Dementia Awareness talk at the Urunga Neighbourhood Centre

Published on 03 September 2024

Let’s talk dementia. On Thursday 19 September Bellingen Shire Council in partnership with Dementia Australia will be hosting an information session at the Urunga Neighbourhood Centre. Dementia is more than memory loss. It can impact - thinking, behaviour, communication, and the ability to carry out daily tasks.

Guest speaker Martine Diss from Dementia Australia will explain the differences between dementia and normal ageing, offer guidance on what to do if you're concerned about memory issues, and highlight the services Dementia Australia offers to support those living with the condition. Additionally, A Dementia resources booklet provided from the Healthy North Coast, featuring useful local information, support and contacts will be available to take home.

Dementia Action Week (16–22 September), including World Alzheimer’s Day on Thursday, 21 September, offers a chance to explore how we can build more dementia-friendly communities. This year's theme, "Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future," encourages us to reduce fear and increase understanding of dementia. It calls on community to consider the steps we can take to support those living with dementia and their caregivers, helping them live well.

According to Dementia Australia more than 400,000 Australians are living with dementia and more than 1.5 million people are involved in their care. The number of people living with dementia is set to double in the next 25 years.

Dementia becomes more common as people age and is much more common after the age of 65. In the Bellingen Shire 27% of the population were aged over 65 years or older in 2021 compared to 22% in regional NSW, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are treatments and support available for many of its symptoms.

Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen stated, “we are proud to provide opportunities for local residents living with dementia, their family, friends and cares to feel seen, understood and supported.”

The event at the Urunga Neighbourhood Centre will take place on Thursday 19 September at 1:30pm. Light refreshments and afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings are essential. To reserve your spot at the event head to https://events.humanitix.com/dementia-awareness-talk

To find out more about the event, or if need assistance booking your place, call Council’s Community Wellbeing officer on 6655 7300.