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Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People and Families Grief and Loss among Staff Inclusive Communication for Older People with Disability Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for NursesPalliAGED Introduction Modules Introduction Modules ManualTraining and Education palliAGED ProductsPractice Tip Sheets for CareworkersDeveloping the Workforce Supporting Change Service Solutions Download Resources Order Free ResourcesAdvance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses PalliAGED Introduction Modules Forms Resources for Families Aged Care Journeys in Palliative Care PalliAGEDnurse App Education Videos for Aged Care Workers
Tips for Careworkers:
Advanced Dementia
What it is: Dementia is a group of diseases affecting the brain. Over time the person loses everyday skills.
Why it matters: There is no cure for dementia. It is a life-limiting illness. Palliative care is needed with advanced dementia. The focus is on quality of life. When a person with dementia enters a care facility, they often have advanced dementia.
Careworkers can take an active role in supporting the person with dementia to express their wishes and report any changes in the person’s condition. Getting to know the person well will assist in providing care.
People with dementia often have other diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, and chest disease. Frailty and pain are common. They may need palliative care before they reach an advanced stage of dementia.
What I need to know: Dementia is most common in people over 65 years of age, but not all old people have dementia. Dementia can affect younger people.
A person with dementia may experience loss of:
- memory
- good sense and judgement
- ability to talk
- social skills
- physical functioning.
As dementia advances people have difficulty with:
- going to the toilet, washing, eating and drinking, walking
- making decisions
- being able to remember recent events
- thinking things through.
At all stages, the person with dementia still has their own likes and dislikes. Remember that even if a person with dementia is unable to speak, they may still sense the presence of loved ones and experience fear and loss.
It can be difficult to know when a person with dementia is approaching the end of their life.
Do
Check for signs of deterioration such as changes in:
- level of pain
- alertness
- care needs
- behaviour e.g. agitation and distress
- oral intake
- sense of comfort or discomfort.
Report changes to nursing/supervisory staff.
My reflections:
What other diseases might a person with dementia have?’
What tasks might a person with dementia have difficulty with? How can I help?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated July 2022
Page updated 3 August 2026