Supporting Someone with Dementia at Home in Perth

If someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, and you want to help them keep living well in their own home, this guide is for you. It explains, in plain English, what non-clinical support at home can look like in Perth — the everyday company, routine and practical help that make a real difference — and how it fits alongside the medical and nursing care a person with dementia may also need.

First, where I fit: I'm Samuel, an independent support worker. I provide non-clinical support and companionship — I'm not a nurse, and I don't provide clinical dementia care, medication management or personal care. This guide covers the whole picture so you can see how the pieces fit, and points you to the right specialist help too.

What "non-clinical dementia support at home" actually means

A lot of what helps a person living with dementia day to day isn't medical at all — it's familiarity, routine, patience and company. That's the part a good support worker can help with:

• Companionship and conversation — a calm, familiar face; someone to share a cup of tea, a walk, or a favourite activity with.
• Keeping to a gentle routine — predictable rhythms to the day are reassuring and reduce confusion and anxiety.
• Meaningful activities — music, photo albums, gardening, a familiar hobby — the things that still bring joy and connection.
• Getting out safely — a supported walk, a drive, a visit to a familiar place, keeping the person connected to their community.
• Light everyday help — a hand with meals, shopping and around the home, at a pace that suits them.
• Respite for you — a few reliable hours so family carers can rest, knowing someone kind and dependable is there.

What non-clinical support does NOT cover

It's just as important to be clear about what needs a qualified professional. A support worker like me does not provide:

• Nursing or medical care, wound care, or managing medications.
• Personal care such as bathing, toileting or dressing.
• Clinical dementia care, behaviour therapy, or diagnosis.

Those are specific services for suitably qualified providers — registered nurses, GPs, occupational therapists, and specialist dementia and aged-care providers. Many families combine non-clinical companionship and everyday support (like mine) with clinical care from a specialist provider. For clinical questions and free expert advice, the National Dementia Helpline (Dementia Australia) is available 24/7 on 1800 100 500.

Why familiarity and consistency matter so much

For a person living with dementia, a rotating roster of unfamiliar faces can be confusing and distressing. Seeing the same, familiar support worker each visit — someone who knows their story, their preferences, and the little things that settle them — builds trust and calm. This is one of the biggest advantages of an independent support worker over a large agency: continuity. The relationship, and the sense of safety it brings, is a big part of what actually helps.

Practical things that help at home

• Keep routines steady — regular times for meals, walks and rest.
• Reduce clutter and noise — a calm, uncluttered space is easier to navigate.
• Use familiar cues — photos, favourite music, familiar objects.
• Go at their pace — allow plenty of time, and follow the person's lead rather than correcting or arguing.
• Focus on connection, not the task — a shared moment matters more than a perfectly finished job.

This is general information, not medical advice. Every person's dementia is different — the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) and the person's GP can give guidance tailored to your situation.

How it can be funded

How support at home is paid for depends on the person's age and situation:

• Older adults (65+) can often access subsidised help through the government's aged-care system — the new Support at Home program — starting with an assessment via My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. If the funding is self-managed, families can often choose their own worker.
• Younger people with dementia (under 65) may be eligible for the NDIS. If the plan is self- or plan-managed, you can usually choose an independent support worker.
• Privately funded — you can arrange companionship and everyday support directly at any time, with no waitlist.

For more on the aged-care side, see our guide to elderly care at home in Perth, and our page on in-home support for older adults.

Looking after the carer, too

Caring for someone with dementia is one of the hardest, most tiring jobs there is — and carer burnout is real. Regular respite support isn't a luxury; it's what makes caring sustainable. Even a few reliable hours a week — knowing your person is safe, happy and in good company — can protect your own health and let you keep giving the care you want to give.

How to get started

1. Talk to the person's GP and call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for tailored, expert guidance.
2. For subsidised support, start an assessment with My Aged Care (1800 200 422), or explore the NDIS if the person is under 65.
3. For companionship and everyday support, you can arrange that privately at any time. Feel free to get in touch for a friendly, no-pressure chat about what would help.