Heart of Dementia Alliance honoured

THE late Edie Mayhew was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at fifty-nine.

As former teachers, Edie and her partner Anne Tudor decided the diagnosis was an opportunity. They understood they had the skills and capacity to help those experiencing the “insidious” disease, and their carers.

“My mother had dementia for 22 years,” Ms Tudor said.

“We knew what was ahead, and both of us, once we got over the shock of Edie being diagnosed, decided we had an opportunity to support others.”

Invited to speak at an international conference, the pair shared the “good and the bad” of their story, from both perspectives.

After their presentation, they were asked to contribute to dementia-centric projects around Australia and the world.

“We were meeting people that really cared, and wanted to help others who perhaps didn’t have the same amount of support. We became part of a global dementia family,” Ms Tudor said.

“We got more back than what we put in. Edie said, ‘our hearts are bigger’.”

This comment sparked the Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat. This Queen’s Birthday, Ms Tudor was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her own ‘bigger heart,’ which serves the dementia community.

“Bigger Hearts is an invitation to people to open their hearts,” she said.

“It’s important for relationships to continue after diagnosis, for relatives to support the person with dementia and their carer, and for people to not to stop visiting.

“Ballarat is compassionate and supportive. Our Alliance includes major organisations; Ballarat Health Services, City of Ballarat, the Department of Health and Human Services, and people with dementia, carers, and those who have worked in the dementia space.

“Parks Victoria is in the Alliance, and a partner in our major project, the Dementia Sensory Forest Trail at Woowookarung.”

A retired psychologist and psychotherapist, Ms Tudor worked at BHS for 10 years. She was Ballarat’s 2017 Senior of the Year, is an honorary member of Dementia Australia, and an advocate for LGBTIQA+ community members living with dementia.

“I recognise everyone who has travelled the same path as I have, bravely facing dementia and supporting others, and people who work in aged care and specialist areas with dementia,” Ms Tudor said.

“There’s no vanity, no ego… People are giving of themselves to benefit others. Those in dementia services, and those who continue to visit people with dementia are very special.”