Balancing Work and Dementia: A Guide for Individuals and Carers

Dementia diagnosis does not have to mark the end of your working life. Most people can keep working, particularly in the early stages, and devise ways of coping with purpose and routine that are helpful. With adequate support, tact on the part of the employer, and suitable equipment, it may be possible to keep working and living with dementia.

This guide offers practical advice, lists applicable technology, and calls upon the use of support services to enable carers and people with employment who live with dementia.

Understanding Dementia in the Workplace

Dementia affects the manner in which the brain works, i.e., such things as memory, attention, language, and decision-making. It is at work where any type of symptoms pose a challenge in undertaking daily duties. An individual having dementia might not be able to learn or keep things in order regularly. They get perplexed in crowded areas or struggle to maintain conversation in meetings.

Some of the common work difficulties might be:

• Struggling to recall things to do or requiring reminders all the time
• Missing appointments, emails, or papers
• Behaving like they have lost focus on something or are switching tasks.
• To others, it is really difficult to follow instructions in complex matters or learning to operate new technology.

It is quite irritating when the chats do not run smoothly. And when there is an individual who is struggling to communicate, then it can be hard to relate.

There might be challenges in life that will be gradual, and the impacts might be experienced differently among people. Everyone is a different person, and what may help one will not help the other.

It can be beneficial to take charge of your life. It is possible to experiment with new methods, search for people who can stimulate you, and adopt them. In this manner, you will be prepared to more easily overcome challenges as well as make sound decisions.

Types of Supportive Tools That Can Help

Technology can be a good assist to help workers with dementia keep working safely, comfortably, and with greater confidence. The technology will assist with memory, organisation, attention, and communication skills that will become challenging as the dementia worsens. Some that can be added to the workplace are:

• Digital Calendars and Reminders

Planning makes things easier. You know what is coming and can get stuff done without stress.

• Virtual Assistants

Life gets simpler when things run smoothly. You can focus on the important stuff and enjoy your time. Forget typing and reading to learn about meeting times, projects, or the weather. Good systems can help. They simplify things and reduce hassle.

• Noise-reducing Headphones

A peaceful spot can work wonders. This gadget's a big help, letting your family member chill out and get stuff done without distractions.

• Location Tracking Devices

Let's face it, getting lost can be a real worry for people with dementia. That's where GPS wearables come in. They are like a safety net that helps keep them on track and connected to loved ones.

• User-Friendly Communication Tools

Written and verbal communication offer long-term writing message assistance. A simple email program with predictive typing, a visual interface, or text-to-speech reduces work in writing messages. Voice notes are also allowed on some platforms, which may be more convenient than writing.

Used in a kind and understanding way, these technologies can facilitate independence and self-worth. We can provide carers and family members with the most appropriate assistive technologies for their requirements. They can also help in accessing these devices and provide support for the utilisation of these devices. This support can help improve people with dementia at work and at home.

Innovative Tools for Dementia Assistance

It does not take much to help a person stay independent and be part of the process, as most fixes can be very basic. This will not only make their lives more comfortable but will also make others living around them have an easy time.  This is how it helps:

Increase Retention 

Forgetting is normal with dementia, and recalling appointments, tasks, or directions might be difficult. Every day life is assisted by practical help in the form of electronic calendars, lists, and resourceful reminders. This equipment serves as a personal assistant, helping individuals stay organised and remember important events. It reduces mental load and keeps them informed and up-to-date.

Improve Communication

It can also become more difficult to have ideas or remember directions as dementia advances. Support communication aids like text prediction, voice typing, and low-message programs to enable people to communicate more concisely and understandably. Visual notices and speech-to-text translation are provided in some systems to decrease misunderstandings and support communication with others.

Ensure Safety

GPS tracking systems and personal alarms can prove to be a lifesaving safety measure for individuals with dementia. These systems provide peace of mind to carers and families when individuals are outdoors. They can be particularly useful for those who travel to work or work outside their home area. They reassure the individual and their carers.

Boost Confidence

Working hard in the workplace will most likely have an effect on confidence. If one is capable of doing things on one's own, be independent, and also communicate as well through technology, it will restore confidence and drive away fear. This allows them to stay committed to their career for quite a long time.

For Employers

Utilisation of the right tools in the workplace can be a game-changer. It allows retaining good employees, ensures everyone feels involved, and provides a working environment in which people can perform. We empower employers with useful information on how to support workers who have dementia, i.e., training and care, to enable the workplace to be more inclusive.

How to Manage Work Effectively After a Dementia Diagnosis 

You can work despite dementia, as long as there are compensation strategies. These useful tips allow one to remain independent, reduce stress, and gain confidence in the course of a normal working cycle:

Create Routines

Every day can provide a person with dementia with familiarity and a feeling of security. Doing things at the same time daily, he or she will be able to establish routines and reduce forgetfulness, staying on track. Having a written or electronic calendar visible will be a reminder each day.

Use Visual Aids

Plain notices, colored labels, and pictures attached to drawers, files, or rooms could become a useful memory aid to prompt you to recall where things are. Visual cues in busy locations might be useful, guiding individuals step by step through tasks without resorting to memory. This could be especially useful for individuals with dementia.

Break Tasks into Steps

Major tasks can be overwhelming. They are less so when broken down into smaller, step-by-step tasks that you can do one at a time. Lists or tasking software can be extremely useful to keep you on track.

Seek Feedback

There must be continuous contact with a manager or supervisor. Regular check-ins allow discussion of what is working and what is not, and open doors to good decision-making. Open communication can generate empathy and backing from other people.

Need Support?

We provide help to contact services like work support coordinators, care workers, or home aids. They can help you search to see if you might be eligible for NDIS or other services in your situation.

Navigating Career Transitions with Dementia

The diagnosis of dementia does not necessarily imply the end of your working life; it may only mean the redefinition of it. Most people will be forced to stick to their positions, but others will have to consider another opportunity to work, which suits their requirements. Instead of coming to grips with this being a loss, it can be considered a new beginning in a full of sense, and a versatile condition with dignity.

When to Consider a Career Shift

When dementia advances, the mental or physical requirements of your present occupation can become challenging. You can start experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed, or not having the capacity to perform as expected--even when support and adjustments are on board. There are a few things that may serve as indicators that it is time to rethink your role, whether that involves moving up or down:

• You feel persistently stressed or fatigued, even with accommodations.
• Your job involves complex decision-making, safety risks, or fast-paced tasks that now feel unmanageable.
• Your memory, focus, or energy levels have noticeably declined.

Here, backing up (or laterally) does not amount to backing off on purpose. A job swap can reduce stress, increase happiness and create an opportunity to find new ways of fruitful employment.

Flexible Work Options

Work does not need to be a non-job or a job. You could stick to your productivity and engagement by maintaining a level of flexibility that decreases stress. These include:

1. Part-time employment: Allows a less heavy workplace still with structure and interaction.
2. Teleworking: Eliminates commuter needs and gives a level of comfort and convenience.
3. Project-based: A short-term work or freelance work can also be done because you have a break in between assignments.
4. Volunteering: An excellent alternative when the provision of paid employment becomes too difficult. It provides structure, meaning and the opportunity to contribute.

These alternatives will keep you engaged, but under conditions that are favourable to your health.

Exploring New Skills and Interests

It could be a period during which you now have the time to indulge in interests that you never thought of pursuing. Creativity, such as writing, painting and music, can be therapeutic and satisfying work. You may like coaching younger professionals, tutoring, and even having a small business at home.

The vocational rehabilitation programs and those career coaches specialising in cognitive impairment problems will assist you in examining your abilities as well as identifying new positions which will suit both your capabilities and your objectives.

Communicating the Transition

When you want to move on and get out of your existing job, then communication with colleagues and employers is important. You do not have to reveal all the details, just concentrate on what is connected to the possible job and your choice.

• Be honest but concise. Focus on your decision to change, not the diagnosis itself (unless you’re comfortable).
• Set clear boundaries around what you want to share.
• Quitting a job or a profession is emotional. Give yourself time and don’t beat yourself up in this process; it is natural to feel uncertain at some points.

Support for Career Transition

The bottom line is, you are not supposed to do this trek alone. 

We can help you:

• Reach out to career advisers who know about dementia.
• Obtain supported employment services to find flexible/part-time job opportunities.
• Get access to programs that involve volunteering according to your interests.
• Get emotional and psychological help to go through identity change and professional transition.

It is not giving up on switching. It entails adjusting with respect, grace, and purpose to a different stage in life when you can continue to add value, relate and develop.

Legal Rights and Workplace Adjustments

• Disclosure and Privacy

No Australian with dementia is required by law to notify their employer of a diagnosis unless it impacts their safety or performance at work. Sharing it voluntarily, however, will create a good tone for further support and comprehension at work. It will enable employers to make suitable changes in the best interest of your health as well as address needs at work.

It's also important to mention that all personal information given should be kept confidential and used in a manner to facilitate your employment.

• Workplace Accommodation

Australian employers need to make provisions under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to provide for employees with disabilities, including dementia. These provisions help in providing equal access to opportunities for work and reducing disruption to output while reducing stress levels.

Examples of workplace accommodations are:

• Flexible Work Hours

Synchronised start or end times to synchronise with when the concentration and thinking abilities are best, or create time for meetings and resting.

• Altered Tasks

Certain tasks are remade or rescheduled to suit available capacities, particularly where some of the duties have turned problematic or risky.

Modify lighting, sound dampening, or re-arrangement of the structure of a work area so that it is more accessible to work and move through. 

• Assistive Technology

Supply or subsidise access to reminder packages, screen reading technology, or sound reduction devices to make it easier for employees to be able to meet work demands.

In terms of seeking guidance from the employee in terms of reasonable adjustments, employers must consider. If you need help with the process, negotiating, Support Network can take you through to agencies who will advocate on your behalf and campaign for your rights at work and home.

Practical Advice for Carers and Families

Care of an employee with dementia needs proper management, planning, and coordination. This is how carers and families can make it easy:

Open Communication

Having an open and honest talk with your beloved about their work issues can actually help decrease stress. Listening to them and asking questions about their situation, you can co-create daily solutions that yield results.

Work Together with Employers

You can be a rock for your loved one by talking to their employer. See what's needed for them to do well. Figure out how you can help, and that can make things better.

Track Health

Being there for folks can give you a sense of what's on their mind. Showing support can bring a lot of comfort.

Find Out About Support Services

You don't need to battle on your own. Organisations we match families with expert carers, consultants, and adapted services that assist those with dementia in daily life, such as those who continue working. From home care to emotional support, having them to call on can be a lifesaver for managing the house and the job.

Knowing, staying connected, and acting early can allow the individual and team to make positive, informed decisions.

Support in Australia

There are several supports available in Australia for individuals with dementia who wish to work and continue working. Such supports can promote independence, enable safety, and permit ongoing work where this is feasible:

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): The NDIS is also able to cover such items as work adjustments, assistive technology, work coach services, or transport to and from work. Established NDIS will support people with early-onset dementia (below 65 years old) and keep them working longer.

• Dementia Australia: This is the national peak body that offers information, education and a telephone helpline to carers and people with dementia.  They provide work programs, living with dementia, and legal rights programs, as well as emotional support through peer groups and counselling.

• Support Network: We unite people with dementia with professional expert care services that fit their unique needs. This takes the load of work and health issues off their shoulders so that they can focus on their health.

Early access to assistance empowers them to make good choices. It also allows them to stay in control and carry out well-intentioned work for extended durations.

Conclusion

With the proper attitude and support, people with dementia can stay employed after diagnosis. Simple decisions like using technological assistance, being open and honest, and having the proper support make a big difference and allow them to stay in the workplace and live independently. Carers and families are a significant contributor towards this, through encouragement and support during the process.

If you or your loved one is balancing work with dementia, don’t go it alone. Contact Support Network today to find tailored care services and workplace assistance that fit your life.