People living with dementia are regularly told they ‘don’t look like they have dementia’ because they don’t present, speak, or act in a way the community expects. What people can’t see they don’t understand and what they don’t understand they tend to avoid.
We know discrimination has a big impact on people living with dementia, their families and carers, and a little support from the community and health professionals can make a big difference. Often ‘discriminatory’ behaviour is unintended and comes from a lack of understanding about dementia.
Start by educating yourself on dementia so you can understand the experience of someone living with dementia in your life. Finding the right information, and having resources to refer to, can be empowering for someone living with dementia and those around them.
- Check out our website at www.dementia.org.au for information, resources and education courses.
- Follow us on social media for regular tips and information about dementia.
- Become a Dementia Friend at www.dementiafriendly.org.au. Sign-up online to access a series of short videos, information and personal stories from people impacted by dementia.
- Sign-up to our National Dementia Library Service for free access to a world-leading collection of dementia-related resources.