Far West LHD will be urging the public to be proactive and embrace the Dementia Action Week (18-24 September) theme of ‘Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future’.
During Dementia Action Week, with World Alzheimer’s Day occurring on Thursday, 21 September, the LHD is encouraging everyone to reach out in the community and learn more about the needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers who are living in your area.
There will be a Dementia Information table at the Broken Hill Health Service on Monday, 18 September 2023 between 9.30am to 2.30pm. Staff will be available to talk to you about dementia with advice on help and services available.
“There is hope and a lot of it has to come from within you,” said Jane Cain, Far West LHD Aged Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. “You have to understand and accept the diagnoses and as soon as you do that, you can start moving on with your life.”
Dementia Action Week is an opportunity to be proactive and learn more about dementia from Far West LHD staffers Alyce Degoumois, Carer Support Program Manager (left) and Jane Cain, Aged Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. They will be at the Dementia Information table at the Broken Hill Health Service on Monday, 18 September 2023 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
Since 2019, the focus of the Dementia Action Week campaign has been to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with dementia and their carers.
With up to 459,000 Australians living with dementia and the number rising rapidly as Australia's 'Baby Boomers' pass the age of 65, the symptoms of dementia may be something to look out for, especially if the person you are caring for is starting to show some different or unusual behaviours.
Dementia is simply the general term used to describe the signs and symptoms of more than 100 conditions that can affect a person's memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's Disease is only one of these.
Others include:
Dementia due to Lewy Body Disease or Vascular problems
Dementia related to Alcohol abuse
Dementia from Fronto-temporal Lobe Degeneration
Dementia affects a person’s thinking and behaviour. Common signs can include:
memory loss
confusion
trouble with speech
changes in personality
withdrawal
difficulty completing daily tasks.
There are other, treatable conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
While dementia is more common in older people, it's not a normal part of ageing. There is currently no cure for dementia but it’s possible to slow the progression. It’s important to see a doctor when symptoms first appear, so you can get a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.
Dementia cannot be prevented, but you can reduce your risk of getting it. Risk factors that can be affected by lifestyle include your:
heart health - eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and not smoking can help to keep the heart healthy and promote brain health
body health - an active lifestyle and regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and can improve brain function
mind health - mental activity that challenges the brain helps build brain cells and strengthens their connections. Staying social, learning a language or new hobby, as well as word games like crosswords and puzzles can all help memory and thinking skills.
If you have dementia, or are caring for someone who does, you can find information and support at:
Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) is encouraging all of us to stand together in solidarity during Ochre Ribbon Week (12-19 February 2025) to raise awareness and foster safer communities for Aboriginal people.
People are being urged to seek help if they notice changes in their health, with new data from the Cancer Institute NSW showing 235 people are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in Far West Local Health District in 2025.