| 162 Mixed experiences with using formal support Across countries, people had mixed experiences using support services. Polish caregivers stressed the for need but lack of support services. A Dutch caregiver highlighted a lack of suitable support for people with young-onset dementia. Some Australian people with dementia perceived a lack of emotional support from healthcare providers while others emphasized how valuable it had been to them. Although caregivers reported predominately negative experiences across countries, Dutch and Australian caregivers and people with dementia also reported positive experiences with using formal support services. Australian and Dutch people with dementia and caregivers felt that healthcare professionals’ attitudes and communication skills influenced how support was experienced and perceived. ‘Usually they don’t do enough’. (Dutch person with dementia) Self-caring and preparing for tomorrow People with dementia and caregivers started actively making decisions to allow them to live well with dementia and prepare for the future. Maintaining health and wellbeing Australian and Polish people with dementia expressed the importance of maintaining their current health and wellbeing. Australian people with dementia were determined to keep their brains and bodies active and healthy to minimize dementia-related decline. In Poland maintaining health was often seen as something that involved their loved ones, especially (grand)children. it’s been just staying and trying to stay positive and keep exercising and eating and hopefully that all of this sort of thing will lead to what exactly what we’re talking about in a prescriptive, here you go, this is what you need to be doing’. (Australian person with dementia) Making decisions for the future Caregivers in all countries and Australian and Dutch people with dementia were actively preparing for the future by putting legal arrangements in place. Examples included power of attorney and thinking about the future living situation. Dutch caregivers were also concerned with the driving capabilities of their loved ones with dementia.
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