To mark Dementia Action Week 2019, Dementia Australia will be calling on all Australians to change how they respond and behave around people living with dementia.
The theme of the week, from 16-22 September, is Dementia doesn’t discriminate. Do you? Its objective is to start a conversation with all Australians that considers how discrimination impacts people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe says a person living with dementia might be ignored or dismissed in conversations.
“Our focus during Dementia Action Week will deepen the enquiry into discrimination and dementia,” said Ms McCabe.
Dementia Advocate Dennis Frost, who is living with dementia, says that with 70 per cent of the 447,000 Australians with dementia still living in community, it is important for people to remain connected and respected.
Pharmacists can assist by completed a short survey and sharing it via social media to spread the word.
Dementia Australia has DIY Dementia Action Week event kits now available online, which include posters, postcards and brochures.
To launch this important conversation Dementia Australia will host, ‘Discrimination and dementia. The health issue of our time’ on Monday September 16 at the Sydney Opera House.
For further information visit www.dementia.org.au and www.dementia.org.au/dementia-action-week
