SMALL actions count and can make a difference to people living with dementia, says Alzheimer's Australia in the lead-up to Dementia Awareness Month 2014, which starts on September 1.
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During Dementia Awareness Month this year, Alzheimer's Australia is calling for the community to join them in Creating a Dementia-Friendly Nation - creating communities where people living with dementia are respected, valued and supported to maintain a good quality of life.
On Tuesday, September 2, celebrate Dementia Awareness month in Boorowa from 10.30am - noon.
A morning tea will be hosted by Helen McGrath. Call in and meet local Dementia Advisor, Libby Smith and find out more about reducing your risks of developing dementia, along with the support services available for carers and people living with dementia.
With an estimated 112,000 people living with dementia in NSW, and that number expected to soar to about 132,000 people by 2020, Alzheimer's Australia NSW says it's essential that we pave the way for future generations to live in dementia-friendly communities.
Barbra Williams from Alzheimer's Australia NSW said: "People with dementia want to be active participants in their own lives. We want to encourage communities to enable people with dementia to maintain a good quality of life following a diagnosis of dementia.
"Volunteering and employment opportunities for people with dementia, as well as businesses that have staff trained to understand dementia and communicate effectively with people with dementia are just some of the ways that our communities can become dementia-friendly.
"Greater awareness and understanding of the condition can also help. A general lack of understanding and fear of dementia in the community is the primary barrier to people with dementia being engaged in their own communities.
"Too often people with dementia experience social isolation following a diagnosis of dementia, partly because people are unaware of the symptoms and unsure how to respond to the changes in a person that they have always known."
World Alzheimer's Day is on Sunday, September 21.
For further information please contact Libby (02) 6241 0881 or Helen on (02) 6385 3715.
