Dementia Action Week takes place from the 18th to the 24th of September, with this year’s theme of ‘Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future’. The focus of this campaign is to reduce the stigmas around dementia and to reduce discrimination experienced by individuals living with dementia. During this time, we are encouraged to learn more about the needs of these individuals, and ways to support them.
Dementia is the second leading cause of deaths in Australia and data shows that it may soon be the leading cause. As of this year, there are more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia and could potentially exceed more than 800,000 by 2058 if there isn’t a medical breakthrough.
As noted on dementia.org.au, communities that take action to become dementia-friendly have less fear and a greater understanding of dementia, less stigma and discrimination, and more support and better systems for people living with dementia to live in their community for longer.
The World Health Organisation has recommended 12 ways to reduce the risk of dementia:
- Be physically active
- Do not smoke
- Eat a balanced diet
- Cognitive training
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Be socially active
- Look after your weight
- Manage any hypertension
- Manage any diabetes
- Manage any cholesterol
- Manage any depression
- Look after your hearing and manage any hearing loss
If you are caring for someone with dementia, or just want to be more aware of how to offer support, here are some tips from alzheimers.gov that may help:
- Keep a routine at the same time each day
- Write to-do lists, appointments, and other important information down
- Plan activities at the same time each day
- Create a system for reminders of taking medications as needed
- Be gentle and respectful, and explain your actions step-by-step
- Be generous with time for them to complete tasks
- Speak calmly and reassure the individual
- Allow them to maintain as much control as safely possible
- Respect their personal space
- Remind the individual who you are if they ask, rather than ask “Don’t you remember?”
- Encourage two-way conversations as much as you can
- If you are having trouble communicating with words, try to use actions or physical actions
