How Can Aged Care Workers Support Someone Living With Dementia?

Supporting an older person living with dementia requires patience, understanding and an awareness of how the condition can affect everyday life. Activities that once felt familiar may become difficult, communication may change and a person may respond differently to situations around them.

For aged care workers and healthcare support staff, these changes can raise important questions. Why is someone having difficulty following a familiar routine? Why might they become distressed in a situation that previously felt comfortable? How can a worker respond when a person displays behaviour that is difficult to understand?

Developing an understanding of dementia care for support workers helps address these questions. It gives workers a starting point for recognising changes, understanding individual needs and providing appropriate assistance.

Dementia affects people differently, so support should be based on the person's circumstances rather than assumptions about the condition.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of conditions that affect cognitive functioning. It can influence memory, thinking, communication and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

It is not simply a normal part of getting older. People living with dementia may experience changes that affect their independence and the way they interact with others.

The experience can vary from person to person. Some individuals may have difficulty remembering recent information, while others may experience changes in communication, decision making or behaviour.

Understanding what dementia means is important for anyone involved in aged care because it helps workers look beyond a person's immediate response and consider the support they may need.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Dementia?

Recognising changes is an important part of providing appropriate support. However, workers should remember that noticing a symptom does not mean they can diagnose dementia.

An assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional is necessary to investigate concerns and determine their cause.

Some signs associated with dementia may include:

1. Memory Difficulties

A person may have difficulty remembering recent conversations, appointments or everyday information. They may ask the same question more than once or forget something that happened earlier.

2. Changes in Communication

A person may find it harder to follow conversations, find the right words or explain what they need.

This can affect interactions with family members, friends and care workers.

3. Difficulty With Familiar Activities

Tasks that were previously part of a regular routine may become more challenging. A person may need additional assistance or more time to complete certain activities.

4. Changes in Thinking and Understanding

Some individuals may have difficulty processing information, following instructions or making decisions.

Workers should communicate clearly and avoid rushing someone who needs additional time.

5. Changes in Behaviour

A person may respond differently to certain situations or display changes in their usual behaviour. These changes should be considered in context rather than treated as deliberate actions.

Understanding early signs of dementia can help support workers recognise when a change should be communicated to the relevant healthcare professional.

Why Can Dementia Affect Behaviour?

Changes in behaviour can be difficult for family members and support workers to understand.

A person may become restless, withdrawn, distressed or frustrated in certain situations. However, it is important not to assume that the behaviour has no reason.

There may be several factors involved, including difficulty communicating a need, an unfamiliar environment, changes in routine or discomfort.

For example, a person who becomes upset during a daily activity may be experiencing difficulty understanding what is happening. They may need more time, clearer communication or a different approach to the interaction.

Understanding dementia related behaviour means considering what may be happening from the person's perspective.

Instead of immediately focusing on stopping the behaviour, workers should consider the circumstances and follow the person's care plan and workplace procedures.

How Can Support Workers Communicate With Someone Living With Dementia?

Communication plays an important role in daily care. When a person has difficulty processing information or expressing themselves, the way a support worker communicates can influence the interaction.

The following approaches may help create clearer and more comfortable communication.

Use Clear and Simple Language

Avoid giving too much information at once. Short, straightforward sentences can make it easier for a person to understand what is being communicated.

Allow Time for a Response

A person may need additional time to understand a question or find the words to respond. Workers should avoid interrupting or rushing them.

Pay Attention to Non Verbal Communication

Facial expressions, gestures and changes in body language may provide useful information about how someone is feeling.

Avoid Unnecessary Arguments

If a person is confused or distressed, repeatedly correcting them may not help the situation. Workers should remain calm and follow an approach that respects the person's dignity.

Consider the Environment

Noise, unfamiliar surroundings and interruptions may make communication more difficult for some individuals.

Understanding communication techniques for dementia care can help workers make everyday interactions more supportive.

How Can Aged Care Workers Support Daily Activities?

People living with dementia may need different levels of assistance with everyday activities.

Some individuals may continue completing many tasks independently, while others may require additional guidance or physical assistance.

Support workers should refer to the person's care plan and understand their preferences before providing assistance.

Maintaining Familiar Routines

Familiar routines can help provide structure to the day. Workers should understand the person's usual preferences and support arrangements.

Encouraging Participation

Where appropriate, individuals should be encouraged to participate in activities they can still manage. Providing too much assistance when it is not required may reduce opportunities for independence.

Supporting Personal Care

Personal care activities should be approached with respect for privacy, dignity and individual preferences. Workers should explain what they are doing and allow the person time to participate.

Offering Appropriate Assistance

The level of assistance should reflect the person's needs. Workers should not assume that a person cannot complete an activity simply because they are living with dementia.

Person centred dementia care means recognising the individual rather than focusing only on the condition.

What Should Workers Do When a Person Displays Difficult Behaviour?

A change in behaviour may create a challenging situation for the person receiving support and the worker providing it.

The first consideration should be understanding the situation and following the relevant care plan and workplace procedures.

Workers should remain calm, avoid unnecessary confrontation and consider whether something in the environment or interaction may be contributing to the person's response.

For example, a person may become distressed when several instructions are given quickly. A worker may need to slow down the interaction and communicate one step at a time.

If the behaviour presents an immediate safety concern, workers should follow the organisation's escalation and emergency procedures.

It is also important to communicate relevant changes to the appropriate team members. Support workers should not independently diagnose the cause of a behavioural change or make decisions outside their responsibilities.

Managing difficult behaviour in dementia care requires an understanding of the individual, careful observation and appropriate professional guidance.

Why Is Individualised Care Important?

No two people experience dementia in exactly the same way. Their communication preferences, daily routines, abilities and support requirements may differ.

A care approach that works well for one individual may not be appropriate for another.

For example, one person may respond positively to familiar conversations, while another may prefer a quieter environment. Some individuals may need verbal reminders, while others may benefit from a different form of assistance.

This is why individualised dementia care is important.

Workers should understand the person's care plan, respect their preferences and communicate relevant changes to the appropriate members of the care team.

The aim is to provide assistance that reflects the person's needs while maintaining dignity and encouraging participation wherever possible.

Learn Dementia Care Through eFutureSkills

eFutureSkills offers an online course titled Understanding Dementia for people working in healthcare and support settings.

The course provides an overview of dementia, including its meaning, signs and symptoms, possible causes and the ways it can affect behaviour.

The course modules cover:

1. The meaning of dementia.

2. Common signs and symptoms.

3. What to do when symptoms are noticed in an older person.

4. How healthcare support workers can care for older people living with dementia.

5. Providing care for elderly patients with dementia.

6. Responding to difficult behaviour.

The course is suitable for healthcare professionals, aged care support workers, disability support workers, practice nurses and allied health professionals.

It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. The training is self paced and includes interactive 3D Touch learning elements. Learners complete a short quiz to receive a certificate of completion. The course also counts towards Continuing Professional Development points.

To learn more, visit Understanding Dementia at eFutureSkills.

Conclusion

Supporting someone living with dementia requires an understanding of how changes in memory, communication, thinking and behaviour can affect everyday activities.

Aged care workers need to recognise individual needs, communicate clearly, respect personal preferences and follow the person's care plan. When a change or concern arises, they should report relevant information and seek appropriate professional guidance.

Learning about dementia care in aged care can help workers better understand the situations they may encounter during daily support.

The eFutureSkills Understanding Dementia course provides a focused introduction to the condition, its symptoms and the support considerations relevant to healthcare and aged care workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is Dementia in Aged Care?

Dementia is a term for a group of conditions that affect cognitive functioning, including memory, thinking and communication. In aged care, workers may support people whose daily activities are affected by these changes.

2. What Are Common Signs of Dementia?

Common signs may include memory difficulties, communication changes, difficulty with familiar activities and changes in thinking or behaviour. A healthcare professional is required to assess and investigate these symptoms.

3. How Should Support Workers Communicate With Someone Living With Dementia?

Workers can use clear language, allow time for responses, pay attention to non verbal communication and avoid rushing the person.

4. Why Can a Person With Dementia Display Difficult Behaviour?

Changes in behaviour may be associated with communication difficulties, confusion, environmental factors or other circumstances. Workers should consider the situation and follow the person's care plan.

5. How Can Aged Care Workers Support Independence?

Workers can encourage participation in activities the person can manage, respect their preferences and provide assistance according to their individual needs.

6. Is Dementia a Normal Part of Ageing?

No. Dementia is not simply a normal part of getting older. It involves conditions that affect cognitive functioning and should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

7. Who Should Take an Understanding Dementia Course?

The eFutureSkills course is suitable for healthcare professionals, aged care support workers, disability support workers, practice nurses and allied health professionals.

8. How Long Does the eFutureSkills Understanding Dementia Course Take?

The course takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

9. Does the Course Include an Assessment?

Yes. Learners complete a short quiz at the end of the course to receive a certificate of completion.