5.2 Put your life plan into action

Have the important conversations

Once you have a life plan, it’s time to put it into action. This usually involves other people, but having dementia often changes your relationships with the people around you. Other people might feel awkward or uncomfortable talking about dementia, or about your relationship. Discussing your dementia and how you’d like to be supported to meet your life goals is often part of moving forwards with dementia.

This means having some important conversations.

Here are some tips for approaching these conversations:

• Choose a time when all involved are calm and not rushed.
• Prepare your main points in advance, in a way that works for you (for example, writing them down or recording a voice note).
• Be open about your goals, your feelings, and what kind of support you’d find helpful (read the page 2.13 Manage how you do and do not want to be treated).
• Ask a trusted person to join you or help mediate.
• Focus on what’s most important now and in the near future, rather than old frustrations or past disagreements.
• Allow others time to process – these are big topics for everyone involved.

Be brave! Many people living with dementia have told us that family and friends are relieved when the person with dementia brings up the topic first.

Here are some suggestions for ways to approach the conversations with doctors and other health professionals about support that you’d like from them:

• Write down points you want to make, so you don’t forget anything.
• Be specific and clear about your requests (e.g. “I’d like a dementia chronic condition management plan”) or questions (“How likely is it that I’ll lose my driver’s licence?”).
• If you feel like your doctor, health professional or service provider is not listening to you, or not respecting your wishes, be assertive with them or try another health professional.
• Ask for your life plan to be supported by your clinical or service care plan. The Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia suggests that people with dementia have a clinical care plan (could also be called a chronic condition management plan for dementia or simply a ‘care plan’). Many people with dementia don’t get such a plan, so you might need to ask your GP.
• You can also read the ‘Consumer Companion Guide’ to the Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines to ensure you are aware of current evidence based recommendations for post-diagnostic care. (Guidelines are currently being updated and new Guidelines will be released late 2026.)

Read the page 2.10 Tell other health professionals which includes advice on being assertive with doctors and health care professionals.

Use services to achieve your goals in your life plan

Some people are reluctant to use services because they worry that it means giving up their independence. Once they start using services though, many people find that they maintain their independence, and the additional practical and emotional support increases their wellbeing.

Services that can be useful include:

• Support coordinators who can help you navigate NDIS or My Aged Care
• Counselling or peer support
• Home support for help with cleaning, meals, or transport
• Support for exercise and wellness activities, hobbies or other interests

Services can take time to arrange and may vary in quality. It’s frustrating, but try to be persistent. It’s worth finding the people and organisations that genuinely understand you, how dementia affects you, and your life.

Keep adjusting your plan

Life plans aren’t set in stone. As your situation changes, review your plan and update it. Small steps add up; what matters is staying engaged with what gives your life meaning.

Putting your life plan into action is about progress, not perfection. Celebrate what you’re doing – even small wins count.

To find out more about what services are available to people with dementia, read the next page 5.3 Plan to use services.