$3.5 million in community grants for dementia support
The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, has announced $3.5 million in grants to fund 82 community projects to provide support and raise awareness for people with dementia and their families.
She announced the grants during a visit to a Helping Hand Aged Care facility in North Adelaide. Helping Hand Aged Care provides care for more than 7,000 older South Australians.
Helping Hand Aged Care will receive over $63,000 to fund its “Memory Farm Project” which uses memorabilia and antiques to support reminiscence therapy and social engagement and its “Telling My Story” filmmaking project to assist people with dementia to share their stories and assist with recalling and passing on life experiences.
Other projects funded include the development of a mobile sensory room, exercise and nutrition programs, programs to reduce social isolation and drama and music programs such as the expansion nationally of the Silver Memories radio program broadcast by 4MBS in Brisbane.
Minister Elliot said “Australia has one of the longest life expectancies in the English speaking world and with longevity comes the greater possibility of dementia and other chronic diseases and complex health conditions”.
Further details of the grant recipients are available at http://www.health.gov.au/dementia
