AFTER A DIAGNOSIS
You've just heard the word dementia
The appointment's over. Everyone's gone quiet.
And you're not sure what happens now.
I'm Melissa Levi, a clinical psychologist.
You don't have to make every decision today.
Let's focus on what matters now. I'll help you understand what to do first, what can wait, and what comes next.
As featured in:
THIS MIGHT FEEL FAMILIAR
Right now, your mind is probably racing.
We can't change the diagnosis. But we can absolutely change how your family experiences dementia
You might be thinking:
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Half of what the doctor said is already a blur
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Have we left it too late?
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What happens now?
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What do we tell Mum or Dad?
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What do we tell everyone else?
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How quickly will things change?
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What should we actually do first?
For today, we'll simply focus on:
✔︎ What matters first
✔︎ What can wait
✔︎ Your next step
That's exactly what we'll do together
A diagnosis is a beginning.
Not the end.
Dementia changes many things. But it doesn't end your family's ability to share meaningful moments, make good decisions, or feel close.
You don't have to know everything today. You only have to know where to begin.
YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS
WHERE TO BEGIN
If you were sitting with me today...
😟 If the last few days have been a blur
😟 Everything suddenly feels overwhelming
😟 You're not sure what matters first
😟 You're worried about getting something important wrong
Most families think they're the only one who feel this overwhelmed – they're not.
If we were sitting together today, this is exactly where we'd start.
Understand the diagnosis
What it actually means, in plain language.
01
Decide who needs to know
And how to tell them, gently.
02
Plan a few priorities
What's worth sorting now — and what can wait.
03
Look after yourself, too
You've had a shock. Your footing matters too.
04
Not every family can sit in my consulting room, but
every family deserves the same calm, practical guidance.
That's why I created the Dementia Playbook and answer families' questions live every week.
All 9 Stages • Weekly Q&As
AUD $297 • 7-day money-back-guarantee
Telehealth or in Sydney, Australia
$420 per 50-minute consultation
INSIDE YOUR PLAYBOOK
Everything you need for the first weeks after diagnosis
I'll walk you through this stage step-by-step: with practical video guidance, downloadable tools and weekly live Q&A. When you join, you get support for this stage and every stage after it. Start here today; come back whenever things change.
And your Playbook grows with your family.
Your Playbook includes guidance for every stage of the dementia journey, so whenever life changes, you'll already know where to turn.
✔︎ Planning ahead
✔︎ Introducing help at home
✔︎ Talking about driving
✔︎ Managing difficult behaviours
✔︎ Choosing residential aged care
✔︎ Every chapter ahead
The next chapter will already be waiting for you.
7-day money-back-guarantee · Weekly live Q&As
WEEKLY Q&A's
Last Wednesday, families asked…
💬 "What do we actually do first?”
💬 “Should we tell Mum or Dad the diagnosis?”
💬 "How much time do we have?”
💬 “Who else needs to know?”
💬 “What can wait, and what can't?”
💬 "Have we left it too late?”
Every Wednesday night, I'll answer as many family questions as I can. You can join live, or submit your question and watch the replay later.
"Bring me the question that's been keeping you awake at night. Whether you're overwhelmed, unsure, or simply don't know what to do next, you don't have to figure this out alone."
Melissa
Includes lifetime access to every stage of the Dementia Playbook, plus weekly live Family Q&As.
WHY I DO THIS WORK
I've been on both sides of this table
Before I was a Clinical Psychologist, I was a granddaughter watching my own grandfather change, while my family wondered what we were supposed to do next.
For almost twenty years, I've sat with families on one of the hardest days of their lives. Almost all of them thought they needed to have everything figured out immediately.
They don't.
No family is ever prepared for this. That's completely normal. They simply need someone to slow everything down, explain what matters most, and help them take the next step.
That's why I created the Dementia Playbook: so no family has to figure this out alone.
Over the years, I've helped more than 1,000 families navigate a dementia diagnosis and everything that comes after, so they can move forward with more confidence, more clarity and less fear.
Melissa
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I've worked with:
We Need to Talk About Ageing
Published by Hachette, 2023
Melissa Levi • Clinical Psychologist, BA(Psych)(Hons I), MClinPsych, MAPS
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the support that's right for your family.
I'll meet you there. Start with the stage you need today, or unlock the complete Playbook for guidance through every stage ahead.
PRIVATE CONSULTATION
AUD $420
Per 50-minute session
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Personalised guidance for your family's situation
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Ideal for complex family situations
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Telehealth or in Sydney
Try the Complete Playbook for 7 days.
If you don't feel calmer, clearer and more confident about what to do next, simply email me within 7 days for a full refund. No awkward conversations, no complicated forms.
Trusted by 1,000+ Australian families
COMMON QUESTIONS
You probably want to know...
Is this right if Mum or Dad hasn't been diagnosed yet?
Yes. Many families find the Playbook before there's a diagnosis. If you've noticed changes but aren't sure what's happening, I'll help you understand what to look for, prepare for appointments, ask the right questions and know what to do next.
Is this only for Alzheimer's disease?
No. Whether your family has Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or you're still waiting for more answers, this stage focuses on the practical questions most families face after diagnosis.
What if Mum or Dad doesn't accept the diagnosis?
That's incredibly common. This stage includes guidance on what to say, what not to say, and how to support someone without turning every conversation into an argument.
What if my family is already further along?
That's exactly why the Playbook is organised by stage. You don't need to watch everything from the beginning — start with the stage your family is in today, then return to the others whenever things change.
Can my siblings or other family members use it too?
Yes. The Playbook is designed to help families get on the same page. When everyone has the same trusted guidance, conversations become calmer and decisions become clearer.
Don't we need to see you in person?
In-person support is wonderful when you can get it — but professional dementia support often has a 6+ month waitlist. The Playbook gives you expert strategies the moment you need them, plus live weekly Q&As where I answer your family's specific questions — all for less than the cost of one appointment.
Is this just for Australians?
Not at all — dementia is a universal experience. Families worldwide share the same fears and challenges. Just read 'Mum' as 'Mom' and 'Ageing' as 'Aging'.
Why lifetime access?
Because your family's questions will change over time.
Right now, you might be trying to understand the diagnosis. In a few months, you may be thinking about driving, care at home, changes in behaviour, or residential aged care.
I created the Dementia Playbook to stay with you throughout that journey. Watch the lessons you need today, then come back whenever life changes. Everything will still be here, including every future update and our Weekly Family Q&As. I've created something families can rely on, not just something they finish.
What if this isn't right for me?
If you're not satisfied within 7 days, contact me for a full refund. No questions asked. And you can cancel anytime.
As stated in our Terms of Use, Talking Ageing Pty Ltd is not engaged in rendering therapy services by providing this site, and your use of the site does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Talking Ageing or Melissa Levi
You don't have to remember everything today.
That's why I created the Dementia Playbook.
You don't have to watch every lesson.
You don't have to read every guide.
You don't have to figure it out this week.
Just start with today.
Come back whenever you need to.
One step at a time.
Lifetime access, every stage, weekly live Q&As. Whenever you need support, it's here.
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"Warm and compassionate, Melissa offers sound clinical information and practical advice... Sure to be helpful for all families."
- Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, UNSW Sydney
"We all MUST talk about old age and cognitive impairment, and Melissa shows the way!"
- Associate Professor David Burke, Discipline of Psychiatry, UNDA Sydney
I've worked with: