Denise Drysdale speaks at 2016 AGM The Dementia Guide launched The Virtual ForestTM now available | AUTUMN 2017 ISSUE#124 Winter 2015 MEMORY MATTERS 1 Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Learning Services WELCOME 155 Oak Street, Parkville Vic 3052 FROM OUR CEO Family Services 98-104 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122 Regional Offices Albury, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Welcome to the to our first Memory Matters for 2017. You will Cowes, Drouin, Geelong, Mildura, find stories on much of our activity since November throughout Shepparton, Warrnambool this issue. ABN 14 671 840 186 Postal Address This magazine is just one way you can stay in contact with Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Locked Bag 3001, Hawthorn 3122 Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. I do encourage you to sign up for our monthly eNews, Tel 03 9815 7800 visit our Facebook page or explore our website for news and to find out the many Fax 03 9815 7801 ways we can support you, your friends and family. There are many options for getting involved with our activities be it fundraising, joining our consumer advisory About us network or volunteering to whatever level you are comfortable. Even sharing Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is the peak a webpage link or engaging on Facebook is helping us to raise awareness and body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia. We making sure others know we are here for them. provide support, information, education and advocate to empower and enable I wish to extend my congratulations to Maree McCabe who has served as CEO people living with dementia, their families and carers. Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is a of Alzheimer's Australia Vic since October 2010. It is with great delight we share member of the Federation of Alzheimer’s the news with you that Maree has been appointed as the new National CEO Australia. Alzheimer’s Australia. Over the coming months, Maree will oversee the transition Our vision is for a society committed of the Federation of Alzheimer’s Australia to one united organisation. to the prevention of dementia, while valuing and supporting people living with dementia. Over the last twelve months the member states and territories of the Federation have been working through this process. An update about this was shared at our Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Board Annual General Meeting in November by, the then, Interim National CEO, Maree Executive Chair Neil Samuel McCabe. The minutes of this meeting are available to all Victorian members Vice Chair Ian Knight on request. Change management consultants, KPMG are advising a national Treasurer Piera Murone integration working group and in the next few months there will be further Secretary Frauke Tyrrell correspondence with our members to keep them informed of the process. Chief Medical Advisor Assoc Prof Michael Woodward AM This is an exciting time in the life of our organisation. As we evolve and Jerome Fahrer nationalise there is a unwavering commitment to ensuring our service continues, Ross Oakley OAM Sabine Phillips uninterrupted so that the people most important to us, people living with Prof Graeme Samuel AC dementia, families and carers continue to be well supported throughout the Helen Sykes transition phase. Patron The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, I am happy to discuss this with any members and can be contacted through my Governor of Victoria office on 9816 5737 or by email to my assistant, [email protected]. Ambassadors I have been honoured to be Acting CEO of Alzheimer's Australia Vic since Lyn Allison David Astle August 2016. I have relished the challenge and I also look forward to changes Terence Donovan ahead in 2017 as I am sure we will evolve into a more streamlined and efficient Colleen Hartland MP advocacy body better placed to serve our members, consumers and stakeholders. Amy Jackson Emma Kealy MP Ultimately we are unified in our goal to provide better, and always improving, Sam Mitchell outcomes, lifestyle, care and support for people living with dementia, their families Fiona Patten MP and carers. Anne Phelan AM Prof Graeme Samuel AC Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge several Mark Seymour Nicola Stevens members of our team celebrating milestone anniversaries. Denis Walter OAM Gabrielle Williams MP Antonietta Twomey, Counsellor and Lynda Moore, Family Clinician are each Assoc Prof Michael Woodward AM marking five years with the organisation. Yvonne Shaw-Truex, Gateway Counsellor is celebrating ten years, while Maureen Hurley, Counsellor is marking an incredible Contacts 15 years of service. My congratulations to you all, and thank you for your Editorial [email protected] dedication and the invaluable contribution you have made to Alzheimer’s Australia [email protected] Vic and countless people across the state impacted by dementia. Tel 03 9816 5745 Disclaimer Articles in this publication provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. Any person with dementia should seek professional advice about their specific case. Leanne Wenig Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is not liable for any error or omission in this publication. Permission Acting CEO should be sought from the Editor before reproducing articles or images. Once permission is given the source must be acknowledged. Alzheimer’s Australia Vic does not endorse any Cover: Denise Drysdale with Alzheimer's Australia Vic Board Chair Neil Samuel products, opinions or services of any description. Photo: Darren James (also photos pages 3-5) 2 | ISSUE#124 This issue is online at fightdementia.org.au/vic Annual Reports now available online NEWS FEATURE As part of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic’s commitment to transparency, guests attending the 2016 Alzheimer’s Australia Vic AGM were 4 Annual General Meeting presented with the latest Annual Reports from both Alzheimer’s Australia Vic and the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research 5 The Dementia Guide Foundation−Victoria. Each report provided a snapshot of the 6 The Virtual ForestTM organisation’s activities and achievements during the 2015-2016 financial year. NEWS IN BRIEF The Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Annual Report focuses on programs 7 Nicola Stevens new and services that ensure people impacted by dementia are not alone ambassador in managing the challenges the disease can bring. The Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation−Victoria report focuses on 8 ExxonMobil supports the important role research plays in driving new or improved support festive campaign and care mechanisms for people impacted by dementia, meaning they are less likely to feel alone or isolated by their condition. 9 Blokes in the caring role Both reports can be found online at bit.ly/vicannrep1516 ABOUT YOU 12 Bruce Ratcliffe 12 Q&A: How can I adapt my kitchen to make it more dementia-friendly? REGIONAL ROUNDUP 13 Bigger Hearts Ballarat RESEARCH FOCUS 14 The ‘new’ role of tau in Alzheimer’s disease progression CONSUMER FOCUS 15 Consumer advocacy update DEMENTIA LEARNING 16 Sessions coming soon LIBRARY 17 Top 10 loans in 2016 FUNDRAISING Sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter at IN THE COMMUNITY http://bit.ly/VicENewsSignUp 18 A High Tea To Remember with Ita Buttrose AO OBE Connect with us … facebook.com/alzheimersaustraliavic twitter.com/alzheimersvic youtube.com/alzheimersvic instagram/alzheimersaustraliavic Autumn 2017 MEMORY MATTERS | 3 NEWS FEATURE TV star Denise Drysdale addresses guests at 2016 AGM Television legend Denise Drysdale delighted guests by speaking at the 33rd Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 30 November 2016. The event combined the Alzheimer’s Australia Vic AGM along with the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation – Victoria AGM and the Board Chairs of each, Neil Samuel and Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM respectively, presented reports on the work of each organisation in 2016-2017, along with Treasurers Peira Murone and Daniel Byrne who presented on each organisation’s financial performance for the year. Attendees at the event, which was held at Melbourne Zoo, listened as Denise recounted her experience with dear friend Ernie Sigley, who is living with dementia, and his wife Glenys. "We still have a great laugh and reminisce about all sorts of fun times", she said. Above: Denise Drysdale brings smiles to the audience speaking at the AGM. Ms Drysdale spoke of feelings of loss and confusion about knowing how to help. "It's a great comfort to know that there is support available for Ernie and Glenys from Alzheimer's Australia," she said. Denise was joined by Delia Bradshaw, who cared for her husband Bill who died from dementia. Delia shared the couple’s story and welcomed guests on behalf of all consumers. Honorary membership At the AGM, the appointment of Jack Sach, Mandy Lovell, Garry Lovell, Anne Tudor and Edie Mayhew as Honorary Members was moved and accepted by members of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. These new Honorary Members were all acknowledged for their special contribution to Alzheimer’s Australia Vic. Congratulations and thank you for Above: New Honorary Members Edie Mayhew, who is living with all that you do to improve the lives of people impacted by dementia and carers Mandy Lovell and Anne Tudor. dementia, Jack, Mandy, Garry, Anne and Edie. Above: Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Acting CEO, Leanne Wenig, Above: Former Alzheimer’s Australia Vic employee Jack Sach Denise Drysdale, Alzheimer’s Australia (then) Acting National accepting his Honorary Membership. CEO, Maree McCabe and Alzheimer’s Australia Vic co-founder and Honorary Member, Barbara Potter AM. 4 | NEWS FEATURE Above: (left to right) Carer Delia Bradshaw, Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Acting CEO Leanne Wenig, Chief Medical Advisor Assoc Prof Michael Woodward AM launching The Dementia Guide. The Dementia Guide, a friend The Dementia Guide is based on a similar resource produced by the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, which to support people impacted by has distributed more than 200,000 copies.