Close to half a million Australians are living with dementia, with almost 1.6 million people involved in their care.
In Maroondah, there are an estimated 2357 residents living with dementia, with this figure predicted to more than double by the year 2058, along with a significant rise in younger onset dementia.
With the support of their community, many people living with dementia can live active and fulfilling lives many years after diagnosis.
This week is Dementia Action Week (20-26 September), with this year’s campaign focused on supporting and celebrating carers of people living with dementia. The national awareness-raising campaign also continues to lead the discussion around discrimination and dementia.
Bobby Redman lives with dementia and has shared her story as part of this year’s Dementia Action Week campaign.
“Although discrimination is basically about ignorance, it doesn’t take away the sting,” Mrs Redman said.
“I have not lost my knowledge and life experience; it is just that I sometimes have difficulty in accessing the details.”
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease. It is not one specific disease.
For those with a confirmed diagnosis, Maroondah has a number of organisations that support people with dementia and their families, ranging from community support to residential care. Most of them can be found on Council’s online community directory.
Supporting someone with dementia can include providing emotional support, assistance with activities of daily living and provision of medication or personal care.
Recent research carried out by Dementia Australia reveals people living with dementia and their carers oftentimes experience discrimination that can lead to social isolation, loneliness and poor mental health.
“Now more than ever we need to shift our thinking around dementia to stop adding discrimination to the symptoms that people with dementia experience,” Maree McCabe, CEO Dementia Australia, said.
“Once a person is diagnosed there is a common perception that they have a complete loss of function and independence when there is a wealth of evidence that shows people with dementia, with good support, can live active and fulfilling lives for many years,” Ms McCabe said.
