Highton man Joe Coppi reveals how he looks after wife Joyce, who lives with dementia

Highton man Joe Coppi has detailed the steps he takes to care for his wife Joyce, who lives with dementia, as a Deakin University study reveals the increase of the disease.

Joe Coppi cares for his wife, Joyce, who lives with dementia, and has revealed the many steps he takes to help her quality of life. Picture: Alison Wynd

A book filled with pictures of family and labelled with names is one way Joe Coppi tries to help his wife Joyce, who lives with dementia, remember those closest to her.

The Highton resident also maintains a weekly schedule with carers who help Mrs Coppi with her favourite activities.

Mr Coppi first noticed Mrs Coppi, now 70, was having difficulty with recall during an overseas trip in 2013.

He said once home, they had visited a GP to have tests done.

Mrs Coppi was diagnosed with dementia in her late 50s.

A new analysis by Deakin University of Australia’s disease burden revealed Australians were living longer than 30 years ago, but more people were being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Joe Coppi said his wife Joyce has declined since her diagnosis in 2013, needing assistance in areas she didn’t previously including going to the shops. Picture: Alison Wynd

In 1990, life expectancy at birth in Australia was 77 years, and rose to 82.9 years by 2019, according to the data.

Associate Professor Shariful Islam from Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) said the results revealed some positive outcomes but also highlighted areas for improvement.

“Several diseases, including chronic diseases and diseases in older age groups, as well as risk factors and injuries are worse,” Professor Islam said.

“For example, Australia ranks poorly for anxiety and depressive disorders as well as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and falls among the elderly.

“This tells us that despite Australia’s strong healthcare system we need to do better with our primary prevention and health promotion strategies.”

The assessment analysed 286 causes of death, 369 diseases and injuries, and 87 behavioural, metabolic, and environmental and occupational risks.

Mr Coppi said his wife’s functioning had declined in the years since her diagnosis.

He said he’d installed “smart lights” to turn on in the night if Mrs Coppi got up, as well as a bidet.

The 77-year-old said his wife also had help from an assistance dog, Venus.

He said he came up with an art project to help his wife remember important faces.

“I put together a book about me, about Joyce, our history,” he said.

“We’ve got three girls, and they’ve got kids … I put (photos of them) together, and put names on them.

“That reinforces, re-engages memory.”

Mrs Coppi has a weekly schedule full of activities she enjoys including art and gardening, and has monthly visits from an occupational therapist, and fortnightly visits from a speech pathologist.

She now enjoys these with the help of Venus and several carers.

Mr Coppi said anyone caring for a someone with dementia should help them keep active.

He said helping them engage in activities they’ve always enjoyed – like Mrs Coppi’s art – improved quality of life.

For more information on dementia, visit www.dementia.org.au/

Originally published as Highton man Joe Coppi reveals how he looks after wife Joyce, who lives with dementia