"I'm not going anywhere, love." Iris is 79, still hosting her Thursday card games in Ballarat, still attached to her home of forty years. Her daughter Cassie, 57, is still letting the geriatrician's word settle: dementia, early stage.

Cassie's story is an illustrative scenario, created to show how Support at Home works in practice. It is not a real client testimonial.

Many people with early-stage dementia live well at home for a long time with the right supports. This is general information, not medical advice; your mum's GP and specialists guide the clinical side.

Routine and familiar faces matter

In early dementia, predictability is a support in itself: the same worker arriving on the same mornings, the same order to the day, the shopping done the way it's always been done. Self-managed Support at Home lets Iris and her family choose her workers and keep the same faces.

Build supports gradually, with your mum leading

A diagnosis isn't a reason to install maximum support overnight; that can undermine the independence you're protecting. Start with what helps now (perhaps cleaning, meals or transport), keep what Iris enjoys doing herself, and add services as needs change. Support at Home funds everyday living supports, independence supports, and clinical supports such as nursing and allied health, which are fully government funded. If needs grow, a reassessment through My Aged Care (1800 200 422) can adjust her classification.

Plan ahead while Mum can take part

The kindest time to plan is now, while Iris can lead the decisions:

  • Talk about her preferences: who she'd want helping, what matters most about home.
  • Ask My Aged Care about registered supporter arrangements under the new Act, so a trusted person can act with her.
  • Loop in the GP early and often: reviews, referrals and a care team that knows her.
  • Call Dementia Australia on 1800 100 500 for free information, counselling and family support.

Self-managed home care suits the early stages of dementia well, with the right supports around it. It isn't a promise that nothing will change. Build the plan for today, review it often, and let the GP and family adjust as things change. Planning ahead is not giving up; it's how Iris keeps her say.

Where the family fits

Iris chooses her workers; Cassie gets her own login and a live view of the budget; Partner with Care handles claiming and compliance, with two named contacts and same-day response. See our for families page, or talk to us.

This article is general information only and not medical advice. Please speak with your parent's GP about their individual circumstances.