Dementia Awareness Month

Supporting People with Dementia: Awareness, Education, and Action

The month of September promotes awareness of people who have been diagnosed with dementia. Dementia Awareness Month is a yearly event organised by Dementia Australia. The organistion is the primary source of information and services for people living with dementia, their carers, families, and friends. The organisation also offers educational programs for people living with dementia, their families and carers, health professionals, and the general community.

Dementia Australia is the voice of people with dementia, advocating for vital research and positive change. No matter how you have been impacted by dementia or who you are, the organisation’s focus is on support. Their objectives are to provide research support aimed at finding a cure, to connect people living with dementia with their carers, family, and friends so research targets real concerns, and to inform the community about the progress of dementia research.

Almost 1.6 million Australians provide ongoing support to people living with dementia, often going unnoticed for their dedicated efforts. The statistics are concerning, with dementia currently impacting the lives of almost half a million Australians, a number projected to double over the next 25 years.

Dementia Australia provides valuable information on education and awareness for communities. Everyone can make a difference: supporting a person with dementia, assisting their carers, family, or friends, or encouraging healthcare practices to be dementia-friendly are all ways of helping.

There is an abundance of information on the Dementia Australia website that promotes awareness to become better informed. Dementia is caused by numerous forms and symptoms that affect the brain, impacting behaviour, thinking, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. Most people diagnosed with dementia are over 65 years old; however, it is not a normal part of aging.

Dementia can also affect people in their forties and fifties, a condition called younger-onset dementia. Further information on this can be accessed on the Dementia Australia website. The most common early signs of dementia include frequent memory loss, confusion, difficulty completing daily tasks, withdrawal, changes in personality, or lack of interest. While several conditions may have similar symptoms, obtaining a firm medical diagnosis is important.

Support is crucial for people living with dementia, as there is currently no cure or prevention for most forms, and only a limited number of medications can reduce some symptoms. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally; not all people will get it as they age.

The World Health Organisation mentions that factors that increase the risk of developing dementia are age (more common in those 65 or older), high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar (diabetes), being overweight or obese, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being physically inactive, being socially isolated, and depression.

As a community, we can all make a difference by volunteering, organising fundraising events, or contributing through donations or business partnerships with Dementia Australia. Supporting this cause has a significant impact on the quality of life of people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers.

For support or information, the National Dementia Helpline can be reached at 1800 100 500, via webchat at dementia.org.au/helpline/webchat, or by email at [email protected]. The organisation operates Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, excluding public holidays.

Kelly Amanda Lee | Reborn the Rose