Caring for a Partner with Dementia and for Yourself with Joe Coppi

Australian Carers (Kintsugi Heroes)

An active IT consultant and community volunteer, Joe first noticed his wife Joyce’s memory lapses during an overseas trip. Seeking medical advice, their journey with early-onset dementia began.

Seeing Joyce's desire for a move, Joe transitioned them from Greenwood East to Geelong. Downsizing made life simpler, providing easy access to essential services and a senior-friendly environment.

Even after the diagnosis, Joe and Joyce kept their adventurous spirit alive. Traveling overseas, caravanning across Australia, and running along the Darling River, they embraced every moment together, actively.

Joe gradually embraced his role as Joyce's primary carer. From early-stage dementia's mild challenges to needing more caregiving support, he balanced personal interests while ensuring Joyce's well-being.

Joe praises the Men's Shed, Dementia Australia and other community groups. These offered a sense of belonging, allowing him to stay social and maintain his mental well-being while caregiving. He believes in the power of seeking help, fostering a network, and not trying to handle everything solo.

Initially sceptical, Joe found counselling to be a game-changer. He benefited greatly from government-funded sessions, proving the importance of mental health care for carers.

Joe balanced his caring duties by engaging in personal activities like rowing and volunteering. Focusing on his well-being allowed him to better care for Joyce and prevent caregiver burnout. He stresses the importance of taking breaks and not feeling guilty about needing personal time.

From adapting to Joyce's memory loss to managing extensive paperwork for services, Joe’s resilience shines through. He advises seeking help and not taking on everything alone. Prioritise your health, connect with others, and balance caregiving with personal fulfillment.

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We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

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We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the BUPA Foundation (Australia) through their Community Grants Program. To find out more, head to https://www.bupafoundation.org/.