Can someone with dementia continue living at home?
Many people with dementia remain at home for a long time with the right mix of family, community and formal support.
Key points
- Many people with dementia remain at home for a long time with the right mix of family, community and formal support.
- The older person's choices and decision-making rights remain central.
- Small, respectful steps often work better than forcing a complete care arrangement.
Many people with dementia remain at home for a long time with the right mix of family, community and formal support.
The decision should consider wandering, falls, medication, nutrition, overnight needs, carer wellbeing and the person's wishes.
Living at home may remain workable when risks can be reduced and carers are sustainable. Reassess when wandering, overnight risk, repeated emergencies, unsafe medication or severe carer exhaustion cannot be managed reliably.
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01Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Choose one practical concern and discuss it without labelling the person as incapable.
Involve a trusted GP, family member or advocate where this may help.
Document formal representative or decision-making authority only where it is actually required.
02Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
03Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Check representative and rights information. Aged care rules, funding amounts and program guidance can change, so check the current official information before making an important care or financial decision.
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