In keeping with the theme of this year’s Alzheimer’s Australia’s Dementia Awareness Month – ‘Creating a Dementia-Friendly Nation’ – the organisation is hosting a number of events starting on 1 September.
The focus will be on how people can take small actions that make a big difference for people living with dementia.
“We want Australians to realise that everyone can play a part in making their own communities more dementia-friendly. Action starts with each and every one of us, by becoming more dementia-aware,” said Maree McCabe, CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria.
“Find out more about dementia, increase your understanding of the condition and its impacts and help us spread the word. Make dementia a priority in your community and help us make Australia a dementia-friendly nation.”
Ms McCabe says that a general lack of understanding and fear of the condition in the community is the main reason dementia sufferers disengage with their community.
People are reportedly unaware of the symptoms and unsure how to respond to the changes in a person that they have always known.
“We would like to see people use Dementia Awareness Month as an opportunity to become more informed,” she stressed, adding that it is essential “we take the lead on creating dementia-friendly communities”.
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic will host a number of events as part of Dementia Awareness Month including a lecture by Gill Ayling, head of Global Action Against Dementia UK on 3 September at Zinc, Federation Square, with activities culminating on World Alzheimer’s Day, Monday 21 September.
For more information call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or go to bit.ly/vicDAM2015 to register and view the full calendar of events.