the day while still needing significant overnight or personal care. As practical preparation, write down specific recent examples: what happened, how often, and what help was needed. Note night-time waking, confusion, wandering, resistance to personal care, missed meals and the hours a family carer provides. These notes are not an official checklist; they help you describe patterns clearly.
Once a plan is approved, the services and any contributions are set out in the support plan. You can ask to adjust the mix within your approved plan, or request a reassessment if needs change. Before adding a service or item, check what Support at Home funding includes and excludes.
Personal care is fully funded from 1 October 2026
Under Support at Home, the Australian Government fully funds approved personal care services from 1 October 2026. There is no out-of-pocket cost for that service type when personal care is in the support plan.
Contributions can still apply to some other everyday services, depending on the person’s assessed circumstances and income. These rules can change, so confirm current contributions with My Aged Care or Services Australia. For the wider assessment process, see our aged care assessment and home-support guide.
Make the home easier to understand and use
A dementia-friendly home is arranged so the person can move around safely and make sense of their surroundings. Dementia Australia’s At Home with Dementia describes it as a safe home that also supports independence, comfort and wellbeing. Start with the difficulties you observe rather than applying every suggestion at once.
Lighting and contrast. Good, even lighting reduces shadows that can be misread. Highlight changes in floor level. Use contrasting colours for a toilet seat, handrails or step edges.
Living areas. Keep walkways clear and remove loose rugs, clutter and trailing cords. Keep frequently used items in the same place. Familiar photos can help with orientation.
Kitchen and dining. Label cupboards and drawers with words or pictures. Contrasting plates and cups can make food easier to see, and keeping related items together can simplify a task.
Bathroom. Slip-resistant flooring, handrails, a step-free shower and a contrasting toilet seat support safer use.
Bedroom and night-time. Keep a clear path to the bathroom and use night lights. A large clock showing the day and date, and a whiteboard or simple planner, can support orientation.
Dementia Australia’s At Home with Dementia is a free service. An occupational therapist contacts the family by phone, email or video. They review what is working, suggest practical changes and provide a personalised plan. They follow up around eight to twelve weeks later. The service is available across Australia. It does not provide in-home assessments for major home modifications, or NDIS or My Aged Care occupational therapy assessments. To start, contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Routines, night-time and changing needs
A consistent pattern for waking, meals and bedtime supports orientation. Healthdirect advises keeping the same daily routine and a familiar home to help reduce confusion and distress. Supervise more closely when wandering or leaving is more likely, especially late in the day or in unfamiliar places. If sleep is disrupted, keep the same bedtime routine, limit long naps during the day, and reassure the person calmly.
Changes in behaviour are part of dementia, not deliberate. If behaviour changes suddenly or you are concerned about a decline, speak with the person’s treating doctor. For a serious, urgent medical emergency, call triple zero (000). For other urgent concerns, seek urgent medical advice or go to the nearest emergency department. Examples include a sudden change in behaviour, an injury or a situation that feels unsafe.
Respite and support for the carer
Caring for someone with dementia can affect a carer’s emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, as My Aged Care explains. Respite is when someone else takes over care for a period so the carer can rest. Dementia Australia’s respite guidance describes options from a few hours to several days: in-home respite, day-centre activities and temporary residential stays.
Government-subsidised respite can include day and overnight respite and short residential stays. Availability and eligibility vary, so ask what is offered locally. It can help to discuss options and make an emergency care plan before an emergency. Starting with a shorter break can also help the first experience go more smoothly. For how in-home shifts are planned and what a worker does during one, see our guide to in-home respite care for carers.
Practical support contacts:
- National Dementia Helpline (Dementia Australia): 1800 100 500, free and confidential, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
- Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm for general enquiries. For emergency respite, Carer Gateway says you can call at any time; help depends on a suitable local service being available.
- My Aged Care: 1800 200 422, for assessments and program information.
- Healthdirect helpline: 1800 022 222, for a registered nurse, 24 hours a day.
Questions to ask a dementia care provider in Adelaide
When comparing dementia care providers, ask how they train workers and communicate with families. These questions can help you assess the fit for the person’s needs.
| Check | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Worker consistency | Will the same small group of workers attend, so the person sees familiar faces? |
| Dementia-specific training | What training and supervision do workers receive for cognitive support and changed behaviour? |
| Communication | How are daily observations, mood changes or missed meals recorded and shared? |
| Plan and preferences | How is the care plan built around the person’s history, routines and preferences? |
| Flexibility | What happens if needs change or a scheduled worker is unavailable? |
| Costs | What are the rates, fees and any contributions, set out in writing? |
| Concerns | How do I raise a concern or request a different worker? |
A provider directory listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of suitability. Use My Aged Care’s provider finder or the relevant official register to check current approval or registration and service scope, then confirm directly with the provider.
What to confirm with THA
TIMELY HEALTH ASSIST (THA) publishes this guide to help Adelaide families understand how dementia care at home is arranged. This article does not claim that THA operates residential memory support units, provides clinical dementia treatment, or guarantees particular staffing, availability or fees.
For information about THA’s current services, review our services hub. You can also contact the team to discuss your family’s circumstances and confirm current service scope.
Frequently asked questions
Can a person with dementia stay at home?
Often, yes, at least for a period. It depends on the person’s needs, the support available, home safety and the carer’s capacity. This guide cannot assess an individual situation; discuss changing needs with the person’s treating health team and My Aged Care.
How can I arrange respite care in Adelaide?
Start with Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for planned and emergency respite information, or My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 if the person has an aged care assessment. Options include in-home respite, a day program and a short residential stay, depending on local availability.
A practical next step
Write down the changes you have noticed and the help the person currently needs. Then contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to ask about an assessment. In the meantime, make one or two practical safety changes at home, and look after the carer too. Explore our aged care guides for further information.
Need Healthcare or Disability Support in Adelaide?
Contact TIMELY HEALTH ASSIST to confirm current service scope, enquiry details and whether the support or staffing request fits our current offering.