Dementia Awareness Month

Dementia Awareness Month is a national campaign held every September by Dementia Australia, which encourages all Australians to get a better understanding of dementia and what it is like to live with dementia, for both carers and those impacted by it.

Rather than being one specific disease, dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by irreversible and ongoing deterioration of the brain.

Symptoms can include memory loss, misplacing things, difficulty performing everyday tasks, becoming withdrawn and depressed. It can affect anybody but is more common after the age of 65.    More than 400,000 people live with dementia in Australia, while an estimated 1.2 million people are involved in caring for those affected.

In September the City will host a number of activities including an ‘Enriching Your Brain’ information session on 5 September and its regular Drop in the Ocean Memory Café social gathering on 17 September.

The Rockingham and Alzheimer’s Dementia Walking Group (RAD Walkers) will also meet twice on 7 and 21 September.

Mayor Barry Sammels said the City was proud to support Dementia Awareness Month 2018 and its theme of “Small Actions, Big Difference.” 

“Dementia can be a lonely experience for both the people living with it and their carers,” Mayor Sammels said.

“The stigma, lack of public awareness and challenges posed by the symptoms of dementia all play a role, which is why the City is proud to have made a commitment to become more dementia friendly.

“The City has also partnered with Alzheimer’s WA and Rockingham and Districts Alzheimer’s WA Inc, on initiatives to make living with dementia or caring for a person with dementia less lonely.” 

A Drop in the Ocean Memory Café gives residents living with dementia and their carers the chance to connect in a safe space with people in a similar situation.

The memory café takes place on the third Monday of each month from 10am – 12pm at the Clipper Café on Patterson Road, Rockingham.

The RAD Walkers is a group for people living with dementia and their carers. Participants are able to join in and make new friends in a supportive environment whilst keeping active at the same time.

They meet on the first and third Friday of each month from 10am – 11am at the Village Green on Flinders Lane, Rockingham.

The “Enriching Your Brain” information session on 5 September will offer practical tips about reducing the risk of dementia, as well as the chance to learn about the organisations and community groups that provide support. It will be held from 1pm – 2.30pm at the Gary Holland Community Centre on Kent Street. 

For more information on any of the activities the City is hosting throughout Dementia Awareness Month contact 9528 0333 or email the City.