This Dementia Action Week (16-22 September), we’re being encouraged to consider how we can help shape our future for the better, in support of people living with dementia.
As an organisation, Uniting AgeWell recognises the increasing number of people living with dementia.
In Australia, dementia is the second leading cause of death of all Australians. In 2024, it is estimated that more than 421,000 Australians live with dementia.
Aged care service providers like Uniting AgeWell, play an enormous part in pushing the boundaries to ensure continued progress in delivering the best possible outcomes for clients living with dementia and their families.
Uniting AgeWell’s Director of Dementia Care Karen Cameron joined Uniting AgeWell in 2024. Karen is relishing the experience of working with our clinical, quality and front-line professionals, consolidating their experience to support the organisation’s Dementia Framework.
“We are constantly reminded that dementia is a disease and not a normal part of ageing. With any disease, we need to understand how it is affecting the person and what they need from those around them.”
With the many clients and families we support across Victoria and Tasmania, Dementia Action Week draws focus on how we work together with clients and carers to help ease just some of the challenges that arise. It requires all of us to help build a dementia-friendly future. Part of that, is working closely with family members.
Tasmanian couple Steve and Di Wright experience first-hand the challenges facing Australian families. Steve is now carer for his much loved wife and has made it his mission to better understand this disease.
“One of my worst days was the first time Di looked at me and didn’t know who I was. She said ‘can you remind me to phone Steve, I haven’t seen him for days and I miss him so much,” he explains. “Every day she gets worse. It breaks my heart. It’s almost a grieving process, losing her bit by bit.”
Steve bravely speaks about the dementia journey he is travelling alongside his wife in the hopes of offering insight to other carers and helping them to cope better. And he’s also using the opportunity to highlight the importance of getting respite care which he currently accesses through Uniting AgeWell.
Steve’s mission to cast light on dementia will continue as he continues the journey. “I want to help other families and couples in the same position,” he explains. “Together we can build knowledge about this cruel disease. It’s the kind and the right thing to do.”
Read more about Steve and Di’s story in the current edition of Community Chat