Free for families
Ask the family helper
Ask about dementia, memory changes, loneliness, falls, low mood or finding help in Australia. Answers are drawn from published research and trusted health services, and every answer lists its sources.
What would you like to know?
Talk to a person
Free phone lines across Australia. Numbers checked 7 November 2026.
Emergency
000Ambulance, police or fire. If someone is hurt or in danger.
National Dementia Helpline
1800 100 500Dementia Australia. Information and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lifeline
13 11 14Crisis support, 24 hours. You can also text 0477 13 11 14.
Dementia Support Australia
1800 699 799Help with changes in behaviour, for families and carers, 24 hours.
healthdirect
1800 022 222Talk to a registered nurse, 24 hours.
My Aged Care
1800 200 422Government-funded aged care services and assessments.
Carer Gateway
1800 422 737Support, counselling and respite for carers. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Emergency respite 24 hours on the same number.
Older Persons Advocacy Network
1800 700 600Free, independent help if you have a problem with aged care services.
Elder Abuse Phone Line
1800 353 374If you are worried an older person is being harmed or taken advantage of. Business hours; if someone is in danger now, call 000.
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636Support for anxiety, depression and low mood, 24 hours.
13YARN
13 92 76Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 24 hours, from First Nations crisis supporters.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467Phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide, 24 hours.
Need an interpreter? Call TIS on 131 450 and ask for the service you want. Hearing or speech impairment: National Relay Service 133 677.
Guides for families
Prefer to read at your own pace? These cover the questions families ask most.
Noticing memory changes: when to see the GP
Everyone forgets things now and then. But if memory changes start to get in the way of everyday life, it is worth seeing the GP, and the sooner the better.
Read the guide about Noticing memory changes: when to see the GPAfter a dementia diagnosis: the first few months
A dementia diagnosis can turn life upside down. You do not have to sort everything out at once. Take one step at a time, and know that free help is there for both of you.
Read the guide about After a dementia diagnosis: the first few monthsGetting help at home: My Aged Care and Support at Home
If an older family member needs a hand to keep living safely at home, the first step is My Aged Care. Here is how it works.
Read the guide about Getting help at home: My Aged Care and Support at HomeLooking after yourself as a carer
Caring for someone you love can mean a lot, but it is also hard work. Looking after yourself is not selfish. It helps you keep going, and it helps the person you care for too.
Read the guide about Looking after yourself as a carerRespite care explained
Respite care means someone else looks after the person you care for while you have a break. It might be a few hours, a day or a few weeks. Taking a break is normal and healthy.
Read the guide about Respite care explainedLoneliness in later life: small steps that help
Loneliness is common, and it is nobody's fault. Small, regular steps can make a real difference, for the person you care about and for you.
Read the guide about Loneliness in later life: small steps that helpStaying steady: reducing the risk of falls at home
Falls are common as we get older, but they are not a normal part of ageing, and many can be prevented. Here is what helps, and what to do if a fall happens.
Read the guide about Staying steady: reducing the risk of falls at homeUsing music at home with someone living with dementia
Music can reach people living with dementia in a special way. A favourite song can bring a smile, a memory or a chance to sing together. You do not need to be musical to share it.
Read the guide about Using music at home with someone living with dementia
Rather talk to a person?
Mel is happy to call you about classes, or to point you to the right local service.
How the helper works
When you ask a question, the helper searches published research (PubMed and preprints, through Europe PMC), current clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) and a short list of trusted health websites, such as Dementia Australia, healthdirect, My Aged Care, Cochrane and the NHS. It then writes a short answer and lists the sources it used, with links. It only links to sources its searches actually found.
It prefers strong evidence, such as systematic reviews, and tells you when evidence is early, small or not yet reviewed by other scientists.
The answers are written by an AI model (Claude, made by Anthropic). AI can get things wrong. Use the answers to understand a topic and to prepare questions for your GP or care team, not to make medical decisions.