OTHER DISORDERS

Dementia Care That Goes Beyond the Diagnosis

Understanding Dementia | How We Can Help | Our Services | Clinicians | Seeking Help | For Professionals & Referrals | Resources

🧠 Understanding Dementia

What Dementia Really Is

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions that result in a decline in brain function due to physical changes in the brain.

These changes affect memory, language, reasoning, and daily functioning.

The two most common types are:

• Alzheimer’s disease, associated with abnormal protein build-up and nerve cell loss.

• Vascular dementia, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following strokes or vascular damage.

Only Applicable for Old People?

In the past, dementia was often misunderstood as something that happened only to “old people who had taken leave of their minds.” Others thought it was synonymous with Alzheimer’s disease.

To address these misconceptions, the medical community introduced the term Major Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD).

This shift emphasises that dementia:

• Can have different causes and presentations,

• May affect adults at varying ages, and

• Reflects a spectrum of significant cognitive impairments, not a single disease.

Recognising dementia as a major neurocognitive disorder helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help early.

How Is Dementia Diagnosed?

There is no single test for dementia. Diagnosis is a clinical process that combines information from several sources, including:

• Medical history and reports of change over time

• Brain imaging scans (CT, MRI, or PET)

• Blood tests to rule out other causes

• Neuropsychological assessments of thinking, behaviour, and daily function

A skilled clinician can make a diagnosis with a high level of confidence, but determining the exact type of dementia can be more complex, as many forms share overlapping symptoms.

In some cases, referral to a neurologist or neuropsychologist is recommended for further evaluation.

In short: Dementia is diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical assessment — not one single symptom or laboratory test.

💞 How We Can Help

We bridge the gap between public services and long-term psychological care.

Our dementia support is designed for both patients and caregivers, offering holistic, personalised, and continuous care from the same therapist.

Our Approach: Person-Centred Care

We practice person-centred care, which means viewing each individual as more than their condition.

We understand that behaviours are often a form of communication — an attempt to express needs, discomfort, or emotions.

Key principles of person-centred care:

• Every individual has unique values, preferences, and dignity that remain even as cognitive abilities change.

• Care should focus on understanding the person, not just managing symptoms.

Benefits of this approach:

• Reduces helplessness and depression in people living with dementia

• Gives caregivers confidence and clarity in providing meaningful support

• Improves job satisfaction and reduces burnout among professionals delivering care

Supporting caregivers is vital. When they feel understood and equipped, everyone benefits.

If you’re noticing changes in yourself or a loved one, our clinicians can help you understand what’s happening and plan the next steps together.

🧩 Our Services

👩‍⚕️ Our Dementia Care Clinicians

📋 Just Aging, or Dementia?

This short quiz helps you understand how dementia may be affecting day-to-day functioning such as managing meals, personal care, communication, and memory.

At the end, you’ll receive a simple summary to guide your next steps.

Take our Dementia Risk Questionnaire to gain a clearer sense of daily functioning changes and when to seek support.

🤝 When to Seek Help

If you or someone you love is starting to experience confusion, forgetfulness, or difficulty managing daily tasks, it may be time to seek professional advice. Early assessment allows for better planning, emotional adjustment, and quality of life.

Don’t wait for things to get difficult. Early awareness helps you take control of the journey ahead.

Our therapists can help you:

• Understand what changes to expect

• Learn practical strategies for care

• Rebuild emotional connection and communication

• Plan ahead for sustained wellbeing

🩺 For Professionals & Referrals

We work closely with medical, allied health, and community professionals to provide psychological and social support beyond the clinical setting.

Our team welcomes referrals for:

• Post-diagnosis emotional adjustment

• Ongoing therapy for dementia-related care

• Caregiver resilience and wellbeing support

Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities or referral arrangements.

📞 Have Questions?

If you have questions about dementia, caring for a loved one, or our services, our team is here to help. Reach out and let us help guide you through your next steps.

If you’re uncertain about symptoms or whether an assessment is needed, consider booking a consultation with our clinician for a personalised discussion.