What is Dementia Action Week?
Dementia Action Week is a national awareness-raising initiative and this year it ran from Monday 19 September to Sunday 25 September 2022. This year’s theme is ‘A little support makes a big difference’. 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 care professionals can make a big difference.
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a set of symptoms caused by brain disease. Typical signs of dementia include gradual changes in thinking, memory, language and other areas that impact everyday activities. No two people are affected in exactly the same way. There are many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body disease. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common as we age. It is not a normal part of ageing.
An estimated 65 per cent of Australians living with dementia live in the community. This could be a family member, a friend or a neighbour. A better understanding of dementia can help you make a positive difference to the lives of people who are impacted by this condition – and help eliminate discrimination.
