Members of Dying with Dignity WA welcomed Jill Heinrich as the guest speaker at their AGM held on 22 October 2025. 

Jill gave a powerful presentation about dementia, an illness that touches the lives of so many Australians.

Jill lost her husband to dementia in November 2024 and was unable to access the palliative care system offered by his nursing home. Jill is now a strong advocate who believes that Voluntary Assisted Dying should be available for dementia sufferers and that we should be able to make the request using an advance health directive while still having capacity.

Key Messages from Jill's Heinrich's presentation:

1. Dementia is a growing crisis.
   - Dementia is already one of the leading causes of death in Australia, affecting hundreds of thousands.
   - Many family caregivers are unprepared for the realities of dementia and are forced into the role suddenly.
   
   
2. Early signs are often missed.
   - Behavioural changes like paranoia, aggression, and lack of empathy may precede memory loss.
   - Recognising non-memory-related symptoms early is crucial.
   
   
3. Legal and financial planning is essential.
   - Having documents like Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Care Directives and Guardianship in place early is critical.
   - Make sure your family know your wishes so they can advocate on your behalf.
   
   
4. The caregiving journey is emotionally overwhelming.
   - The experience can be isolating, exhausting, and emotionally draining.
   - Dementia Helplines, Online support groups and close friends/family can provide lifesaving support.
   
   
5. The healthcare and aged care systems are complex and slow.
   - Navigating My Aged Care, ACAT assessments, and respite care is difficult and time-consuming.
   - Advocacy and persistence are often needed to access timely support.
   
   
6. Don’t wait to seek help.
   - Apply for assessments and support services early, even if symptoms seem manageable as they take a long while to get approved.
   - Waiting until crisis hits will likely result in delayed or insufficient care.
   
   
7. Respite and self-care are vital for carers.
   - Without breaks, caregivers risk burnout, injury, or worse.
   - Respite options are limited and expensive, so plan ahead.
   
   
8. Dementia-friendly living environments matter.
   - Homes need to be adapted to minimize hazards and support safety.
   
   
9. Meaningful moments still matter.
   - Despite the decline, moments of joy, humour, and connection are still possible and necessary.
   - Small activities and outings help preserve dignity and emotional wellbeing.
   
   
10. End-of-life care must be planned for.
    - Palliative care systems can fail—especially on weekends or outside office hours.
    - Families must advocate fiercely to ensure loved ones don’t suffer unnecessarily at the end.

If you wish to read Jill's entire presentation you can access the PDF via this link - Dementia Advocate Speech