You Are Not Alone, Dementia Awareness Month 2017
health Tags: 2017, Alone, Awareness, Dementia, MonthNo Comments »
This September, Australians are being encouraged to find out more about dementia during Dementia Awareness Month, to elevate awareness about dementia and the impact on people living with dementia and their carers and families. Those impacted report that their experience is often isolating and studies show a high level of stigma toward people living with dementia.
As part of this event filled month, Alzheimer’s Australia will host a public lecture series given by international guest speaker Professor Steven Sabat, entitled Forget Memory Loss – what about the person?
Prof Sabat is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Georgetown University, USA. For the past 35 years, he has studied the cognitive and social abilities of people with Alzheimer’s disease in the moderate to severe stages.
His writing includes the forthcoming book, Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia: What Everyone Needs to Know and The Experience of Alzheimer’s disease: Life through a Tangled Veil.
Prof Sabat will present on:
• Monday 11 September, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
• Tuesday 12 September, Parliament House, Canberra by invitation only
• Wednesday 13 September, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
• Thursday 14 September, ZINC, Federation Square, Melbourne
Alzheimer’s Australia will host a number of events as part of Dementia Awareness Month. The full calendar of events with links to activities across Australia can be viewed here.
The theme of Dementia Awareness Month this year is You are not alone and across the country, Alzheimer’s Australia will communicate the following:
• To people living with dementia, their families and carers – there is support and services available to you from Alzheimer’s Australia and other organisations
• To the general public – over 70 per cent of Australians admit that they know very little about the dementia and almost half of the population do not realise that it is fatal.1 Dementia impacts everyone and we can all play a part in giving people living with dementia the opportunity to remain engaged with their community and lead meaningful lives
• To healthcare professionals – there is education and support available to you to assist the people you work with in managing the day-to-day and big picture challenges that dementia can bring
Dementia Awareness Month 2017 is supported by financial assistance from the Australian Government.
1Alzheimer’s Australia commissioned research by Ipsos Australia 2012
Notes to media:
Stories in the media about dementia may prompt concerns or cause distress for audiences and readers. When writing or talking about dementia, please encourage your audience/readers with the number for our National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500, a free call, telephone information and support service available across Australia.
What is appropriate language for talking about dementia and why do we need it?
The words used to talk about dementia can have a significant impact on how people with dementia are viewed and treated in our community. In particular please avoid the use of the word sufferer or suffering – the preferred language is a person/people living with dementia.
Please read our Dementia Language Guidelines that have been developed by people living with dementia and carers.
About Alzheimer’s Australia
There are 413,000 Australians living with dementia. This figure is predicted to rise to 1.1million by 2056 in the absence of a significant medical breakthrough. Alzheimer’s Australia is the charity and peak body representing people of all ages, with all forms of dementia, in Australia. We provide specialised dementia information, education and support services.
Call our National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500
Video Rating: / 5
Dementia affects nearly 50 million people across the world, but that figure is expected to rise in the next ten years to 75 million and to 150 million by 2050.
As part of the awareness week, we’ll be hearing stories from islanders and looking at the support available to those with the condition and their families in Jersey and Guernsey.
• Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj
• Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news
Follow ITV News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itvnews/
Follow ITV News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/itvnews
Follow ITV News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itvnews/
