UP to 70,000 Australians with dementia live on their own, with many slipping through the cracks in support services.
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University of Sydney researchers now want your help in Australia's first-ever count of people living alone with dementia.
Project leader Jennifer Fletcher said the study was vital to inform planning of dementia services.
"Australians are living longer, which is great, but our support circles are getting smaller as we are often ending relationships in mid-life and having fewer or no children," she said.
"Residential services are not going to be able to keep up with demand as our population ages, so it's essential we know what people with dementia living alone in the community need to live well."
The study will begin with a count in Sydney's south-east, but Dr Fletcher said community help was needed.
"It's really important we get an accurate snapshot of the number of people living alone, and how they are fairing," she said.
"People with dementia who live alone may be at much higher risk for problems with things like money, nutritional needs, medication management and safety.
"If we can find out more about their needs we can help plan the delivery of the right kind of services to allow people to maintain their independence and not end up in nursing homes prematurely."
After the count, researchers will conduct interviews to compare the experiences of people with dementia living by themselves to those living with a family member or other person.
They hope to get a better understanding of how people with dementia are managing in their homes if they do live alone, and any challenges they face.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief executive John Watkins said research showed living alone with dementia was a growing issue.
"We know the majority of people living with dementia prefer to stay at home for as long as possible, and that applies to people who live alone as well," he said.
"And they have the right to live at home if they choose to, for as long as it is safe to do so.
"But people living alone with dementia tend to slip through the cracks <\#150> that's why it is important to get a good understanding of the size of the issue, so we can find ways to better support these people."
People who have dementia or who know someone with dementia in south-east Sydney can get involved by calling (02) 9351-9988, email aplawd@sydney.edu.au
