More than a week of difference-making

ALTHOUGH Dementia Action Week has just wrapped up, advocates are encouraging communities to continue carrying its message.

The annual campaign ran last week from Monday, 19 September to Sunday, 25 September, with the theme, ‘a little support makes a big difference.’

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said breaking down discrimination was a major focus of the seven days.

“To have the opportunity to raise the profile of dementia, and particularly discrimination, is really important. It’s one of the biggest things that impacts those that have it,” she said.

“This has been an amazing week but the more we can do to make the community understand what dementia is and how it impacts people, the better off people with dementia and the carers are.

“In Ballarat, we’ve got around 3500 people living with dementia and without a meaningful breakthrough those figures are set to double by 2058.”

A 2022 report from Dementia Australia estimated that 487,500 Australians live with the condition while nearly 1.6 million people care for those who have been diagnosed.

Co-founder of Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat Anne Tudor said this year’s theme is something people can continue to act on beyond the week.

“It’s really an example of how someone can actually do something to make an enormous difference even if that’s inviting them out for a coffee or a drive,” she said.

“I think if people could just increase their own understanding of dementia and treat people in their own normal way, that would be ideal.”

The Bigger Hearts Choir put on a fundraising performance on Sunday, and Deakin University associate professor Dr Mark Yates, a dementia specialist, said it’s important to acknowledge initiatives like this, and the work that’s being done across Ballarat for dementia awareness.

“I don’t think the week is as important as the infrastructure that exists now in Ballarat. There’s a real network of activities now,” he said.

“There’s a new carer support group running… The Eyres House dementia centre has been revamped. Professionals with Alzheimer’s Ballarat had their first meeting a few weeks ago.

“Action Weeks are good, but in my view, we need to build more sustained support which is what I think we’re strong at in Ballarat.”