Family Changes Farm to Care for Mother with Dementia

By Jasmine Hines

Landline

Topic: Alzheimer's and Dementia

Friday, June 19, 2026, at 6:30 am

Lyn Eather's mother, Olive, was diagnosed with dementia, so Lyn kept her at home on the farm.

Olive's husband, Peter, died in 2019, a year after her diagnosis.

Lyn Eather is now her mother's main caregiver.

Olive still enjoys her home and community in Baralaba, central Queensland, where she has lived for over 80 years.

The ABC talked to Olive with her family's permission.

Olive said, 'I've never left; I've been on the farm since I was a kid.'

Olive and Lyn have a close relationship.

A forgotten card game and a business change

Olive was diagnosed in 2018 after mood changes, and a forgotten card game made her get tested.

Dementia support service

If you need help, you can call:

Lyn said, 'She's a good card player, but she forgot a complicated game.'

To keep Olive on the farm, Lyn and her partner changed their business from a tourism farm to a beef trading operation.

Olive loves livestock and the cattle yards.

Olive's doctor suggested they stop the tourism business.

Now, people can only use their accommodation for work, not holidays.

Lyn said, 'It's a big change; I'm losing my mom and my favorite business.'

The Eathers' farm, Myella, is 15km from Baralaba.

While home life is quieter, Lyn keeps her mother active.

Olive's chickens keep her company.

Each day, Olive collects eggs and does some household chores.

Lyn gives her mother three pillowcases to iron daily.

Facing the possibility of leaving her hometown

Life on the farm has become harder.

Lyn said, 'Mom's health is getting worse, and every sickness makes things worse.'

Olive loves her home but is on a waitlist for aged care.

Olive recently collapsed, and Lyn realized she can't provide all the care.

The family thinks residential care is best, which might be a two-hour drive away.

Lyn said, 'Mom was offered a care position three years ago, but we weren't ready.'

Olive has a pony named Mr. Big.

Baralaba has a small hospital with a few aged care beds, all full.

The hospital service said the facility is not designed to meet all aged care demands.

Baralaba is far from Brisbane.

Lyn thinks Olive might get care 95km away in Biloela or 192km away in Gladstone.

The government is spending money on aged care, but it's unclear where the beds will go.

Olive and her family are unsure where she'll live next.

The family has complained about issues with their local aged care provider.

The provider said it operates with limited staff and resources.

When the nurse is unavailable, clients can get help from the hospital or GP clinic.

Baralaba has a small hospital with limited aged care beds.

The country's peak dementia body said there's a shortage of aged care support.

Executive director Kaele Stokes said people often have to move to get support.

'Mum was so proud' after a dementia walk

Dr. Stokes wants more investment in dementia care.

She said focusing on risk factors can reduce dementia risk by 45%.

After her diagnosis, Olive became an advocate for others with dementia.

Olive said, 'It doesn't worry me; if I do something wrong, who cares?'

Olive walked 3km to raise awareness and funds for dementia.

In 2022, the Eathers organized a walk, and Olive raised almost $11,000 for Dementia Australia.

Lyn said, 'It helped us talk about it openly and let others know how to speak to her.'

Olive said, 'I want to help other people; if they want to know something, they can ask me.'

Olive and Lyn are spending time together on the farm.

While Lyn is unsure where Olive will live, they're making the most of their time.

Olive says, 'Thank you for looking after me' every night.

Lyn is grateful for this time.

Watch ABC TV's Landline on Sunday or stream on ABC iview.

ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter

Friday, June 19, 2026, at 6:30 am

Header image: Olive Eather, 83, has lived near Baralaba her whole life.

Promotion

Latihan mendengarkan

Latihan mendengarkan