It is important that health professionals know the person you support has dementia, as dementia can impact on management of other aspects of health (see the section of this website, Managing changes ). However, some health professionals may not have much experience or knowledge about dementia, and you or the person with dementia might need to be assertive and educate them about how to best support you.
Being assertive is a style of communication that is direct, honest and respectful. It is clearly communicating your needs, or the needs of the person with dementia, in order that your needs will be better met and the professional delivering the service can do their job well.
Be assertive and involved in management decisions
Professionals sometimes assume that people with a diagnosis of dementia are not competent, nor do they know how to support people with dementia to make decisions about their own life and care.
They may expect the carer to make all decision on the person’s behalf. They may also make assumptions about what is best for the person. They might talk too fast, or not give enough time to take in information so the person can make decisions about the sort of care they want.
If you feel that this is happening, you may need to be an advocate for the person you support. Advocacy simply means that the person gets the information or resources they need, in a manner that is understandable for them, their rights are protected, they are not discriminated against, and they are treated with respect.
You may need to be assertive in asking questions and not agree to something until your person (and you) fully understand the choices you have and the possible repercussions of various choices.
This recorded Dementia Alliance Webinar gives suggestions on how a person with dementia can talk with their doctor about dementia.
This short webpage is about cancer care, not dementia, but it is a clear guide on how to be assertive with health professionals.
Be assertive in asking for dementia treatments
Some doctors who make diagnoses of dementia may not be up-to-date on management of dementia, particularly around newer approaches of using a rehabilitative approach. Some doctors still believe that beyond medication, there is little that can be done to manage dementia. This is untrue.
If you are not offered services or treatments mentioned on this website (see section 3 of this website on Managing changes), ask the doctor to refer you to them. Hospital specialists can often refer you to allied health services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, or psychology, which may be provided free of charge in some public health settings. If those are unavailable, private options are also possible (with potential rebates through private health insurance).
You can also access government-subsidised allied health sessions through a Chronic Condition Management Plan, prepared by your GP. While these plans are common for conditions like diabetes or arthritis, they are not always offered for dementia unless specifically requested, even though dementia is a chronic condition. Don’t hesitate to ask your GP to create one.
If your doctor would like more information about the evidence behind your requests, you can refer them to the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia
> and the accompanying Consumer Companion Guide. These outline evidence-based recommendations for post-diagnostic care. Clinical Practice Guidelines are a ‘guidebook’ for best quality assessment, management and treatment people living with dementia and carers. These guidelines are currently being updated by Monash University in Victoria. You can get updates and be involved with updating the Guidelines from your lived experience by registering here. This website is open until December 2026.
If you or the person you support receives a National Disability Insurance Scheme package, you can also use this funding for allied health treatments. While it’s not always suggested by providers, you can ask for these services to be included. See 5.5 Types of Services for more information about accessing these supports.
It’s also important to remember that dementia is progressive and rarely follows a neat or predictable path. Plans, routines, supports, and treatments will need to be reviewed and adjusted overtime—sometimes quickly. Being assertive isn’t a one-off task; it’s an ongoing process of checking in, reassessing needs, and asking for changes as the situation evolves.
Be assertive in your communications with health professionals
Being assertive with health professionals will ensure open and effective communication to get you better services and treatments.
