Ridding the taboo from Dementia

HAROLD McKenzie was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

Brittany Rose, his granddaughter said without the support of Dementia Australia life would have been even harder for her Granny and the rest of the family.

“Being able to call the helpline at Dementia Australia and access information from their website was so important to us,” Ms Rose said.

Ms Rose has organised a Ballarat DIY Memory Walk in honour of her late grandfather, as a way of giving back to an organisation that provided her family with invaluable support during such a difficult time.

“Pa was an avid walker, so walking the shores of Lake Wendouree is an appropriate way to remember him and raise funds for Dementia Australia,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t know what the organisation does and how it helps families, carers and those suffering from this heartbreaking disease.”

Ms Rose said her family want to break down the stigma and start a conversation in the community about dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Some of my friends didn’t how to broach the subject or talk to me when Pa was diagnosed,” she said.

All funds raised will go to Dementia Australia, for allocation to research, education and essential resources that help families deal with the disease.

The Ballarat DIY Memory Walk in honour of Mr Harold McKenzie will take place on Saturday, 13 April starting at Lake Wendouree foreshore opposite Loreto College from 9am to 11am.

Register online at memorywalk.com.au/events/100/ballarat-diy.