Media Release
20 March 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Dementia Australia will be modifying the way they approach their service delivery and activity for the time being.
The wellbeing of the community, including people living with dementia, their families and carers, clients, volunteers, supporters and staff, is their priority. They have been following the situation closely and implementing the advice from Government and Health authorities and in some instances ensuring additional safeguards with the postponement of events as discussed below.
They are working to minimise person-to-person contact in order to reduce the potential spread of the virus, while ensuring they continue to support people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Be reassured that the National Dementia Helpline will operate as usual, and they will continue to update their website and social media sites regularly.
Some of their regular services and activities will be delivered differently for the time being for example by phone or online. In some instances, some services and activities may be postponed. Clients who access a service that will be postponed or changed will be contacted by staff as soon as possible.
They are continuing to look at a range of other ways to support their clients and community.
As well, some of their larger public fundraising and other events have been postponed.
This includes the Memory Walk & Jog events in Ballarat, Hobart, Adelaide and Western Sydney; their National Symposium; the Masterclass series by Professor Dawn Brooker; and the Night of Gold.
Ticket holders and people registered for those events have been contacted by their staff.
They understand this is a challenging time for all and thank you for your understanding as they put these measures in place. The needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers continue to be at the heart of what they do and they remain committed to provide the services and supports during this difficult time even if, on a practical level, that may look at bit different in the coming weeks.
If you are living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia and have any concerns about COVID-19 please contact your doctor or the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.
For more information, visit: dementia.org.au/
Source: Dementia Australia Corporate Communications
