Hold on to your sanity: Navigating the health care system as a carer

Nick’s in a pretty unique position as a carer.  

“I can’t fix the problem with my mum but as an engineer, I can problem-solve. I can advocate for her and give her a voice when she can’t navigate the system,” Nick said. 

As an engineer, Nick’s used to untangling complex systems. He’s about as tech-savvy as they come but even he found it frustrating trying to access support for his mum, who’s living with Alzheimer’s disease.    

Dementia Australia Executive Director Services, Advocacy and Research Dr Kaele Stokes sees the system from another angle, and offers tips for new carers who don’t know where to start.  

If you’d like to access counselling services, you can visit the counselling section on Dementia Australia’s website or the CarerGateway. 

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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.  

For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.   

Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website. 

Production by Liam Riordan and sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman. 

Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.