Dementia Awareness Month You Are Not Alone
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Dementia Awareness Month You are not alone Be the change National Conference 2017 coming to Melbourne New smartphone app simulates dementia experience | SUMMER 2016 ISSUE#123 Winter 2015 MEMORY MATTERS 1 Alzheimer’s Australia Vic ISSUE#123 Learning Services WELCOME 155 Oak Street, Parkville Vic 3052 FROM OUR CEO This issue is online at Family Services fightdementia.org.au/vic 98-104 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122 Regional Offices Albury, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Welcome to the summer edition of Memory Matters. Cowes, Drouin, Geelong, Mildura, I am delighted to address you in my new capacity as Shepparton, Warrnambool NEWS FEATURE Acting CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. I’m standing in ABN 14 671 840 186 4 Dementia Awareness Postal Address for Maree McCabe, who has been temporarily seconded Alzheimer’s Australia Vic to the Alzheimer’s Australia National Office while the Month 2016 Locked Bag 3001, Hawthorn 3122 recruitment process for a new permanent National CEO takes place. Tel 03 9815 7800 6 Meet EDIE Fax 03 9815 7801 It’s been a busy few months at Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, and we have lots 7 Masterclass with of news to share. We are particularly excited about the success of our latest Dr Al Power About us Dementia Awareness Month, which was held during September. The theme Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is the peak was ‘You are not alone’, a statement that acknowledges dementia as a body and charity for people, of all ages, NEWS IN BRIEF living with all forms of dementia. We condition that impacts everyone in the community in some way. provide support, information, education and advocate to empower and enable It was my pleasure to attend a number of events hosted across the state 8 Dementia-Friendly Home people living with dementia, their families app on smartphones and carers. Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is a throughout Dementia Awareness Month, and it was heartening to see so many member of the Federation of Alzheimer’s Victorians turning out to show their support. The public enthusiasm for and Australia. 9 Anne Fairhall recognised commitment to learning more about dementia and supporting our organisation for advocacy work Our vision is for a society committed is truly inspiring. My sincerest thanks to everybody who participated. #bethechange2017 to the prevention of dementia, while In memory of valuing and supporting people living with You can read more about Dementia Awareness Month 2016 on Page 4 of this edition. 10 dementia. Vicki Powell Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Board As we go to print we are preparing for our Annual General Meeting on 30 Coming to Melbourne 11 Alan Stott retires after Executive November and I am looking forward to seeing many of you there to acknowledge Chair Neil Samuel your support and share the celebration of our 33rd year supporting and Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is delighted to be hosting the 17th Biennial 25 years Vice Chair Ian Knight Alzheimer’s Australia National Conference between 17 and 20 October Treasurer Piera Murone advocating for people loving with dementia, their families and carers. Secretary Frauke Tyrrell 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. ABOUT YOU I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge several members Chief Medical Advisor The conference will bring together national and international leaders 12 Merima Jackson Assoc Prof Michael Woodward AM of our team celebrating milestone anniversaries. Learning and Development Facilitators Amelia Suckling, Wendy Henderson and Cheryl Lyon; Margaret in dementia research and practice. The event aims to provide Jerome Fahrer 12 Q&A: I have recently Ross Oakley OAM Lawson, Counsellor; Lisa Reed, Administration Officer and Sara McKenzie, opportunities for people living with dementia, families, carers, health Sabine Phillips Administration Officer; are all celebrating five years of service. Sandra Robinson, professionals and members of the general public to explore how they been diagnosed with Prof Graeme Samuel AC Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker has also reached five years of continuous can ‘be the change’ when it comes to improving the lives of people dementia Helen Sykes service, however, Sandra has been employed for more than 12 years. Ann Reilly, impacted by dementia. Patron The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Service Operations Manager and Diane Scott, Counsellor are both marking their Attendees will explore leading approaches to supporting people REGIONAL ROUNDUP Governor of Victoria tenth year with the organisation. Meanwhile, Alan Stott, Data and Information with dementia to live engaging and rewarding lives and will have the 13 Across Victoria Ambassadors Analyst has recently retired following an incredible 25 years of service. opportunity to be touched, moved and inspired through a diverse range Lyn Allison My congratulations to you all, and thank you for your dedication and the of practical and interactive sessions. RESEARCH FOCUS David Astle Terence Donovan invaluable contribution you have made to Alzheimer’s Australia Vic and Keynote speakers already confirmed include prominent consumer Colleen Hartland MP countless people across the state impacted by dementia. 14 Loneliness and Dementia Amy Jackson and passionate advocate Christine Bryden, who was 46 when she Survey Emma Kealy MP As we approach the end of 2016, I ask you to consider supporting Alzheimer’s was diagnosed with dementia in 1995. Christine will be joined by Sam Mitchell experienced MC Dr Alan Duffy, a Research Fellow at Swinburne Fiona Patten MP Australia Vic through our summer appeal. Many of you will have received the CONSUMER FOCUS Anne Phelan AM information in the mail or you can call us on 9815 7800. University with regular segments explaining the latest scientific Prof Graeme Samuel AC discoveries on the likes of ABC Breakfast News and Ten’s The Project, Consumer advocacy Mark Seymour I would like to extend my thanks to everybody who has contributed towards 15 Denis Walter OAM as well as ABC 774, ABC 702 and Triple J. update Gabrielle Williams MP the successes of our organisation over the past year. Have a wonderful time Assoc Prof Michael Woodward AM over the festive period, and I wish you all a happy, safe and successful 2017. If you’re interested in presenting at this event, make sure you submit your abstract before 18 April 2017. Registrations for attendance are DEMENTIA LEARNING Contacts now open, with early bird rates available until 18 July 2017. More Editorial 16 Sessions coming soon [email protected] information can be found at dementia2017.org [email protected] Tel 03 9816 5745 We look forward to seeing you there! LIBRARY Disclaimer 17 Our season picks Articles in this publication provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. Leanne Wenig Any person with dementia should seek Acting CEO Connect with us … FUNDRAISING professional advice about their specific case. IN THE COMMUNITY Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is not liable for any facebook.com/alzheimersaustraliavic error or omission in this publication. Permission should be sought from the Editor before 18 Memory Walk & Jog reproducing articles or images. Once permission twitter.com/alzheimersvic is given the source must be acknowledged. Portsea Alzheimer’s Australia Vic does not endorse any youtube.com/alzheimersvic products, opinions or services of any description. Cover: A guest at our Dementia Awareness Month Public Lecture trying out EDIE - see page 6 for details instagram/alzheimersaustraliavic Photo: Arsineh Houspian 2 | Summer 2016 MEMORY MATTERS | 3 NEWS FEATURE NEWS FEATURE You are not alone − Dementia Awareness Month 2016 Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is committed to generating singer, Gorgi Coghlan who have supported the campaign We wish to thank all staff, volunteers and consumers widespread awareness of dementia, creating an locally. Find out how you can get involved at bit.ly/ for their contribution to the success Dementia increased understanding of the condition and vicbiggerhearts Awareness Month. reassuring people impacted by the disease that they Chinese Mandarin information session are not alone. Alzheimer’s Australia Vic presented an Introduction to Throughout September 2016, the organisation hosted Dementia session at Doveton, in collaboration with the Dementia Awareness Month, which comprised more Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre. The informative than 25 fun and informative events across the state, with event was held specifically for Chinese Mandarin people all the key events booked out and more than 200 people living with dementia and their carers. attending our headline Public Lecture event at Federation Square. Staff, volunteers and consumers speaking at Dementia and Dancing in Geelong events, and sharing with the media, all contributed to Renowned Geelong-based geriatrician Dr Alastair Mander helping the community understand they are not alone. presented the David Hooker Research Oration at Geelong Many photographs capturing the energy at these events West Town Hall, during which he offered an overview of can be viewed on our Facebook photos album – dementia and summarised the latest research findings. facebook.com/alzheimersaustraliavic. In addition, Attendees were given the opportunity to ask Dr Mander extensive discussion on the topic was generated in around their questions, and the presentation was followed by an 200 print, broadcast and online media items. Dementia afternoon tea, with dancing and entertainment provided by Awareness Month 2016 was supported by financial local musician